> >
>
> 1) it has features you want
> 2) you have time invested in it
> 3) you understand how it works
> 4) you find the free versions limited
> 5) the limitations on the other packages that are free are not what
> you want.
> 6) it does what you want
>
> Pick any or all of the above as you wish. Free is not always the
> determining factor, and you might be paying for something you want.
>
Having dabbled with many of the packages out there, I've found that most of them are very similar in concept, that is once you've learned one, others are easy to pick up. I've found many of the free packages to be limited, but KiCad so far is as capable as any of the expensive commercial packages I've looked at. Anyone contemplating spending money ought to at least give it a look.