Head-to-head
MakeIRL vs FreeDFM (AdvancedPCB): preflight gate or free file check?
Choose FreeDFM when you plan to fab with AdvancedPCB: it's a free, unlimited gerber file check aligned to their standard capabilities, and the emailed report includes a quote and a discount code toward the order. Choose MakeIRL when you want a fab-neutral, paid preflight of the KiCad source — ERC, DRC, schematic-to-PCB parity, and BOM lines checked against live distributor stock — independent of where you order.
FreeDFM is a manufacturer's intake check: free, gerber-based, and aligned to AdvancedPCB's own specification capabilities. MakeIRL is a fab-neutral release gate on the KiCad project itself, and it costs $79 where FreeDFM costs nothing.
Side by side
| MakeIRL | FreeDFM | |
|---|---|---|
| Maker | MakeIRL | AdvancedPCB (Advanced Circuits) |
| Price | $79 one-time per board release, no subscription (as of July 2026) | Free and unlimited (as of July 2026) |
| Runs as | Online release gate; also runs from Claude Code / Cursor via MCP | Online file check |
| Input files | Native KiCad source: .kicad_sch + .kicad_pcb | Gerber files uploaded as a compressed folder |
| What it checks | ERC on the schematic, DRC on the layout, schematic ↔ PCB parity, BOM line completeness with MPN / package sanity and availability against live distributor stock, gerber / drill / placement export integrity, named heuristic checks (power, reset, programming, connector patterns) | File structure and completeness, trace width and spacing, drill and annular ring specifications, layer geometry, solder mask and silkscreen issues — aligned to AdvancedPCB's standard specification capabilities |
| How results arrive | Plain-English report with a BLOCKED / REVIEW / READY verdict; every report states explicitly that function is not proven | Email with a quote number, a discount code toward an AdvancedPCB order, and a downloadable PDF design report |
| Fab tie-in | Fab-neutral — the preflight is not tied to any one factory's ordering pipeline | Tied to AdvancedPCB quoting; reports include discount codes for subsequent AdvancedPCB orders |
Competitor facts checked against AdvancedPCB (Advanced Circuits)’s public site as of July 2026. Pricing and capabilities can change — verify before you rely on them.
When FreeDFM is the better pick
You plan to fab with AdvancedPCB and want a free file check that comes back with a quote and an order discount.
It is free and unlimited (as of July 2026), so if a gerber-level check is all you need, there is no cost to trying it.
When MakeIRL is the better pick
You want one gate over the whole KiCad project before gerbers exist: ERC on the schematic, DRC on the layout, schematic ↔ PCB parity, and BOM lines checked against live distributor stock. It costs $79 one-time per board release (as of July 2026) and is fab-neutral.
Honest limits: KiCad projects only, it costs money while fab-side checkers are free, and it does not replace the manufacturer's own DFM review before production. When every check passes, the report reads “READY FOR MANUFACTURING — function not proven” — no automated check can prove a circuit does what you meant.
Frequently asked questions
What does FreeDFM check?
Per AdvancedPCB: file structure and completeness, trace width and spacing, drill and annular ring specifications, layer geometry, and solder mask / silkscreen issues — aligned to AdvancedPCB's standard specification capabilities. Results arrive by email with a PDF report, a quote number, and a discount code.
Does FreeDFM work for HDI or controlled-impedance boards?
AdvancedPCB notes FreeDFM is intended for standard through-via designs and cannot reliably validate HDI, sequential lamination, controlled impedance, or advanced-material designs. MakeIRL's DRC runs whatever rules your KiCad board defines, but neither tool replaces the fab's own engineering review for advanced builds.
Is MakeIRL tied to a specific factory like FreeDFM is?
The preflight itself is fab-neutral — it gates your KiCad files and hands you a report you can take to any manufacturer. FreeDFM is built around AdvancedPCB's quoting and capabilities, which is exactly what you want if that's where you're ordering.