Gerber viewer is a tool used to open and view Gerber files. Gerber files are an industry-standard format used to describe PCB design—— Copper traces, solder masks, silkscreens——produce printed circuit boards. Exported from different native PCB files, Gerber files are universal to maintain consistent communication between designers, engineers, and manufacturers. After loading Gerber files, designers can visually check everything before production to catch errors in time and avoid losses early. There are two types of Gerber viewers for you to choose from: online Gerber viewers and Gerber viewer download software. We recommend the 10 best free Gerber viewer tools with both these two types of versions.
5 Best Free Gerber Viewer online
Online viewers can directly open it in the browser and quickly access it. It is convenient for simple checks and better to communicate with your PCB manufacturers. However, online PCB Gerber viewer generally has file size or format limits and rely on internet connectivity. Some advanced functions, like measurements or editing, are often missed. Online viewers are more convenient for quick design verification and are friendly for beginners.
| Viewer | Major Features | Free Level | Pros | Cons |
| Altium 365 Viewer | 2D/3D, supports Gerber/ODB++/IPC-2581, team collaboration | Free; Need an account | Professional, multi-format, collaboration | Needs sign-up, heavier load |
| Tracespace Viewer | Lightweight 2D viewer, fast rendering | Free | Quick, no login, easy | No 3D, limited analysis |
| EasyEDA Viewer | 2D/3D, drill check, direct PCB order | Free; Need an account | Smooth, integrates with JLCPCB | Tied to EasyEDA, fewer pro features |
| GerbLook | 2D viewer, drag & drop, share links | Free | Simple, shareable, no login | No 3D, very basic tools |
| PCB CAM Online | Supports Gerber/ODB++/IPC-2581/GenCad, format conversion | Free basic; upgrades available | Multi-format, conversion, and advanced inspection tools | Web upload limits, some features paid |
Altium 365 Viewer
Free, open-source, and very fast, Altium 365 viewer is widely loved by wide PCB designers. It is one of the most advanced online Gerber viewers that supports Gerber RS-274X and X2 files, ODB++, IPC-2581, KiCad, Eagle, and even native Altium Designer files.
Altium viewer supports both 2D and 3D visualization with detailed layer inspection and measurement tools to provide a professional experience. The cloud-based collaboration design allows you to share the Gerber instantly with your teammates or manufacturers.
Tracespace Viewer
The lightweight 2D Tracespace Gerber viewer is widely loved for its simplicity. It doesn’t need an account, so you can drag, drop, and view instantly for a quick file check. It can upload Gerber files and overlay them, and simply display layer stacks for inspection with essential viewing functions. MOKOPCB uses this online viewer for our customers to upload project files with quick Gerber visualization.
EasyEDA Gerber viewer
EasyEDA is free and user-friendly with a simple interface and quick checks for Gerber RS-274X and Excellon files. Thanks to available 2D and limited 3D views, users can toggle layers and check whether copper, solder, mask, and silkscreen align precisely. What’s more, the viewer is closely linked with EasyEDA’s own ecosystem, like PCB design and ordering service.
GerberLook
GerberLook is a minimalist online Gerber viewer with excellent speed and simplicity. It provides fast inspections and doesn’t need sign-up, so that you can zoom in on details quickly before submitting to the manufacturer, especially for those small projects. However, its features are very limited; for example, it doesn’t have measuring tools, DRC, 3D view, and collaboration options, and it only supports standard Gerber 274X files.
PCB CAM Online
PCB CAM Online, powered by PCB Investigator, is a web-based viewer that allows users to visualize PCB designs and CAD data. It also supports other common data formats, such as ODB++, IPC-2581, or GenCAD. You can find, search, choose and inspect components, traces, and pads throughout the designs. The tool is free and can be upgraded to get extra features.
