CELUS is a broad, enterprise-leaning electronics-design platform. ProtoFlow is a focused, free desktop tool for the most common need: turning an idea into a real schematic and then a manufacturable board, in ProtoFlow or in KiCad.
By Rishik Boddeti · Last reviewed
Founder of ProtoFlow, ECE at UT Austin
Quick answer
CELUS is an AI electronics-design platform aimed at engineering teams and the broader component supply chain; it exports to your preferred EDA tool but does not publish pricing. ProtoFlow is the lightweight, self-serve alternative, a free desktop app that generates schematics from plain English, imports real LCSC/DigiKey/Mouser parts, lays out the board, and exports Gerbers, a JLCPCB BOM/CPL, or a KiCad project. If you want a transparent, start-now tool rather than an enterprise platform, ProtoFlow fits.
Each row links to the vendor page it came from and shows the date we last read that page. Vendors change pricing often, so check the link before you buy.
| Product | Price or limit | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| CELUS | No public pricing published | celus.io |
| Criteria | ProtoFlow EDA | CELUS |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing transparency | Free to use, stated plainly. | No public self-serve pricing on the homepage. |
| Product focus | Schematic, PCB layout, simulation and manufacturing files, with component import and KiCad export. | Broad AI electronics-design platform incl. supply-chain angle. |
| Deployment | Desktop app, local files. | Cloud platform with account-based access. |
| Getting started | Download and design immediately. | Sign up / get started through the platform flow. |
| Best fit | Engineers wanting a transparent, free design tool from schematic to Gerbers. | Organizations adopting a broad platform strategy. |
Reviewed on: 2026-06-04
ProtoFlow is a focused, free, self-serve desktop PCB design tool: AI schematic drafting, layout, simulation, and Gerber and KiCad export. CELUS is a broader, enterprise-leaning platform without public self-serve pricing.
Yes. ProtoFlow exports a ready-to-use KiCad project and supports additional handoff paths, similar in spirit to CELUS exporting to your chosen EDA tool.
ProtoFlow is usually the faster start because it is free and requires no platform onboarding or sales conversation.
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Evaluate the workflow directly with your own circuit scope and compare review-ready output speed.
