Cura has been the go-to choice for millions of makers since 2016. Creality Slicer, which is based on Cura, comes from the folks behind the iconic Ender 3 – Creality. Though it may not have the reputation of Cura, it’s still an efficient slicer worth considering.

If you’re considering the two and are having trouble making a choice, given the similarities between the two, this article is for you. We’ll cover what sets Cura and Creality Slicer apart, what features they share, their respective pros and cons, and suggest a few alternatives to these two slicer heavyweights.

Before we begin, here’s a brief breakdown of the differences between Creality Slicer and Cura in easy-to-digest table format:

What Are the Differences Between Creality Slicer and Cura

The main difference between Cura and Creality Slicer lies in their range of features and complexity. Creality Slicer is best seen as a simplified and streamlined version of Cura that’s easier for beginners to use and understand. 

Cura, on the other hand, has a broader range of advanced features better suited to tweaking and fine-tuning the slicing process, making it more versatile, but still extremely user-friendly. 

Let’s dive into the specifics.

User Interface

• Cura: Cura features a clean, intuitive, and easy-to-navigate UI that presents information and settings in a digestible format. The real beauty here is that the arrangement of the toolbar, features, and settings won’t overwhelm first-timers, but collapsible submenus reveal a wealth of options for those wanting to dive deeper into what the program has to offer.

• Creality Slicer: Given that Creality Slicer is a fork of Cura, retooled for Creality printer owners, the UI is more or less identical, bar a different color scheme. Some may prefer the sleeker colors of Cura, but for all intents and purposes, we’re working with the same core UI on both programs.

Operating System Compatibility

Print Times

Compatible 3D Printers and Profiles

Updates

Toolbar

Import/Export File Types

Cura: 

• 3MF File (.3mf)
• AMF File (.amf)
• COLLADA Digital Asset Exchange (.dae)
• Compressed COLLADA Digital Asset Exchange (.zae)
• Open Compressed Triangle Mesh (.ctm)
• STL file (.stl)
• Stanford Triangle Format (.ply)
• Wavefront OBJ File (.obj)
• X3D file (.x3d)
• glTF Binary (.glb)
• glTF Embedded JSON (.gltf)

• BMP image (.bmp)
• GIF image (.gif)
• JPEG image (.jpeg)
• JPG image (.jpg)
• PNG Image (.png)

• Compressed G-code file (.gz)
• G file (.g)
• G-code file (.gcode)
• Ultimaker Format Package (.ufp)

Creality Slicer:

Creality Slicer offers the same import/export file compatibility as Cura with the option to send sliced models to Creality Cloud, the manufacturer’s all-in-one cloud-based 3D printing platform, with features like a 3D model library, remote printing, and cloud slicing.

Support

Cost

Plugins

Creality Slicer vs Cura: Pros and Cons

Creality Slicer Pros and Cons

Pros

One of the main pros of Creality Slicer is full compatibility with all Creality printers, including the Ender 3, Ender 5, and CR-10. 

This also extends to optimized pre-configured profiles to get the best settings immediately with no tinkering. 

Creality Slicer is also based on Cura, so the layout and UI are familiar to anyone that’s used Cura. It’s easy to use, intuitive, and features descriptions for most settings and features to guide first-time users.

Creality Slicer supports a wide range of file formats for both export and import. The software also supports plugins, allowing you to customize the slicer with tools and features beyond those offered by the base program. Creality Slicer is 100% free to use and integrates with Creality’s Cloud service, giving you access to discussion, 3D models, and remote printing.

Cons

Creality Slicer is technically compatible with most printers, but is optimized for Creality machines, so you won’t get the best experience if you’re using a different branded 3D printer. 

You can create a custom profile and enter your 3D slicer settings yourself, but this doesn’t offer the same, sleek, optimized experience as the pre-configured Creality printer profiles. 

As Creality is based on Cura, any improvements rely on Creality implementing the latest Cura updates into its slicer, which generally means a delay in having access to the latest features and bug fixes, for a slightly outdated feel compared to Cura.

Ultimaker Cura Pros and Cons

Pros

Cura offers a clear, intuitive, and streamlined user interface that accommodates both beginners and experts alike. 

There’s plenty of depth to the features and options, but these aren’t pushed to the user from the get-go, allowing for a gentle learning curve. 

Cura is regularly updated with bug fixes, performance optimizations, and new features, giving users access to the latest in slicer capabilities. 

Cura is free to use with no limitations and is compatible with a huge range of 3D printers, with robust, tested pre-configured profiles for most FDM printers currently on the market and even older printers no longer available to buy. 

Due to its popularity, Cura has a massive community of users with a vast range of resources, guides, and tutorials to help you get the most out of the software. This also extends to a huge marketplace of plugins to customize your Cura experience.

Cons

Though Cura caters to most 3D printer brands, it doesn’t have profiles for all versions. 

