System Check – Engineering Certificates Worth It?

System check! The journalists and engineers at eeNews Europe and Elektor want to know: How do you feel about certificates in electronics and engineering? Have you ever paid for training that led to a certification? Please share your opinion with us.

Past results

Curious about the results from last week’s System Check on the topic of KiCad? Here is what we learned.

What does this tell us? KiCad has clearly emerged as the leading schematic capture and PCB design tool within Elektor’s global community. With about two-thirds of respondents using it, KiCad surpasses both commercial tools and mixed-tool workflows. This level of adoption suggests that open-source solutions have matured to the point where they meet the needs of engineers, makers, and students alike. While cost likely plays a role, the widespread use also signals strong trust in KiCad’s capabilities. At the same time, the continued use of paid tools (around 20%) and hybrid approaches shows that established platforms still hold value, especially in specialized or legacy-driven contexts.

In terms of perception, KiCad also holds its own against commercial competitors. Most respondents say they prefer KiCad over paid options, reinforcing the idea that its usability, features, and community support are delivering real value. That said, the data isn’t one-sided. A meaningful minority still views paid tools as better, and some see little difference between the options. This suggests that while KiCad is highly competitive, certain advanced features, workflows, or enterprise-level integrations in commercial tools may still offer advantages in specific scenarios.

Overall, open-source EDA tools are no longer just alternatives. They are increasingly becoming the default choice for a significant portion of the electronics community.