LightBurn vs LaserGRBL: Which Laser Software Should You Use?
7 min read · Updated October 11, 2026
If you own a diode laser, you've probably come across two names: LaserGRBL and LightBurn. Both can run your machine, but they are built for different needs. Here's an honest comparison to help you decide.
The short answer
- LaserGRBL is free and does a good job of sending images and simple files to GRBL-based lasers.
- LightBurn is paid software, but it is a complete design, layout and control tool that works with many more types of lasers. Most people who use their laser regularly, and almost everyone who sells what they make, end up on LightBurn.
Side-by-side comparison
| LaserGRBL | LightBurn | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | One-time licence |
| Supported controllers | GRBL only | GRBL, Ruida, TopWisdom, Smoothieboard, EZCad2 galvo and more |
| Laser types | Mostly diode | Diode, CO2 and fibre/galvo |
| Built-in design tools | Very limited | Full vector editor: shapes, text, node editing, offsets, arrays |
| Layers with different settings | No | Yes, unlimited layers with their own speed, power and passes |
| Image engraving | Good | Excellent, with more dithering modes and adjustments |
| Material library | No | Yes |
| Camera alignment | No | Yes, with supported USB cameras |
Where LaserGRBL shines
- It costs nothing, which is great while you're still deciding whether laser engraving is for you.
- Raster image engraving is straightforward and gives good results on GRBL machines.
- It is lightweight and runs on older computers.
Where LightBurn is worth paying for
You design inside the software
With LaserGRBL you usually prepare files in another program first. In LightBurn you can type text, draw shapes, weld and offset paths, edit nodes and arrange copies, all in one place. That saves a lot of back-and-forth.
Cut and engrave in one job
Layers let you engrave a logo, score a fold line and cut the outline in a single run, each with its own speed, power and number of passes. That's essential for signs, coasters, boxes and almost every product you'd want to sell.
It grows with you
If you later buy a CO2 laser with a Ruida controller, or a galvo fibre laser, LightBurn supports it with the same interface. Your skills and material library carry over.
Repeatable results
The Material Library and Material Test tool make results repeatable. Once you've found the right settings for a material, you never have to find them again.
Our recommendation
Start with LaserGRBL if you've just unboxed a diode laser and want to experiment for free. Move to LightBurn as soon as you want to design your own projects, combine cutting and engraving, run a CO2 or fibre machine, or sell what you make. The time it saves pays for the licence quickly.
Ready to switch? Get LightBurn Pro with a one-time payment and instant delivery, then follow our diode laser settings guide to get great results from day one.