For example, the Ender 3 profile only covers the basic version and the Ender 3 Pro, leaving out more recent versions like the Ender 3 S1 and Ender 3 V2 Neo for example, which requires fine tuning. We have recently reviewed and tested both the Ender 3 S1 Pro, and Ender 3 V2 Neo, and though it was right when they were released, at that time neither had a custom Cura profile. Check out our article on the best Cura profile settings for Ender 3 for more.

Alternatives to Creality Slicer and Ultimaker Cura

Though Ultimaker Cura and Creality Slicer are excellent slicers for most users, you may want to explore what else is out there with slightly less popular, but equally capable alternatives.

PrusaSlicer

Developed by the folks behind the highly-respected Prusa i3 MK3S+, PrusaSlicer is an open-source program based on Slic3r. Though, Prusa has polished and beefed up the feature set and user experience that PrusaSlicer now stands on its own two feet. 

It ships with pre-configured profiles for the most popular printers out there, includes import/export options for all the go-to file types, and is available for MacOS, Windows, and Linux. 

Among PrusaSlicer’s most notable features is a vase mode similar to Cura’s, custom supports, integration with OctoPrint, automatic variable layer height, model repair tool, infill wipe function, and macros. 

Though PrusaSlicer houses a wealth of features and options, it remains very user-friendly with a clean, polished layout. Regular updates and solid printing results with little tweaking make it a solid choice for those wanting something different to Cura and Creality Slicer.

Simplify3D

While Cura and Creality Slicer aim to welcome users of all experience levels, Simplify3D is designed mainly for professional applications with a suite of features and a level of tinkering unavailable on more consumer-geared slicers. With this comes a price tag, something that’s rare for most slicers, with Simplify3D asking users to drop $200 to use the software.

For the money, you get a customized workflow, abundant settings, and superb quality results at every turn, all housed in a UI that’s easy on the eye and intuitive to use for all the complexity lurking below the surface. It also ships with plenty of pre-configured profiles, import/export of all the major file types, and excellent support from both the developers and a committed community.

Beginners may be a little daunted by the versatility here, so we recommend using a simpler slicer like Cura to begin, but once you’ve nailed the basics, Simplify3d is a great environment to hone your skills and gain absolute control over the slicing process.

Slic3r

Slic3r is another open-source slicer program that is largely responsible for most of the advanced features we’ve come to expect from a slicer these days – brims, variable layer heights, unusual infill patterns, and much more.

With such a focus on innovation, Slic3r is chiefly geared towards established enthusiasts and makers with years of printing under their belt who a glut of features won’t put off. Newcomers may be overwhelmed with the depth of the program. 

Slic3r is compatible with MacOS, Windows, and Linux systems and is available for free on the Slic3r website. Unlike Cura and others, Slic3r has very few profiles, so expect plenty of custom tinkering to hone in our settings that work for your 3D printer.

FAQ:

Is Creality Slicer Based on Cura?

Yes, Creality Slicer is based on Cura. It’s what is called a fork of the open-source Cura, meaning Creality has taken the based UI, interface, and underlying code and then modified it to better serve its range of printers. Other than a few changes to settings, color scheme, and printer profiles, the two programs are virtually identical in most respects.

Unfortunately, it’s never as simple as filling out a digital form and hitting send, and there are a lot of slicing software options out there that you’ll need to choose from depending on your experience.

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Two such options are Slic3r and Cura, and you’ll likely have heard of at least one of these if you have any experience with 3D printing. Most printers will come with their own company-based slicing software either included or highly recommended, but these are often quite basic and can even come with additional fees.

Whatsmore, it’s not uncommon for 3D printer companies to base their own included software on Cura or Slic3r, so you likely have experience with either or both Slic3r or Cura, without having ever used them.

Both Slic3r and Cura are viable choices for just about any 3D printer, and both are open-source and free so there’s no reason not to give either a chance. Though because testing out software can be time-consuming and tedious, we’re going to look at both here to help you get an idea of which one to go for.

What is Slicing Software?

Like how the turn of a key will control the tumblers in a lock and provide access without you needing to activate the smaller parts of the mechanism yourself, slicing will use your model’s input to tell a 3D printer what to do so you don’t have to.

Think of slicing software as a digital reader that takes a 3D model from your CAD software and translates it into a set of numbers to tell your 3D printer how to move and operate.

Everything from axes measurements, output temperature, and filament type needs to be taken into account to make sure the print comes out just right.

Slic3r vs. Cura – Usability

Cura vs Slic3r: Which is best for beginners?

When selecting any software, you’ll need to think about how approachable it is depending on your experience and needs.

Going for more advanced or intricate slicing software if you’re new to 3D printing will have you facing confusing options and unknown terms that, if configured incorrectly, will reduce the likelihood of a successful print.

Fortunately, both Cura and Slic3r have their own ways of ensuring a beginner-friendly experience for those who aren’t as sure of what they’re doing.

