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Head-to-head · 3D Printing Software

Slic3r vs OctoPrint

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 7 checks side by side
Higher score Slic3r #3 in 3D Printing Software 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 6 features Visit Slic3r
OctoPrint #7 in 3D Printing Software 7.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 6 features Visit OctoPrint

Slic3r leads on 1 check, OctoPrint on 0, 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 scoreSlic3r · 9.0/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresSlic3r · 4 of 6

Slic3r scores higher on our rubric for 3d printing software: 9.0 against 7.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #7.

Slic3r offers multi-material tools; OctoPrint doesn't.

Slic3r is the better fit for established free FDM slicing. OctoPrint is the better fit for free self-hosted printer control and monitoring.

  • Slic3r fits best

    Established free FDM slicing

  • 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 Slic3r 9.0/10 Visit ↗ OctoPrint 7.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 7.8
Ranking #3 in 3D Printing Software #7 in 3D Printing Software
Best for Established free FDM slicing 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, Linux Web, Linux, Windows, macOS
Support Community, Docs, Tickets Community, Docs
Integrations 1 integrations 2 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market Solo, Small business
Features Slic3r 4/6 · OctoPrint 2/6
Auto supports ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Printer control ✓ ✓
Print monitoring Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Cloud slicing Not checked yet —
Multi-material tools ✓ (best) —
Model repair ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Free, open-source slicing for Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Support generation, mesh repair, and multi-material preparation
  • Printer control, OctoPrint integration, and batch processing
  • 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
  • Primarily aimed at advanced users
  • SLA/DLP workflows are experimental
  • The official site lists version 1.3.0 from 2018
  • 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

Slic3r is open-source 3D printing software for preparing digital models for FFF/FDM printing. It slices models into layers, generates G-code and toolpaths, and provides visual previews for inspecting print paths. The desktop application…

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. Slic3r3D Printing Software 9.0Free plan
  2. OctoPrint3D Printing Software 7.8Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Slic3r — where it wins

    • Free, open-source slicing for Windows, macOS, and Linux
    • Support generation, mesh repair, and multi-material preparation
    • Printer control, OctoPrint integration, and batch processing

    Where it doesn't

    • Primarily aimed at advanced users
    • SLA/DLP workflows are experimental
    • The official site lists version 1.3.0 from 2018

  • 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