PrusaSlicer is the older of the two. Its README says it is originally based on Slic3r by Alessandro Ranellucci and the RepRap community, and Prusa Research develops it. OrcaSlicer's README says it drew from Bambu Studio, which is itself based on PrusaSlicer, and from PrusaSlicer directly.
Because of that shared code, many settings carry similar names. The differences show up in printer coverage, resin support, cloud services and how each project packages calibration.
PrusaSlicer and OrcaSlicer side by side
| Feature | PrusaSlicer | OrcaSlicer |
|---|---|---|
| Developer | Prusa Research | Community project on GitHub; SoftFever approves signed releases |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Price and account | Free; Prusa says no account is required | Free; the project says no account or telemetry is required |
| Lineage | Originally based on Slic3r | Draws from Bambu Studio and PrusaSlicer |
| Operating systems | Windows, macOS, Linux (Flathub only); separate EasyPrint interface for phones and tablets | Windows 10 or later, macOS 10.15 or later, Linux (Flathub, AppImage) |
| Latest stable version | 2.9.6, released June 25, 2026 | 2.4.2, released July 7, 2026 |
| Printer technologies | FDM and mSLA resin | FDM (filament) only; belt-printer support is in the 2.5.0 pre-release, not 2.4.2 |
| Bundled printer profiles | 33 profile folders, including Prusa FDM and SLA plus brands such as Creality, Voron and Ultimaker | More than 60 vendor folders, including Bambu Lab, Prusa, Creality and Voron |
| Cloud and network | Prusa Connect, built-in Printables browser, sending to Klipper and OctoPrint | Klipper, PrusaLink and OctoPrint |
| Multiple plates | Up to 9 beds sharing one configuration (since 2.9.0) | Not verified |
| Calibration tools | Not verified | Built-in tests for flow rate, pressure advance, temperature, retraction, tolerance and max volumetric speed |
| Project file formats | 3MF (preferred), STL, STEP, OBJ, AMF | Not verified |
Checked November 2, 2026 against PrusaSlicer 2.9.6 (released June 25, 2026) and OrcaSlicer 2.4.2 (released July 7, 2026), the latest stable releases on each GitHub release page. PrusaSlicer 3.0.0-alpha12 and OrcaSlicer 2.5.0-rc were pre-releases at the time and are not compared here.
Who builds each slicer
Prusa Research develops PrusaSlicer and publishes it under AGPL-3.0. Its product page stresses that it is free, open source, runs locally and needs no account. The README adds a command-line interface for automation and says it supports both FDM and mSLA printers.
OrcaSlicer is a community project under the same license. Its website says no account or telemetry is required, and its README credits Slic3r, PrusaSlicer, Bambu Studio and SuperSlicer as the projects it grew from.
Printers, resin and services
PrusaSlicer's product page says it has tested profiles for every Prusa printer and filament. Its 2.9.6 source tree also contains profile folders for other brands, such as Creality, Voron, Snapmaker and Ultimaker, and separate SLA folders for Prusa and Anycubic resin machines. The page describes Prusa Connect for remote fleet management and a built-in Printables browser.
OrcaSlicer bundles profiles for more than 60 vendors but targets filament printing only. Its README lists network printing to Klipper, PrusaLink and OctoPrint. If you own a resin printer, PrusaSlicer is the one of the two that documents mSLA slicing.
Recent features
PrusaSlicer 2.9.0 added multiple beds: Prusa's help article says you can work with up to nine beds that share one configuration, and the 2.9 blog post describes scarf seams, paint-on fuzzy skin and slicing all beds at once. Version 2.9.6 introduced ColorMix, which alternates differently colored filaments between layers to create blended colors.
OrcaSlicer's feature list centers on tuning: a calibration suite, precise wall and seam control, sandwich mode, polyholes, mouse-ear brims and adaptive bed mesh. Version 2.4.2 is a maintenance release focused on presets, cloud sync and printer connectivity.
Supports and painting
Both slicers let you paint directly on a model. Prusa's product page describes painting support zones, automatic organic supports, multi-material painting for the MMU3 and multi-extruder printers, and a cut tool that adds alignment pins. OrcaSlicer's README describes overhang and support optimization. Whichever you pick, check the sliced preview before a long print, because support results depend on the model and profile.
Which should you choose?
Choose PrusaSlicer if…
- You own a Prusa printer and want the profiles Prusa says it tests for its machines and filaments.
- You also slice for mSLA resin printers and want one application for both technologies.
- You use Prusa Connect or Printables and want them built into the slicer.
- You want to automate slicing from the command line.
Choose OrcaSlicer if…
- You run printers from many brands and want the larger set of bundled profiles.
- You want guided calibration tests built into the slicer.
- You send jobs to Klipper, PrusaLink or OctoPrint hosts from one interface.
Common questions
Can PrusaSlicer slice for non-Prusa printers?
Yes. The PrusaSlicer README says it supports many non-Prusa printers, and its 2.9.6 profiles folder includes brands such as Creality, Voron, Snapmaker and Ultimaker. Check that your exact model is listed.
Is OrcaSlicer based on PrusaSlicer?
Partly. OrcaSlicer's README says it drew from PrusaSlicer and Bambu Studio, and Bambu Studio is itself based on PrusaSlicer.
Which one supports resin printers?
PrusaSlicer. Its README says it supports both FDM and mSLA printers. OrcaSlicer documents filament printing only.
Sources
- PrusaSlicer README Prusa Research on GitHub · Checked 2026-11-02
- OrcaSlicer README (features, lineage, license) OrcaSlicer project on GitHub · Checked 2026-11-02
- PrusaSlicer product page Prusa Research · Checked 2026-11-02
- OrcaSlicer official website OrcaSlicer project · Checked 2026-11-02
- Download OrcaSlicer (system requirements) OrcaSlicer project · Checked 2026-11-02
- PrusaSlicer 2.9.6 release notes Prusa Research on GitHub · Checked 2026-11-02
- OrcaSlicer v2.4.2 release notes OrcaSlicer project on GitHub · Checked 2026-11-02
- PrusaSlicer bundled printer profiles (2.9.6) Prusa Research on GitHub · Checked 2026-11-02
- OrcaSlicer bundled printer profiles (v2.4.2) OrcaSlicer project on GitHub · Checked 2026-11-02
- Multiple build plates on PrusaSlicer Prusa Research Knowledge Base · Checked 2026-11-02
- Supported file formats (PrusaSlicer) Prusa Research Knowledge Base · Checked 2026-11-02
- PrusaSlicer 2.9: what is new Prusa Research blog · Checked 2026-11-02
- PrusaSlicer 2.9.6-beta1 release notes (ColorMix) Prusa Research on GitHub · Checked 2026-11-02
- OrcaSlicer README at v2.4.2 (main features) OrcaSlicer (GitHub) · Checked 2026-11-02
This comparison summarizes the cited documentation; it is not a lab test. Features and prices change between releases; check the developer’s site for the current version.