Cura and PrusaSlicer are two of the longest-running free slicers. Cura's repository describes it as a slicing interface built on UltiMaker's Uranium framework, while PrusaSlicer's README says it is originally based on Slic3r. They do not share code, so settings that sound alike can behave differently.
This comparison covers what each developer documents: licensing, supported platforms, printer and file support, extension options and recent features.
UltiMaker Cura and PrusaSlicer side by side
| Feature | UltiMaker Cura | PrusaSlicer |
|---|---|---|
| Developer | UltiMaker | Prusa Research |
| License | LGPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Price | Free; paid Cura Enterprise support offering for organizations | Free; no account required |
| Operating systems | Windows, macOS (Intel and Apple Silicon), Linux (AppImage); 64-bit only | Windows, macOS, Linux (Flathub only) |
| Published system requirements | Minimum 4 GB RAM, OpenGL 2 graphics (OpenGL 4.1 for 3D layer view), 1.3 GB disk; 8 GB RAM recommended | Not verified |
| Latest stable version | 5.13.0, released May 28, 2026 | 2.9.6, released June 25, 2026 |
| Printer technologies | FDM | FDM and mSLA resin |
| Bundled printer definitions | More than 700 definition files in 5.13.0, including base definitions and other brands | 33 profile folders, including Prusa FDM and SLA and other brands |
| Model file formats | Bundled readers for 3MF, STL, OBJ, AMF, X3D and images; UltiMaker lists STEP and IGES as compatible | 3MF (preferred), STL, STEP, OBJ, AMF |
| Extensions and services | Marketplace plugins and material profiles; Digital Library plugin | Prusa Connect, built-in Printables browser |
| Painting tools | Seam and multi-material painting (since 5.11); paint-on support in 5.14 beta | Support painting, multi-material painting, paint-on fuzzy skin |
Checked November 2, 2026 against UltiMaker Cura 5.13.0 (released May 28, 2026) and PrusaSlicer 2.9.6 (released June 25, 2026), the latest stable releases on each GitHub release page. Cura 5.14.0-beta.1 and PrusaSlicer 3.0.0-alpha12 were pre-releases at the time.
Licenses and code bases
UltiMaker publishes Cura under the LGPL-3.0, and its product page calls it free and open-source software. Organizations can buy Cura Enterprise, which UltiMaker describes as including managed deployment, two updates a year and 12 months of support with security patches.
PrusaSlicer is AGPL-3.0 software from Prusa Research, descended from Slic3r. Its product page says it is free, runs on your machine and needs no account.
Both run on Windows, macOS and Linux. UltiMaker offers a separate .msi installer for enterprise deployment on Windows, while Prusa distributes the Linux version only through Flathub.
Printers and file formats
Cura's 5.13.0 source tree contains more than 700 printer definition files, covering UltiMaker machines and many other brands; some are shared base definitions. UltiMaker's wiki explains how makers can submit new machine profiles through a pull request. PrusaSlicer's 2.9.6 tree has 33 profile folders, and it is the only one of the two that slices for mSLA resin printers.
For files, Cura bundles readers for 3MF, STL, OBJ, AMF, X3D and images, and UltiMaker's page lists STEP and IGES as compatible. Prusa's help center lists 3MF as its preferred project format, plus STL, STEP, OBJ and AMF, and notes that STEP files are triangulated on import.
Settings and recent features
UltiMaker says Cura offers intent and recommended profiles plus a Custom mode with more than 400 settings. Version 5.11 added seam painting and multi-material painting, and 5.13.0 added Factor 4+ printer profiles, Lightning support infill and a top-surface temperature setting. The 5.14 beta adds paint-on supports and a native Windows on ARM build.
PrusaSlicer 2.9 added up to nine beds per project, scarf seams and paint-on fuzzy skin, and 2.9.6 added ColorMix for blending filament colors across layers. Its product page also describes organic supports and a cut tool with alignment pins.
Extending and connecting
Cura's Marketplace distributes plugins and material profiles from manufacturers, according to UltiMaker. The bundled plugins include UltiMaker network printing, USB printing and the Digital Library. PrusaSlicer instead builds in Prusa Connect for remote printer management and a Printables browser for finding models.
Which should you choose?
Choose UltiMaker Cura if…
- You print on UltiMaker machines and want UltiMaker's own profiles and network printing.
- You want to extend the slicer with Marketplace plugins and manufacturer material profiles.
- Your organization needs a supported enterprise build with scheduled updates.
Choose PrusaSlicer if…
- You print on Prusa machines and want Prusa's tested profiles, Prusa Connect and Printables in one app.
- You also slice for mSLA resin printers.
- You want multiple beds per project, which PrusaSlicer has supported since 2.9.0.
Common questions
Are Cura and PrusaSlicer related?
No. Cura is built on UltiMaker's Uranium framework, while PrusaSlicer descends from Slic3r. Similar setting names do not guarantee identical behavior.
Can Cura open STEP files?
UltiMaker's Cura page lists STEP and IGES as compatible file types. PrusaSlicer also imports STEP and triangulates it during import, according to Prusa's help center.
Which slicer has lower hardware requirements?
UltiMaker publishes minimums for Cura of 4 GB of RAM and OpenGL 2 graphics, with OpenGL 4.1 needed for the 3D layer view. Prusa's sources checked here do not publish equivalent figures, so a direct comparison is not possible.
Sources
- UltiMaker Cura product page UltiMaker · Checked 2026-11-02
- PrusaSlicer README Prusa Research on GitHub · Checked 2026-11-02
- UltiMaker Cura repository and license UltiMaker on GitHub · Checked 2026-11-02
- PrusaSlicer product page Prusa Research · Checked 2026-11-02
- UltiMaker Cura system requirements UltiMaker Support · Checked 2026-11-02
- UltiMaker Cura 5.13.0 release notes UltiMaker on GitHub · Checked 2026-11-02
- PrusaSlicer 2.9.6 release notes Prusa Research on GitHub · Checked 2026-11-02
- UltiMaker Cura printer definitions (5.13.0) UltiMaker on GitHub · Checked 2026-11-02
- PrusaSlicer bundled printer profiles (2.9.6) Prusa Research on GitHub · Checked 2026-11-02
- UltiMaker Cura bundled plugins (5.13.0) UltiMaker on GitHub · Checked 2026-11-02
- Supported file formats (PrusaSlicer) Prusa Research Knowledge Base · 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
- PrusaSlicer 2.9: what is new Prusa Research blog · Checked 2026-11-02
- Adding new machine profiles to Cura UltiMaker Cura wiki on GitHub · Checked 2026-11-02
- Multiple build plates on PrusaSlicer Prusa Research Knowledge Base · Checked 2026-11-02
- PrusaSlicer 2.9.6-beta1 release notes (ColorMix) Prusa Research 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.