What is a disadvantage of using Veroboard compared to a PCB?

Using Veroboard, often referred to as stripboard, does have a larger physical space requirement compared to a printed circuit board (PCB). This is primarily because Veroboard is a manual construction method where components are placed and soldered on a grid of conductive tracks, which can lead to a less compact layout. Unlike PCBs that are designed with optimized routing and can be made to accommodate miniaturized electronic components, Veroboard designs tend to be bulkier due to the necessity of wiring and the physical limitations in terms of spacing between connections.

PCBs utilize specific design software to achieve efficient and densely packed layouts, often utilizing multi-layering to reduce the overall footprint, which is not a capability afforded by Veroboard. Thus, when considering projects that require a more compact design, the larger physical space requirement of Veroboard can be a significant drawback, making it less ideal for applications where space is critical.