Multisim Live Is Shutting Down in September 2026: Here Are Your Best Alternatives
By Britt-Espinosa10 min read
If you have received the email from Digilent, or read their announcement, you already know: Multisim Live is reaching end-of-life on September 15, 2026. After that date, the platform goes dark. No access, no exports, no simulations. Digilent's recommended path (migrate to Multisim Desktop) requires downloading software and, depending on your situation, a paid licence.
So what do you actually do? Whether you are a student who built circuits in Multisim Live, an educator running a classroom on it, or a professional who relied on it as a lightweight tool, this guide walks through every realistic option and what each one is actually good for.
What Happens When Multisim Live Goes Offline?
On September 15, 2026, the Multisim Live platform permanently shuts down. Digilent's official EOL announcement covers the full details, but here is the short version:
All circuits hosted on Multisim Live will become inaccessible
Your active subscription will be automatically cancelled
Monthly subscriptions stopped being sold on August 1, 2026
Annual subscriptions are no longer being renewed
Digilent is offering courtesy access to Multisim Desktop until October 1, 2026, after which a paid licence is required
The short version: you have a window to migrate your circuits and find a new tool before the deadline. The good news is there are more solid browser-based options now than there have ever been.
Your Options: An Honest Comparison
There are five realistic paths forward. Here is an honest look at each one.
1. CircuitSim (Our pick, shocking we know 😄)
Yes, this is our tool. Yes, we put it first. But with good reason! We think CircuitSim is the most feature-complete alternative to Multisim Live available right now. Judge for yourself below.
The core case: CircuitSim is the only browser-based alternative genuinely trying to match what Multisim Live did, including SPICE simulation, a real component library, multiple analysis types, and a proper schematic editor, and then go further with collaboration tools and educator features that Multisim Live never had.
CircuitSim is currently in open beta. Core simulation is working well and we are heads-down toward a full launch in July/August 2026. A few honest caveats: our component library is growing and currently covers most coursework and common projects, with more added every month. If something you need is not there yet, the custom component creator lets you build it. Team collaboration and classroom management features are still in development. If you need a fully polished product today, that is worth knowing. If you are okay being a little early, open beta is free!
Here is what is working now:
Industry-standard SPICE engine with several simulation types available now and more being added each month: DC Operating Point, AC Small-Signal, Transient analysis and more. The same class of simulation used in professional EDA tools.
Component library covering most coursework and projects across a growing range of categories. Cannot find what you need? The custom component creator is available now and we are expanding the library every month.
Drag-and-drop schematic editor alongside a syntax-highlighted SPICE netlist editor. Use whichever suits your workflow.
Modern visualization and charting with responsive, customisable charts for analysing simulation results clearly.
Collaboration features in development including team groups, class management, and real-time sharing on the roadmap for Summer 2026.
Free individual tier. No credit card, no install. Create an account and start simulating.
Best for
Students and educators looking for a SPICE-capable browser tool heading into Fall 2026. Hobbyists who want something more accurate than Falstad with a cleaner interface. Professionals who want browser-based simulation without a desktop install. Anyone who wants the closest feature match to Multisim Live, plus features it never had like custom component creation.
Get started free at circuitsim.com →
2. Falstad Circuit Simulator
Falstad is one of the most widely-used free circuit simulators on the web, and genuinely deserves that reputation for what it does well. It is free, runs entirely in the browser, and its animated current-flow visualisation is one of the best ways to build intuition about how circuits behave.
Where it differs from Multisim Live:
Not SPICE-based. Falstad uses simplified, idealised component models. Great for understanding concepts, but not designed to model real-world component behaviour like parasitics, temperature dependence, or complex transistor characteristics.
Real-time simulation only. You watch the circuit run rather than defining an analysis window and examining a dataset. There is no parameter sweeping, Monte Carlo, or noise analysis.
Smaller component library focused on common, idealised parts. Covers the essentials for learning but has less depth for professional work.
Designed for desktop browsers and keyboard/mouse input.
Falstad is a genuinely good tool for what it was built for: making circuits visual, intuitive, and approachable. If your main use of Multisim Live was exploring basic circuit behaviour, it is worth trying. If you relied on it for SPICE-accurate analysis or a broad component library, you will likely want something else.
Best for
Visual learning, intuition-building, and quick concept demonstrations. A solid complement to other tools, rather than a direct Multisim Live replacement.
3. Tinkercad Circuits
Tinkercad is an Autodesk product that combines 3D modelling, code blocks, and basic circuit simulation in one place. It is genuinely well-designed for its audience: students who are new to electronics and want a friendly, guided experience to get started.
For users coming from Multisim Live, the main limitations to be aware of:
Component library focused on beginner and Arduino-compatible parts. It covers the essentials for introductory coursework but does not extend into power electronics, analog IC design, or the depth of component modelling that intermediate and advanced circuits require.
