Help Choosing a Simulator LTspice, QSPICE or TINA-TI

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Choosing between LTspice, QSPICE, and TINA-TI is less about “which is best” and more about what kind of circuits you simulate and how you like to work.

Here’s a clear, practical breakdown 👇

⚔️ LTspice vs QSPICE vs TINA-TI

FeatureLTspiceQSPICETINA-TI
💰 PriceFreeFreeFree
🧠 DifficultyMediumMediumEasy
⚡ SpeedVery fastExtremely fast (new engine)Good
🧰 ModelsHuge (Analog Devices + community)GrowingStrong for TI parts
🎛️ UIOld-schoolModern-ishMost beginner-friendly
🔬 Analog simulationExcellentExcellentGood
🤖 Digital / mixedLimitedBetter than LTspiceBetter GUI tools
📚 CommunityMassiveSmall (new)Smaller

🟢 LTspice — The Safe Default

Why it dominates:

  • One of the most widely used SPICE tools
  • Extremely fast and stable for analog simulation
  • Huge library + tons of tutorials

💡 Best for:

  • DIY electronics (perfect for your Garage Circuits blog)
  • Power supplies, amplifiers, PWM, analog circuits

⚠️ Downsides:

  • Interface feels outdated
  • Digital simulation is limited

👉 Reality:
If you learn only one → pick this.

🔵 QSPICE — The “Next-Gen” Option

What makes it interesting:

  • Developed by LTspice creator (Mike Engelhardt)
  • Faster simulation engine (especially switching circuits)
  • Better handling of complex behaviors

💡 Best for:

  • Switching power supplies
  • Advanced simulations
  • Users who already know LTspice

⚠️ Downsides:

  • Smaller community
  • Fewer tutorials
  • Still evolving

👉 Reality:
Very powerful, but not yet “mainstream comfortable”.

🟠 TINA-TI — The Beginner-Friendly Tool

Strengths:

  • Very intuitive UI
  • Built-in virtual instruments (oscilloscope, signal generator)
  • Strong TI component models

💡 Best for:

  • Beginners
  • TI-based designs
  • Quick visual simulations

⚠️ Downsides:

  • Limited vs full version
  • Less flexible than LTspice
  • Smaller ecosystem

👉 Reality:
Great for learning, but most people outgrow it.

🧠 Real-World Opinions (from engineers)

From Reddit discussions:

“LTSpice is really the only solid answer… huge user base”

“QSpice is good, but community still small”

“TINA makes sense mainly for TI parts”

🔥 Honest Recommendation (for YOU)

Since you:

  • build DIY circuits
  • plan blog content (Garage Circuits)
  • work with things like PWM, fans, simple controllers

👉 Start with LTspice

Then:

  • Try QSPICE later if you get into power electronics
  • Use TINA-TI only if working with TI-specific chips

🧩 Best Strategy (what pros actually do)

  • Use LTspice as main tool
  • Occasionally open:
    • QSPICE → for performance-heavy sims
    • TINA-TI → for vendor-specific models

✅ Simple Decision

  • 🟢 Beginner + hobby → LTspice
  • 🔵 Advanced / SMPS → QSPICE
  • 🟠 Visual learning / TI chips → TINA-TI



Importing models is where most people get stuck, especially in LTspice. I’ll show you a clean, working method that avoids the usual headaches.

🧠 What you’re actually importing

There are 2 common types of models:

1️⃣ .lib / .subckt (most common)

  • Used for ICs, regulators, op-amps, etc.

2️⃣ .model (simpler)

  • Used for transistors, diodes, MOSFETs

✅ METHOD 1 — Importing a .lib (IC model)

📥 Step 1: Get the model

Download from manufacturer (e.g. TI, Analog Devices)

You’ll get something like:

TLV2372.lib

📁 Step 2: Put file in LTspice folder

Copy to:

Documents\LTspice\lib\sub

(Important: keeps things organized and avoids path issues)

🔗 Step 3: Include the model in schematic

Press S (SPICE directive) and add:

.include TLV2372.lib

🔌 Step 4: Add symbol

Option A (quick hack):

  • Use generic opamp2 symbol
  • Right-click → change value to match model name

⚠️ Step 5: Match the .SUBCKT name

Open .lib file → find line like:

.SUBCKT TLV2372 1 2 3 4 5

👉 The name must match exactly:

Value = TLV2372

✅ METHOD 2 — Importing a MOSFET / transistor model

Example:

.model IRLZ44N NMOS (VTO=2.0 ...)

🔧 Steps:

  1. Place NMOS symbol
  2. Right-click → Value: 
IRLZ44N
  1. Add directive: 
.include IRLZ44N.lib

🚨 MOST COMMON ERRORS (and fixes)

❌ “Unknown subcircuit”

✔ Fix:

  • Name mismatch between .SUBCKT and symbol

❌ “Cannot open file”

✔ Fix:

  • Wrong path → use: 
.include TLV2372.lib

(not full path if file is in lib folder)

❌ “Pin mismatch”

✔ Fix:

  • Symbol pins don’t match model pins
  • Either:
    • edit symbol
    • or reorder connections

🔥 PRO METHOD (Clean & Repeatable)

For your blog (Garage Circuits), use this workflow:

  1. Create project folder: 
/projects/pwm-controller/
  1. Put everything inside: 
/lib/
/schematic.asc
/models/
  1. Use relative path: 
.include models/TLV2372.lib

👉 This makes your projects:

  • portable
  • easy to share
  • perfect for tutorials

⚡ Bonus: When model has .asy file

If you download:

  • .lib + .asy

👉 Copy:

  • .lib → lib/sub
  • .asy → lib/sym

Then:

  • Component → search by name → DONE ✅

🧠 Reality Check

  • 70% of models online are messy or inconsistent
  • Even pros sometimes:
    • edit .lib files
    • tweak pin order

👉 Don’t assume it’s your fault if it doesn’t work immediately.

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