Arcten vs Quilter
Which Design AI tool is better in 2026?
Arcten
Lab working on long-horizon autonomous research and coding agents
Quilter
Physics-driven AI platform that fully automates printed circuit board (PCB) layout
Side-by-side
Quilter is the more established option (raised $35M); pricing is comparable on both sides.
| Metric | Arcten | Quilter |
|---|---|---|
| Taglinei | Lab working on long-horizon autonomous research and coding agents | Physics-driven AI platform that fully automates printed circuit board (PCB) layout |
| Foundedi | 2025 | 2019🏆 |
| HQi | San Francisco, US | — |
| Employeesi | 1-10 | 11-50🏆 |
| Neuron scorei | 50 | 70🏆 |
| Total fundingi | $500K | $35M🏆 |
| Latest roundi | Seed · Jan 2025 | Series B |
| Valuationi | — | — |
| Cheapest paid plani | Pricing not disclosed | Pricing not disclosed |
| Free plani | ✗ | ✓ |
| Free triali | ✗ | ✓ |
| Top tier pricei | Pricing not disclosed | Pricing not disclosed |
| Pricing summaryi | Pricing not listed | Free |
| Categoriesi |
Capability matrix
Developer-facing capabilities and access signals for Arcten and Quilter.
| Capability | Arcten | Quilter |
|---|---|---|
| MCP support | ✗ | ✗ |
| Public API | ✗ | ✗ |
| Webhooks | ✗ | ✗ |
| OAuth 2.0 | ✗ | ✗ |
| SDK languages | — | — |
| Free plan | ✗ | ✓ |
| Free trial | ✗ | ✓ |
| Verified | ✗ | ✗ |
| Active deal | ✗ | ✗ |
🟢 Strengths of Arcten
- Newer company (2025)
🔵 Strengths of Quilter
- Has raised more capital ($35M vs $500K)
- Higher Neuron score (70 vs 50)
- Offers a free plan
- Offers a free trial
Which should you choose?
Choose Quilter if price matters most — it starts at Free, which is friendlier for teams watching burn. Both AI Design tools ship core features, so the cost delta often decides it for small teams and solo operators.
Choose Quilter if you want the most established option — it has raised $35M, suggesting more runway for enterprise features, support, and long-term roadmap. For mission-critical workflows or larger teams, that stability often outweighs a lower monthly price.
Frequently asked questions
Arcten vs Quilter — which is better?
It depends on your priority. Arcten is the leaner option; Quilter has broader feature depth. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Arcten cheaper than Quilter?
No — Quilter's cheapest paid plan is Free, while Arcten's is Pricing not listed.
Do Arcten and Quilter offer free plans?
Arcten: Paid only. Quilter: Yes, has a free plan.
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