LM358 vs LM358B vs TL072: Full Comparison

These three dual op-amps share the same SOIC-8 / DIP-8 pinout (industry-standard dual op-amp footprint: 1-OUT A, 2-IN A−, 3-IN A+, 4-V−, 5-IN B+, 6-IN B−, 7-OUT B, 8-V+). The LM358B is a silicon revision from TI — same design, better process. The TL072 is a fundamentally different part: JFET inputs, faster, lower noise, but its common-mode input range does NOT include V−.

Per the TI LM358B datasheet (Rev D, SLOS068D), the LM358B is a direct silicon revision sharing the identical pinout, application circuits, and output stage topology. Per the TI TL07xH datasheet (Rev K, SLOS080K), the TL072 differs fundamentally: JFET input stage with picoamp bias currents but a common-mode range that sits ~1.5V above V− — incompatible with true ground-referenced single-supply circuits.

When to Use LM358B

• You already have an LM358 design and just need better specs: the LM358B is the lowest-risk upgrade path. Same pinout, same output topology, same capacitor stability. Lower offset (3 mV vs 7 mV), wider supply ceiling (36V vs 32V), and 40% lower quiescent current. Drop it into an existing LM358 footprint and everything works — you just get better numbers.
• Single-supply operation down to ground is mandatory: your input signal swings to 0V (current shunt, thermocouple amp, low-side current sense). The LM358B's PNP input stage reads all the way to V−. JFET-input parts (TL072, OPA2202) cannot do this — their inputs need ~1.5V headroom above V−.
• Your BOM cost is sensitive and you're buying thousands: at volume, the LM358B costs essentially the same as the original LM358 from TI. You get modern silicon at 1980s pricing.

When to Use TL072

• You need speed: 13 V/µs vs 0.3 V/µs. The LM358 can't cleanly pass a 20 kHz sine wave at full swing. The TL072 handles 100 kHz with headroom. For audio filtering, active crossovers, or sensor signal conditioning above a few kHz, the TL072 is the clear winner — its JFET input also gives you 700× lower bias current for high-impedance sources.
• Noise matters: 18 nV/√Hz vs 40 nV/√Hz. In a preamp or measurement front-end, that 6 dB lower noise floor buys you real signal-to-noise improvement. The JFET input also eliminates current noise (a big deal with high source impedances).
• You're running split supplies (±5V or higher): the TL072's common-mode limitation only bites you in single-supply circuits. On split rails, the inputs comfortably handle signals centered around ground. Most audio and instrumentation circuits run split supplies anyway — the TL072 was designed for exactly this.

When NOT to Use a Standard LM358 at All

• Your signal is above 10 kHz at full amplitude: at 0.3 V/µs slew rate, the LM358 can only swing ±2.4V at 20 kHz before slewing. For full-swing audio (20 kHz, ±10V), you need at least 1.3 V/µs — four times what the LM358 has. Use a TL072, NE5532, or any modern audio op-amp.
• Your ADC reference is 3.3V and you need the full range: the LM358 output can only swing to about V+ − 1.5V. On a 3.3V supply, that's ~1.8V max output — you lose nearly half the ADC's range. Use a rail-to-rail output op-amp like the LMV358 (RRO, 5.5V max) or TLV9002 (RRIO, 5.5V max).
• Your source impedance is above 100 kΩ: 45 nA of input bias current through 1 MΩ source impedance produces a 45 mV DC error. That's more than the LM358's own offset. For high-impedance sensors (photodiodes, pH probes, piezo), you need a JFET or CMOS input op-amp. TL072 (65 pA) or a CMOS part like the TLV9302.
• You're driving an ADC directly: the LM358's crossover distortion creates a small nonlinearity glitch every time the output crosses zero current. In DC applications this is negligible. In AC measurement applications feeding a 12-bit+ ADC, that glitch creates harmonics. JFET op-amps (TL072) don't have an output crossover region — they're inherently class-A at low currents.

Pinout & Layout Notes

The LM358, LM358B, TL072, NE5532, RC4558, and most other dual op-amps share the identical pinout (industry standard dual op-amp). This means physical replacement is a direct solder-in — no PCB change needed for any of the alternatives in the table above. The only layout consideration: the TL072 and other JFET op-amps can oscillate with capacitive loads above ~100 pF. If your PCB has long traces from the op-amp output, add a 100 Ω series resistor at the output pin for isolation. The LM358 is more forgiving here.

Other Alternatives Worth Knowing

The Crossover Distortion Fix (And Why Most LM358 Circuits Need It)

This is the LM358's most notorious quirk — and the most common topic on StackExchange and EEVblog when engineers troubleshoot LM358 circuits.

The LM358 has a class-B push-pull output stage. When the output current crosses zero (i.e., transitions from sourcing current to sinking current or vice versa), both output transistors briefly turn off simultaneously. The op-amp's output goes high-impedance for roughly 2–3 µs while the loop fights to restore control. The result: a small but measurable distortion glitch at every zero-crossing. At low frequencies (DC, 60 Hz) this is invisible on a scope. At 10–20 kHz, it becomes roughly 1–10% distortion depending on the load — very audible and easily visible on an FFT.

The fix, discovered by Bob Pease decades ago and confirmed on StackExchange threads to this day: add a pull-down resistor from the output to V− (or GND in single-supply). 10 kΩ is the standard starting value.

This forces one output transistor to stay on all the time — the output stage never enters its "off" zone, and the crossover glitch disappears. The cost: an extra 330 µA of quiescent current (3.3V / 10 kΩ). In most circuits, that's a rounding error.

