# What is the current best option for beginner-friendly CAM software? **URL:** \ **Category:** CAD/CAM Software Tips\ **Created:** [February 17, 2026, 11:52pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/what-is-the-current-best-option-for-beginner-friendly-cam-software/25515 "2026-02-17T23:52:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mfinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ce7236/32.png) [@mfinn](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/mfinn)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 11:52pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/what-is-the-current-best-option-for-beginner-friendly-cam-software/25515/1 "2026-02-17T23:52:14Z")
Apologies if this is a basic question, I’m just getting around to making my first cuts with my Maslow4, unfortunately been on the backburner for a few years… Looking through the forums, it looks like the answer to this question has changed over time from MakerCAM to Fusion to Kirimoto? Before I bite the bullet and learn one of the programs hoping to save myself the headache if theres a clear winner here. Thanks in advance! Not opposed to paying if any paid software is much better than the free versions, and I primarily use Mac but can also boot up my desktop if windows is required. Mfinn ---
**Author:** ![mfinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ce7236/32.png) [@mfinn](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/mfinn)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 11:53pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/what-is-the-current-best-option-for-beginner-friendly-cam-software/25515/2 "2026-02-17T23:53:16Z")
Also - using onShape as my CAD software, if that makes a difference ---
**Author:** ![dlang](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/dlang/32/859_2.png) [@dlang](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/dlang)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2026, 12:16am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/what-is-the-current-best-option-for-beginner-friendly-cam-software/25515/3 "2026-02-18T00:16:33Z")
mfinn wrote: > Also - using onShape as my CAD software, if that makes a difference There is a kiri:moto plugin for onshape that makes it another tab in your document. for paid accounts, onshape also now has a native CAM capability. There is no ‘one best’ for CAM, just like there is no ‘one best’ for CAD, they all have advantages and limitations, and just different ways that they work that may make sense for one person and not another. David Lang ---
**Author:** ![jjdunes](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/jjdunes/32/27264_2.png) [@jjdunes](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/jjdunes)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2026, 1:57am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/what-is-the-current-best-option-for-beginner-friendly-cam-software/25515/4 "2026-02-19T01:57:01Z")
Just throwing in my two cents here, as I recently addressed the same issue for myself. I have decades of experience with CAD and CAM software, having sold, supported and/or used systems including Cadkey, SurfCAM, Cimlinc, GibsCAM, Solidworks, SolidCAM, Alibre and others, and most recently Freecad with its CAM workbench, with which I created my first Maslow4 projects. Now retired, I no longer have access to any of those “professional” options. I tried a few systems’ trial versions to hopefully improve on the somewhat cumbersome Freecad approach, and have settled on a clear winner, for me at least: Carbide Create. There is a completely free version, but to post process for our “grbl” system you need the “Pro” version, which costs just $360 for a perpetual license, or $120 yearly. I chose the latter. Check it out. Joe ---
**Author:** ![wouldchuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/58956e/32.png) [@wouldchuck](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/wouldchuck)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2026, 9:43pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/what-is-the-current-best-option-for-beginner-friendly-cam-software/25515/5 "2026-02-19T21:43:24Z")
I have started a wiki section for this, Perhaps it is helpful. For myself I have been working getting started using inkscape to draw things and then Krabzcam to set up the cuts. Here is the software library wiki page. > ---
**Author:** ![TimS](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/tims/32/17329_2.png) [@TimS](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/TimS)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2026, 12:50am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/what-is-the-current-best-option-for-beginner-friendly-cam-software/25515/6 "2026-02-20T00:50:32Z")
> [@jjdunes](#): > > and have settled on a clear winner, for me at least: Carbide Create. > > There is a completely free version, but to post process for our “grbl” system you need the “Pro” version, which costs just $360 for a perpetual license, or $120 yearly. I chose the latter. Actually, Carbide Create does have a free version that creates “grbl” gcode for the Maslows to run. It’s v6 which is no longer supported but it is still stable. It doesn’t have the bells and whistles that v7 has but it has more than enough for what most people do with their Maslows. Here is the link. > **[Download Carbide Create V6](https://carbide3d.com/carbidecreate/download6/)** > > Download the prior version of Carbide Create, V6, here. ---
**Author:** ![AzaB2C](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/azab2c/32/22286_2.png) [@AzaB2C](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/AzaB2C)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2026, 1:46am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/what-is-the-current-best-option-for-beginner-friendly-cam-software/25515/7 "2026-02-20T01:46:56Z")
Welcome @mfinn ! Great question, there’s a confusing cluster of good options… > [@mfinn](#): > > making my first cuts If you already have .SVG, .DXF, .STL, etc design that you would like cut/carve/pocket, then, quite a few people find EstlCam (.net app, so windows, but I’ve seen people run on other OS’s) easier to get started with than other CAM software. EstlCam has a neat payment model where you can use it without paying if you’re ok waiting 2mins for a timer popup, this is a neat way for you to try out the software before deciding whether to commit to the $59 price. The author @Christian_Estlcam is here, and on other CNC forums. I mention the pricing nuances since the info at [https://github.com/MaslowCNC/Maslow\_4/blob/Maslow-Main/docs/SoftwareLibrary.md#estlcam](https://github.com/MaslowCNC/Maslow_4/blob/Maslow-Main/docs/SoftwareLibrary.md#estlcam) doesn’t look right to me. That said… Neat wiki content!