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SPECIFICTION
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Formlabs PreForm vs OctoPrint

Formlabs PreForm

formlabs.com

OctoPrint

octoprint.org

Side by side

FigureFormlabs PreFormOctoPrint
Price fromFreeFree
Free planYesYes
Free trial——
Open source——
Web—Yes
WindowsYesYes
macOSYesYes
Linux—Yes
Android—Yes
API—Yes
Self-hosted—Yes
Plans published11
Spec score · 3D Printing Software7.9 (#16)7.9 (#19)
Spec score · Additive Manufacturing Software7.7 (#10)7.8 (#8)
Founded20112012
PurposePreForm prepares 3D prints automatically and uploads them to Formlabs SLA or SLS printers.OctoPrint provides a web interface for controlling consumer 3D printers.

Plans

Formlabs PreForm

  • FreeFree

Formlabs PreForm pricing →

OctoPrint

  • OctoPrintFree

OctoPrint pricing →

In their own words

Formlabs PreForm

Formlabs PreForm has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.

Visit formlabs.com

OctoPrint

OctoPrint is free, open-source software that provides a web interface for controlling consumer 3D printers. From a browser, users can check print progress and temperatures, move the print head, and start, stop, or pause a job. The interface can show an embedded webcam feed and a visualization of the G-code being printed. A plugin system connects to OctoPrint’s official plugin repository for installation. Other listed features include timelapse recording, STL slicing, access controls, system commands, and event hooks. The site says it works out of the box with most consumer printers. Hosting options include Raspberry Pi, Android phone, Docker, Linux, Windows, and manual Mac installation. For OctoPi, Raspberry Pi 3B, 3B+, 4B, or Zero 2 is recommended; other hardware setups are not officially supported. Anonymous access is denied by default, and the documentation recommends a VPN or additional protection for internet access. OctoPrint does not control the embedded webcam, so its access controls cannot limit access to the webcam URL.

Visit octoprint.org