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Head-to-head · 3D Printing Software

Formlabs PreForm vs OctoPrint

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 7 checks side by side
Higher score Formlabs PreForm #4 in 3D Printing Software 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 6 features Visit Formlabs
OctoPrint #7 in 3D Printing Software 7.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 6 features Visit OctoPrint

Formlabs PreForm leads on 0 checks, OctoPrint on 1, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 7 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreFormlabs PreForm · 8.8/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresFormlabs PreForm · 3 of 6

Formlabs PreForm scores higher on our rubric for 3d printing software: 8.8 against 7.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #7.

OctoPrint offers print monitoring; Formlabs PreForm doesn't.

Formlabs PreForm is the better fit for formlabs production teams using validated workflows. OctoPrint is the better fit for free self-hosted printer control and monitoring.

  • Formlabs PreForm fits best

    Formlabs production teams using validated workflows

  • OctoPrint fits best

    Free self-hosted printer control and monitoring

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Formlabs PreForm 8.8/10 Visit ↗ OctoPrint 7.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 7.8
Ranking #4 in 3D Printing Software #7 in 3D Printing Software
Best for Formlabs production teams using validated workflows Free self-hosted printer control and monitoring
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Self-hosted
Platforms Windows, macOS Web, Linux, Windows, macOS
Support Docs Community, Docs
Integrations 6 integrations 2 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business
Features Formlabs PreForm 3/6 · OctoPrint 2/6
Auto supports ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Printer control ✓ ✓
Print monitoring — ✓ (best)
Cloud slicing — —
Multi-material tools Not checked yet —
Model repair ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Validated materials and print settings with printability checks
  • Automatic supports, mesh repair, packing, and layout tools
  • Direct uploads, cloud slicing, and batch production integrations
  • Free, AGPL-licensed software with self-hosted deployment
  • Controls jobs, monitors temperatures, and displays webcam feeds
  • Plugins and an API extend printer operations across supported platforms
Cons
  • Formlabs-centered workflows limit its fit with other printer ecosystems
  • Available only for Windows and macOS
  • Print monitoring is handled through Dashboard rather than PreForm
  • Self-hosted deployment puts installation and upkeep on the operator
  • Printer control depends on compatibility with the connected printer
  • Its focus is printer operation rather than a broad model-preparation workflow
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 →

OctoPrint is free, open-source software for operating compatible consumer 3D printers through a web browser. It is aimed at makers and teams that want self-hosted control over print jobs, files, progress, temperatures, and webcam…

Read the review →
  1. Formlabs PreForm3D Printing Software 8.8Free plan
  2. OctoPrint3D Printing Software 7.8Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Formlabs PreForm — where it wins

    • Validated materials and print settings with printability checks
    • Automatic supports, mesh repair, packing, and layout tools
    • Direct uploads, cloud slicing, and batch production integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • Formlabs-centered workflows limit its fit with other printer ecosystems
    • Available only for Windows and macOS
    • Print monitoring is handled through Dashboard rather than PreForm

  • OctoPrint — where it wins

    • Free, AGPL-licensed software with self-hosted deployment
    • Controls jobs, monitors temperatures, and displays webcam feeds
    • Plugins and an API extend printer operations across supported platforms

    Where it doesn't

    • Self-hosted deployment puts installation and upkeep on the operator
    • Printer control depends on compatibility with the connected printer
    • Its focus is printer operation rather than a broad model-preparation workflow

More comparisons

All 3D printing software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update