As a new user, it’s a good idea to pick the right slicer from the beginning, as each slicer has a learning curve, and a fair amount of the knowledge you pick up on using it will be unique to that slicer and not transferrable to other slicers.

There are several slicers available – the most popular are the big-three: Cura, Simplify3D and PrusaSlicer. Of the big three slicers, Simplify3D is the only paid slicer. Cura is made by Ultimaker, who also sell 3D printers. Lastly, PrusaSlicer is derived from Slic3r (a free, open-source slicer) developed by Prusa Research, who also make 3D printers.

Other free slicers exist including Slic3r (which is the basis of PrusaSlicer), Repetier, OctoPrint (which uses CuraEngine), KISSslicer, IdeaMaker, AstroPrint, PathIO and others. Some 3D printer manufacturers also make their own slicer software – ranging from anything between a re-branded version of Cura to a full-blown unique slicer developed in-house.

If you want to get the most out of the hours you dedicate to becoming proficient with a particular slicer, we recommend choosing one of the big three, since these are the most widely-used and popular slicers and are likely to be around for a long time.

The risk with learning a less popular slicer is encountering issues and bugs that not many users are aware of, making it harder to find help unless they had a dedicated and responsive support team that’s fluent in your language. And if learning a manufacturer-specific slicer, the downsides are that you’ll be dependent on that manufacturer for updates and bug fixes, and you’ll likely have to learn a new slicer if you were to upgrade to a new printer.

As a new user, it’s a good idea to pick the right slicer from the beginning, as each slicer has a learning curve, and a fair amount of the knowledge you pick up on using it will be unique to that slicer and not transferrable to other slicers.

There are several slicers available – the most popular are the big-three: Cura, Simplify3D and PrusaSlicer. Of the big three slicers, Simplify3D is the only paid slicer. Cura is made by Ultimaker, who also sell 3D printers. Lastly, PrusaSlicer is derived from Slic3r (a free, open-source slicer) developed by Prusa Research, who also make 3D printers.

Other free slicers exist including Slic3r (which is the basis of PrusaSlicer), Repetier, OctoPrint (which uses CuraEngine), KISSslicer, IdeaMaker, AstroPrint, PathIO and others. Some 3D printer manufacturers also make their own slicer software – ranging from anything between a re-branded version of Cura to a full-blown unique slicer developed in-house.

If you want to get the most out of the hours you dedicate to becoming proficient with a particular slicer, we recommend choosing one of the big three, since these are the most widely-used and popular slicers and are likely to be around for a long time. The risk with learning a less popular slicer is encountering issues and bugs that not many users are aware of, making it harder to find help unless they had a dedicated and responsive support team that’s fluent in your language. And if learning a manufacturer-specific slicer, the downsides are that you’ll be dependent on that manufacturer for updates and bug fixes, and you’ll likely have to learn a new slicer if you were to upgrade to a new printer.

What should you look for when choosing a slicer? 

Speed

The speed with which a slicer processes 3D models (STL/3MF etc. files) and converts them to machine code (gcode etc.) is important. Especially when slicing more complex and larger models, better slicers will handle them gracefully while lesser slicers will choke and possibly crash.

In our experience, we’ve found Simplify3D to be the fastest and most robust at slicing.

PrusaSlicer comes in second, with a snappy user-interface but slicing times that are noticeably longer.

Cura comes in third, with a user-interface that can be sluggish at times, and slicing times that can be the longest of the three.

Repairing and Warning Features

This refers to the ability of the slicer to repair errors - not just in the model, but also in the generated GCode script.

You don´t want to start printing and then run into an error halfway through, so good slicers will catch problems before they ruin your print and give you the chance to fix any issues it finds. This is particularly true if the model is downloaded from Thingiverse, Cults or other online repositories – the software used to make the STL may not be 3D-printing specific, so the output might not be a watertight mesh suitable for printing.

Here's our thoughts on the big 3 :

Coming in first Simplify3D has the most comprehensive mesh-repair features, with an entire menu dedicated just to this function.

PrusaSlicer comes in second, with a “Repair STL file” feature that is however not as comprehensive as the one in Simplify3D

Cura comes in third, with no dedicated repair menu and limited ability to repair model errors. However, the slicer settings do contain options to deal with things like overlapping volumes, holes etc.

Printers Supported

As the title implies, compatibility with your hardware is crucial in a slicer. You can’t print a file that your printer doesn’t understand!

