5 Best Control Software for Laser Engravers & Cutters

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1.  LightBurn

Lightburn is the father of all laser engraving and cutting software. It is because of its compatibility with almost all laser machines and advanced features that experts love. 

You can make simple sketches or vector graphics, such as names and objects, from scratch. You can also edit designs, create layouts, and make various changes to the existing graphics.

LightBurn has advanced features that many other tools and software lack. It is a complete laser control software. The best part about LightBurn is the optimal result. You get the best results for engraving and cutting as it allows you to take complete control over the machine. Even if you are using any laser engraver with a rotary attchment you can use it with perfection.

Features

• Supports almost all vector graphic and image formats for laser cutting and engraving
• You can create and edit vector shapes, objects, and designs
• Full control over speed, power, passes, brightness, and other options to make the engraving and cutting better
• Compatible with a wide range of desktop and commercial laser cutters and engravers
• Compatible with Windows and Mac OS.

Pricing

LightBurn is not a free tool, but it is quite affordable. You only need to pay $99 to $199 once, depending on the license you select. After purchasing, you can use the software for a lifetime.

2. xTool Creative Space (XCS)

XCS is the go-to software for xTool laser machines. It is one of the laser cutting and engraving software that's free to use across most operating systems (Windows, MacOS, iPadOS, IOS, Android). Plus, with one personal account and cloud storage option, you can sync your information across devices.

With XCS, you can either tweak existing designs or create new ones from scratch. It lets you add shapes, style your text, and do a bunch of other things like grouping, aligning, and reflecting, all with just a few clicks. It's also handy for minor image edits, like cropping and sharpening, or even removing objects.

The cool feature? AImake, an AI-generated image tool. You give it a prompt, and its AI algorithm whips up a variety of images and artworks.

And there's more! XCS comes with rigorously-tested preset parameters for hundreds of materials, allowing you to achieve the best cutting and engraving results.

Features

• Works across most platforms and syncs data through cloud storage
• Can import laser machine-captured images
• AI feature for generating designs
• Supports rotary attachment and other machine accessories
• Preset cutting and engraving parameters
• Provides access to a collection of 6,000+ projects

Pricing

Free for a lifetime; no need for a monthly or yearly fee. Plus, it gets updated regularly with new features.

XTOOL S1

Best Laser Cutter for Beginners

Safe and easy for home use. Perfect for both DIY and business projects.

Learn More

3. Imag R

Imag R is a web app designed for laser engraving. For one-time users, it is free but you will have to see ads. If you want to create an account, you need to get the Imag R license, which costs $10 a month.

The software usage is simple. Just upload your image to the site, and you'll have access to all the basic editing tools. You can crop, resize, add text, and apply materials. For more detailed work, there's an advanced settings option where you can adjust brightness, grayscale levels, contrast, and sharpness. Once you're done editing, just download the image, and it's ready for laser engraving.

An offline version of Imag R is available that comes with extra features like background removal, a slicer, and a puzzle maker. However, it's paid and requires a subscription of $11/month.

Features

• Online app that works across platforms
• Allows for all basic edits: cropping, resizing, and styling
• Prepares images for laser engraving with advanced adjustments

Pricing

Free for single online use without cloud storage. For account creation or downloading the offline version, you need to pay the subscription fee.

4.  LaserGRBL

LaserGRBL is an old laser control software. It is quite basic and suitable for laser engraving only. You cannot expect much from it.

It is open-source software that you can get for free. It offers some basic options that are good for engraving on objects. It is compatible with a wide range of laser machines.

Features

• Easy positioning of the image
• Gives the status of every point or pixel of the image
• Offers exceptional engraving results
• Suitable for beginners

Pricing

LaserGRBL is free, and you can download it from the official website.

5. LaserWeb

LaserWeb is a free and easy-to-use laser cutting software. You can run it on any operating system, whether it's Windows, macOS, Linux, or even Rassberi Pi. However, it needs an internet connection to work.

What's cool about LaserWeb is that you can mix and match different file types in one project. You can use images or drawings from formats like JPG, SVG, PNG, and DXF; it turns them into G-code, which is what the laser cutter needs to understand your design. Plus, like XCS, it has compatibility with machines with a preview camera.

