Our verdict: LightBurn is the program most laser owners end up using, because it combines vector editing, image engraving settings and direct machine control in one window. The 30-day trial has no limits, and the license is a one-time purchase rather than a subscription. Diode-laser users need only the $99 Core license; Ruida and galvo machines need Pro for $199.
About LightBurn
LightBurn is layout, editing and control software for laser cutters and engravers. You can draw and edit shapes in it or import artwork from AI, SVG, DXF, PDF and PLT files and from PNG, JPG, BMP, GIF and TIFF images, assign power, speed and passes per layer, and send the job straight to the laser.
The trial runs for 30 days with no watermarks or limits and starts with an Activate Trial button in the program; it can be extended up to three times by 15 days. After that the software stops working until you enter a license key. LightBurn Core costs $99 and covers GCode controllers such as GRBL, Smoothieware and Marlin; LightBurn Pro costs $199 and adds DSP (Ruida, Trocen, TopWisdom) and galvo (EZCad2, EZCad3, BSL) lasers. Licenses are perpetual, include one year of updates and can be active on three computers.
What it does well
- Design and layout. Draws shapes and text, edits nodes, offsets, welds and arranges objects.
- Wide import support. Imports AI, SVG, DXF, PDF and PLT vectors plus PNG, JPG, BMP, GIF and TIFF images.
- Per-layer laser settings. Sets power, speed, passes, fill or line mode and image dithering per layer.
- Direct machine control. Frames, previews and sends jobs to the laser without a separate sender.
- Camera and rotary. Supports cameras for aligning artwork and rotary attachments for cylinders.
Who it is for
Good fit
Owners of diode, CO2 and fiber lasers who want one program for designing, setting up and running jobs.
Look elsewhere
People with lasers that use proprietary closed software only, and anyone who wants a free tool for simple GRBL engraving.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Design, settings and machine control in one app
- Supports hundreds of lasers and controllers
- Perpetual license, no subscription
- Full-featured 30-day trial without watermarks
Cons
- Stops working after the trial without a $99 or $199 license
- Updates after the first year require a paid renewal
- Pro license needed for Ruida and galvo lasers
How to install LightBurn
The button downloads the official 64-bit Windows installer of the latest release from LightBurn's release server. On first start choose Activate Trial on the license page; an internet connection is needed for activation. Check the hardware compatibility list first: GRBL and other GCode lasers work with Core, Ruida and galvo lasers need Pro.
Questions about LightBurn
Is LightBurn free?
No. LightBurn has a full 30-day trial that you start in the program without a card, and it can be extended three times by 15 days. After that you need a perpetual license: Core for $99 or Pro for $199, each with one year of updates.
Do I need LightBurn Core or Pro?
Core supports GCode-based controllers such as GRBL, Smoothieware, Marlin and Grbl-LPC. Pro adds DSP lasers like Ruida, Trocen and TopWisdom and galvo lasers using EZCad2, EZCad3 or BSL.
Is LightBurn a subscription?
No. The license is perpetual. It includes one year of updates; after that you can keep using your version forever or pay to renew updates.