Simplify3D comes out first in this respect as they support some of the more exotic/proprietary file formats and gcode options

The other two slicers, Cura and PrusaSlicer, are approximately head-to-head in terms of compatibility, with basic gcode being supported by the vast majority of modern printers these days, and with increasing numbers of manufacturers releasing settings profiles for them to get you rapidly up to speed with a profile that’s almost completely optimised for that printer right from the start.

Friendly interface and ease-of-use

Each slicer uses their own unique layout for the user interface, which affects how easy and quick it is to use. Many features are similar between slicers, but some might use different names.

For example, what Cura calls “Wall Line Count” is called “Perimeters” in PrusaSlicer and “Outline/Perimeter Shells” in Simplify3D.

Cura

Figure: Cura setting Example (All settings toggled to visible)

PrusaSlicer

Figure: PrusaSlicer Setting Example (Expert Mode)

Simplify3D

Figure: Simpify3D setting example (Advanced Mode)

The number of settings each slicer allows you to set gives you an idea of its complexity and the effort required to master it. Naturally, each setting adds to the learning curve as you will need to learn how it affects your print in order to achieve complete slicer mastery.

In this respect, Simplify3D lives up to its name (being the simplest of the big three) weighing in at approximately 240 user-definable settings.

PrusaSlicer is a not-too-distant second, with just over 295 user-definable settings.

Cura comes in last, with a whopping 425+ user-definable settings.

More settings are not necessarily a bad thing, as they allow you additional ways to fine-tune your print to get it exactly how you want it.

But having too many means extra chances to get something wrong and ruin your print, and extra effort learning and setting everything to your specifications.

Files Supported

Most slicers support the same file formats; but for more exotic or less common formats, there might be differences between slicers.

If your application requires to open particular file formats, check your slicer’s documentation to ensure it is compatible – you may need to choose a different slicer in some cases.

The following table is a non-exhaustive list of the filetypes each slicer will take as input when importing a 3D model (we have excluded image file types that Cura and Simplify3D will accept as inputs to make lithophanes, and we have also excluded gcode files that they can import to provide a preview; we have only included 3D model file formats)

Support Settings

This is one of the biggest differences between slicers.

Recent versions of PrusaSlicer have the most advanced features in this area, with paint-on supports (you paint areas on the model requiring support by clicking and dragging your mouse).

In addition, PrusaSlicer also supports automatic supports (set by threshold angle) and a combination of the two, as well as importing shapes (cubes, cylinders, custom meshes) to act as support enforcers or support blockers (for example if you want to block support from an entire cylindrical-shaped area, you would insert a cylindrical support blocker and resize and move it as required).

Simplify3D offers automatic support creation by threshold angle, and manual editing (creation/removal) of support on a column-by column basis.

This is more tedious and time-consuming than the paint-on supports of PrusaSlicer, since each column must be positioned individually (clicking the mouse each time) instead of just painting an area on the model. It does not have a feature for using shapes as support enforcers or blockers.

Cura offers automatic support creation by threshold angle, and limited ability to block supports from certain regions of the model by clicking, at which point it places a 1cm x 1cm x 1cm support-blocking cube in the area where you clicked. The cube can subsequently be resized, rotated and moved using the normal tools (same as manipulating the model itself).

There is no quick and easy way to block supports over a large irregularly-shaped area aside from placing and manipulating blocker cubes, making cura the least flexible and least capable of the three slicers when it comes to customizing supports.

Operating System

Each slicer will only run on particular operating systems. If your computer or particular environment mandates a specific operating system, make sure the slicer you choose will work on this. Here is a table of the compatibility of current versions of the big three slicers:

Price

Cura and PrusaSlicer are completely free of charge (even if you don’t have an Ultimaker or Prusa printer).

Simplify3D is a paid slicer ($150 at the time of writing, with discounts available for certain cases, like educational customers).

Cost / Material Estimation

Most Slicers provide estimates of print time and print cost once you define the filament density (weight per volume) and cost (currency per gram) in the settings. Many slicers will also give you an estimate of the length of filament consumed.

PrusaSlicer wins this category, with an extremely comprehensive estimate of the time taken for each type of feature (walls, infill, top layers etc.) and estimates of filament length (meters), volume (cubic millimetres), weight (grams) and cost (currency) and total print time.

Cura comes in second, supplying a basic time and percentage estimation for each feature type (much like PrusaSlicer, but less graphical), and estimates of length, weight, cost and total print time.

