Perhaps Dave or one of the moderators could convert this list into some sort of poll. I know that many of the items on the list are less popular, while programs like KiCad, Eagle, Altium and Diptrace are widely used and appreciated. I have tried a couple of dozen of the programs on the list over the years and know that sorting out the best is a tough job. Seeing what the users of this forum think would rapidly winnow the selections.
The poll I envision would have rating factors like: User interface, interchange capability, library size, library quality, board size, #layers, projected stability, price, extendability, documentation.
While things like user interface are very subjective, if a high percentage of people rate something high in this are it means something.
There would still be confusion. As examples, the two programs I use the most are DEX 2020 and Eagle. Eagle has few limits on size and layers if you pay the full license, so might rate high in that category. But it also has a free version. Might rate high there too, but it can't get both scores at once.
Similar confusion would occur on the library scores. Since DEX imported the Eagle library they both have essentially the same library size, and it is huge. But I would rate the overall quality of the library as low. Many parts are poorly labeled, have low quality circuit symbols, and have footprint errors. The quality of the library for DEX is even lower for two reasons. First the import process had errors. Second, a feature of DEX that I like is 3D board visualization. But this requires 3D models of the parts, and as far as I can tell none of the imported parts have 3D models. A surprisingly small number of the parts submitted by users in DEX have these models either. DEX would also score low in projected stability. It is a one man show, and he has demonstrated the capability to get fed up. No telling when development will stop cold because of anger, illness or old age.
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