Ir directamente al contenido
So you've got a brand new laser engraver and you're excited to make awesome projects, personalized gifts, and even products to sell.
But what about software? What options do you have? And which ones are going to have what you need?
If you're feeling a little overwhelmed by all the options out there, don't worry! We've been there too. Let's break down some of the best software for laser engraving and cutting and find the perfect fit for you.
Psst… looking for a great deal on laser blanks? Check out our Laser Blanks Build-a-Bundle for 10% off any laser blank in our shop!
What's the Best Software for Laser Engraving & Cutting?
Best Software for Laser Engraving & Cutting
- Cuttle: Best SVG Generator
- LightBurn: Professional Laser Engraving Software
- Canva: Beginner-Friendly Design Software
- xTool Creative Space: For xTool Users
- Silhouette Studio: For Silhouette Users
- Google Drawings: Best Free Design App
- CorelDRAW: Subscription-Free Design Software
- Inkscape: Best Free Design Software
Cuttle
Best SVG Generator
You might not have heard of this one yet, but Cuttle is seriously impressive! This browser-based SVG software is kind of blowing our minds right now.
With Cuttle, you can generate cut files super quick, especially with its ready-to-use templates and easy-to-understand graphical interface.
But if you're feeling creative, you can also create designs from scratch with their design editor.
One of the coolest features is that you can type in words, change the font, and the software will automatically fit the text to the template, plus trace the cutting and scoring lines.
This makes it so easy to get a beautiful finished product. They also give you a handful of free templates to get started, and there are plenty more available if you upgrade to the Pro version.
Software Type: For designing only
Best for: Anyone who's new to designing cut files or just wants to save a ton of time.
OS Support: Since it's browser-based, it works with both Mac and PC, which is super convenient.
Price: $19 per month for the Pro plan
LightBurn
Professional Laser Engraving Software
LightBurn is like the swiss army knife of laser engraving software.
It's a powerful program that combines both design and control features in one package.
What is laser engraving control software? Simply put, it's the software that makes your laser work. It allows you to adjust and place your designs and fine-tune all those important laser engraving settings, not to mention actually firing the laser.
LightBurn gives you a ton of control over your laser, which is fantastic for experienced users. It comes with tons of settings and tools, giving you as many options as possible to achieve the exact results you want.
However, it might not be the easiest for beginners, and it's not a free program.
Software Type: For designing and laser control
OS Support: Works for Windows and Mac, but the cheaper entry-level software only works with Windows for some reason. (In other words, you'll pay more to use this with a Mac.)
Best for: The advanced engraver or someone who wants to get to an advanced level right away.
If you're looking for free laser engraving control software, we recommend starting with a beginner-friendly laser brand like xTool or WeCreat, which comes with its own software.
Price: LightBurn starts at $99.
Canva
Beginner-Friendly Design Software
Canva is easily one of the simplest yet most powerful design programs available today.
It lets you choose from thousands of pre-made templates, fonts, graphic elements, effects, and more to create some seriously amazing designs.
Canva makes it super easy to collaborate with others, reuse graphic elements, and use its built-in AI design and editing apps. It's also super affordable.
In fact, we used Canva for this blog post!
Another cool feature is that you can make hand-drawn designs and use the pen tool for custom shapes.
If you want to use your designs for engraving and cutting, you can download them in SVG format, but that's only on the paid plan.
Software Type: For designing only
Best for: Design beginners who want to have a ton of design elements and tools at their fingertips, or teams who want to collaborate on design together.
OS Support: This tool is browser-based, so works on Windows and Mac, plus iOS and Android using the Canva app.
Price: Free if you're happy using the free elements and downloading your designs as PNGs (which you can trace in Inkscape). Or choose Canva Pro for $12.99 a month for full access to all the fonts and elements, plus the ability to download SVGs.
xTool Creative Space
For xTool Users
xTool Creative Space (XCS) is xTool's very own software designed specifically for xTool laser engravers and cutters.
XCS lets you easily set your settings, set the auto-focus, and start and stop the laser. You can also do basic designing and editing right inside the tool.
