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3D & CAD · head to head

PrusaSlicer vs Arnold

PrusaSlicer logo

PrusaSlicer

3D & CAD

Feature-rich 3D printing slicer

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Arnold logo

Arnold

3D & CAD

Advanced Monte Carlo ray tracing renderer

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only PrusaSlicer has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: PrusaSlicer limited to slicing workflow only; no interactive 3D design capabilities; Arnold the Internet Archive's capture of Autodesk's Arnold overview page on 30 December 2022 stated a subscription can be installed on up to 3 computers or devices, though only the named user may run it on one machine at a time, and includes access to the 3 previous major versions.
  • They diverge on capability: PrusaSlicer covers Automatic supports, Arnold covers Ray tracing.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which PrusaSlicer and Arnold actually diverge.

Attributes where PrusaSlicer and Arnold differ
AttributePrusaSlicerArnold
Starting priceFree$29/month
Pricing modelopen-sourcesubscription
Free tierYesNo
Founded20121998

Identical on both: platforms (Windows, macOS, Linux), user rating (Not yet rated), category (3D & CAD).

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 PrusaSlicer

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

Only in Arnold

  • Ray tracing
  • GPU rendering
  • Production shading
  • OSL
  • Denoising
  • Maya
  • 3ds Max
  • Cinema 4D

Both cover

  • Windows support
  • MacOS support
  • Linux support

What people use each for

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

PrusaSlicer

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

Arnold

  • Film productionnot PrusaSlicer
  • Animationnot PrusaSlicer
  • VFXnot PrusaSlicer

Where each one falls short

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

PrusaSlicer

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

Arnold

  • The Internet Archive's capture of Autodesk's Arnold overview page on 30 December 2022 stated a subscription can be installed on up to 3 computers or devices, though only the named user may run it on one machine at a time, and includes access to the 3 previous major versions.

Pricing, plan by plan

PrusaSlicer

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the PrusaSlicer review.

Arnold

$29/month
  • Arnold$360/month
    • Standalone renderer

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Arnold if

  • You need ray tracing.
  • You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
  • You also want gpu rendering.
Arnold review

Questions people ask

Is PrusaSlicer or Arnold better?
Neither clearly leads. PrusaSlicer starts at Free and Arnold at $29/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, PrusaSlicer or Arnold?
PrusaSlicer has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for PrusaSlicer and $29/month for Arnold.
Does PrusaSlicer or Arnold run on more platforms?
PrusaSlicer runs on Windows, macOS, Linux. Arnold runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
Can I use PrusaSlicer for free?
Yes. PrusaSlicer has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Arnold starts at $29/month.
What is PrusaSlicer best used for?
PrusaSlicer is most often used for preparation of stl models for 3d printing, multi-material printing preparation, g-code generation and customisation via macros. Of those, preparation of stl models for 3d printing and multi-material printing preparation are not what Arnold is typically brought in for.
What can PrusaSlicer do that Arnold cannot?
PrusaSlicer covers Automatic supports, Multi-material, Variable layer height, Custom G-code. Arnold covers Ray tracing, GPU rendering, Production shading, OSL. Both handle Windows support, MacOS support, Linux support.
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