PSpice vs. LTspice: Ultimate Circuit Simulator Showdown
PSpice is Cadence’s Windows-centric SPICE simulator; LTspice is Analog Devices’ free, cross-platform SPICE engine.
Engineers swap them because both open “.cir” netlists, both plot waveforms, and YouTube tutorials rarely say which tool is running—so screenshots look identical.
Key Differences
PSpice ties to OrCAD schematic capture, charges for advanced models, and excels at Monte-Carlo yield analysis. LTspice ships unlimited parts, runs faster native code, and adds MOSFET wizards but lacks formal version control.
Which One Should You Choose?
Pick PSpice if your company already owns Cadence licenses and needs IBIS-AMI signal-integrity flows. Grab LTspice for personal projects, startups, or when you need a no-cost, community-supported simulator that still handles 32-bit PWL sources.
Can LTspice open PSpice libraries?
Yes, after converting .lib to .sub; watch for vendor-specific parameters.
Is PSpice subscription-only?
No, perpetual licenses remain available, but updates come via annual maintenance.
Which one runs on Mac natively?
Only LTspice offers a signed macOS build; PSpice still needs Windows or a VM.