Another unique feature is its job cost estimator. This is great for anyone who wants to keep track of how much their projects cost.

Features

• Converts design into G-code for laser cutting/engraving.
• Job Cost Estimator helps in budgeting and invoicing for projects.
• Efficiently converts designs into G-code for laser cutting/engraving.
• Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) for precise design placement.

Pricing

For use on Windows or Mac devices, you need to pay a one-time fee of $69.99. For iPads, it's $18.49.

Laser engraver market is full of products: some of excellent quality, others of very poor quality. I suggest you which parameters to check for the choice of your first laser engraver.

Machine quality: materials used for build the frame and overall robustness
Laser quality: availability of more laser options and upgradeability to more powerful models
Support: availability of material (guides, videos) and support channels (, website, facebook) and spare parts

Here you can find a list of brand which I have personally tested, and I can recommand.
For each brand I did a review, and you can read my opinion about their product line.

BrandMachineLaserSupportScoreOpinionReviewOrtur4.9best for innovationreviewAtomstack5.0best power/techreviewAlgoLaser5.0best quality/techreviewIkier5.0best power/pricereviewAufero4.5best motor speedreviewSculpfun4.7best for air assistreviewNEJE4.9best product rangereviewComgrow4.5best quality/pricereviewFoxAlien4.3best robustnessreviewLonger4.2best for pricereviewTwoTrees4.5best price/optionsreviewYoraHome4.7american qualityreviewxTool*4.7infrared laser opt.reviewTyvok4.3best work sizereviewACMER4.5full enclosed framereview* xTool does not use LaserGRBL but proprietary software

ezcad are exported all over the world and different industries with quality first. Our belief is to provide our customers with more and better high value-added products. Let's create a better future together.

I suggest to focus your research on the well known brands, because unknown brands hardly offer quality products and after-sale support. It's not nice to spend some money and feel abandoned when there is a problem with the product!

WHAT ABOUT LASER POWER?

Currently is it easy to found laser module with powers from 1.5W to 70W.
Please read carefully! I am talking about optical power: the only real important value.

Often you will find indicated a power that is the electrical power, this value is about 4 times the optical power, so 5W can be called 20W and therefore could mislead you.

Sometimes advertisers invent some weird power equivalences therefore it is not uncommon to find advertised powers of 150W.

here is an example

Be smart, always look for optical power in the specifications!

Laser power from 1.5W to 3.5W

They are mainly found in the cheaper models. Allow you to engrave wood and leather and cut paper and cardboard, and small thicknesses of plywood and balsa (a couple of mm).

Their low power has the advantage of having a smaller focus point, allowing them to engrave with the finest level of detail. Machines that mount these lasers are generally cheaper and can be purchased for around $200-250

Laser power of 5.5W

They are the standard laser diode found in mid-range models. Pay close attention to which focus lens they mount: it is important that they mount a FAC (fast axis collimation) lens.

Starting from all the new laser models of most common brand start using FAC lens, but it is possible to found older model without this technology. Pay attention especially if you buy a used one.

difference between standard and FAC lens

With > 5W of optical power and FAC lens it is possible to engrave stone, wood, acrylic, and steel (only surface marking on steel). Is it possible to cut up to 3mm of acrylic and 5mm of plywood (even more if combined with air assist system) with multiple passes.

cutting plywoodengraving of cutter steel blade

A 5W laser is the best choice for those approaching this world for the first time, as it provides excellent performance at a very attractive price (350$ for a complete machine).

Laser power of 10W and 20W

These lasers are reserved for the top models and only appeared on the market from the beginning of . They are made by coupling 2 or 4 diodes inside the module.

These models are generally more expensive ($500 for 10W up to $900 for 20W machine) but they are the only ones that achieve truly comparable performance with CO2 lasers while maintaining incomparable compactness and manageability.

These machines are able to easily cut thicknesses of 10mm with a single pass. In combination with an air-assist system it is also possible to cut thicknesses up to 20mm.

