AstroPrint vs ideaMaker

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 is free desktop software for preparing 3D models for printing. It imports STL, OBJ, 3MF, and OLTP models and exports G-code toolpaths. Automatic optimization calculates slicing settings for layer height, infill, and support structures; users can also edit supports manually and tune parameters for selected regions independently of global settings. Boolean tools can carve, split, and combine models, while image-based patterns add 3D textures to STL surfaces. The ideaMaker Library offers free slicing templates for Raise3D and third-party printers and filaments. The software can connect to RaiseCloud for one-click print-file uploads and printer connections. It runs on Windows, macOS, and 64-bit Linux, with Intel and Apple Silicon Mac builds. Minimum requirements include Windows 7 64-bit, macOS 10.15, or Ubuntu 18.04 64-bit, 4 GB RAM, and OpenGL 2.0. Files uploaded to ideamaker.io are publicly available to anyone.