Simplify3D supplies only the most important estimates – time, filament length, weight and cost

What should you look for when choosing a slicer? 

Speed

The speed with which a slicer processes 3D models (STL/3MF etc. files) and converts them to machine code (gcode etc.) is important. Especially when slicing more complex and larger models, better slicers will handle them gracefully while lesser slicers will choke and possibly crash.

In our experience, we’ve found Simplify3D to be the fastest and most robust at slicing.

PrusaSlicer comes in second, with a snappy user-interface but slicing times that are noticeably longer.

Cura comes in third, with a user-interface that can be sluggish at times, and slicing times that can be the longest of the three.

Repairing and Warning Features

This refers to the ability of the slicer to repair errors - not just in the model, but also in the generated GCode script.

You don´t want to start printing and then run into an error halfway through, so good slicers will catch problems before they ruin your print and give you the chance to fix any issues it finds. This is particularly true if the model is downloaded from Thingiverse, Cults or other online repositories – the software used to make the STL may not be 3D-printing specific, so the output might not be a watertight mesh suitable for printing.

Here's our thoughts on the big 3 :

Coming in first Simplify3D has the most comprehensive mesh-repair features, with an entire menu dedicated just to this function.

PrusaSlicer comes in second, with a “Repair STL file” feature that is however not as comprehensive as the one in Simplify3D

Cura comes in third, with no dedicated repair menu and limited ability to repair model errors. However, the slicer settings do contain options to deal with things like overlapping volumes, holes etc.

Printers Supported

As the title implies, compatibility with your hardware is crucial in a slicer. You can’t print a file that your printer doesn’t understand!

Simplify3D comes out first in this respect as they support some of the more exotic/proprietary file formats and gcode options

The other two slicers, Cura and PrusaSlicer, are approximately head-to-head in terms of compatibility, with basic gcode being supported by the vast majority of modern printers these days, and with increasing numbers of manufacturers releasing settings profiles for them to get you rapidly up to speed with a profile that’s almost completely optimised for that printer right from the start.

Friendly interface and ease-of-use

Each slicer uses their own unique layout for the user interface, which affects how easy and quick it is to use. Many features are similar between slicers, but some might use different names.

For example, what Cura calls “Wall Line Count” is called “Perimeters” in PrusaSlicer and “Outline/Perimeter Shells” in Simplify3D.

Cura

Figure: Cura setting Example (All settings toggled to visible)

PrusaSlicer

Figure: PrusaSlicer Setting Example (Expert Mode)

Simplify3D

Figure: Simpify3D setting example (Advanced Mode)

The number of settings each slicer allows you to set gives you an idea of its complexity and the effort required to master it. Naturally, each setting adds to the learning curve as you will need to learn how it affects your print in order to achieve complete slicer mastery.

In this respect, Simplify3D lives up to its name (being the simplest of the big three) weighing in at approximately 240 user-definable settings.

PrusaSlicer is a not-too-distant second, with just over 295 user-definable settings.

Cura comes in last, with a whopping 425+ user-definable settings.

More settings are not necessarily a bad thing, as they allow you additional ways to fine-tune your print to get it exactly how you want it.

But having too many means extra chances to get something wrong and ruin your print, and extra effort learning and setting everything to your specifications.

Files Supported

Most slicers support the same file formats; but for more exotic or less common formats, there might be differences between slicers.

If your application requires to open particular file formats, check your slicer’s documentation to ensure it is compatible – you may need to choose a different slicer in some cases.

The following table is a non-exhaustive list of the filetypes each slicer will take as input when importing a 3D model (we have excluded image file types that Cura and Simplify3D will accept as inputs to make lithophanes, and we have also excluded gcode files that they can import to provide a preview; we have only included 3D model file formats)

Support Settings

This is one of the biggest differences between slicers.

Recent versions of PrusaSlicer have the most advanced features in this area, with paint-on supports (you paint areas on the model requiring support by clicking and dragging your mouse).

In addition, PrusaSlicer also supports automatic supports (set by threshold angle) and a combination of the two, as well as importing shapes (cubes, cylinders, custom meshes) to act as support enforcers or support blockers (for example if you want to block support from an entire cylindrical-shaped area, you would insert a cylindrical support blocker and resize and move it as required).

Simplify3D offers automatic support creation by threshold angle, and manual editing (creation/removal) of support on a column-by column basis.