The cheapest machine with a 10W optical power laser is the Comgo Z1. It cost only 350$ and my review of this machine is available here. In my opinion, one of the best engraver for price/quality ratio ever!

Laser power of 40W and 70W

Yes, they really exists!
In February iKier and Atomstack released their first 70W optical power laser modules and equipped machines. They are an incredible power that can be compared to CO2 laser engraver, but with cheaper price, smaller and most robust machines.

WHAT ABOUT AIR ASSIST

Air assist system are made of a high pressure pump and a thin nozzle that create a direct air flow towards the laser ablation point.

The advantages of an air assist system are a greater depth of cut, a faster cut, and cleaner edges. It is also a great way to avoid dirtying the laser lens, as the flow of air drives away the combustion fumes (dirty and full of residues).

Only high-end machines are equipped with an integrated air-assist system, such as the excellent Sculpfun S10.

WHAT ABOUT FRAME SIZE

T shaped machine

Made by two aluminium rail, capable of working on surfaces of about 20cm x 20cm. These machines are suitable for those who work small pieces, such as pens, wallets, photo frames. They are the cheapest machines and you will hardly find them with air-assist or powerful lasers because their shape does not allow to mount heavy modules.

Examples of this category are Aufero Laser 1 and Atomstack P7 or Neje Master 2s

Square frame 40×40

Consisting of a square frame made of aluminum profiles, these machines are the most popular option. All well-known brands provide at least one model based on this design, but they are not all the same: for example some brand use plastic parts while others are full-metal design. Very important are also some details such as the presence of cables guides (drag chain) which prevent cables from bending under the laser head, burning and damaging the machine; and the presence of limit/homing switches.

Examples of this category are Scuplfun S9, Atomstack A5, Aufero Laser 2 etc.

Some more solid and robust models use double-size metal rails, like the FoxAlien Reizer. These models are more expensive but guarantee to be able to mount heavier laser heads.

Jumbo Frame (80×40 and more)

Only a few brands offer this option, one of these is NEJE which also has an engraver capable of working on 81cm x 46cm surfaces. This is the Neje 3 MAX with 10W laser that has a very competitive price (considering it has the drag chain).

Some other brands offer 'expansion kit' that allow to increase the working surface for a little price.

BETTER QUALITY MODULES

If you need laser modules for continuous use, I do not recommend using modules that come with your markers, either those that are cheap on ebay, amazon, aliexpress, bangood, gearbest ' All these modules are designed for occasional use and deteriorate quickly if used at maximum power for a long time.

There are a very good sellers called Opt Lasers who do small productions but of the highest quality. They are all modules made by hand according to the best standards, all tested one by one and that can also provide personalized answers for any needs.

Discount code available (read more)

Opt Lasers is what I call 'the Ferrari of lasers'. They offer a wide range of products that fits the needs of any professional who wants a high quality laser system on their CNC.

6W optical power (equivalent to 20W)

Laser modules are available ranging from optical power from 2W up to 15W (equivalent to about 60W of electrical power). These are products made from solid aluminum blocks, individually CNC machined, universal mounting systems are available for easy connection to existing machines.

15W laser head, mounted on professional CNC system (equivalent to 85W)

Their production includes air-cooled and water-cooled laser modules, magnetic quick attach and release systems, and many more!

https://optlasers.com

CO2 LASER ENGRAVING

Laser diode engraver is suitable for small workloads. If you need fast engraving, cutting thick materials you should consider purchasing a 40W or higher power engraver.

This kind of power is currently not achievable with diode technology, so you have to choose a CO2 laser machine. These machines are generally more expensive, larger, and more complex to use and most of them use their own control software.

Prices can vary between 400' to ' based on laser power and size of the worktop.

In this case I advise you to choose the most suitable product for you by evaluating shipping costs and product feedback.

STEEL LASER ENGRAVING

Laser diode engraver are not the best tool for metal engraving, even if with some tricks you can make some small incisions (using the most powerful modules).

However, if your goal is to engrave metals, you need to choose a fiber laser engraver.

Starting from 50W a fiber laser engraver is able to engrave and also carve most common metals.

Are you interested in learning more about laser controller software? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!