PrusaSlicer vs. OrcaSlicer vs. Cura Slicer – Comparison in 2025
When it comes to 3D printing, the selection of the right slicing software matters a lot. It creates a make-or-break situation, as where the right slicing software can enhance your design efficiency and quality, the poor software will do the opposite job.
Moreover, you will find hundreds of software on the internet. Some famous ones include PrusaSlicer, OrcaSlicer, and Cura. Each of these software is designed with different features, qualities, and settings. You can select the one that perfectly matches your needs.
| Feature | PrusaSlicer | OrcaSlicer | Cura |
|---|---|---|---|
| Developed By | Prusa Research | Dolphin 3D Team | Ultimaker |
| Supported Printers | Primarily, Prusa also supports others | Primarily Orca, it also supports others | A broad range of printers, including Ultimaker |
| User Interface | Advanced features, beginner-friendly | Simple, easy-to-use | Intuitive, with both basic and advanced modes |
| Customization | Highly customizable for advanced users | Good for beginners, less customizable | Moderate customization and advanced settings are available |
| Slicing Speed | Fast and reliable, slightly slower with complex prints | Fast, but slightly less optimized than PrusaSlicer | Very fast, optimized for Ultimaker printers |
| Support Structures | Advanced support options (tree, custom) | Basic support options | Good variety, including tree supports |
| Multi-material Support | Excellent for multi-material setups | Basic multi-material support | Excellent multi-material support |
| G-code Preview | Advanced preview with detailed layer view | Decent preview | Excellent preview with detailed layer view |
| Platform Compatibility | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux |
What is Slicing Software?
In case if you have heard the “slicing software” word for the first time, then it is better first to have a look at it. My friend! After going through this section, you will know what slicing software is and why it is important in the 3D printing process.
Basically, a slicer is a software tool that converts any 3D model into G-Code instructions so that your printer can easily understand it and make a print. These models are in the STL or OBJ format. This G-Code guides printers about how to layer material, set extrusion speed, and much more.
Comparison of PrusaSlicer vs. OrcaSlicer vs Cura Slicer
Software’s User Interface
- Prusa Slicer
The user interface of the Prusa Slicer is well-designed, neat, and clean. It is designed in such a way that everyone can use it. From the main Windsor, you can select slicer, printer, and filament profiles.
Moreover, you will find some 3D editing tools in the tab given on the left side. It includes scaling, orientation, cutting, and measurement.
On the screen, all the settings and editing options are provided with ease. Moreover, in the preview option, you will easily find all the slicing details.
- Cura
The interface of the Cura is also clean and easy to understand. This software offers easy-to-access settings options from where you can easily select the printer and filament settings.
Like the Prusa, this software also provides a toolbar on the left side. However, its tools are less user-friendly as compared to Prusa or Orca slicers but still help in the printing process.
Coming to its printing preview options, it is simple to read but also lacks detailed guides. So, you can have an overview of the printing model, like print time and filament usage.
- Orca Slicer
The Orca Slicer also offers a simple and user-friendly interface, just like the PrusaSlicer. However, it offers all the editing options at the left sidebar. This makes this software easy to use and understand.
From the settings option, you can access the printer, filament, and print settings. The preview window provides complete details about the slicing model. Moreover, you can also access the G-Code and alter the minute points in your designs.
Printer Compatibility
As these are 3D printer software, how can we neglect their compatibility with different printers, right? Starting with the PrusaSlicer, it offers an extensive printer profile, which includes 192 3D printers from other brands. It includes both popular and unique printers, such as Creality Ender 3 and Chocolate printer. In Addition to this, it also gives you the option to add a custom printer profile.
Orca software, on the other hand, contains 139 3D printers in its library. And, you also have the option to add a custom profile to add more variety to your list.
Among these slicer printer compatibility, Cura won a point, as it offers more than 200 3D printers in its printers profile, which includes printers from some famous brands.
Slicing Speed
In the slicing speed model, Cura software again won, as it has 20-30% faster speed as compared to Prusua Slicer and Orca Slicer. It becomes the go-to option for users who want quick work without compromising on quality.
On the other hand, Orca comes close to Cura in a speed comparison test. However, the Prusa is the slowest among all these slicers due to its more complex features and extra control options. But it compensates for its slow speed with high-quality prints. Check comparison of bambu vs orca
Multi-Material Printing
In terms of supporting multi-material printing, Prusa Slicer and Orca Slicer stand tall compared to Cura. Want to know why and how? So, the PrusaSlicer is one of the best multi-material printing software.
It gives the finest quality results, especially when paired with a Multi-Material Upgrade (MMU) kit for Prusa printers. You can print up to five different materials at the same time.
Orca slicer also offers an option to print multi-material and the Addition of multi color filaments. However, its results are not as prominent or clear as the PrusaSlicer. It is best for simple multi-material prints and lacks printing options for advanced materials.
Now, coming to Cura also has an option for multi-material printing, including the dual-extruder setup. But, if you are looking for the best printing software with multi-material, then you should opt for PrusaSlicer and Orca Slicer.
G-code Preview and Layer View
The feature of G-Code preview and layering is much better in PrusaSlicer and Cura, as compared to Orca Slicer. My friend! With the PrusaSlicer, you can deeply examine layer-by-layer of your design with the help of G-Code preview.
This feature is very helpful in visualizing supports, infill patterns, and other printing settings. On the other hand, the G-Code preview features of Cura are almost similar to the PrusaSlicer. You can easily access a layer-by-layer preview of your designs.
The Orca Slicer comes last in the list, as its G-Code preview is less detailed and does not offer as many options as the Prusa Slicer does.
