← all parity reports
Electronics
Kerf vs Cadence Allegro X
High-end constraint-driven PCB design — compared honestly against MIT open-core EDA.
13/13in Kerf today
12/13in Cadence Allegro X (included)
0behind a paid tier
2026-06-05last reviewed
| Capability | Kerf | Cadence Allegro X |
|---|---|---|
| Constraint-driven design rules (net classes, clearances)D6 |
yes
packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/tools/net_classes.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| Interactive routing + real-time DRCD6 |
yes
packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/routing/push_shove.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| Signal integrity (impedance / crosstalk / eye / IBIS)D6 |
yes
packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/si_eye_wizard.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| Power integrity (PDN / IR-drop / decoupling)D6 |
yes
packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/pdn_wizard.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| Controlled-impedance stackupD6 |
yes
packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/stackup/impedance.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| Rigid-flex PCB designD6 |
yes
packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/flex/stackup.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| 3D canvas + MCAD co-design (STEP)D6 |
yes
packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/pcb_3d_clearance.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| DRC / DFM checksD6 |
yes
packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/netlist_drc.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| Fabrication output (Gerber / ODB++ / IPC-2581)D6 |
yes
packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/fab/ipc2581.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| Multi-board / system designD6 |
yes
packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/multi_board/workspace.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| Constraint Manager spreadsheet UID6 |
yes
packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/constraint_manager/tools.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| IC package / substrate design (APD)D6 |
yes
packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/ic_package/tools.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| Open-source core / chat-nativeD1 |
yes
packages/kerf-sdk/src/kerf/
|
no source ↗ |
- yes shipped
- partial works with limits
- paid tier present, but behind an add-on or meter
- no not available
Corrections welcome. These rows are read off published documentation on the date shown and go stale as products ship. If a row is wrong, open an issue — the source file is public/compare/allegro.md and every claim in it carries a link.