Not SPICE-based. Like Falstad, Tinkercad uses simplified models designed for learning concepts rather than validating real circuit behaviour.
Scope is intentionally narrow. Tinkercad is built to be approachable, which means it does not try to do everything. For most Multisim Live users, that is a step backwards rather than a lateral move.
Tinkercad is a thoughtfully built tool for its purpose. If you are teaching introductory electronics or working with students picking up a breadboard for the first time, it is one of the friendliest entry points available. If you are looking for a Multisim Live replacement at an intermediate or professional level, you will likely outgrow it quickly.
Best for
Introductory electronics education and first-time learners. A good starting point that most users will want to move on from as their skills develop.
4. EasyEDA Schematic + PCB tool
EasyEDA is a well-regarded online EDA tool with a large user base, strong schematic capture features, and tight integration with LCSC for component sourcing. It is widely used by people who want to go from schematic to a fabricated PCB, which is something genuinely outside the scope of what Multisim Live (or CircuitSim) does.
Where it is more limited as a circuit simulation tool:
Simulation is a secondary feature rather than the core focus. EasyEDA has a limited selection of SPICE models, and users sometimes find that components they need do not have simulation models available.
Simulation tools are only available in the Standard edition, not the newer Pro edition, which can create some confusion about which version to use.
The tool is primarily oriented around schematic capture and layout. It is genuinely great for that purpose. Pure simulation is just not where it shines.
If your workflow extends beyond simulation into PCB fabrication, EasyEDA is worth knowing about. It fills a gap that Multisim Live never covered. As a direct simulation replacement, you will likely want something else alongside it.
Best for
Schematic capture and design-to-fabrication workflows. Worth adding to your toolkit if PCB work is on your horizon, even if it is not your primary simulation environment.
5. Multisim Desktop Desktop / institutional
Digilent's own recommended migration path is Multisim Desktop (the NI Circuit Design Suite). To their credit, they are offering existing Multisim Live subscribers courtesy access until October 1, 2026. Multisim Desktop is a capable, professional-grade simulation environment with deep NI hardware integration and a long track record.
The main considerations for people coming from Multisim Live:
It is a desktop application. You will need to download, install, and manage it. That is a different workflow from the browser tab you are used to, and it ties you to specific machines.
Pricing can be a significant factor. Subscriptions start at around $923/year for the base edition. If you are an individual engineer or small team without an existing NI relationship, it is worth confirming the cost before committing.
Primarily a Windows application, which may be a consideration in mixed-OS environments.
If you are in an institution that already has an NI site licence, or your work genuinely requires the integration that Multisim Desktop offers with NI hardware, this is a legitimate path. The courtesy access window is a reasonable opportunity to evaluate it before committing. For individuals and students without an existing NI relationship, the overhead is worth weighing against browser-based options.
Best for
Institutions with existing NI licences, or workflows requiring tight integration with NI hardware and test equipment. Starts at ~$923/year.
Why CircuitSim Is Worth Trying Right Now
We are hard at work getting CircuitSim ready in time for the Fall semester. Open beta is live now, the core simulation features work, and we are building toward a complete feature launch in July/August 2026.
A few things that matter and are worth saying directly:
We are actively building this, every day. CircuitSim is not a finished product handed off to a maintenance team. It is under active development. New components, features, and fixes ship regularly. If something is missing or broken, there is a good chance we are already working on it.
It is just the two of us. Britt and Sam, the two founders of Elsewhere Labs, build and run CircuitSim. When you email us, you are emailing the people who wrote the code and designed the product. We read everything and respond to everything.
Your existing knowledge transfers. CircuitSim uses industry-standard SPICE, so the circuit analysis you learned in Multisim translates directly.
The component library is growing fast. It is smaller than we would like right now, but we are adding parts every month toward a 5,000+ component target before Fall launch.
Educator features are in development. If you are running classes on Multisim Live, we are building student management, class groups, and assignment tools. Reach out and we will keep you posted on timing.
You can start right now, for free. Create an account at circuitsim.com. No credit card, no install, just open beta access.
The Fall 2026 semester will be the first in years without Multisim Live. Getting settled into a new tool before September, rather than scrambling to find one in the first week of classes, is just a smoother experience. If CircuitSim is a fit, great. If another tool on this list suits your needs better, that is a fine outcome too.
Give CircuitSim a Try
CircuitSim is free during open beta. No credit card, no install. Just create an account and start simulating. It is not finished yet, but the core features work and we would genuinely love your feedback. If it is not the right fit, the other tools in this guide are worth exploring. We just think you should have a good browser-based SPICE option on the list.
Questions? Feedback? Just want to know what is on the roadmap? Email us directly at hello@circuitsim.com - We'd love to talk!