Cura is UltiMaker's slicer and one of the most established free options. OrcaSlicer is a newer community project whose README says it drew from Bambu Studio and PrusaSlicer, with some ideas inspired by Cura.
Despite that nod, the two do not share a code base, so profiles and settings do not transfer directly between them. The sections below compare what each project documents.
UltiMaker Cura and OrcaSlicer side by side
| Feature | UltiMaker Cura | OrcaSlicer |
|---|---|---|
| Developer | UltiMaker | Community project on GitHub; SoftFever approves signed releases |
| License | LGPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Price | Free; paid Cura Enterprise support offering | Free; no account or telemetry required |
| Code base | Built on UltiMaker's Uranium framework | Slic3r family; draws from Bambu Studio and PrusaSlicer |
| Operating systems | Windows, macOS (Intel and Apple Silicon), Linux (AppImage); 64-bit only | Windows 10 or later (x64 and ARM64), macOS 10.15 or later, Linux (Flathub, AppImage) |
| Published system requirements | Minimum 4 GB RAM, OpenGL 2 graphics (4.1 for 3D layer view), 1.3 GB disk | Minimum 4 GB RAM, OpenGL 3.3 graphics, about 500 MB disk |
| Latest stable version | 5.13.0, released May 28, 2026 | 2.4.2, released July 7, 2026 |
| Bundled printer profiles | More than 700 definition files, including base definitions and other brands | More than 60 vendor folders, including Bambu Lab, Prusa, Creality, Voron and UltiMaker |
| Network printing | UltiMaker network printing and USB printing plugins bundled | Klipper, PrusaLink and OctoPrint; Bambu Lab through the optional plugin |
| Calibration tools | Not verified | Built-in tests for flow rate, pressure advance, temperature, retraction, tolerance and max volumetric speed |
| Extensions | Marketplace plugins and material profiles; post-processing scripts plugin | Python plugins planned in the 2.5.0 release candidate |
Checked November 2, 2026 against UltiMaker Cura 5.13.0 (released May 28, 2026) and OrcaSlicer 2.4.2 (released July 7, 2026), the latest stable releases on each GitHub release page. Cura 5.14.0-beta.1 and OrcaSlicer 2.5.0-rc were pre-releases at the time.
Different code, different owners
UltiMaker develops Cura, publishes it under the LGPL-3.0 and describes it as free and open source. Its repository says the interface is built on UltiMaker's Uranium framework. UltiMaker also sells Cura Enterprise for organizations that want managed deployment and a support period.
OrcaSlicer is AGPL-3.0 software maintained on GitHub. Its README traces the line from Slic3r through PrusaSlicer and Bambu Studio, and says OrcaSlicer drew from those projects and from ideas in Cura and SuperSlicer.
Printer coverage and connections
Both ship many profiles. Cura 5.13.0 has more than 700 definition files, some of them shared base definitions, and UltiMaker's wiki explains how to contribute new machine profiles. OrcaSlicer 2.4.2 has more than 60 vendor folders, including an UltiMaker folder.
For sending prints, Cura bundles plugins for UltiMaker network printing and USB printing. OrcaSlicer's README lists Klipper, PrusaLink and OctoPrint connections, and it supports Bambu Lab printers through an optional networking plugin that uses non-free Bambu Lab libraries.
Tuning and calibration
OrcaSlicer's website describes a built-in calibration suite for flow rate, pressure advance, temperature towers, retraction, tolerance and maximum volumetric speed, plus adaptive bed mesh and mouse-ear brims. These tests generate prints you evaluate yourself, so results apply to your printer, filament and conditions.
Cura's approach is profile-driven. UltiMaker describes intent profiles for specific applications, recommended profiles and a Custom mode with more than 400 settings. Version 5.11 added seam and multi-material painting, 5.13.0 added Lightning support infill, and the 5.14 beta adds paint-on supports.
Platforms and requirements
Both run on Windows, macOS and Linux. UltiMaker says Cura is 64-bit only and lists minimums of 4 GB of RAM, OpenGL 2 graphics (OpenGL 4.1 for the 3D layer view) and 1.3 GB of disk space, with 8 GB of RAM recommended. Its 5.14 beta adds a native Windows on ARM build.
OrcaSlicer's download page lists Windows 10 or later with x64 and ARM64 builds, macOS 10.15 or later and Ubuntu 20.04 or an equivalent Linux distribution. It asks for at least 4 GB of RAM, with 8 GB or more suggested, OpenGL 3.3 graphics and about 500 MB of disk space.
Extending each slicer
Cura has a long-standing Marketplace for plugins and material profiles, and its bundled plugins include a post-processing plugin. OrcaSlicer's 2.5.0 release candidate, published November 1, 2026, introduces Python plugins; that feature was not in a stable release when checked.
Which should you choose?
Choose UltiMaker Cura if…
- You print on UltiMaker machines and want UltiMaker's profiles and network printing.
- You rely on Marketplace plugins or manufacturer material profiles.
- You want a supported enterprise edition for a school or company.
Choose OrcaSlicer if…
- You want guided calibration tests built into the slicer.
- You print on Klipper machines or send jobs through PrusaLink or OctoPrint.
- You also run Bambu Lab printers and want one slicer for several brands.
Common questions
Is OrcaSlicer based on Cura?
No. OrcaSlicer's README says it drew from Bambu Studio and PrusaSlicer and took some ideas from Cura and SuperSlicer. Cura is built on UltiMaker's separate Uranium framework.
Can I import Cura profiles into OrcaSlicer?
The two use different code bases and setting models, so treat a Cura profile as a reference, not a direct import. Re-enter key values and run test prints.
Does OrcaSlicer support UltiMaker printers?
OrcaSlicer 2.4.2 includes an UltiMaker profile folder. Check that your exact model and nozzle are listed, or use Cura, which UltiMaker develops for its own machines.
Sources
- UltiMaker Cura product page UltiMaker · Checked 2026-11-02
- OrcaSlicer README (features, lineage, license) OrcaSlicer project on GitHub · Checked 2026-11-02
- UltiMaker Cura repository and license UltiMaker on GitHub · Checked 2026-11-02
- OrcaSlicer official website OrcaSlicer project · Checked 2026-11-02
- UltiMaker Cura system requirements UltiMaker Support · Checked 2026-11-02
- Download OrcaSlicer (system requirements) OrcaSlicer project · Checked 2026-11-02
- UltiMaker Cura 5.13.0 release notes UltiMaker on GitHub · Checked 2026-11-02
- OrcaSlicer v2.4.2 release notes OrcaSlicer project on GitHub · Checked 2026-11-02
- UltiMaker Cura printer definitions (5.13.0) UltiMaker on GitHub · Checked 2026-11-02
- OrcaSlicer bundled printer profiles (v2.4.2) OrcaSlicer project on GitHub · Checked 2026-11-02
- UltiMaker Cura bundled plugins (5.13.0) UltiMaker on GitHub · Checked 2026-11-02
- OrcaSlicer v2.5.0-rc pre-release notes OrcaSlicer project on GitHub · Checked 2026-11-02
- Adding new machine profiles to Cura UltiMaker Cura wiki on GitHub · Checked 2026-11-02
- UltiMaker Cura 5.11.0 release notes (paint-on tools) UltiMaker on GitHub · Checked 2026-11-02
- UltiMaker Cura 5.14.0-beta.1 release notes UltiMaker on 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.