One of the coolest features is that you can preview your engraving and get recommended settings on more than 400 different materials.
It can also create 3D models of curved objects, automatically detect where to engrave on multiple items at once, and generate AI images or illustrations. It's also designed to find the fastest path for your engravings, which saves you time.
Of course, it doesn't let you tweak every single setting like LightBurn and it only works with xTool machines.
Software Type: For designing and laser control
Best for: Those who already use xTool products and don't necessarily need a ton of advanced settings or want to spend money on more software.
OS Support: XCS is available for Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android.
Price: Free
Silhouette Studio
For Silhouette Users
Silhouette Studio is Silhouette's design app for creating designs, editing them, and sending them to your Silhouette cutting machine.
It's got all the basic features you would expect for editing graphics and text.
It allows you to place designs on a clearly measured surface, so you know exactly how big your engravings and cuttings will be.
However, it's a very basic app and visually looks outdated.
Software Type: For designing only.
Best for: Silhouette cutting machine users who want to use something they're familiar with.
OS Support: Compatible with Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android.
Price: You must have the Business Edition--a $69.99 one-time upgrade--in order to export images from Silhouette Studio, and you can't export any images purchased from the Silhouette Design Store.
Google Drawings
Best Free Design App
You may not know about Google Drawings, but it's a super handy and totally free tool for creating SVGs.
This simple drawing app from Google lets you draw just about anything, add basic shapes and text, and then export it all as an SVG file. You can even drag and drop pre-made icons into your drawing and then download those as SVGs too.
Software Type: For designing only
Best for: Those looking for a free and simple design app
OS Support: Since it's a Google product, it works in any browser that supports Google.
Price: Free
CorelDRAW
Subscription-Free Design Software
It seems like so many apps these days have switched to a subscription model, which can feel like you're constantly paying up. But CorelDRAW offers a different approach.
With CorelDRAW, you can pay a one-time fee and then use the software as much as you want, for as long as you want, without any recurring charges. It provides powerful vector tools, similar to what you'd find in Adobe Illustrator, but without that ongoing subscription.
Software Type: For designing only
Best for: Crafters looking for a robust design software without the expensive monthly subscription
OS Support: CorelDRAW Standard is Windows-only, while the higher-priced Graphics Suite is available for both Windows and Mac. They also have Corel Go for iOS and Android.
Price: CorelDRAW Standard is a one-time purchase of $299. The Mac-friendly version, CorelDRAW Graphics Suite, is $549 one-time or $39 a month.
Inkscape
Best Free Design Software
If you're looking for a professional-grade graphics editor without spending a dime, Inkscape is definitely worth checking out.
It's a free and open-source software, which means it's developed by volunteers who freely make it available to the public.
Inkscape handles vectors, which is the type of design that works best for laser engraving and cutting. It also offers a handy image trace feature, which converts PNGs, photos, or hand-drawn designs into vector graphics.
Many people consider Inkscape a free alternative to more expensive programs like CorelDRAW or Adobe Illustrator.
While it might be a little harder to get the hang of at first and might not be quite as polished as some commercial software, it's still a very powerful tool that works great for laser projects.
One thing to keep in mind is that, as an open-source project, it might not be updated as frequently or undergo major redesigns as quickly as software backed by a company.
Software Type: For designing only
Best for: Crafters who want a free design app with all the functions of the paid ones
OS Support: Inkscape is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux, but it doesn't have a mobile app.
Price: Free
How to Choose the Right Laser Engraving & Cutting Software for You
When we talk about software for laser engraving, it's important to know that there are generally two types of software you'll need.
Two Software Types to Know
Type One: Design Software
First, there's design software. This is what you use for editing and creating the actual designs that you want to laser engrave.
Most laser control software includes some design tools, like LightBurn or xTool Design Space, which is super convenient.
When it comes to design software, it's generally best to work with vector graphics.
Vector graphics are made up of digital points and lines, rather than pixels.
Pixel-based designs, which are also called raster graphics, don't work as well for laser engraving. Photos, for example, are raster graphics.
Type Two: Laser Control Software
The second type of software is laser control software. This is what connects to your laser engraver, allows you to place your design and choose your settings, then starts and stops the laser.
