Laser Design & Sender Software

The laser equivalent of a slicer + sender combined — you import vectors / rasters, assign layers/power/speed, frame the job, and stream G-code or proprietary control to the machine. LightBurn is the de-facto standard despite being closed-source; LaserGRBL is the dominant FOSS option. For source vector files see 2D Drafting and Design Vector Apps; for raster prep see Laser Vector & Raster Prep; for the controllers underneath, Laser Firmware & Controllers.

All-in-one design + sender (paid, dominant)

• ★ LightBurn — closed source, paid (~$80 GCode tier, ~$120 DSP tier, perpetual license + 1yr of updates); the de-facto standard for diode, CO2, and fiber. Speaks GRBL, grblHAL, Smoothie, Marlin, Ruida, Trocen, TopWisdom, GCC, EZCAD-galvo (paid add-on). 30-day free trial. Active development through 2026.
• LightBurn Bridge — small Pi-based gateway that turns Ruida-only DSP machines into networked LightBurn targets.

Open-source sender / design (diode-focused)

• ★ LaserGRBL — open source (GPLv3); Windows-only; the FOSS default for small diode lasers running GRBL. Built-in raster engraving with line/dithering modes, image trace, and a usable layout canvas. Free.
• ★ Meerk40t — open source (MIT); cross-platform; the dominant FOSS choice for K40-class CO2 machines (M2Nano, LIHUIYU, GRBL, Moshiboard, Ruida, Galvo). Actively developed; full vector + raster + dithering.
• K40 Whisperer — open source (GPL-ish); cross-platform; minimal sender for stock K40 M2Nano boards. Light, ugly, dependable. Largely superseded by Meerk40t but still used.
• Inkscape + laser extensions — Inkscape with J Tech Photonics Laser Tool, gcodetools, or Inkcut plugins. Free, fiddly, fine for one-offs.
• LaserWeb / CNCWeb — open source, browser-based; older project, limited maintenance, still works for simple GRBL diode jobs.
• T2Laser — closed source, paid (~$50); Windows; popular among Ortur / xTool diode users who want more than LaserGRBL but don't want to pay for LightBurn.

CO2 vendor / DSP-native (free as in beer)

• ★ RDWorks V8 (RDCAM) — closed source, free; ships with every Ruida controller (RDC6442G/RDC6445/RDC6585). Functional but dated UI; LightBurn DSP tier replaces it for most users.
• LaserCAD — closed source, free; for Trocen / AWC controllers (TopWisdom-class). Same niche as RDWorks.
• CorelLASER / CorelDRAW Laser plugin — closed source; legacy plugin for older M2Nano-era K40s. Avoid for new builds.
• NEWLY draw / xTool Creative Space (XCS) — vendor stacks bundled with xTool / NEWLY machines; XCS is improving steadily and now handles CO2, diode, and fiber across the xTool lineup. Free; closed source.
• Glowforge App — closed-source, browser-only; required for Glowforge hardware. Free with the printer; "Premium" subscription unlocks the full library.

Galvo fiber / MOPA

See Laser Galvo & Fiber Software — EZCAD2/3, LightBurn Galvo, MOPA-specific apps.

CAM-style "vector to laser G-code"

• Kiri:Moto — open source (MIT); browser CAM that supports laser mode (vector + raster). The fastest way to get G-code without installing anything.
• Carbide Create — closed source, free; Shapeoko-targeted but exports laser-friendly G-code.
• Estlcam — closed source, paid (~€80); great for CNC routers with a laser add-on; not its main strength but works.

Pick this if…

• Default 2026 pick, you can pay once: LightBurn.
• Default FOSS for diode lasers: LaserGRBL.
• K40 CO2 on stock or upgraded boards: Meerk40t.
• Ruida controller, free vendor option: RDWorks (or upgrade to LightBurn DSP).
• Glowforge: the Glowforge App (no real alternative without modding).
• xTool ecosystem with rotary / fiber bundles: xTool Creative Space.
• Browser-only, no install: Kiri:Moto.