5 Best Free Gerber Viewer Software
Gerber viewer software can be downloaded on your computer, including Windows, macOS, or Linux systems. They often provide stronger performance than online tools with advanced inspection and editing features and greater data security.
| Software | Free Level | OS Support | Advantages | Limitations |
| Gerbv | 100% free, open-source | Windows, macOS, Linux | Lightweight, multi-OS, community-driven | Only 2D, outdated interface |
| ZofzPCB | Free 3D viewer, some paid extras | Windows | Realistic 3D visualization, great for demos | Resource-heavy, Windows-only |
| GerbView | Free trial, full version paid | Windows | Advanced measurement, export options | Trial-limited, no macOS/Linux |
| GerberLogix | Free edition, Pro for more | Windows | 2D + basic 3D, simple interface | Limited features in free, Windows-only |
| ViewMate | Free for viewing/measurement | Windows | Industry-standard, reliable | Pro needed for editing, 2D only |
Gerbv
Gerbv is 100% free and works on Windows, macOS, and Linux. It is a long-standing open-source Gerber file viewer developed as one of the utilities affiliated with the gEDA project in electronic design. GerbV is compatible with both Gerber RS-274X files and Excellon drill files, and also supports multiple-layer view for alignment checks.
However, though it’s well-functioning, but a little bit outdated compared to modern viewers. It is a strict 2D view without 3D visualization and lacks advanced analysis tools like DRC checks. If you only need a quick file check, it is a good choice.
ZofzPCB
ZofzPCB stands out as a 3D Gerber viewer that allows you to see inside your board, so you can rotate, zoom, and check multiple layers to have a thorough and detailed inspection. It is great for impressive visual effects, design reviews, educational purposes, and client presentations. But for designers who want a quick check, it is overused and may be complicated.
It is free for its 3D viewer, but some extended functions, like the ODB++ import, require payment. It is only downloadable for Windows systems.
Gerbview
Gerbview, developed by Software Companions, is a professional-grade Gerber viewer with a delicate interface and comprehensive features. It is advanced to measure distances, manage layers, add annotations, and export Gerber files to other formats like PDF, DXF, and SVG.
Gerbview only provides a 30-day free evaluation version in a trial period with limited functions. Complete features and long-term use require purchase. It is also only used for Windows users.
GerberLogix
GerberLogix is a light and flexible Gerber viewer that provides clear 2D visualization along with basic 3D preview capabilities to better display your design structure. The software supports Gerber files and Excellon drill files. It is simple and straightforward enough for beginners to pick up quickly, balancing well between simplicity and functionality.
The free software version comes with limitations in some features, like export options. It is also limited to Windows systems.
Viewmate
Viewmate Gerber viewer is one of the most industry-standard Gerber viewers, developed by Pentalogix, a company deeply developed in PCB CAM. It is user-friendly with simple learning curves and a familiar interface for professionals to view, edit, and print Gerber data. Reliable and accurate, it is widely used in the PCB industry.
The free Viewmate version allows users to open, view, and perform basic measurements on Gerber files, meeting the essential needs of PCB designers. Advanced editing and CAM features are only usable in paid ViewMate Pro. It is also limited to Windows systems.
How to use the Online Gerber Viewer?
Follow the next simple steps to upload the Gerber file and inspect it.
- Prepare your Gerber file
Prepare the required files(Gerber files and drill files) before uploading to ensure a complete view.
- Open the Gerber Viewer site or the APP
Choose your ideal Gerber viewer based on your needs. If for quick check, you can use online versions, and if for professional or frequent use, you can choose downloadable Gerber viewers.
- Upload your files
Drag or drop your .zip file or individual Gerber file into the upload window. Pay attention to whether your Gerber file size and format fit the viewer’s requirements.
- Inspect and Verify
Zoom in and out, pan across the board, and rotate the model to inspect layer alignment, hole positions, trace width, and pad size (if supported) to confirm the design matches the intended requirements.
- Save or Share
Generate a shareable link and send it to your teammates or manufacturers. Some viewer also allows you to download the file preview as an image or a PDF for documentation.
Choose your best free Gerber Viewer
Choose a handy Gerber viewer to help you spot design issues early and ensure smooth communication with your PCB manufacturer. When you pursue reliability and advanced inspections, you can choose Gerber viewer download tools, such as Gerbv and ZofzPCB. If you wanna a quick inspection without installation, online tools, like Altium 365 viewer or Tracespace, can be more convenient. MOKOPCB offers our own Gerber free viewer based on the Tracespace viewer platform, promoting better communication and confirming file details before orders. Besides, MOKOPCB also provides one-stop PCB manufacturing services with professional design solutions and high-quality PCBs.
