Formlabs PreForm vs Anycubic Photon Workshop

Formlabs PreForm9.3Visit Anycubic Photon Workshop8.3Visit

Higher score Formlabs PreForm #1 in 3D Slicer Software 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Formlabs

vs

Anycubic Photon Workshop #8 in 3D Slicer Software 8.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Anycubic

• Formlabs PreForm fits best

  Formlabs production and cloud workflows

• Anycubic Photon Workshop fits best

  Free Anycubic resin printing

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Side by side

Feature	Formlabs PreForm 9.3/10 Visit ↗	Anycubic Photon Workshop 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	8.3
Ranking	#1 in 3D Slicer Software	#8 in 3D Slicer Software
Best for	Formlabs production and cloud workflows	Free Anycubic resin printing
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS	Windows, macOS
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business
Features Formlabs PreForm 0/3 · Anycubic Photon Workshop 0/3
Resin slicing	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Multi-material printing	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Variable layer height	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Support generation	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Supported platforms	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Input file formats	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Output file formats	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Validated material settings and printability checks Cloud slicing, remote uploads, and batch production workflows CAD imports, mesh repair, and automatic support generation	Free plan includes resin slicing, supports, repair, and editing tools Printer-specific export with machine, resin, and print-parameter settings Hollowing, drainage holes, previews, splitting, and remote monitoring
Cons	Focused primarily on Formlabs printer workflows Print monitoring is handled through Formlabs Dashboard Available only for Windows and macOS	Platform coverage is limited to Windows and macOS Remote printing and video monitoring apply to supported printers Focused on Anycubic resin workflows rather than broader integrations
Our verdict	Formlabs PreForm is desktop print-preparation software for Formlabs SLA and SLS 3D printers. It is designed for engineers, designers, manufacturers, dental users, and other teams working with Formlabs hardware. The software imports and… Read the review →	Anycubic Photon Workshop is a free desktop slicer for resin 3D printing with Anycubic printers. It is aimed at makers who need a focused workflow from model preparation through printer-ready file export. The software imports STL and OBJ… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Formlabs PreForm — where it wins

  • Validated material settings and printability checks
  • Cloud slicing, remote uploads, and batch production workflows
  • CAD imports, mesh repair, and automatic support generation

  Where it doesn't

  • Focused primarily on Formlabs printer workflows
  • Print monitoring is handled through Formlabs Dashboard
  • Available only for Windows and macOS

• Anycubic Photon Workshop — where it wins

  • Free plan includes resin slicing, supports, repair, and editing tools
  • Printer-specific export with machine, resin, and print-parameter settings
  • Hollowing, drainage holes, previews, splitting, and remote monitoring

  Where it doesn't

  • Platform coverage is limited to Windows and macOS
  • Remote printing and video monitoring apply to supported printers
  • Focused on Anycubic resin workflows rather than broader integrations

• Formlabs PreForm9.3/10 · Free plan

  A capable free slicer for teams committed to Formlabs production workflows.

  Visit FormlabsFull verdict →
• Anycubic Photon Workshop8.3/10 · Free plan

  A free desktop slicer with resin workflows, printer export, repair, and monitoring tools.

  Visit AnycubicFull verdict →