Looks like Estlcam is changing the pricing with this new version, Estlcam: 2D / 3D CAM und CNC Steuerung... . If you already have a v12 license or older those will not expire, that is cool.
Our options as I see it.
So Estlcam is looks like it will be $59 perpetual (includes 1 year of updates), $19/yr for updates after the intial year.
Millmage is eventually having a $199 price for a comparable suite of features, perpetual license. Updates are $50/year on a sliding scale for habitual updates. There is a Core price of $99 (initial release) but I think most will want Vcarve / 3d/ nesting when it is ready. Millmage has a lot of vector tools built in.
Fusion360 CAM is free for hobby users but they limit the rapids and the CAM is more complicated than a casual user is going to want to deal with.
Kiri:Moto is still free and under active development. The workflow is a little unconventional but fully featured.
Vectrix is $699 perpetual (free minor updates) for users that have a machine larger than 24"x24".
Carbide create seems to be getting more fully featured, I have never used it. $360 perpetual or $120/yr
Freecad CAM, Free, Looking more capable than ever and ease of use seem to be following right behind, Making sure you're not a bot!
Carveco, $50-$250/month. Looks like this has vector tools and some 3D tools as well.
As I understand, the “subscription” only applies to updates. So if you buy v13, you get updates for 12 months from purchase, but have a lifetime license to use the software.
If you want to have updates after the 12 months, you’ll need to re-subscribe.
Go ahead and vibe code 5 axis printing too while at it…
I’ve looked st kiri:moto but didn’t understand how to use it. I like the idea of freecad for everything, or blender for everything, but lack the 10000 hours to become proficient in cad and cam. So it is estlcam 11 still for me and millmage until my license expires.
Yeah, for me I always look at it from a new users perspective. I think millmage is going to give a lot of users what they want, vectors and CAM all in one.
Estlcam is good for a CAD user, similar interfaces and to the point interface.
That’s the way Carveco works. Has a lot of the same features (and more) as Millmage, but in a refined package. I do use LightBurn for my laser, so I am going to look at Millmage to see what it can do compared to Carveco.
As I slowly learn FreeCAD more and more, I figure I’ll use their CAM package and try it out. I like Lightburn for the laser. I was using the Fusion360 CAM with the alternative post processor that sped up the rapids, but making that work took some effort.
I use vetric for all of my work now but did use inkscape for cad and for laser used https://jtechphotonics.com/ plugin works great and my cutting was inkscape and estcam also great. I just wanted a all in one package and v-carve pro got me there first.
If that is a need then you are right. I like linux a lot I use what runs the program I. Need to use. I use 4 different OS 2 different Linux and mac and win xp 10 and 11.
