LightBurn: licences, prices and first steps for laser engravers

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LightBurn is software for creating and editing designs for the laser and sending them straight to the machine. The current version 2.1 runs on Windows 10 and 11 and on macOS from version 12. According to the documentation, LightBurn only supports Linux up to version 1.7. The program talks to many controllers from different manufacturers. This article shows which licence you need, which machines are supported and how to set up your first jobs.

What LightBurn is

LightBurn combines three tasks in one program: drawing and editing vectors, setting the laser parameters and controlling the machine. You can import SVG, DXF, AI, PDF and image files, set text, combine shapes, prepare photos for engraving and then send the job to the laser by USB or network. Many manufacturers of open diode lasers supply their own software, but name LightBurn as a supported alternative.

Licences and prices (as of 10/2026)

LightBurn sells two licences. Both are one-off purchases and last permanently. The price includes one year of updates, counted from first activation. After that you can keep using the last version you received indefinitely, or buy another year of updates.

The source is the overview page on lightburnsoftware.com. Prices are in US dollars, and depending on the payment method, currency conversion and taxes are added. Most open diode lasers for hobby users run on GRBL and therefore only need Core. Enclosed CO₂ lasers with a Ruida controller and fibre lasers with an EZCad controller need Pro. Before buying, check your machine’s manual to see which controller is fitted.

Trial period

You can try LightBurn free for 30 days. According to the LightBurn documentation, the trial can be extended up to three times by 15 days each; from version 1.5 this happens automatically. Use the time to check that your machine connects cleanly and that all the functions you need work.

Which machines are supported

Besides the controllers in the table, since version 1.7 there has been a separate device type for some xTool lasers. Support is limited, though. For the xTool S1 20W, xTool itself writes that LightBurn does not cover all functions and recommends its own software for the full range. On the xTool P2S, LightBurn lacks camera and autofocus. Galvo machines such as the xTool F2 or F2 Ultra are not supported at all according to the manufacturer. Whether your machine works is stated in the device overview under Software.

A galvo laser with an EZCad2 controller, such as the ComMarker B4 20W, needs the Pro licence. How galvo and gantry differ is explained in Gantry or galvo.

Alternatives

• xTool Studio (formerly XCS): free manufacturer software for xTool machines, with full support for camera, autofocus and accessories.
• LaserGRBL: free and open source, runs only on Windows and only with GRBL controllers. For simple engravings and cuts that is often enough, but for drawing it is much more limited than LightBurn.
• Falcon Design Space: free software from Creality for the Falcon machines.
• Manufacturer software from other brands: Acmer names Acmer Studio and an app for its machines, and Atomstack, Ortur or Sculpfun similarly offer their own programs. Range of functions and upkeep vary widely.

Manufacturer software has the advantage that material profiles and special functions of the machine are built in. LightBurn plays to its strength when you use several machines from different brands or do a lot of drawing yourself. You will find a detailed comparison with prices, operating systems, and camera and galvo support in Laser software compared.

First steps: setting up the machine

1. Install LightBurn, connect the laser by USB and switch it on.
2. Under “Laser”, click “Devices” and choose “Find my laser”. LightBurn looks for the controller automatically. If that does not work, you create the device manually and choose the controller type, such as GRBL.
3. Enter the size of the work area from the data sheet and specify the origin, that is, the corner where the laser has its zero position.
4. Some manufacturers offer a ready-made device file (.lbdev) to import. Use it if there is one.

Afterwards, check with a small square that the directions are correct. If the result is mirrored, the origin is usually set wrongly.

Layers: Line, Fill and Image

Every object belongs to a layer, recognisable by its colour. In the “Cuts / Layers” window you set the mode, power, speed and number of passes for each layer.

The order of the layers in the list is the order of processing. Put engravings at the top and cuts at the bottom, otherwise the part shifts before everything is engraved. Which values to enter is covered in Laser parameters. For new materials, a material test beforehand is worthwhile.

Origin and Job Origin

In the “Laser” window, under “Start From”, you set what your design’s position refers to:

• Absolute Coords: The design ends up exactly where it sits on the work area in LightBurn. This requires your laser to have homing. This setting is needed for the camera.
• Current Position: The job starts at the laser head’s current position.
• User Origin: The job starts at a point that you have set beforehand.

With “Current Position” and “User Origin”, the grid of nine points (Job Origin) determines which point of the design sits at that position, such as the centre or the bottom left corner.

Framing

With “Frame”, the laser head traces the outline of your job, on most machines with the laser off or at very low power. This shows you whether the design fits the workpiece. Do this before every job. A wrong origin or a shifted workpiece shows up here before any material is lost. Pay attention to the focus while doing so, see Laser focus.

Aligning the camera

With a camera above the work area you can place designs directly on a live image. Setup takes two steps:

1. Calibrate the lens: This compensates for the distortion of the lens. You only need to do it once per camera.
2. Align the camera: You engrave a pattern on a large board without moving it afterwards. LightBurn recognises the pattern automatically, or you click the four crosshairs by hand. After that the software knows which position on the work area corresponds to which point in the camera image.

“Start From” must be set to “Absolute Coords” for this. If the camera is moved, you have to repeat the alignment. On machines with their own camera, such as some xTool models, the camera does not always work in LightBurn.

Safety

Even though the software shows everything on screen: never leave the laser running unattended, wear safety glasses for the right wavelength with open machines and keep a fire extinguisher ready.

Continue with: Preparing files for the laser, Laser parameters and Material test.