This is more tedious and time-consuming than the paint-on supports of PrusaSlicer, since each column must be positioned individually (clicking the mouse each time) instead of just painting an area on the model. It does not have a feature for using shapes as support enforcers or blockers.

Cura offers automatic support creation by threshold angle, and limited ability to block supports from certain regions of the model by clicking, at which point it places a 1cm x 1cm x 1cm support-blocking cube in the area where you clicked. The cube can subsequently be resized, rotated and moved using the normal tools (same as manipulating the model itself).

There is no quick and easy way to block supports over a large irregularly-shaped area aside from placing and manipulating blocker cubes, making cura the least flexible and least capable of the three slicers when it comes to customizing supports.

Operating System

Each slicer will only run on particular operating systems. If your computer or particular environment mandates a specific operating system, make sure the slicer you choose will work on this. Here is a table of the compatibility of current versions of the big three slicers:

Price

Cura and PrusaSlicer are completely free of charge (even if you don’t have an Ultimaker or Prusa printer).

Simplify3D is a paid slicer ($150 at the time of writing, with discounts available for certain cases, like educational customers).

Cost / Material Estimation

Most Slicers provide estimates of print time and print cost once you define the filament density (weight per volume) and cost (currency per gram) in the settings. Many slicers will also give you an estimate of the length of filament consumed.

PrusaSlicer wins this category, with an extremely comprehensive estimate of the time taken for each type of feature (walls, infill, top layers etc.) and estimates of filament length (meters), volume (cubic millimetres), weight (grams) and cost (currency) and total print time.

Cura comes in second, supplying a basic time and percentage estimation for each feature type (much like PrusaSlicer, but less graphical), and estimates of length, weight, cost and total print time.

Simplify3D supplies only the most important estimates – time, filament length, weight and cost

Spotlight on the big 3 slicers.

Cura (last release 4.10)

Special Modes

Print Models all at once or one at the time. (Supported also by PrusaSlicer and Simplify3D)

Mold: Prints the model as a hollow mold.

Spiralize Outer Contour (Vase Mode). Also supported by all 3 slicers under different names (Simplify3D calls it single-outline corkscrew-printing mode)

Some Experimental Features

Draft Shield: Builds a wall around the model (something already done by Prusa and Simplify3D).

Make Overhang Printable: Adapts the model in order to reduce supports.

Conical Support: The area of the support is smaller on the bottom. This feature is still experimental (it has been in that category for many previous versions).

Fuzzy Skin: Gives a rough look to the Outer Wall (Ideal when Printing animal Models for instance).

Adaptive Layers: The Slicer Computes the Layer Height depending on the shape of the Model. Also supported by PrusaSlicer (in fact PrusaSlicer’s implementation is actually more advanced and capable than Cura’s at this stage). This is not supported by Simplify3D

Bridge Settings: While detecting Bridges, changes the Speed, Flow and Fan (Bridge Distance can be configured when checking this option). Also supported by PrusaSlicer and Simplify3D

Availability to save Projects in Ultimaker's Digital Library. Marketplace has a selection of Plug In to upgrades some characteristics and also has Materials Profiles.

Monitor Feature: The printing process can be followed Locally and Remotely.

Last Update

Fixed Linux users fails when scaling models (this means that Ultimaker gives importance to all operating systems)

Fixed bugs in Repetier and MacOS.

Added Volumetric Flow Rate (in mm³/s) to the Simulation view.

Prusa Slicer (last stable relese 2.3.3)

This slicer supports Prusa Machines, as well as all printers that use standard gcodes (which is basically most printers at this stage). As of the last few versions, it also incorporates ready-made profiles from Creality and other major manufacturers, making it even more beginner-friendly.

It is open-Source Software, originally based on another open-source software called Slic3r.

It has an active github where users can submit bug reports. The developers are very active (as they are employed full-time by Prusa Research to work on this software) so bugs tend to get fixed within a few releases.

Custom Support: As of last couple of versions, prusaslicer has the best support features of any slicer. Aside from blockers and enforcers (where you insert a shape like a cube, sphere or custom mesh and all model parts within that shape get supports blocked or enforced in that area), they now have paint-on support (you mark with the mouse where you want supports to go or where to avoid). You can also automatically mark large parts of the model using an angle threshold, and then tweak the areas with the mouse. No other slicer has this capability at the moment. The closest is Simplify3D but it requires manually clicking to place individual support columns – not a smooth, quick painting motion.

