What Is Logisim-evolution?

Logisim-evolution is a free, open-source digital logic simulator. You draw circuits on a canvas — logic gates, wires, flip-flops, multiplexers, memory — and watch the signals flow through them in real time. It is built for learning: if you are taking a computer architecture or digital design course, this is very likely the tool your class uses.

Who is it for?

• Students — build and test circuits for coursework, from a simple AND gate to a full CPU.
• Teachers — demonstrate how digital hardware works in lectures and lab sessions. The software is free, so every student can install it.
• Hobbyists — prototype digital designs on screen before building them with real components or an FPGA board.

How is it related to the original Logisim?

The original Logisim was written by Dr. Carl Burch and was the standard teaching tool for digital logic for years. Development stopped around 2014. Logisim-evolution is a community fork that picked up where it left off: universities and labs (including the REDS Center at HEIG-VD in Switzerland) took over the code, modernized it, and kept adding features. It is a separate, actively maintained project — not a new release from the original author.

Read the full comparison: Logisim vs Logisim-evolution.

Core features

• Visual simulation — wires show live signal values with color coding as your circuit runs.
• Chronogram — a timing-diagram view that shows how signals change over time.
• VHDL and Verilog generation — turn your schematic into hardware description code.
• FPGA board support — download your design to real programmable hardware for verification.
• System-on-Chip (SoC) components — including DMA engines, floating-point units, and terminal displays for advanced coursework.
• Cross-platform — runs on Windows, macOS (Intel and Apple Silicon), and Linux.
• Translated interface — available in English, French, German, Chinese, and more.

Common questions

Is Logisim-evolution really free?

Yes. It is released under the GNU General Public License v3.0. No trial, no license key, no paid tier.

Do I need to know Java to use it?

No. The native Windows (.msi) and macOS (.dmg) installers come with Java built in — you just install and run. You only need to think about Java if you use the portable .jar file.

Is it safe to install?

Yes, when downloaded from the project’s GitHub releases. See Is Logisim-evolution safe? for the full explanation.

Can I use it in a browser?

There is no web version. It is desktop software for Windows, Mac, and Linux — but there are browser-based alternatives if you need one.