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Manufacturing · head to head

GrabCAD Print vs TrakSYS

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
TrakSYS logo

TrakSYS

Manufacturing

Manufacturing execution and plant performance platform

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.; TrakSYS configuration is the implementation, so deployment is a project measured in months and needs a partner or trained staff
  • They diverge on capability: GrabCAD Print covers Native CAD import, TrakSYS covers Real-time production tracking.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where GrabCAD Print and TrakSYS differ
AttributeGrabCAD PrintTrakSYS
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelPer user per yearquote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, Desktop, CloudWindows, Web, Self-hosted

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 TrakSYS

  • Real-time production tracking
  • OEE and downtime analysis
  • Configurable workflows
  • Quality management
  • Equipment connectivity
  • Reporting

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 TrakSYS
  • A production department locking validated process parameters into a template so night shift operators cannot change themnot TrakSYS
  • A design office running FDM and PolyJet machines and wanting one preparation tool rather than twonot TrakSYS
  • An engineering team importing native CAD assemblies directly rather than maintaining an STL export workflownot TrakSYS

TrakSYS

  • Plants whose processes do not fit a packaged MESnot GrabCAD Print
  • Attributing downtime to cause rather than reporting an aggregatenot GrabCAD Print
  • Regulated production needing enforced in-process quality checksnot 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.

TrakSYS

  • Configuration is the implementation, so deployment is a project measured in months and needs a partner or trained staff
  • Quote-only pricing with no published rates
  • Flexibility means two TrakSYS installations can look nothing alike, which makes hiring for it harder
  • Considerable overkill for a small plant tracking output in a spreadsheet

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

TrakSYS

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the TrakSYS 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 TrakSYS if

  • You need real-time production tracking.
  • You work on Windows, Web, Self-hosted.
  • You also want oee and downtime analysis.
TrakSYS review

Questions people ask

Is GrabCAD Print or TrakSYS better?
Neither clearly leads. GrabCAD Print starts at Free and TrakSYS at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, GrabCAD Print or TrakSYS?
GrabCAD Print has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for GrabCAD Print and On request for TrakSYS.
Does GrabCAD Print or TrakSYS run on more platforms?
GrabCAD Print runs on Windows, Desktop, Cloud. TrakSYS runs on Windows, Web, Self-hosted.
Can I use GrabCAD Print for free?
Yes. GrabCAD Print has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. TrakSYS 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 TrakSYS is typically brought in for.
What can GrabCAD Print do that TrakSYS cannot?
GrabCAD Print covers Native CAD import, Multi-technology support, Tray arrangement and supports, Nesting (Pro). TrakSYS covers Real-time production tracking, OEE and downtime analysis, Configurable workflows, Quality management.

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.

TrakSYS: What does TrakSYS cost?

Quoted per site and not published; implementation is normally a substantial part of the total.

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

No. It is tied to Stratasys hardware.

TrakSYS: Is it a product or a platform?

A platform. Screens and workflows are configured for the plant, which is why it fits unusual processes and why deployment is a project.

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.

TrakSYS: When is it the wrong choice?

When a packaged MES fits your process, or when the plant is small enough that the configuration effort outweighs the gain.

GrabCAD Print: Is there a trial?

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

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