Laser software compared: LightBurn, xTool Studio and more

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Almost every laser engraver comes with free software from the manufacturer. Alongside that there is LightBurn as a paid solution for many brands and LaserGRBL as a free open-source program for simple GRBL machines. Which one fits is decided mainly by one question: which controller is inside your laser?

The controller decides

Every laser has a controller that translates the software’s commands into movement and laser power. LightBurn divides them into three groups:

• G-code controllers such as GRBL are found in most open diode lasers for beginners.
• DSP controllers such as Ruida, Trocen or TopWisdom are usually found in enclosed CO₂ lasers with their own control panel.
• Galvo controllers such as EZCAD2, EZCAD3 or BSL drive fibre, UV and CO₂ galvos, which deflect the beam with mirrors. What galvo means is explained in Gantry or galvo.

Then there are machines with their own closed controller, such as most xTool and Bambu Lab lasers. They run primarily with their manufacturer’s software. Which software is intended for your machine is listed under Software for each device in the device overview.

The most important programs at a glance

Prices and system requirements change. Check the details on the manufacturer’s pages before buying; the links are in the sources below.

LightBurn

LightBurn is the most widely used program that does not come from a laser manufacturer. It combines drawing, parameters and machine control in one program and works with devices from many brands.

• Licences: Core for 99 USD is enough for G-code devices. Pro for 199 USD additionally covers DSP and galvo controllers. The upgrade from Core to Pro costs 100 USD. Both licences are one-off purchases for permanent use, including commercial use, on up to three computers at the same time. One year of updates is included; after that the last version you received keeps working. A further year of updates costs 40 USD.
• Trial: 30 days without restrictions, according to LightBurn without a watermark.
• Operating systems: Version 2.1 runs on 64-bit Windows 10 and 11 and on macOS 12 and later. According to LightBurn, version 1.7 was the last version for Linux. If you use Linux, you therefore stay on an older version without new features.
• Camera: With a compatible camera, LightBurn can place designs on the live image. Since version 2.1 it also supports network cameras, several cameras at once and cameras from further manufacturers, according to the documentation.
• Offline: Purchased licences can also be activated on a computer without internet, using a request file and the licence portal. According to LightBurn, this does not apply to the trial version.

How to set up LightBurn and what is missing on xTool devices is covered in the article LightBurn.

xTool Studio and xTool Creative Space

xTool Studio is the software for all xTool devices and the successor to xTool Creative Space (XCS). According to xTool, version 2.7 of 25 June 2025 was the last XCS version, and updates are now only released for Studio. The P3 series, the F2, F2 Ultra and F2 Ultra UV, and all devices released after August 2025 only run with Studio.

• Price: The download on xtool.com is free. According to xTool, features such as AImake and cloud storage need an account.
• Operating systems: The download page offers versions for Windows and for macOS with Apple Silicon and Intel chips. There is also an xTool Studio app for Android and iOS (recommended from Android 10 and iOS 16), and for iPad since version 1.4 (app FAQ). According to the app release notes (as of 24 September 2026), it supports the F2, WonderPress, M1 Ultra, Apparel Printer, Apparel Printer Plus, M2 and O1. For the xTool X1, the product page lists Android, iOS and iPad as supported systems, but it is not yet in the release notes. Older devices such as the F1, P2, S1 or D1 are still controlled on mobile with the older XCS app.
• Features: Material library with manufacturer parameters, test grids (material test), preview for rotary engraving, nesting, batch fill for series and AI tools. Since version 1.8.14, material parameters can be saved locally and used offline.
• Files: Studio imports SVG, DXF, PDF, PSD, its own XCS projects and common image formats. Since version 1.7, Studio saves your own projects in the new .xs format; for older versions you can export .xcs.
• Camera and accessories: Camera, autofocus and xTool accessories such as rotary attachments are fully supported in Studio. In LightBurn, some devices lack exactly these functions, for example camera and autofocus on the xTool P2S.

LaserGRBL

LaserGRBL is free and open source (GPLv3) and runs on Windows. It works with controllers that use Grbl v0.9 or v1.1, which means many open diode lasers. The developer himself describes it as a simple alternative for anyone who needs no more than a plain, effective tool.

According to the project page, LaserGRBL can import images, convert them to G-code line by line or with dithering, vectorise images and load G-code files with a preview. SVG import is marked as experimental. A camera function and DSP or galvo controllers are not included. For drawing, text and cutting paths you need a vector program such as Inkscape alongside it, see Preparing files for the laser.

Manufacturer apps from other brands

Many brands supply their own programs. They come with material profiles and device functions but usually only work with devices from that brand. A few examples from the device overview:

For Creality, the manufacturer lists Windows 10 and later and macOS 11 and later, plus a mobile app. Enclosed CO₂ lasers with a Ruida controller often come with RDWorks, and fibre lasers with an EZCAD controller with EZCAD2, for example the OMTech Polar Lite and the ComMarker B4. Both devices also work with LightBurn Pro.

Galvo lasers

Galvo devices are a special case. For fibre lasers with an EZCAD or BSL controller you need the Pro licence for LightBurn; LightBurn Core and LaserGRBL cannot control them. According to the manufacturer, LightBurn does not support the xTool galvos F2 and F2 Ultra; they only work with xTool Studio.

Which software for whom

• You have an xTool device: xTool Studio is a must for camera, autofocus and newer models. LightBurn is only worthwhile with devices that xTool approves for it, and then usually with limitations.
• You have an open diode laser with GRBL: The manufacturer’s software or LaserGRBL is enough to get started. LightBurn Core makes sense if you do a lot of your own drawing, want to retrofit a camera or need better tools for photos and series.
• You have a CO₂ laser with a Ruida controller or a galvo fibre laser: The bundled software works; LightBurn Pro is the common alternative.
• You use several devices from different brands: LightBurn offers a shared interface, a shared material library and the same workflows for all devices.
• You work on Linux: LightBurn is only available there up to version 1.7, and LaserGRBL only for Windows. Check beforehand whether your manufacturer offers a Linux version.

Before any purchase, use LightBurn’s free trial with your own device. That way you can see whether the connection works and all the functions you need run.

Continue with: Setting up LightBurn, Preparing files for the laser and Finding laser files and templates.

Sources

• LightBurn: Core licence and Pro licence (prices retrieved on 16 October 2026)
• LightBurn: Download and trial version
• LightBurn documentation: Installing LightBurn (operating systems)
• LightBurn documentation: Laser Types (controllers)
• LightBurn documentation: Cameras
• LightBurn documentation: License Management (offline activation)
• xTool Support: Transition from XCS to xTool Studio
• xTool: Software download
• xTool Support: xTool Studio Overview
• xTool Support: xTool Studio App FAQ
• xTool Support: xTool Studio Mobile App Release Notes
• xTool Support: Studio Desktop V1.8.14 Release Notes
• xTool Support: File import in Studio
• LaserGRBL: Project page and source code on GitHub
• Creality Falcon: Falcon Design Space Download and Settings Guide