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Manufacturing · head to head

Fictiv vs PrusaSlicer

Fictiv logo

Fictiv

Manufacturing

On-demand custom manufacturing with instant CAD quoting, now owned by MISUMI

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
PrusaSlicer logo

PrusaSlicer

CAD

Feature-rich 3D printing slicer

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only PrusaSlicer has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Fictiv this is a manufacturing service, not software you licence, so there is nothing to deploy or own and switching means re-sourcing parts rather than exporting data.; PrusaSlicer limited to slicing workflow only; no interactive 3D design capabilities
  • They diverge on capability: Fictiv covers Instant CAD quoting, PrusaSlicer covers Automatic supports.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Fictiv and PrusaSlicer actually diverge.

Attributes where Fictiv and PrusaSlicer differ
AttributeFictivPrusaSlicer
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelquotefree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, CloudWindows, macOS, Linux
CategoryManufacturingCAD
FoundedUnknown2012

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Fictiv

  • Instant CAD quoting
  • Design for manufacturing feedback
  • Multi-region network
  • Multiple processes
  • Quality documentation
  • Order and revision tracking
  • Bridge to production

Only in PrusaSlicer

  • Automatic supports
  • Multi-material
  • Variable layer height
  • Custom G-code
  • Paint-on supports
  • Ironing
  • Prusa printers
  • Most FDM printers

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Fictiv

  • An engineering team needing machined prototypes in days without qualifying a machine shop firstnot PrusaSlicer
  • Moving a part between regions to change landed cost or tariff exposure without re-sourcing a suppliernot PrusaSlicer
  • Bridge production between prototype tooling and a committed high-volume suppliernot PrusaSlicer
  • Getting design-for-manufacturing feedback on a part before committing to injection mould toolingnot PrusaSlicer

PrusaSlicer

  • Preparation of STL models for 3D printingnot Fictiv
  • Multi-material printing preparationnot Fictiv
  • G-code generation and customisation via macrosnot Fictiv

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Fictiv

  • This is a manufacturing service, not software you licence, so there is nothing to deploy or own and switching means re-sourcing parts rather than exporting data.
  • A broker sits between you and the shop cutting your part, so at stable production volumes direct sourcing usually beats the platform price and the platform knows it.
  • You do not choose or generally know the specific supplier, which makes process control, supplier audits and traceability harder in regulated or aerospace work.
  • MISUMI completed a $350 million acquisition in June 2025, so roadmap and pricing now answer to a Japanese industrial components group rather than to an independent platform strategy.
  • Instant quotes are geometry-driven and complex or tightly toleranced parts drop into engineer review, so the speed advantage that justified the choice disappears exactly on the parts that are hardest to source.

PrusaSlicer

  • Limited to slicing workflow only; no interactive 3D design capabilities
  • Designed for RepRap-based printers; compatibility with other printer architectures varies

Pricing, plan by plan

Fictiv

On request
  • Per-part quoting$undefined/month
    • No subscription or platform fee
    • Priced per part by geometry, material, process and quantity
    • Instant quotes for many processes, engineer review for complex parts

PrusaSlicer

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the PrusaSlicer review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Fictiv if

  • You need instant cad quoting.
  • You work on Web, Cloud.
  • You also want design for manufacturing feedback.
Fictiv review

Choose PrusaSlicer if

  • You need automatic supports.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want multi-material.
PrusaSlicer review

Questions people ask

Is Fictiv or PrusaSlicer better?
Neither clearly leads. Fictiv starts at On request and PrusaSlicer at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Fictiv or PrusaSlicer?
PrusaSlicer has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Fictiv and Free for PrusaSlicer.
Does Fictiv or PrusaSlicer run on more platforms?
Fictiv runs on Web, Cloud. PrusaSlicer runs on Windows, macOS, Linux.
Can I use PrusaSlicer for free?
Yes. PrusaSlicer has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Fictiv starts at On request.
What is Fictiv best used for?
Fictiv is most often used for an engineering team needing machined prototypes in days without qualifying a machine shop first, moving a part between regions to change landed cost or tariff exposure without re-sourcing a supplier, bridge production between prototype tooling and a committed high-volume supplier, getting design-for-manufacturing feedback on a part before committing to injection mould tooling. Of those, an engineering team needing machined prototypes in days without qualifying a machine shop first and moving a part between regions to change landed cost or tariff exposure without re-sourcing a supplier are not what PrusaSlicer is typically brought in for.
What can Fictiv do that PrusaSlicer cannot?
Fictiv covers Instant CAD quoting, Design for manufacturing feedback, Multi-region network, Multiple processes. PrusaSlicer covers Automatic supports, Multi-material, Variable layer height, Custom G-code.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Fictiv: Is Fictiv software I can buy?

No. It is an on-demand manufacturing service with a quoting and order management platform. You pay for parts, not for the software.

PrusaSlicer: How much does PrusaSlicer cost?

PrusaSlicer is completely free and open-source software developed by Prusa Research.

Source
Fictiv: Is Fictiv still independent?

No. MISUMI Group completed its acquisition, valued at $350 million, in June 2025. Fictiv continues to trade under its own name.

Fictiv: Do I know which factory makes my part?

Generally not. Fictiv manages a vetted network and allocates work within it, which is a limitation if your quality system requires named and audited suppliers.

Fictiv: Is it cheaper than sourcing directly?

For prototypes and low volumes, usually yes once you count the cost of finding and qualifying a supplier. At stable production volumes, direct sourcing is normally cheaper.

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