PCBgogo Review: Is It A Good PCB Manufacturer?

In this in-depth review, we’ll dissect its strengths, weaknesses, and alternatives—with a focus on PCBPit, a rising star in the industry—to help you decide if PCBgogo is the right fit for your needs.

What Is PCBgogo?

PCBGogo is a full-service PCB manufacturer offering prototyping, assembly, and component sourcing. They cater to a wide range of needs, from simple two-layer boards to complex designs like rigid-flex circuits and high-density interconnects (HDIs). 

With claims of ISO-certified quality and competitive pricing, they’ve attracted both hobbyists and businesses. But does their service live up to the hype?

The Pros of PCBgogo

1. Cost-Effective for Simple Projects

For hobbyists or small-scale projects, PCBgogo shines with budget-friendly options. Their standard green solder mask and white silkscreen are priced low, and even colored solder masks (e.g., blue, red) often come at no extra cost 10. Users report that basic 2-4 layer prototypes can be produced for as little as $2 per board, though shipping fees vary.

2. Fast Turnaround for Standard Orders

When everything goes smoothly, PCBgogo delivers quickly. One user received boards in Australia within a week using standard shipping 27. DHL express shipping further speeds up delivery, with some U.S. customers reporting a 7-day total turnaround (2 days for fabrication, 3 for shipping).

3. Good Quality for Basic Designs

Many users praise the finish of PCBgogo’s boards. Edges are smooth, solder masks are evenly applied, and silkscreen text remains crisp even at small sizes. For simple designs, such as Arduino shields or LED controllers, the quality is often sufficient.

4. Helpful Customer Support (When It Works)

Positive reviews highlight responsive support agents like Mandy and Alex, who assist with design fixes and expedite orders. One user noted that PCBgogo’s team even caught a missing pad in their Gerber files, preventing a costly error.

The Cons of PCBgogo

1. Inconsistent Quality Control

While PCBgogo excels with simple orders, complex projects often reveal flaws. Multiple users reported critical errors:

• Faulty vias: A batch of 10 boards had intermittent vias under a microcontroller, causing devices to fail after months of use.
• Assembly mistakes: Components were misplaced, omitted, or substituted in assembly orders, leading to costly rework.
• Design misinterpretations: One user received boards with traces shorted on both sides due to a manufacturing error.

2. Poor Communication and Delays

Customers cite frustrating experiences with account managers who overpromise and underdeliver. One business waited six months for an order originally promised in November, with sporadic updates and missed deadlines. Delays are exacerbated for assembly orders, where component sourcing issues can arise.

3. No Accountability for Errors

When mistakes occur, PCBgogo often shifts blame. A UK-based client lost £6,000 due to incorrect assembly but was denied compensation, with PCBgogo falsely attributing the issue to the customer’s components. Such unprofessionalism has led to distrust among businesses.

4. Outdated Ordering Process

The website’s order form is cluttered and intimidating for newcomers. While a “Quick Order” feature simplifies the process, it still requires manual layer naming and lacks automation compared to competitors like JLCPCB.

Who Should Use PCBgogo?

• Hobbyists: If you’re prototyping non-critical designs (e.g., DIY gadgets) and prioritize cost over speed, PCBgogo is a viable option.
• Educators: For classroom projects where minor defects are tolerable, their low prices are appealing.
• Small Batches: Orders under 10 units with no assembly requirements are less likely to encounter issues.

Avoid PCBgogo if:

• Your project requires high reliability (e.g., medical devices, aerospace).
• You need assembly services or tight deadlines.
• You lack time to troubleshoot manufacturing errors.

PCBPit: The Best Alternative to PCBgogo

For those seeking reliability without breaking the bank, PCBPit emerges as a superior choice. Here’s why:

1. Consistent Quality Assurance

PCBPit invests in rigorous testing, including automated optical inspection (AOI) and X-ray checks for BGAs. Unlike PCBgogo’s hit-or-miss vias, PCBPit guarantees via reliability with cross-section testing, critical for high-frequency or high-current designs.

2. Transparent Communication

PCBPit assigns dedicated project managers who provide daily updates via email or Slack. This contrasts sharply with PCBgogo’s elusive support, where users struggle to escalate issues.

3. Faster Turnaround for Complex Orders

While PCBgogo struggles with multi-layer or HDI boards, PCBPit delivers 6-layer prototypes in 5 days and 12-layer boards in 10 days—all with free DFM checks to prevent design flaws.

4. Fair Pricing with No Hidden Costs

PCBPit’s pricing is slightly higher than PCBgogo’s, but it includes:

• Free solder mask colors.
• No fees for design revisions.
• Transparent shipping costs (no surprise customs charges).

5. Superior Assembly Services

PCBPit offers full turnkey assembly with a 99.8% component sourcing success rate. Their in-house inventory includes rare ICs and connectors, reducing lead times compared to PCBgogo’s third-party sourcing model.

Conclusion: Is PCBgogo Worth It?

PCBGogo is a double-edged sword. For simple, low-stakes projects, it’s a cost-effective way to get decent-quality boards quickly. However, its inconsistent quality, poor communication, and lack of accountability make it a risky choice for professional or complex applications.

Final Verdict:

• ✅ Use PCBgogo for hobby projects, educational purposes, or one-off prototypes.
• ❌ Avoid PCBgogo for mission-critical designs, assembly orders, or tight deadlines.

For those needing reliability, PCBPit stands out as the best alternative. With better quality control, transparent processes, and responsive support, it’s ideal for businesses and engineers who value precision and professionalism.