A side-by-side navigator for open-source VLSI process design kits. Compare by node, cells, layer stack, and design rules — without bookmarking a dozen sites and a half-finished spreadsheet.
PDKPal helps you pick the right open PDK for your project — and tells you the things the brochures don't, like which DRC deck actually works and which cell library is missing pieces.
Pick two to four PDKs and see them lined up. Node, process, cell count, DRC deck, license — the columns that actually matter when you choose.
Search the indexed cell libraries. Find which PDK has the flip-flop, the SRAM, or the IO pad you need — and which one is missing it.
Each PDK's DRC rules, indexed by layer. We mark which decks work with Magic, KLayout, or commercial tools — and which ones have known limitations.
Cross-section diagrams for every indexed PDK. The visual that explains, in one image, why two cells from two PDKs aren't interchangeable.
Every entry lists the license, the actual restrictions, and the things you can and cannot do with the data. We never elide the parts that complicate your project.
Open-source vs commercial, by tool and by PDK. The matrix that shows you whether your existing EDA toolchain will work — or what you need to add.
Pick a target node, a process type, and what you need the design to do. PDKPal narrows the field to a small shortlist.
Inspect cell libraries, DRC rules, and license notes for each shortlist entry. The honest caveats, the ones the brochures hide, are visible.
Generate a project starter — Verilog includes, Liberty paths, DRC deck — preconfigured for the PDK you picked. No more "where do I even start."
No premium PDK index, no "compare more than two" paywall, no enterprise tier that gates the basics.
Sky130, GF180, ASAP7, Nangate45, FreePDK45, IHP SG13G2, IHP SG13S, ASAP7 7nm predictive, and the OpenROAD-supported reference PDKs. New entries are added monthly on the Pro plan and above.
The free plan refreshes the index weekly. Pro and above see new entries the day they land. Every row has a "last updated" timestamp — we never claim something is current when it isn't.
Yes on the Pro plan. Upload the cell library, the DRC deck, and the layer stack spec, and PDKPal integrates it. On the free plan, the suggestion queue is reviewed monthly.
Yes. We list every restriction we can find, including the ones that complicate a course project. If a PDK says "academic use only," that's what we show — not "free for everyone."
Through our education partner — a one-time check using your school email or enrollment document. The free plan renews automatically as long as you're a student.
Yes. PDKPal is a navigator, not a tool — it points you to the right PDK and gives you a starter config. The actual design work happens in your existing EDA toolchain.
Free for verified students. Free to try for everyone else. No credit card, no demo required.