PCBWay vs JLCPCB: A Comprehensive Comparison of PCB Manufacturing Services

Introduction

In the world of electronics manufacturing, printed circuit board (PCB) fabrication is a critical step that can make or break a project. For engineers, hobbyists, and businesses alike, choosing the right PCB manufacturer is essential for quality, cost-effectiveness, and reliability. Two of the most prominent players in the affordable PCB manufacturing space are PCBWay and JLCPCB. This 2000-word comparison will analyze both services across multiple dimensions to help you determine which provider better suits your specific needs.

Company Background

PCBWay:
Founded in 2013, PCBWay has grown to become one of the most recognized names in PCB prototyping and small-batch production. Headquartered in China, the company serves a global customer base with a strong emphasis on customer service and community engagement. PCBWay offers a wide range of services beyond standard PCB fabrication, including assembly, 3D printing, and CNC machining.

JLCPCB:
JLCPCB (Shenzhen Jialichuang Electronic Technology Development Co., Ltd.) entered the market in 2006 and has positioned itself as a leader in low-cost, high-volume PCB production. The company is part of the larger LCSC electronic components ecosystem, which provides advantages for customers looking for both PCBs and components. JLCPCB has gained particular popularity among hobbyists and startups due to its aggressive pricing strategy.

Pricing Comparison

One of the most critical factors for most customers is cost. Both companies offer extremely competitive pricing, but with different structures:

PCBWay Pricing:

• Prototype pricing starts at $5 for 10 pieces of 100×100mm 2-layer boards
• Multi-layer boards see significant price jumps (4-layer starts around $25 for 10 pieces)
• Offers more material options (including aluminum, Rogers, and flexible PCBs) at higher price points
• Solder mask colors other than green typically add $5-$10 to the order
• Provides quantity breaks at 50, 100, and higher quantities

JLCPCB Pricing:

• Often undercuts competitors with prices as low as $2 for 5 pieces of 100×100mm 2-layer boards
• 4-layer boards start around $20 for 5 pieces
• Free solder mask colors (blue, red, yellow, etc.) with no extra charge
• More aggressive volume discounts, making them preferable for larger runs
• Limited material options keep base prices low

Price Advantage: JLCPCB generally wins on pure price, especially for simple 2-layer prototypes and larger quantities. However, PCBWay may be more cost-effective for specialized materials or when ordering multiple different designs simultaneously.

Manufacturing Capabilities

PCBWay Specifications:

• Layer count: 1-32 layers
• Maximum board size: 500×580mm
• Minimum trace/space: 3.5/3.5mil (standard), 2.5/2.5mil (advanced)
• Surface finishes: HASL, ENIG, Immersion Silver, Immersion Tin, OSP, ENEPIG, Gold Fingers
• Materials: FR-4, Aluminum, Rogers, Flexible, HDI, High TG, PTFE
• Minimum drill size: 0.15mm (6mil)
• Special technologies: Blind/buried vias, impedance control, peelable mask

JLCPCB Specifications:

• Layer count: 1-6 layers (with 4-layer being the practical limit for most customers)
• Maximum board size: 500×1100mm
• Minimum trace/space: 5/5mil (standard), 3/3mil (advanced)
• Surface finishes: HASL, ENIG, Immersion Silver, OSP
• Materials: Primarily FR-4 with limited options for aluminum and flexible
• Minimum drill size: 0.2mm (8mil)
• Less support for advanced PCB technologies

Capability Advantage: PCBWay clearly offers more advanced manufacturing capabilities, making it the better choice for complex or specialized boards. JLCPCB covers most basic to intermediate needs at lower costs.

Turnaround Time

Both companies offer various production speed options:

PCBWay Lead Times:

• Standard: 3-5 business days
• Expedited: 48 hours (+$80), 24 hours (+$150)
• Shipping times vary by location and method (typically 3-7 days for DHL/UPS)

JLCPCB Lead Times:

• Standard: 24-48 hours for fabrication (claims to be the fastest in the industry)
• Expedited options available but often unnecessary due to fast standard times
• Shipping similar to PCBWay but may be slightly faster from their optimized facilities

Speed Advantage: JLCPCB generally offers faster standard turnaround times, particularly for simple boards. PCBWay’s expedited services can match these speeds at additional cost.

Ordering Process & User Experience

PCBWay Platform:

• Clean, modern interface with detailed order configuration
• Instant online quoting with visual board preview
• Comprehensive design rule checks (DRC)
• Account system tracks order history and preferences
• Strong customer support with live chat and ticket system
• Offers project sharing and collaboration features

JLCPCB Platform:

• Simpler, more streamlined interface focused on quick ordering
• Instant quotes but with fewer configuration options visible upfront
• Basic DRC checks with fewer customization warnings
• Integration with EasyEDA (owned by same parent company)
• Support primarily through email with slower response times
• Less transparent about order status during production

UX Advantage: PCBWay provides a more polished, feature-rich ordering experience with better support. JLCPCB offers faster ordering for simple, standard boards but lacks some advanced features.

