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Manufacturing · head to head

GrabCAD Print vs MachineMetrics

GrabCAD Print logo

GrabCAD Print

Manufacturing

Stratasys print preparation, free in Standard form and 5,000 US dollars a year for Pro

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
MachineMetrics logo

MachineMetrics

Manufacturing

Collect, monitor, analyze and drive action with machine data

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only GrabCAD Print has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: GrabCAD Print it only drives Stratasys printers, so the free Standard tier is a hardware retention mechanism rather than a portable tool, and prepared jobs do not move to another vendor.; MachineMetrics no specific pricing published; vendor uses volume-based subscription model requiring sales contact
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which GrabCAD Print and MachineMetrics actually diverge.

Attributes where GrabCAD Print and MachineMetrics differ
AttributeGrabCAD PrintMachineMetrics
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelPer user per yearquote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, Desktop, CloudWeb

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

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 GrabCAD Print

  • Native CAD import
  • Multi-technology support
  • Tray arrangement and supports
  • Nesting (Pro)
  • Manufacturing templates (Pro)
  • Part labelling (Pro)
  • Wall thickness analysis (Pro)
  • Cost estimation (Pro)

Only in MachineMetrics

Nothing recorded that GrabCAD Print does not also cover.

What people use each for

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

GrabCAD Print

  • A service bureau nesting many small parts into a single tray to raise volume utilisation and reduce cost per partnot MachineMetrics
  • A production department locking validated process parameters into a template so night shift operators cannot change themnot MachineMetrics
  • A design office running FDM and PolyJet machines and wanting one preparation tool rather than twonot MachineMetrics
  • An engineering team importing native CAD assemblies directly rather than maintaining an STL export workflownot MachineMetrics

MachineMetrics

  • Tracking real-time machine performance and outputnot GrabCAD Print
  • Identifying and analyzing production downtime causesnot GrabCAD Print
  • Detecting equipment issues before failures happennot GrabCAD Print
  • Managing job scheduling with drag-and-drop toolsnot GrabCAD Print
  • Syncing shop floor data to ERP automaticallynot GrabCAD Print

Where each one falls short

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

GrabCAD Print

  • It only drives Stratasys printers, so the free Standard tier is a hardware retention mechanism rather than a portable tool, and prepared jobs do not move to another vendor.
  • Pro is 5,000 US dollars per named user per year on top of machines that already cost six figures, and there is no floating licence in the standard offer, so shift-based teams buy multiple seats.
  • The production features that most justify the spend, nesting and manufacturing templates, are all locked behind Pro, meaning the free tier is not viable for a bureau.
  • Stratasys materials are proprietary and cartridge-locked, so the software sits on top of a consumables model where the recurring cost is set entirely by the vendor.
  • Support and feature coverage vary by printer family; newer technologies such as SAF and the Neo SLA line have historically lagged FDM in the depth of preparation options exposed.

MachineMetrics

  • No specific pricing published; vendor uses volume-based subscription model requiring sales contact
  • Costs scale with number of connected machines; exact rates not disclosed publicly
  • Customers must book demo or request quote to receive pricing

Pricing, plan by plan

GrabCAD Print

Free
  • GrabCAD Print StandardFree
    • Free for Stratasys printer owners
    • Native CAD import and tray arrangement
    • Support generation and section tools
  • GrabCAD Print Pro$5000/year
    • Per named user per year
    • Automated build nesting
    • Manufacturing templates with locked process parameters

MachineMetrics

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the MachineMetrics review.

Which should you pick?

Choose GrabCAD Print if

  • You need native cad import.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Desktop, Cloud.
  • You also want multi-technology support.
GrabCAD Print review

Choose MachineMetrics if

Nothing in the data separates MachineMetrics from GrabCAD Print on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

MachineMetrics review

Questions people ask

Is GrabCAD Print or MachineMetrics better?
Neither clearly leads. GrabCAD Print starts at Free and MachineMetrics at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, GrabCAD Print or MachineMetrics?
GrabCAD Print has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for GrabCAD Print and On request for MachineMetrics.
Does GrabCAD Print or MachineMetrics run on more platforms?
GrabCAD Print runs on Windows, Desktop, Cloud. MachineMetrics runs on Web.
Can I use GrabCAD Print for free?
Yes. GrabCAD Print has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. MachineMetrics starts at On request.
What is GrabCAD Print best used for?
GrabCAD Print is most often used for a service bureau nesting many small parts into a single tray to raise volume utilisation and reduce cost per part, a production department locking validated process parameters into a template so night shift operators cannot change them, a design office running fdm and polyjet machines and wanting one preparation tool rather than two, an engineering team importing native cad assemblies directly rather than maintaining an stl export workflow. Of those, a service bureau nesting many small parts into a single tray to raise volume utilisation and reduce cost per part and a production department locking validated process parameters into a template so night shift operators cannot change them are not what MachineMetrics is typically brought in for.
What can GrabCAD Print do that MachineMetrics cannot?
GrabCAD Print covers Native CAD import, Multi-technology support, Tray arrangement and supports, Nesting (Pro).

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

GrabCAD Print: Is GrabCAD Print free?

GrabCAD Print Standard is free for Stratasys printer owners. GrabCAD Print Pro is 5,000 US dollars per user per year.

MachineMetrics: How much does MachineMetrics cost?

MachineMetrics does not publish specific pricing rates on its website. The company uses a volume-based subscription model where the more machines you connect, the less it costs per machine. Exact pricing requires contacting the company for a custom quote or booking a demo.

Source
GrabCAD Print: Can it drive a non-Stratasys printer?

No. It is tied to Stratasys hardware.

MachineMetrics: What are MachineMetrics' pricing tiers?

MachineMetrics offers three tiers: Core Platform for entry-level machine connectivity, Intelligent MES for mid-tier with ERP integration, and Enterprise for multi-site support with business intelligence. Exact pricing is based on machine count and requires a quote.

Source
GrabCAD Print: What do I actually get for the Pro fee?

Nesting, manufacturing templates, part labelling, wall thickness analysis and build cost estimation. These are production rather than prototyping features.

MachineMetrics: What support is included with MachineMetrics plans?

All MachineMetrics plans include customer support with unlimited remote assistance and training, regardless of tier selection.

Source
GrabCAD Print: Is there a trial?

Yes, Stratasys has offered 30 and 60 day trials of Pro.

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