AstroPrint vs ideaMaker
AstroPrint
astroprint.comideaMaker
raise3d.comSide by side
| Figure | AstroPrint | ideaMaker |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $9.90/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 3 | 1 |
| Spec score · Additive Manufacturing Software | 8.6 (#2) | 7.6 (#11) |
| Intended users | AstroPrint describes its service as suited to makers and education, with a free tier for casual users. | Raise3D presents ideaMaker as slicing software for AM production and professional users, and describes its workflow for AM manufacturers. |
| Support | The Premium plan includes priority email support, while Business & Education includes priority single point-of-contact phone support. | Raise3D directs users to report ideaMaker problems to its help.raise3d.com support site. |
Plans
In their own words
AstroPrint
AstroPrint is a platform for managing 3D printers and printer fleets. Its cloud library stores STL and G-code files, and users can slice designs in a browser. A cloud dashboard tool generates printable models from text prompts. Users can monitor prints and remotely pause, resume, or cancel them from a computer or smartphone; analytics cover filament use, printer operating hours, and print success rates. Printers can connect through AstroBox Touch, AstroBox Gateway, a self-built AstroBox, or the OctoPrint plugin. The mobile app can search Thingiverse designs and start prints. AstroPrint Desktop is listed for Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux, alongside Android, iOS, web, API, and self-hosted platforms. Klipper is supported for slicing only, and live video streaming is not available in the mobile app; a browser is needed for that. The free Basic plan includes 2 printers, 1 user, and 1GB file storage. Premium costs $9.90/mo and includes the first 5 printers, with each additional printer costing $5.
ideaMaker
ideaMaker is a free 3D printing slicer that prepares models for printing by generating printer code. Its workflows cover FFF and DLP printing, and its current feature set also includes SLS functions. Raise3D says it is compatible with most FFF printers and Raise3D DLP printers. Inputs include STEP, IGES, 3MF, OBJ, STL and OLTP files; outputs include GCODE and DLPCODE. The software includes material-specific profiles for Raise3D filaments and resins, and users can browse and import third-party material templates from ideaMaker Library. Its preview simulates toolpaths and displays details such as speed, layer height, extruder and structure type. Parameters can be adjusted by group, layer or volume, while texture generation uses imported grayscale images to produce surface finishes. A workflow with RaiseCloud supports one-click print-file upload and printer connection. The listed minimum systems are 64-bit Windows 10, macOS 10.15 or later, and 64-bit Ubuntu 18.04 or later. The download page lists version 5.5.0 for Windows, Mac and Linux 64-bit.