LightBurn vs Scan2CAD in 2026
LightBurn and Scan2CAD compared for makers turning pictures into vector files, with prices, setup and what to check before you pick one.
TexHouse is published by the makers of LunarWerx 3D Print, Vector3D and MeshyDL, which are compared here alongside other tools.
LightBurn and Scan2CAD compared for makers: what each does, price, setup, and what to check before you pick one.
| Option | What it does | Price | Where it runs |
|---|---|---|---|
| LightBurn | Digital fabrication software for makers [1]; supports hundreds of lasers of all varieties [1] | not published; licences are perpetual with one year of free updates, no subscription [1] [1] [1]; 30 day trial with no restrictions [1] | Windows 10+ and macOS 13+ [1]; Windows 32-bit download [2] |
| Scan2CAD | 2 flexible licensing options, Standard and Floating Network [3]; Business adds access to a Python API [4]; 20 years improving object recognition and OCR [3] | not published; options are Standard and Floating Network [3] | not published |
| VectorMagik | Traces a picture into vector shapes using its own engine [5]; saves as SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG [5] | Free for everyone; business use needs a licence [5] | Windows x64, macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel), Linux x64, plus a browser version [5] |
The short answer
LightBurn is digital fabrication software for makers. [1] The facts gathered here describe it as software whose licences are perpetual with one year of free updates. [1] [1] What Scan2CAD does is set out in the table above, since its facts are not repeated outside it. VectorMagik is a separate way to do a related job: it traces a picture into vector shapes using its own engine. [5]
LightBurn's sources say its licences never need a subscription [1] and that a plain 30 day trial is offered. [1] Scan2CAD and LightBurn can be looked at as different jobs rather than strict replacements, and VectorMagik is one more option among them.
What LightBurn, Scan2CAD is built for
LightBurn's page describes it as digital fabrication software for makers. [1] The facts here say it supports hundreds of lasers of all varieties. [1] Its licences are perpetual and come with one year of free updates. [1] [1] A 30 day trial is offered with no restrictions, and that trial is the full deal with no watermarks or limits. [1] [1]
What Scan2CAD does is given in the table above, because its facts are not cited in the body of this page.
What VectorMagik is built for
VectorMagik is made by the team that publishes this site. It traces a picture into vector shapes using its own engine. [5] You can save the result as SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG. [5]
A tolerance slider merges neighbouring curve pieces, and Auto picks the largest tolerance that keeps the picture. [5] You can move or delete curve nodes and round individual corners after converting. [5] You can limit the result to between 1 and 64 colours. [5] You can click shapes to delete them, such as a background, or merge two shades into one. [5] It can add a die-cut sticker outline with a border, white rim and optional drop shadow. [5] You can compare the vector with the bitmap side by side, or flip between them with the B and V keys. [5]
Pricing and fees
| Option | Price | |---|---| | LightBurn | not published; licences are perpetual with one year of free updates, no subscription [1] [1] [1]; 30 day trial with no restrictions [1] | | Scan2CAD | not published; two license options: Standard and Floating Network [3] | | VectorMagik | free for everyone; business use needs a licence [5] |
The LightBurn facts given here state no pound or dollar price, so none is given; its source says licences are perpetual, updates are optional and no subscription is ever needed. [1] A 30 day trial with no restrictions is offered. [1] Scan2CAD's facts give no price either, only its two license options. [3] VectorMagik says it is free for everyone, with a licence needed for business use. [5] No card fee or add-on fee is published for any of the three in these sources.
Setting it up and printing
LightBurn and MillMage are natively written for Windows 10+ and macOS 13+, and LightBurn provides a 32-bit Windows download. [1] [2] A 30 day trial is offered with no restrictions. [1] Licences are perpetual. [1] Where Scan2CAD runs is not stated in these facts, so check its own page.
VectorMagik installs with a Windows installer, a portable zip, a macOS zip, a Debian or Ubuntu .deb or a Linux tar.gz, all from GitHub releases. [5] Downloads exist for Windows x64, macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel) and Linux x64. [5] A version runs in the web browser using the same engine. [5] A command-line version does the same work without a window and lets an AI assistant trace pictures on this computer. [5]
Things to check before you choose
Ask which job you need done: driving a laser through its software, or turning a scan or picture into a vector file to edit elsewhere.
Ask what the prices are, because no amount is published here for LightBurn or Scan2CAD. Ask whether the licence suits the way you use the tool, since VectorMagik is free for everyone but business use needs a licence. [5] Ask whether your computer is covered, given the systems the sources list, and check each maker's page for any version you use.
How to choose
If you want a licence you never have to pay a subscription on, LightBurn's source says its licences are perpetual and updates are optional. [1] [1] If you want to try before buying, LightBurn's source says it offers a 30 day trial with no restrictions. [1] If you want per-user or floating licensing, Scan2CAD's facts name Standard and Floating Network options, set out in the table. [3]
If you want a free tool that traces pictures into vector shapes, VectorMagik says it does that. [5] [5] If you want the result in DXF or several other formats, its claims say they are available. [5]
Frequently asked questions
Is LightBurn a one-time purchase?
The LightBurn facts here say its licences are perpetual and that users never have to pay a subscription. [1] [1] They also say all licences come with one year of free updates, after which another year of updates can be bought. [1] No purchase price is given in these sources, so check the LightBurn page for the current figure.
Does Scan2CAD have a free trial?
The Scan2CAD facts gathered for this page do not state a trial or any price, so none is given here. [3] Its facts name two license options, Standard and Floating Network, and a Business option that adds access to a Python API. [3] [4] Check the Scan2CAD page for current pricing and any trial before you decide.
Can VectorMagik save drawings as DXF files?
VectorMagik says you can save the traced result as SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG. [5] It is free for everyone, with a licence needed for business use. [5] A command-line version does the same work without a window, and a version runs in the web browser using the same engine. [5] [5]
What computers can run LightBurn?
The LightBurn facts say LightBurn and MillMage are natively written for Windows 10+ and macOS 13+. [1] LightBurn also provides a download for Windows 32-bit versions. [2] The facts here say no more about other systems, so check the LightBurn page if you use one. A 30 day trial with no restrictions is offered. [1]
What is Scan2CAD for?
The Scan2CAD facts here say the maker has dedicated 20 years to improving object recognition and OCR accuracy. [3] The Business option adds access to a Python API alongside the benefits of Scan2CAD Pro. [4] Two licensing options are offered, Standard and Floating Network. [3] For how it works and pricing, check the Scan2CAD page.
Free for everyone; business use needs a licence (PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0). [5]
Try VectorMagikSources
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