Rayforge vs LightBurn

With a GRBL diode laser and a tight budget, try Rayforge first: it is free, runs on Linux, Windows and macOS, and has camera alignment. If you run a Ruida CO2 or a galvo laser, or want the largest community and most tutorials, LightBurn is the safer choice, in its Pro edition for those controllers. On Linux, Rayforge has the edge, because LightBurn 1.7 is its final Linux version.

• GRBL on a budget → Rayforge
• Ruida or galvo → LightBurn Pro
• Linux → Rayforge
• Most tutorials and community → LightBurn

Checked 9 November 2026 on rayforge.org and LightBurn's documentation. Prices from LightBurn's EU store on 3 November 2026.

• Price — Rayforge free; LightBurn €106.95 Core or €214.95 Pro, once
• Platforms — Rayforge Linux, Windows, macOS; LightBurn Windows, macOS
• GRBL, Smoothieware, Marlin — both
• Ruida — Rayforge experimental; LightBurn Pro
• Galvo — LightBurn Pro only
• Camera alignment — both

Rayforge costs nothing and its code is open. LightBurn is a one-time licence for up to three computers with a year of updates; another year of updates costs $40, and the program keeps working if you do not renew. Over a few years LightBurn stays affordable for a business, but for a hobby machine free is hard to beat.

• Rayforge: free
• LightBurn: pay once, updates $40 per year after the first

Rayforge lists built-in profiles for many GRBL machines, supports Smoothieware and Marlin, and can connect through OctoPrint. Its own device list marks Ruida as experimental. LightBurn Core covers the same G-code world, and LightBurn Pro adds Ruida, Trocen and TopWisdom controllers and galvo lasers with EZCad2, EZCad3 or BSL boards. If your laser is not GRBL-based, that difference usually decides the question.

• Both: GRBL-type diode lasers
• CO2 with Ruida: LightBurn Pro is the proven route
• Galvo: not on Rayforge's device list

Vextrify is a third path if you need Ruida, CO2 or fiber galvo control on Linux, or want photo preparation inside the laser program. Its desktop app runs on macOS (Apple Silicon), Windows and Linux and drives GRBL, Ruida, TopWisdom, Trocen and galvo boards, with camera placement and one tab per machine. It is a subscription, and laser control needs Studio Pro or the 24-hour desktop trial.

• Ruida and galvo on Linux
• Photo prep in the same app
• Subscription, with a 24-hour trial