Magic VLSI is an open-source integrated-circuit layout editor with design-rule checking, circuit extraction, routing, and GDS/CIF format support.
The project documents interactive layout, DRC, extraction, routing, scripting, and interchange formats. It is free to obtain, but current installation guidance centers on building from source; no reliable public review score was verified.
This profile combines documented product information and independent evidence where available. It is not a hands-on test unless TechZella explicitly identifies one.
Magic VLSI is a desktop layout editor for integrated-circuit design. Its documented workflows include layout editing, design-rule checking, routing, circuit extraction, and CIF/GDS format conversion.
Users configure process-specific behavior through technology files. The project is distributed as source, and its current installation guide describes compiling the software locally.
A quick way to understand who this product may suit, where its limits matter, and which facts are most relevant before you compare alternatives.
Engineers, researchers, and learners who need a local layout editor for open-source IC design workflows and have compatible technology files.
Buyers seeking a hosted design service, a turnkey Windows-native installation, or an integrated commercial signoff environment should assess other tools and their foundry-specific requirements, and should evaluate alternatives such as KLayout or Electric VLSI Design System instead.
Desktop, Linux, macOS, UNIX
6.5/10
These are the product-specific differences that may matter when deciding whether the software fits your workflow. They are based on documented evidence rather than a universal ranking.
These are documented constraints or practical friction points that may matter before you adopt the product.
Teams should budget for compiling the current version and checking its dependencies rather than assuming a current one-click installer.
Evidence source ↗Windows-only users may need additional environment configuration before using the graphical editor.
Evidence source ↗A Magic DRC result alone may not cover every check in a flow that uses multiple verification tools.
Evidence source ↗Free source distribution. No paid plans or separate trial period are listed on the official download page.
Check current pricing →Pricing may change. Verify current plans on the vendor's website.
Compare similar products directly, then see which alternatives may make more sense when your requirements differ.
| Decision factor | Magic VLSI | KLayout | Electric VLSI Design System |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core design scope | Technology-aware IC layout editing with DRC, extraction, routing, and CIF/GDS workflows. | GDS/OASIS viewing and editing, with DRC, LVS, XOR, and layout-difference features. Source ↗ | Circuit-oriented IC design system combining schematics, layout, connectivity checks, simulation, and routing. Source ↗ |
| Scripting | Tcl/Tk command interface supports scripting Magic commands. | Built-in Ruby and Python scripting, plus a macro development environment. Source ↗ | Its documentation lists interpreters including Lisp, Tcl, and Java. Source ↗ |
| Deployment | Current distribution is source-based; Windows guidance uses Linux on Windows or Cygwin. | Official downloads are provided for Windows, with Linux packages and macOS builds also documented. Source ↗ | The GNU release is a Java archive requiring Java 17 or later. Source ↗ |
| Pricing model | Free source distribution; no subscription plans are listed. | Free and distributed under the GNU GPL, according to its project site. Source ↗ | The project states that its open-source software is available without charge. Source ↗ |
Only factors supported by the available research are shown. The comparison is descriptive, not a ranking.
These products address broadly similar requirements. The descriptions focus on documented reasons a buyer might compare them with Magic VLSI.
| Latest listed version | 8.3 revision 695, dated November 6, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Deployment | Local installation from source |
| Scripting interface | Tcl/Tk command interface |
| File formats | CIF, GDS/Calma; LEF/DEF module documented |
| Windows environment | Linux on Windows or Cygwin described in official installation guidance |
| Integrations | Used in OpenLane flows; technology files and rule decks are configured separately |
| Web API | No public web API found in the reviewed official documentation |
Verified installation, hosting, administration, or environment details that can affect implementation.
| Installation or hosting | Locally installed software distributed as source; the documented installation procedure uses configure, make, and make install. Source ↗ |
|---|---|
| Windows support | The project describes running Magic through Linux on Windows or Cygwin, including X11 requirements for the graphical interface. Source ↗ |
Documented portability, standards, export, or switching considerations. No switching-cost score is shown unless the evidence supports one.
The documentation covers CIF and Calma/GDS format conversion; compatibility still depends on the design and technology setup.
Evidence source ↗A proprietary editorial score based on product capabilities, usability, value, performance, support and user sentiment evidence.
The project documents interactive layout, DRC, extraction, routing, scripting, and interchange formats. It is free to obtain, but current installation guidance centers on building from source; no reliable public review score was verified.
Methodology v1.0. The assessment weighs feature coverage (25%), ease of use (15%), value for money (20%), performance (15%), support (10%) and user sentiment (15%), using researched product evidence and verified review evidence where available. It is a TechZella editorial assessment, not a direct user-review average.
Key claims are linked to the sources used to verify them. This evidence record is separate from third-party user ratings.
TechZella evaluates software using documented product capabilities, pricing information, usability and value considerations, independent user evidence where available, and competitive context. The assessment is an editorial review, not a hands-on test unless one is explicitly identified. Our editorial assessment is based on 5 documented sources.
The distribution table shows the 8.3.695 source archive and its posted date.
View source ↗Verified 2026-11-10The official documentation indexes tutorials for these functions and the command reference.
View source ↗Verified 2026-11-10The official installation page identifies the source distribution and the configure, make, and make install workflow.
View source ↗Verified 2026-11-10The upstream repository README identifies Tim Edwards as maintainer of the current distribution.
View source ↗Verified 2026-11-10OpenLane's getting-started documentation describes both DRC steps and explains that each tool has blind spots covered by the other.
View source ↗Verified 2026-11-10The upstream repository includes Tcl/Tk instructions, and the official documentation provides Tcl/Tk tutorials.
View source ↗Verified 2026-11-10Answers begin with the clearest available response, followed by the context that helps you act on it.
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