---
{"title": "OrcaSlicer vs Simplify3D in 2026", "description": "OrcaSlicer and Simplify3D weighed as printing tools, with LunarWerx 3D Print's free browser helpers in the mix, for a maker weighing the two.", "url": "https://texhouse.us/orcaslicer-vs-simplify3d/", "date": "2026-10-18"}
---
OrcaSlicer and Simplify3D weighed as printing tools, with LunarWerx 3D Print's free browser helpers in the mix, for a maker weighing the two.

OrcaSlicer and Simplify3D compared for makers, with LunarWerx 3D Print's browser helpers alongside: what each does, price, setup, and what to check before you pick one.

OrcaSlicer is free slicing software for FDM 3D printers. [^1] Simplify3D's page calls it premium 3D printing software. [^2] LunarWerx 3D Print is a set of free browser tools for ironing settings, injection moulding checks and foam inserts. [^3] [^3]

| Option | What it does | Price | Where it runs |
|---|---|---|---|
| OrcaSlicer | Free slicing software for FDM 3D printers [^1] | free [^1] | Windows, macOS, and Linux [^1] |
| Simplify3D | Software its maker has worked with OEM partners to integrate with hundreds of popular 3D printers [^2] | not published | not published |
| LunarWerx 3D Print | Browser tools for ironing settings, injection moulding checks and foam inserts [^3] | free to use [^3] | In a web browser [^3] |

## The short answer

A maker comparing printing tools starts with what each one does. OrcaSlicer is free slicing software for FDM 3D printers. [^1] Simplify3D develops premium 3D printing software. [^2] LunarWerx 3D Print is a set of free browser tools that work out ironing settings, check a part for injection moulding and design 3D-printable foam inserts. [^3] [^3]

For a free tool, OrcaSlicer's page says it is free slicing software for FDM 3D printers. [^1] For faster slicing, Simplify3D's page states 3.0x faster slicing performance. [^2] For a browser helper that costs nothing, LunarWerx 3D Print says its tools are free to use. [^3] The three answer different jobs rather than strict replacements.

## What OrcaSlicer and Simplify3D are built for

OrcaSlicer's page calls it free slicing software for FDM 3D printers. [^1] It lists support for Windows, macOS, and Linux. [^1] It says it is licensed under AGPL-3.0. [^1] The facts gathered for this page say no more about its features, so check its own page for how it prepares a print.

Simplify3D's page calls it premium 3D printing software. [^2] It states 3.0x faster slicing performance. [^2] The facts gathered here give no detail on printer setup or price, so check its page for the printers it covers.

## What LunarWerx 3D Print is built for

LunarWerx 3D Print is made by the team that publishes this site. It is a set of browser tools for ironing settings, injection moulding checks and foam inserts. [^3]

The ironing helper works out settings for your printer, material and finish and exports a ready 3MF file. [^3] It makes a 9-pad or 16-pad test plate around your settings, and you mark each pad as worked or not. [^3] You can click flat top surfaces, and the export adds a modifier part over each picked surface. [^3]

The mould helper runs 13 checks for injection moulding, shows shrinkage, pressure and weak-point maps, and builds the two mould halves; all numbers are estimates. [^3] The foam tool lays parts out in a box and designs a 3D-printable foam tray and a top pad that each part lifts straight out of. [^3] If the insert is too big for the bed, it is split into pieces that each fit your printer's bed. [^3] It also turns backwards faces in an STL file right side out and says how many it fixed. [^3]

## Pricing and fees

| Option | Price |
|---|---|
| OrcaSlicer | free [^1] |
| Simplify3D | not published |
| LunarWerx 3D Print | free to use [^3] |

OrcaSlicer's page calls it free slicing software for FDM 3D printers. [^1] The Simplify3D facts given here do not state a price, so check its own page. LunarWerx 3D Print says its tools are free to use. [^3] No card fee or add-on fee is published for any of the three in these sources.

## Setting it up and printing

OrcaSlicer's page lists support for Windows, macOS, and Linux. [^1] It says it is licensed under AGPL-3.0. [^1] The facts here do not describe getting a printer set up inside it, so check its page for that.

Simplify3D's page calls it premium 3D printing software. [^2] The facts here give no setup steps, so check its page for your printer model.

LunarWerx 3D Print runs in a web browser. [^3] You use it on its website, which is hosted on Cloudflare. [^3] Sign in with Connections and your settings, recent test plates and print results follow you to every computer. [^3] For your slicer, an uploaded Bambu or Orca project gets per-object ironing settings, and the rest of the file stays unchanged. [^3] One checkbox slows just the first layer to 15 mm/s by default. [^3]

## Things to check before you choose

Ask which job you need done: preparing a print with a full slicer, or browser helpers for settings and design. Ask which computer you use, since OrcaSlicer lists Windows, macOS, and Linux. [^1] Ask what the price is for Simplify3D, because it is not published in these sources. Ask whether a browser tool suits your workflow, since LunarWerx 3D Print runs in a web browser. [^3]

If you want to see the code of the tool you use, check each one's licence; OrcaSlicer is licensed under AGPL-3.0. [^1] Mould numbers are estimates, so decide how much weight to give them. [^3]

## How to choose

If you want a free tool, OrcaSlicer is free slicing software for FDM 3D printers. [^1] If you use Windows, macOS, or Linux, OrcaSlicer lists support for each. [^1] If slicing speed matters to you, Simplify3D's page states 3.0x faster slicing performance. [^2]

If you want ironing settings with test plates, LunarWerx 3D Print says it makes them. [^3] If you want to add ironing to an existing Bambu or Orca project, it adds per-object settings. [^3] If you want a foam insert for a box of parts, it designs one. [^3] If you want a free tool, it says the tools are free to use. [^3]

## Frequently asked questions

### Is OrcaSlicer free?

OrcaSlicer's page calls it free slicing software for FDM 3D printers. [^1] It is licensed under AGPL-3.0. [^1] LunarWerx 3D Print says its tools are free to use. [^3] The Simplify3D facts gathered for this page do not state a price, so check its own page.

### What is the price of Simplify3D?

The Simplify3D facts gathered for this page do not state a price, so none is given here. Its page calls it premium 3D printing software. [^2] Check its own page for the current price before you decide. OrcaSlicer is free. [^1]

### What computers can run OrcaSlicer?

OrcaSlicer's page lists support for Windows, macOS, and Linux. [^1] The facts here do not mention other systems, so check its page if you use one. LunarWerx 3D Print runs in a web browser. [^3] Simplify3D's system support is not stated in these facts.

### Does LunarWerx 3D Print need to be installed?

LunarWerx 3D Print runs in a web browser. [^3] You use it on its website, which is hosted on Cloudflare. [^3] Sign in with Connections and your settings, recent test plates and print results follow you to every computer. [^3]

### Does LunarWerx 3D Print work with OrcaSlicer projects?

For an uploaded Bambu or Orca project, LunarWerx 3D Print says it adds per-object ironing settings and keeps the rest of the file unchanged. [^3] It also exports a ready 3MF file with ironing settings. [^3]

The tools are free to use. [^3] - [Visit LunarWerx 3D Print](/go/start)

## Sources

[^1]: OrcaSlicer, orcaslicer.com, read 2026-10-07 (https://orcaslicer.com)
[^2]: Simplify3D, simplify3d.com, read 2026-10-10 (https://www.simplify3d.com)
[^3]: LunarWerx 3D Print's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher) (/go/start)