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Laser control software

The program that drives the machine is not the program that draws the artwork. Here is what laser control software has to do, and which one does it on your controller.

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The short answer

Laser control software connects to the machine's controller, puts the job where the material is, sets speed, power, passes and air assist per layer, and runs the job while you watch it. Design software makes the artwork; control software makes it happen. Many shops end up running two or three programs because the one that prepares the image well does not drive the machine, and the one that drives the machine prepares images poorly.

Connect to the controller over USB
Place the job on the real material
Speed, power, passes, air assist per layer
Start, pause, resume, stop while it runs

Which program for which machine

LightBurn is the mature all-rounder with the widest controller support and a large community; it is paid and its image preparation is basic. LaserGRBL is free and capable for GRBL diode lasers, but Windows only. MeerK40t is free and open source, strongest for K40-class CO2 machines, and more technical to live with. Vextrify runs GRBL and Ruida from macOS and Windows, aligns the job with a camera on the real workpiece, and brings the image preparation with it instead of expecting a second program.

LightBurn: widest device support, paid, basic image prep
LaserGRBL: free, Windows only, GRBL diode
MeerK40t: free, open source, K40-focused, technical
Vextrify: macOS and Windows, GRBL and Ruida, camera alignment, image prep included

The macOS question

On macOS the field is thinner. LaserGRBL does not run there at all. LightBurn has a paid macOS build. Vextrify ships a signed and notarised macOS app for Apple Silicon alongside Windows. If your shop is on Macs, that alone decides most of the shortlist.

LaserGRBL: no macOS build
LightBurn: macOS build, paid
Vextrify: signed and notarised macOS app, plus Windows

Where Vextrify fits

Vextrify is laser control software with a full image workshop attached. The same project that prepares the photo also runs the machine: camera alignment on the workpiece, a dry run before anything burns, live job control for diode (GRBL) and CO2 (Ruida). Several machines can be managed, each in its own tab with its own profile, calibration and job; one is actively connected at a time, and firing several simultaneously is on the roadmap, not shipped. If you would rather keep your current sender, Vextrify exports clean files for LightBurn, EZCAD and Ruida controllers.

Control and image preparation in one project
Camera alignment and dry run before the job
Exports for LightBurn and EZCAD when you want them
See Laser Control

FAQ

What is laser control software?

The program that drives the laser itself: it connects to the controller, places the job on the material, sets speed and power per layer and runs it. Design software draws the artwork; control software makes the machine move.

Is LightBurn the only option?

No. LaserGRBL is free for GRBL diode lasers on Windows, MeerK40t is free and open source for K40-class machines, and Vextrify runs GRBL and Ruida on macOS and Windows with image preparation built in.

What laser control software runs on a Mac?

LightBurn has a paid macOS build and Vextrify ships a signed, notarised macOS app. LaserGRBL is Windows only.

Do I need separate software to prepare photos?

With most control software, yes — that is why image-prep services exist. Vextrify includes the preparation, so the same project that tunes the photo also runs the machine.

Keep working

See Laser Control in depth
The multi-laser, camera-aligned control surface this page refers to.
Vextrify vs LightBurn
The detailed head-to-head comparison.
Laser software for Mac
The Mac-specific options and where LaserGRBL falls short.
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