I’ve split this topic from:
https://community.simplefoc.com/t/cool-new-driver-drv8316/536?u=owen_williams
@runger - I’ve only used jlcpcb. You are right, with jlcpcb you really have to design your board whilst looking at what components are availability and there is sometimes a bit of component anxiety if they are running low on your favourite drv83xx chip. I sometimes spent far too long designing due to my efforts to limit myself to jlcpcb basic parts (which don’t have that $3 extra assembly charge that extended parts have).
They used to allow you to build 5x pcbs and assemble only 2x - so you could get a couple of simple boards for <$50. They’ve recently changed it so all 5x boards need to be assembled so a ‘does it work’ first effort design is pricier.
I really like how transparent the pricing is - and if you use easyeda, I’ve heard that the component selection is really simple. I use kicad so there is a bit more effort specifying bom.xml.
You are getting a more personalised experience with pcbway, my only contact with jlcpcb staff is to check that diodes and chips are oriented correctly.
On the whole I’m really impressed with these chinese pcb makers and their support for hobbyists. I may have to check out pcbway. Any reason why you normally order 20 rather than 5? Is that the sweet spot with pcbway?