Formlabs PreForm vs Polar Cloud
Formlabs PreForm
formlabs.com
Polar Cloud
polar3d.comSide by side
| Figure | Formlabs PreForm | Polar Cloud |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $6.58/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 15 |
| Spec score · 3D Printing Software | 7.9 (#16) | 8.9 (#1) |
| API | The Formlabs API supports CAD integrations, automated batch preparation, and printer status and progress monitoring through MES or other software. | The developer page describes REST endpoints, webhooks and printer-status access for ERP, analytics and custom applications. |
| Founded | 2011 | 2013 |
| Headquarters | Somerville, Massachusetts, USA | Cincinnati, Ohio, United States |
| Purpose | PreForm prepares 3D prints automatically and uploads them to Formlabs SLA or SLS printers. | Polar Cloud provides a cloud platform to create, queue, slice, and manage 3D printing workflows. |
Plans
Polar Cloud
- FreeFree
- FreeFree
- Monthly$9 a month
- Monthly$9 a month
- Annual$79 a year
- Annual$79 a year
- Print Farm$79 a year
- Classroom$199 a year
- Classroom$199 a year
- School$499 a year
In their own words
Formlabs PreForm
Formlabs PreForm has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.
Polar Cloud
Polar Cloud is a cloud platform for preparing and managing 3D printing workflows. Users can slice STL files in a browser, including from Chromebooks, iPads, and laptops, then queue jobs and monitor prints remotely. The service also lets users pause or cancel prints. Its Image to 3D tool turns uploaded photos into printable models, and paid plans include AI credits. Design workflows connect with Tinkercad, Onshape, and Google Drive; printer connections include Bambu Lab and Prusa, as well as OctoPrint and Klipper plugins. Free iOS and Android apps support job monitoring, queue management, and notifications. The Free plan costs nothing and allows one printer and five print jobs per month, with seven-day history, 300 MB storage, mesh files only, and a 30 MB file limit. Individual plans are for personal use; larger fleets require Education or Enterprise plans. Polar Cloud is available on Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows. The company says it is FERPA and COPPA compliant and GDPR ready, and has not completed an independent SOC 2 audit.