Many laser engravers come with their own control software, such as xTool Design Space, WeCreate, and Glowforge.
Others might require you to download separate software, such as LightBurn.
Ultimately, the right combination of software for you will come down to your specific needs and what you want to create.
✨ Best Free Software for Laser Engraving & Cutting
Looking to keep costs down? We get it!
For the best free option, we recommend starting with the laser control software that came with your laser engraver. It's designed to work seamlessly with your machine, and it's already included!
If your laser engraver doesn't have a proprietary option, you might want to check out LaserGRBL. Keep in mind that it's not quite as user-friendly, but it's a solid option for those on a budget.
And when it comes to free design software, Inkscape and Google Drawings are definitely worth exploring.
🌱 Beginner-Friendly Laser Engraving & Cutting Software
If you're a beginner, we definitely recommend starting with the laser control software that comes with your machine. It's designed to be user-friendly and work seamlessly with your specific device.
For a beginner-friendly machine, we recommend xTool and WeCreat.
As far as design software, consider a user-friendly option like Cuttle. While it costs a small fee, it's an amazing SVG generator specifically designed for laser cutting and engraving files. They do have some free options available, so you can explore those as well.
Another fantastic option is Canva, which also involves a small fee. Canva provides access to thousands of designs, assets, and fonts, along with tons of templates to help you create designs quickly. Just keep in mind that with Canva, you won't get those super helpful cutting and scoring marks that Cuttle provides.
🛠️ Advanced Laser Engraving & Cutting Software
For advanced users who want total control over their laser projects, LightBurn is the way to go.
And if you want a fully-fledged design tool to make things from scratch, try CorelDRAW or Adobe Illustrator to get the most features.
Best File Formats for Laser Engraving and Cutting
When you're working with laser engraving and cutting, the type of file you use really matters. You'll want to choose vector formats, which are made of digital points and lines, rather than pixels.
SVG and DXF files are generally the best file formats for laser engraving and cutting.
Where to Find Free & Low-Cost Laser Engraving Designs
Looking for awesome designs without breaking the bank? Cuttle is a great place to start!
And we have some articles that can help you find more ideas:
- 1000+ Free Laser Engraving & Cutting Files for Commercial Use
- 31 Wood Charcuterie Board Design Ideas for Engraving & More
- 144+ American Flag SVGs (for Veteran's Day, 4th of July & More)
- 37 Cute & Funny Dog Tumbler Ideas (+ Design Files!)
More Resources for Laser Engraving
We've got tons of resources to help you on your laser engraving journey! Check out our other guides, articles, and all the awesome laser engraving products we offer at MakerFlo Crafts!
- Learn more with our beginner's guide to laser engraving
- Check out our recommended laser engravers and laser engraving blanks
- Save 10% off laser engraving blanks with our Laser Blanks Build-a-Bundle offer!
And before you go, join us in our Official MakerFlo Facebook Community to gather and share notes with thousands of other crafters, plus our team, too! We'll see you inside!
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best file format for laser engraving?
Choose vector formats like SVG and DXF. They're made of lines and points, not pixels, so they work best!
Where can I find laser engraving designs?
Cuttle is a great place to start! Also check out our list of free laser engraving and cutting files for commercial use.
Where can I find laser engraving cut files?
Check out Cuttle and our list of free laser engraving and cutting files for commercial use.
Is LightBurn or laserGRBL better?
LightBurn is more powerful but costs money. LaserGRBL is free, great for diode lasers, and works for engraving images without paying a cent. But if you're looking for free software to control your laser engraver, consider using the software that comes with your laser engraver for best results.
What kind of computer do I need for a laser engraver?
All of the software in our article above work with both Windows & Mac, but the cheaper version of LightBurn is only available on Windows. LaserGRBL, a free alternative, also only works on Windows. That said, either type of computer, and even mobile devices can work with your laser engraver if you choose compatible software.
Can you use Cricut Design Space for laser engraving?
Cricut Design Space currently doesn't make it possible to download images from the program without using "hacks." That's why we don't recommend this software for creating laser engraving images.
