Laser engraving software for Mac

If you are on a Mac, skip LaserGRBL: it is Windows-only. LightBurn has a paid Mac build. Rayforge is free and open source and runs on Apple Silicon and Intel Macs. MeerK40t is free too but in maintenance mode. Vextrify runs natively on Apple Silicon Macs as a desktop app, works in any browser to preview your prepared photo (exporting needs a Studio plan), and is also on Windows — with machine control for GRBL diode and Ruida CO2 lasers, camera-accurate placement, one tab per laser, and photo, vector and relief preparation built in.

• LaserGRBL — Windows-only, will not run on a Mac
• LightBurn — paid macOS build
• Rayforge — free, open source, Apple Silicon and Intel
• Vextrify — native Apple Silicon app plus browser and Windows

Much of the free laser tooling grew up on Windows. LaserGRBL, the most common free GRBL controller, has no Mac build at all — its FAQ only suggests a Windows emulator, a virtual machine or PlayOnMac — which pushes many Mac owners toward workarounds or a second computer. LightBurn offers a paid Mac version, and the open-source Rayforge now runs natively on macOS, but neither prepares photos for engraving in the same app.

• LaserGRBL has no macOS build
• Common workarounds: VMs, Wine wrappers, a second PC
• Native options: LightBurn, Rayforge, MeerK40t, Vextrify

Vextrify treats macOS as a first-class platform. The desktop app runs natively on Mac and connects to diode (GRBL) and CO2/Ruida machines for framing, dry-run and live job control. A calibrated camera places designs exactly on the material, a built-in material test grid helps you find your own speed and power, and you can manage several machines, each in its own tab — all without leaving the Mac. Background removal, contour-to-SVG, vectorizing and photo or relief prep are built in.

• Native macOS desktop app plus browser access
• Diode and CO2/Ruida control with framing and dry-run
• Camera placement and several machines, on Mac
• Built-in background, contour, SVG, photo and relief prep

For a Mac, the choice comes down to four paths: skip LaserGRBL because it is Windows-only; pay for LightBurn's Mac build if you want its broad device support; use Rayforge if you want free and open source, including on an Intel Mac; or use Vextrify natively on an Apple Silicon Mac for camera-accurate placement, one tab per laser and a prep-to-burn flow with photo preparation built in, with a free browser preview to start. Vextrify also exports clean files for LightBurn, EZCAD or Ruida when a job belongs in another tool.

• LaserGRBL → not available on Mac
• LightBurn → paid Mac build, broad device support
• Rayforge → free, open source, Intel Macs too
• Vextrify → native Apple Silicon, photo prep + control

You can begin in the browser on your Mac with a free account — load a photo and see it prepared at engraving size. Exporting needs a Studio plan. When you are ready for live machine control, install the native macOS desktop app. No Windows machine, virtual machine or dual-boot required.

• Start free in the browser on your Mac
• Install the native macOS app for live control
• No Windows, VM or dual-boot needed