Variable Layer Height: In PrusaSlicer, this is very well-implemented because it allows fine control of layer height all over the model using the mouse. Cura does not allow this level of customisation graphically (you can only set min/max layer heights and step size). Simplify3D does not support adaptive layer height at all – you’d have to do it manually yourself using dozens of individual processes which is laborious and not really practical

Simplify3D (last relese 4.1)

Paid Software ($149 at time of writing). There is a 25% discount for Educational users (like Robotics Teams and University Professors).

Before Purchasing the Software, the maker can verify if their printers are compatible with Simplify3D.

Simplify3D only makes software, not printers.

Spotlight on the big 3 slicers.

Cura (last release 4.10)

Special Modes

Print Models all at once or one at the time. (Supported also by PrusaSlicer and Simplify3D)

Mold: Prints the model as a hollow mold.

Spiralize Outer Contour (Vase Mode). Also supported by all 3 slicers under different names (Simplify3D calls it single-outline corkscrew-printing mode)

Some Experimental Features

Draft Shield: Builds a wall around the model (something already done by Prusa and Simplify3D).

Make Overhang Printable: Adapts the model in order to reduce supports.

Conical Support: The area of the support is smaller on the bottom. This feature is still experimental (it has been in that category for many previous versions).

Fuzzy Skin: Gives a rough look to the Outer Wall (Ideal when Printing animal Models for instance).

Adaptive Layers: The Slicer Computes the Layer Height depending on the shape of the Model. Also supported by PrusaSlicer (in fact PrusaSlicer’s implementation is actually more advanced and capable than Cura’s at this stage). This is not supported by Simplify3D

Bridge Settings: While detecting Bridges, changes the Speed, Flow and Fan (Bridge Distance can be configured when checking this option). Also supported by PrusaSlicer and Simplify3D

Availability to save Projects in Ultimaker's Digital Library. Marketplace has a selection of Plug In to upgrades some characteristics and also has Materials Profiles.

Monitor Feature: The printing process can be followed Locally and Remotely.

Last Update

Fixed Linux users fails when scaling models (this means that Ultimaker gives importance to all operating systems)

Fixed bugs in Repetier and MacOS.

Added Volumetric Flow Rate (in mm³/s) to the Simulation view.

Prusa Slicer (last stable relese 2.3.3)

This slicer supports Prusa Machines, as well as all printers that use standard gcodes (which is basically most printers at this stage). As of the last few versions, it also incorporates ready-made profiles from Creality and other major manufacturers, making it even more beginner-friendly.

It is open-Source Software, originally based on another open-source software called Slic3r.

It has an active github where users can submit bug reports. The developers are very active (as they are employed full-time by Prusa Research to work on this software) so bugs tend to get fixed within a few releases.

Custom Support: As of last couple of versions, prusaslicer has the best support features of any slicer. Aside from blockers and enforcers (where you insert a shape like a cube, sphere or custom mesh and all model parts within that shape get supports blocked or enforced in that area), they now have paint-on support (you mark with the mouse where you want supports to go or where to avoid). You can also automatically mark large parts of the model using an angle threshold, and then tweak the areas with the mouse. No other slicer has this capability at the moment. The closest is Simplify3D but it requires manually clicking to place individual support columns – not a smooth, quick painting motion.

Variable Layer Height: In PrusaSlicer, this is very well-implemented because it allows fine control of layer height all over the model using the mouse. Cura does not allow this level of customisation graphically (you can only set min/max layer heights and step size). Simplify3D does not support adaptive layer height at all – you’d have to do it manually yourself using dozens of individual processes which is laborious and not really practical

Simplify3D (last relese 4.1)

Paid Software ($149 at time of writing). There is a 25% discount for Educational users (like Robotics Teams and University Professors).

Before Purchasing the Software, the maker can verify if their printers are compatible with Simplify3D.

Simplify3D only makes software, not printers.

Other Slicers to look out for.

PathIO (sponsored by E3D)

The Beta Version (V0.6.3-beta 4) is still free, but the download link is not working as of time of writing

The development is on stand-by, until the developers find a buyer. Last tweet is from July 2020

Key Features (distinctive from other Slicers):

Operating System: Windows, Linux and MacOS.

Octoprint Integration in latest version.

This Slicer promises to be a great one, especially for advanced users. However due to the current difficulties, it might not make it to production.

IdeaMaker (Sponsored by Raise3D):

Latest Version 4.1.1 (April 2020).

Operating System: Windows, Linux and MacOS.

