What’s New in KiCad 9.0? – The Ultimate Breakdown 2025 By PCB Cupid
Why This Matters for Every PCB Designer
KiCad just released Version 9.0.0, and it’s one of the most feature-rich upgrades the open-source EDA suite has ever seen.
If you’re a hardware hobbyist, electronics engineer, or a startup working on your next IoT breakthrough, this update will boost your productivity and make your PCB designs smarter, cleaner, and faster.
Let’s unpack what’s new and why it matters for the PCB Cupid community.
🧠 Quick Recap: What is KiCad?
KiCad is a free, open-source Electronics Design Automation (EDA) tool used for schematic capture and PCB layout. It supports:
Multi-layer board designs
Custom footprints and symbol libraries
Powerful 3D rendering
Seamless integration with platforms like ESP32, Arduino, and GLYPH boards (available on shop.pcbcupid.com)
With each version, KiCad becomes more industry-ready, and Version 9.0 cements that reputation.
⚡ What’s New in KiCad 9.0?
- 🧱 Modern UI Overhaul
Fresh, responsive dark/light theme switcher
Cleaner iconography, intuitive toolbar layout
Faster navigation — fewer clicks, more flow
- 🪄 Interactive Routing Upgrades
Better push/shove behavior
Hugging improvements on curved tracks
DRC-driven routing is now buttery smooth
- 📐 Schematic Editor Improvements
Drag-to-reconnect wires
New bus handling
Annotate symbols without losing net info
- 📦 Symbol & Footprint Libraries Revamp
Community-managed libraries now sync with Git
Smart versioning: never break your legacy projects
Integrated search: filter by category, tag, or supplier
- 📊 SPICE Simulation Enhancements
Better waveform visualization
Error handling improvements
More component models
- 🔍 Improved 3D Viewer
Real-time rendering with GPU acceleration
Exploded views for inspecting assemblies
Easier STL export for enclosure fitment
- 🔁 Seamless GitHub Integration
One-click sync with Git-based hardware repos
Ideal for open-source collaboration
🌍 Why It Matters to PCB Cupid Users
PCB Cupid supports KiCad-native designs and encourages open-source workflows. With KiCad 9.0:
You can design faster and with more accuracy
Export Gerber, BOM, and 3D files for instant fabrication on pcbcupid.com
Use GitHub integrations to collaborate with community members on our Forum
🎓 Bonus for Beginners: PCB Cupid Learning Path
If you're new to KiCad, we’ve got your back:
🔧 KiCad Basics for ESP32 Boards
📁 How to export Gerbers for manufacturing
🧪 Hands-on PCB projects using GLYPH-C3 / C6 modules
🛠️ Start Designing, Start Shipping
Ready to turn your KiCad 9.0 design into a real board?
📥 Upload your files → Get Instant Quote → Receive your boards in 3 days
✅ Order PCBs Now
✅ Join the Community Forum
✅ Shop Dev Boards & Modules
📌 Final Thoughts
KiCad 9.0 isn’t just an update — it’s a leap toward making open hardware development more scalable, collaborative, and fun. At PCB Cupid, we’re all in.
Stay tuned for our YouTube tutorial series where we’ll demo the new features in action. Until then, keep building cool stuff 🚀