For AC-coupled circuits driving only positive loads (e.g., an ADC input buffer), a pull-down to ground works. For bipolar loads, connect the resistor to V− (the negative supply, or ground in single-supply) — so the output current always flows in one direction. Per the TI LM358 datasheet (Rev K, SLOS068K), output swing to V− improves to within 5 mV with a pull-down resistor sinking at least 50 µA.

The LM358B and modern CMOS alternatives (TLV9302, MCP6002) have improved output stages that reduce — but don't completely eliminate — this issue. Only JFET op-amps (TL072) and true rail-to-rail CMOS output stages are inherently free of crossover distortion under all load conditions.

Where to Buy LM358 Replacements

Contact ICMASS for current pricing on your specific quantity. We stock the full LM358 family (LM358, LM358B, LMV358) and the TL072 in SOIC-8 and DIP-8 packages. Volume pricing for the LM358B typically ranges from $0.06–$0.15/unit depending on quantity. If you need help validating a substitution before committing to production, we can provide sample quantities and engineering cross-reference support.

Frequently Asked Questions About LM358 Replacements

Q1: Is the LM358 still worth using in new designs?

A: Yes, for the right applications. If your circuit is DC or low-frequency (under 1 kHz), single-supply (5–12V), and cost-sensitive, the LM358 remains a solid choice — it's one of the cheapest, most widely second-sourced op-amps on the planet. For new designs where you'd use an LM358 today, use the LM358B instead — same price, better specs, same footprint. For anything involving audio, high-speed sensors, or precision measurement, start with a TL072 or a modern CMOS op-amp.

Q2: Can I replace an LM358 with a TL072 directly?

A: In split-supply circuits (±5V or higher): almost always yes. The pinout is identical. The TL072 is faster, quieter, and has 700× lower bias current. In single-supply circuits where your input signal needs to reach ground (0V): no. The TL072's JFET inputs need at least 1.5V of headroom above V−. A signal at 0.1V DC will be clipped. For single-supply-to-ground, use an LM358B or a rail-to-rail op-amp instead.

Q3: How do I fix LM358 crossover distortion?

A: Add a 10 kΩ pull-down resistor from the output to V− (or GND in single-supply circuits). This forces one output transistor to stay conducting, preventing the output stage from ever entering the high-impedance "dead zone" where the distortion glitch occurs. Cost: ~330 µA extra quiescent current. Confirmed fix across decades of application notes and StackExchange discussions. If you need inherently distortion-free output, use a TL072 (JFET, class-A output at low currents) or a modern CMOS RRO op-amp.

Q4: Why does my LM358 oscillate when I add a capacitor to the output?

A: The LM358 can only drive about 50 pF of capacitive load at unity gain before its phase margin collapses. A large capacitor directly on the output (like a 100 nF bypass cap) looks like a short at high frequency and causes oscillation. Fix: add a 100–470 Ω series resistor between the op-amp output and the capacitor to isolate the load. This is standard practice for all op-amps, but the LM358 is particularly sensitive because of its slow, multi-stage internal compensation.

Q5: What's the best low-voltage alternative to the LM358?

A: For 3.3V and 5V rails, the LMV358 (rail-to-rail output, 5.5V max) or MCP6002 (RRIO, 6V max) are the most popular drop-in alternatives. Both are pin-compatible with the LM358 in SOIC-8. The LMV358 is a direct TI part in the same product family. The MCP6002 adds rail-to-rail input capability and 1 pA bias current (CMOS). Both are cheaper than the LM358 at volume. Caution: neither handles voltages above 6V — if your rail is 12V, these are not options.

Q6: Can I use an LM358 as a comparator?

A: You can, but you shouldn't. The LM358's differential input voltage rating is ±32V (the full supply range), so it can handle large differential inputs without damage — unlike many precision op-amps with input clamping diodes. But the recovery time from saturation is slow (tens of microseconds) because the internal transistors saturate and need time to come out of it. A real comparator (LM393, LM339) has an open-collector output optimized for fast saturation and recovery. For low-speed threshold detection (power-good, battery-low), the LM358 works fine. For anything requiring speed or clean edges, use a comparator.

Q7: What happens if I leave one half of an LM358 unconnected?

A: It can oscillate, inject noise into the active channel, and draw unpredictable supply current. The unused op-amp's inputs float to unknown voltages, and the open-loop gain (100 dB+) amplifies any stray coupling. Never leave an unused op-amp floating. Proper termination: connect the unused channel as a voltage follower — output tied to IN−, IN+ tied to a mid-supply reference (or ground in single-supply if common-mode range permits). This keeps both inputs at a defined voltage, the output stable, and current draw predictable. Per the TI LM358 datasheet (Rev K), this is the recommended termination.

Q8: How do I know if my LM358 is genuine or counterfeit?

A: The LM358 is one of the most counterfeited ICs in the world — it's cheap, high-volume, and easy to re-mark. Quick checks: (1) Measure supply current — a genuine LM358 draws 0.5 mA per amplifier (1 mA total for the dual) at 5V, no load. Counterfeits often draw more or less by a wide margin. (2) Check output swing — with a 5V supply and 10 kΩ load to ground, the output should swing from ~5 mV to ~3.5V minimum. Counterfeits often can't pull within 200 mV of ground. (3) Check slew rate — apply a 10 kHz square wave at unity gain. Rise/fall time should be in the 5–10 µs range. Counterfeits often slew 2–5× slower. (4) Marking quality — genuine TI/ST parts use laser marking with consistent font and alignment. Ink marking on a "new" part is a red flag.