The Best Electrical Planning Software 2026: ePLAN, hagercad, WSCAD & Co. Compared
The best electrical planning software depends on your use case: for industrial projects ePLAN Electric P8 is the standard, for distribution board design hagercad, and for browser-based end-to-end planning from installation plan to KNX it's myElectricPlan from €9/month. This comparison covers the most important tools in 2026 with prices, strengths and limits – and which one fits your business.
Market overview: who does what
The market splits into three camps: heavy CAD packages for industry and plant construction, mid-tier tools for electrical contractors, and lean web tools for building installations and homeowners.
| Tool | Target audience | License | Strengths | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ePLAN Electric P8 | Industry / plant construction | Purchase + maintenance | Deep engineering features, database integration | On request, typically several thousand €/year |
| WSCAD | Machine building / PLC | Module purchase | ECAD, terminals, cable plans | License/subscription, on request |
| ProCAD elcad | Mid-size industry | Concurrent user | Grid connections, schematics | On request |
| hagercad | Electricians / panel building | Registration | Hager components, switchgear layout | Free |
| JETPLAN | Trade businesses / quick installation plans | Web / subscription | Floor plan upload, very easy to learn, parts lists | Subscription, free trial |
| Electro Planner | Homeowners / distribution board pre-planning | Web | Automatic MCB/RCD selection, board view, PDF export | Free |
| myElectricPlan | Building installation, SMB, homeowner | Web / subscription | Installation plan, schematic, switchgear in one | From €9/month, complete bundle €39/month |
How much does electrical planning software cost?
The price range is huge: free tools like Electro Planner or hagercad cover parts of the job. Browser-based all-in-one tools like myElectricPlan start at €9/month per module; the complete bundle with all modules costs €39/month – no installation, no maintenance contract. Classic CAD suites like ePLAN Electric P8 or WSCAD typically cost several thousand euros per year, plus training and maintenance.
Always factor in the learning curve on top of the license: a tool you master in one evening is often cheaper in day-to-day business than a more powerful solution that needs weeks of training.
What to look for when comparing
Not every feature list matters in everyday work. These six criteria decide whether you'll be productive with the software.
Learning curve
Web tools are productive in hours, classic CAD programs take weeks to months of training.
License costs
Watch for hidden costs: maintenance contracts, concurrent users, module surcharges. Subscription models have more predictable costs.
Symbol library
DIN EN 60617 is required. Check if manufacturer-specific libraries (ABB, Hager, Siemens) are available.
Auto-schematic generation
A good tool generates the circuit diagram layout automatically from the topology of the system. Drawing every diagram by hand costs hours otherwise.
Switchgear assembly
Layout plan with DIN rail arrangement, terminal plan, BOM export are standard today.
Exports and interfaces
PDF, DXF, GAEB export, wholesaler integration (Sonepar, Famo) save a lot of typing.
Which software for which company?
Single electricians and 3-10-person shops
Cloud tools like myElectricPlan are usually the fastest and cheapest option here. No IT, no updates, ready to go.
Mid-size electrical contractors
hagercad or ProCAD elcad offer the right feature scope. For lots of panel building, hagercad is particularly worth it.
Industry and plant construction
ePLAN Electric P8 or WSCAD are standard here. Multi-user, database integration, and PLC integration justify the high license costs.
Common mistakes when choosing software
Buying features that are never used
A €5,000 license isn't worth it if you only plan residential installations. Choose by need, not feature list.
Underestimating the learning curve
ePLAN and others require training. Plan this time in or choose a simpler tool if there's no time for training.
No test with a real project
Don't let yourself be shown a standard demo. Test with one of your typical projects from measurement to switchgear.
Conclusion: software must fit the business, not vice versa
Heavy CAD packages are for industry. For building installations and trade shops, modern web tools are almost always more worthwhile. Anyone who switches between private and commercial customers should choose a tool that covers both worlds.
💡 Tip: Test two or three solutions with a real project before committing.
Frequently asked questions
Which electrical planning software is best for small electrical businesses?
For businesses with 1–10 employees, browser-based tools are usually the best choice because they require no CAD experience. myElectricPlan is the most complete tool (installation plan, circuit diagram, cabinet and KNX in one), JETPLAN a lean alternative for pure installation plans.
Is there free electrical planning software?
Yes: Electro Planner is completely free, hagercad is free after registration, and myElectricPlan offers a free trial. For professional day-to-day use, a paid version with support and updates usually pays off.
Do I need ePLAN or WSCAD as an electrician?
For building electrical installations usually not: both are designed for switchgear and machine engineering. Price and training time are out of proportion for residential and renovation projects.
How much does electrical planning software cost?
From free (Electro Planner, hagercad) to €9–39/month for browser-based tools like myElectricPlan, up to several thousand euros per year for industrial CAD like ePLAN or WSCAD.
Can I plan KNX without ETS?
Planning with devices and group addresses works entirely without ETS, e.g. in myElectricPlan. For commissioning, the project is exported as an ETS template – programming still happens in ETS.
Try myElectricPlan free
myElectricPlan covers installation plan, schematic and switchgear in one tool — browser-based, no installation and no CAD training required.
Try myElectricPlan nowMatching software
Installation Plan
Place DIN symbols on your floor plan and reach a finished plan in minutes.