Cura is well known for its beginner-friendliness to the point where it may not even feel like you’re using the software at all. As the poster child for newcomers to 3D printing, there’s little more to it than loading in the model and letting Cura do its thing.

Though that’s not to say that there aren’t any options for user input. Tweaks to the settings can still be made in the event that Cura automatically loads up settings that may not be viable for the specific model you’ve loaded up.

In addition, Cura has a separate beginner mode, which simplifies the layout and guides you through its settings in a very simple and easy-to-understand way.

Slic3r makes itself beginner-friendly by having a very well-organized and easy-to-navigate layout that uses carefully segmented menus and options. This simple user interface makes navigation easy even for those of you going in totally blind.

Both Cura and Slic3r are very approachable and a plethora of guides and tutorials can be found online even if you do get lost, so there should be no worries with either one if you’re nervous about diving in for the first time.

Model Manipulation

While most 3D CAD software will let you manipulate and view your model from different angles, many slicers will let you do this too. This comes in very handy as a sort of ‘final check’ before you send the model off to print, and is good for last-minute surveying for unwanted patterns or additions.

Slic3r has options for moving your model around in-program to a specific degree, but there are no options to actively change the model’s shape if you happen to find any errors or unwanted shapes. Despite this, Slic3r does incorporate micro layering, which can help you ensure your more intricate models are as accurate as possible before even sending them to print.

While Cura’s manipulation feature is easier to use, it can only be done in 15-degree increments, so it may prove to be an irritating feature if you need to focus on a specific part of the model. However, it does let you make minor alterations should you come across any issues.

Cura vs Slic3r Speed

Transferring and encoding files is never an instant process, and it takes a powerful software to do it in a reasonable timeframe.

On average, Cura is around 3-5 times faster than Slic3r, depending on the size of the file and its innate compatibility. Of course, particularly large files will take some time in either program, and the difference in time will be negligible for smaller files.

Cura vs Slic3r: 3D Printer Compatibility & Ease of Use

Slicing software acts as an intermediary between your CAD software and your 3D printer. Because of this, compatibility is key for smooth functionality and problem-free use.

Cura excels at this due to its auto-detection that’s linked to a library of hundreds of common 3D printers with precise optimized settings. Similar to how translation software can automatically figure out which language you’re typing in, Cura can recognize the 3D printer you’re using and change its settings accordingly.

Slic3r does have the capacity for such a library, and each machine’s information needs to be entered manually and stored for later use. While this isn’t a problem if you only plan on using one 3D printer, it can become tedious if you’re using multiple machines.

Project Information

Slicing software will give you all the information you need on a model before printing, but which side of Slic3r vs. Cura you choose in this respect will depend on how much information you want.

Slic3r will give you basic information such as axis length and filament consumption, whereas Cura will go into far more detail by giving you more relevant information like estimated print time.

Extra Features

Slicing software involves more than just an ‘upload and go’ model. Depending on what you’re printing, you may need your slicer to do a little more than just print from start to finish.

Because both Cura and Slic3r are free, open-source programs, they’re both open to consumer-led modification to add new features all the time.

3D prints that need extra attention or additions midway through printing, like prints with moving parts or electronics in mind, will need a slicer that can pause the printer mid-project to attach such additions.

Cura offers such a feature via one of its many community-rated add-ons. This makes it ideal for attaching screws, internal mechanisms, or electronics relevant to the project at hand without having to manually pause your printer.

Slic3r’s community-made additions are generally wider in scope, making larger improvements to the software as a whole. This means that it is constantly evolving, though at the price of becoming less beginner-friendly with each optional update as many of the modifying community are experts.

So, Cura vs. Slic3r: which should you use?

Both Cura and Slic3r are powerful programs that are well worth a look if you’re after a good slicing software, but there are clear differences between the two that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Overall, Cura does offer a more reliable and user-friendly experience, but that isn’t to say that Slic3r should be ignored entirely. So let’s look at which you should choose.

When to Choose Slic3r

Slic3r is a well-rounded slicing software that may be geared towards more advanced users, but still manages to have an easy-to-learn user interface and simple layout. Beginners will find it an easy program to learn, while veterans in slicing software won’t be underwhelmed by its options.

Slic3r Pros

• Micro layering tools for intricate prints
• Accurate model manipulation
• Shallow learning curve

Slic3r Cons

• Slower file conversion speeds
• Less information on print project specs
• No automatic printer detection

When to Choose Cura

Cura is the ultimate in beginner-friendly slicer software. If you’re brand new to 3D printing and want non-complicated, no-nonsense software that has a 99% chance of already being compatible with your machine, then Cura is the way to go.

Cura Pros

• User-friendly interface with built-in beginner mode
• Automatically detects and alters settings to match most 3D printers
• Allows for alterations to models before printing
• Shows good estimates of filament consumption and print time

Cura Cons

• Model manipulation is basic and inaccurate
• Limited resources for adding detail to designs
• Not ideal for advanced users

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