Key Features (distinct from other slicers):

Cons: When adding a printer, the slicer only has the Raise3D Models. For other third-party equipment, all features must be loaded manually. So, it will take some time to set up the slicer. Try not to make mistakes when loading the printer features (though of course, they can be changed afterwards).

Friendly Interface.

Custom Support and automatic adaptive layer height (also supported by PrusaSlicer, and to a lesser extent Cura)

Other Slicers to look out for.

PathIO (sponsored by E3D)

The Beta Version (V0.6.3-beta 4) is still free, but the download link is not working as of time of writing

The development is on stand-by, until the developers find a buyer. Last tweet is from July 2020

Key Features (distinctive from other Slicers):

Operating System: Windows, Linux and MacOS.

Octoprint Integration in latest version.

This Slicer promises to be a great one, especially for advanced users. However due to the current difficulties, it might not make it to production.

IdeaMaker (Sponsored by Raise3D):

Latest Version 4.1.1 (April 2020).

Operating System: Windows, Linux and MacOS.

Key Features (distinct from other slicers):

Cons: When adding a printer, the slicer only has the Raise3D Models. For other third-party equipment, all features must be loaded manually. So, it will take some time to set up the slicer. Try not to make mistakes when loading the printer features (though of course, they can be changed afterwards).

Friendly Interface.

Custom Support and automatic adaptive layer height (also supported by PrusaSlicer, and to a lesser extent Cura)

Our Final Thoughts.

PrusaSlicer is superior to Cura in terms of ease of use (learning curve), and the ease with which you can get detailed technical support online (including in the IO3DP community). Far fewer settings and far more robust profile management means fewer things that novice users can get wrong and more easy troubleshooting because you can easily upload the .3mf file containing your 3D model and settings – and the expert helping you can edit, test on their slicer, then upload a modified/fixed project for the user to examine and slice. This is possible with .factory files in Simplify3D too - but so far this is not possible in cura because cura can only export a .3mf with the 3D model, not the slicer settings included in it too. 

Also, anecdotal reports from many of our users are that PrusaSlicer gives better-quality prints than cura on the same hardware. In addition, it’s faster, more responsive, and has more features (paint-on supports, graphical editing of adaptive layer heights, paint-on seam enforcers and blockers, support enforcer and blocker volumes and other features not present in cura yet).

Lastly, PrusaSlicer offers ready-made profiles for a lot of popular machines (Creality and other manufacturers) so new users can use one of those (just like in cura). Lastly, PrusaSlicer is free, just like cura, so is perfect for users who do not wish to spend any money on their software. If the priority is ultimate performance at any cost then Simplify3D is worth a look.

Despite the different interfaces between the " Big Three", makers can change at any time if you feel like trying something new. It takes some practice to get use to the new features, but our Training Suite describes perfectly all the features and tricks of Cura, Simplify3D and PrusaSlicer to get you up-and-running swiftly - whichever slicer you choose.

Our Final Thoughts.

PrusaSlicer is superior to Cura in terms of ease of use (learning curve), and the ease with which you can get detailed technical support online (including in the IO3DP community). Far fewer settings and far more robust profile management means fewer things that novice users can get wrong and more easy troubleshooting because you can easily upload the .3mf file containing your 3D model and settings – and the expert helping you can edit, test on their slicer, then upload a modified/fixed project for the user to examine and slice. This is possible with .factory files in Simplify3D too - but so far this is not possible in cura because cura can only export a .3mf with the 3D model, not the slicer settings included in it too. 

Also, anecdotal reports from many of our users are that PrusaSlicer gives better-quality prints than cura on the same hardware. In addition, it’s faster, more responsive, and has more features (paint-on supports, graphical editing of adaptive layer heights, paint-on seam enforcers and blockers, support enforcer and blocker volumes and other features not present in cura yet).

Lastly, PrusaSlicer offers ready-made profiles for a lot of popular machines (Creality and other manufacturers) so new users can use one of those (just like in cura). Lastly, PrusaSlicer is free, just like cura, so is perfect for users who do not wish to spend any money on their software. If the priority is ultimate performance at any cost then Simplify3D is worth a look.

Despite the different interfaces between the " Big Three", makers can change at any time if you feel like trying something new. It takes some practice to get use to the new features, but our Training Suite describes perfectly all the features and tricks of Cura, Simplify3D and PrusaSlicer to get you up-and-running swiftly - whichever slicer you choose.