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Head-to-head · Additive Manufacturing Software

Formlabs PreForm vs GrabCAD Print

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Formlabs PreForm #2 in Additive Manufacturing Software 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Formlabs
GrabCAD Print #3 in Additive Manufacturing Software 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit GrabCAD Print

Formlabs PreForm leads on 0 checks, GrabCAD Print on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreFormlabs PreForm · 9.0/10
  • Free planboth

Formlabs PreForm scores higher on our rubric for additive manufacturing software: 9.0 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #3.

Formlabs PreForm is the better fit for formlabs users preparing validated production jobs. GrabCAD Print is the better fit for stratasys teams needing production and fleet workflows.

  • Formlabs PreForm fits best

    Formlabs users preparing validated production jobs

  • GrabCAD Print fits best

    Stratasys teams needing production and fleet workflows

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Side by side

Feature Formlabs PreForm 9.0/10 Visit ↗ GrabCAD Print 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.8
Ranking #2 in Additive Manufacturing Software #3 in Additive Manufacturing Software
Best for Formlabs users preparing validated production jobs Stratasys teams needing production and fleet workflows
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free plan $5,000/user/yr
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Windows, macOS Web, Windows, iOS, Android
Support Docs Email, Phone, Docs
Integrations 6 integrations 6 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Formlabs PreForm 0/3 · GrabCAD Print 0/3
Slicer included Not checked yet Not checked yet
Build nesting Not checked yet Not checked yet
Production tracking Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Printer compatibility Not checked yet Not checked yet
Supported file formats Not checked yet Not checked yet
Deployment Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Generates supports, checks printability, and repairs problematic meshes
  • Applies validated print settings and estimates print times
  • Supports CAD imports, cloud slicing, and batch production workflows
  • Imports native CAD and mesh formats with printability validation
  • Combines scheduling, monitoring, notifications, and multi-printer control
  • Pro adds arrays, estimation, analysis, and STL/3MF export
Cons
  • Workflow is oriented around Formlabs printers
  • Does not list printer monitoring as a PreForm feature
  • Available only for Windows and macOS
  • Primarily designed for Stratasys-printer workflows
  • Pro costs $5,000 per user per year on annual billing
  • Available technologies and features vary by printer family
Our verdict

Formlabs PreForm is desktop software for preparing models for Formlabs SLA and SLS 3D printers. It is aimed at engineers, designers, manufacturers, dental users, and other teams producing jobs on Formlabs hardware. Users can import and…

Read the review →

GrabCAD Print prepares, schedules, monitors, and reports 3D-print jobs on Stratasys systems. It is aimed at teams working across FDM, PolyJet, P3, SLA, and SAF workflows, with cloud, desktop, mobile, web, Windows, iOS, Android, and API…

Read the review →
  1. Formlabs PreFormAdditive Manufacturing Software 9.0Free plan
  2. GrabCAD PrintAdditive Manufacturing Software 8.8Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Formlabs PreForm — where it wins

    • Generates supports, checks printability, and repairs problematic meshes
    • Applies validated print settings and estimates print times
    • Supports CAD imports, cloud slicing, and batch production workflows

    Where it doesn't

    • Workflow is oriented around Formlabs printers
    • Does not list printer monitoring as a PreForm feature
    • Available only for Windows and macOS

  • GrabCAD Print — where it wins

    • Imports native CAD and mesh formats with printability validation
    • Combines scheduling, monitoring, notifications, and multi-printer control
    • Pro adds arrays, estimation, analysis, and STL/3MF export

    Where it doesn't

    • Primarily designed for Stratasys-printer workflows
    • Pro costs $5,000 per user per year on annual billing
    • Available technologies and features vary by printer family

More comparisons

All additive manufacturing software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update