Quality Comparison

Both companies maintain good quality standards for their price points:

PCBWay Quality:

• Consistent quality across orders
• Better performance with fine-pitch components and tight tolerances
• More rigorous quality control checks
• Better solder mask application and silkscreen clarity
• Fewer reports of shipping damage

JLCPCB Quality:

• Generally good quality for basic designs
• Occasional inconsistencies in solder mask color application
• More likely to have minor silkscreen imperfections
• Adequate for most hobbyist and prototype needs
• Some users report occasional via or plating issues

Quality Advantage: PCBWay maintains slightly higher and more consistent quality standards, though JLCPCB is perfectly adequate for many applications.

PCB Assembly Services

PCBWay Assembly:

• Full turnkey assembly service
• Large component library with options for customer-provided parts
• Supports both SMT and through-hole components
• Visual placement review before assembly
• Clear pricing breakdown for assembly costs
• Offers partial assembly services

JLCPCB Assembly:

• Tight integration with LCSC component inventory
• Lower assembly setup fees
• Primarily focused on SMT assembly
• Limited options for customer-provided components
• Faster assembly turnaround due to automated processes
• Less flexible in component placement options

Assembly Advantage: PCBWay offers more flexible and comprehensive assembly services, while JLCPCB provides cheaper, faster assembly for standard designs using their component inventory.

Shipping Options & Costs

Both companies offer similar shipping methods:

• DHL, UPS, FedEx, and postal services available
• Shipping costs calculated by weight and destination
• PCBWay offers more packaging options
• JLCPCB sometimes has slightly faster dispatch times
• Both provide tracking information
• PCBWay may be better for combined orders (PCBs + assemblies + other services)

Shipping Advantage: Roughly comparable, with minor advantages to PCBWay for complex orders and JLCPCB for speed in some regions.

Customer Support

PCBWay Support:

• 24/7 live chat support
• Responsive ticket system
• Active community forum
• Detailed knowledge base
• Design review services available
• Multiple language support

JLCPCB Support:

• Email support with slower response times (typically 12-24 hours)
• Limited documentation resources
• Less design assistance available
• Primarily English and Chinese support

Support Advantage: PCBWay provides significantly better customer support at all stages of the ordering process.

Additional Services

PCBWay Extras:

• 3D printing services
• CNC machining
• Flexible and rigid-flex PCBs
• Stencil manufacturing
• Advanced PCB technologies (HDI, etc.)
• Educational discounts and programs

JLCPCB Extras:

• Tight integration with EasyEDA design tool
• Component sourcing through LCSC
• Limited additional manufacturing services
• Focus remains on core PCB fabrication

Additional Services Advantage: PCBWay offers a much broader range of supplementary manufacturing services.

Community & Educational Resources

PCBWay Community:

• Active blog with tutorials
• Regular design contests
• YouTube channel with educational content
• Strong social media presence
• Sponsorships for open-source projects

JLCPCB Community:

• Primarily focused on EasyEDA users
• Fewer educational initiatives
• Less visible community engagement
• More transactional relationship with customers

Community Advantage: PCBWay invests more in community building and educational content.

Environmental Considerations

Both companies have made some environmental commitments:

PCBWay Environmental Efforts:

• ROHS compliance standard
• Waste reduction programs
• Some recycling initiatives
• Environmental policy published on website

JLCPCB Environmental Efforts:

• Basic ROHS compliance
• Less public information about sustainability
• Focus on efficiency reduces some waste
• No published environmental policy

Environmental Advantage: PCBWay appears more transparent and proactive about environmental responsibility.

Ideal Use Cases

Choose PCBWay When:

• You need advanced PCB technologies or materials
• Quality and consistency are top priorities
• You require comprehensive assembly services
• Customer support is important
• Your design pushes manufacturing limits
• You want additional manufacturing services

Choose JLCPCB When:

• Cost is the primary concern
• You need simple 2-4 layer boards quickly
• You’re using EasyEDA for design
• You want to source components from LCSC
• You’re ordering larger quantities
• Minor quality variations are acceptable

Conclusion

Both PCBWay and JLCPCB offer excellent PCB manufacturing services at highly competitive prices. Your optimal choice depends on your specific needs:

For hobbyists, students, and cost-sensitive startups ordering simple PCBs in moderate quantities, JLCPCB’s aggressive pricing and fast turnaround are hard to beat. The integration with EasyEDA and LCSC components makes it particularly appealing for complete design-to-assembly workflows.

For professionals, businesses, and those requiring more advanced PCB capabilities, PCBWay’s superior quality, broader material options, and excellent customer support justify its slightly higher prices. The additional manufacturing services and community resources add significant value for many users.

Ultimately, many customers find value in using both services—JLCPCB for simple, cost-sensitive prototypes and PCBWay for complex designs or when quality is paramount. Fortunately, both companies make it easy to upload your Gerber files and compare prices for your specific project before committing to an order.