What is UltiMaker Cura used for?

Ultimaker Cura is an open-source slicer application that prepares 3D models for printing, with many settings and community-managed printer profiles. It is a good fit for preparing 3D models for printing and tuning print settings for a specific printer.

Is UltiMaker Cura open source?

Yes. UltiMaker Cura is open source under the LGPL-3.0 licence. Its source code is on GitHub at Ultimaker/Cura and is written mainly in Python.

Is UltiMaker Cura free?

Yes. UltiMaker Cura is open source, so the software itself is free to use.

Can I self-host UltiMaker Cura?

Yes. UltiMaker Cura can be self-hosted on your own server or infrastructure.

What is UltiMaker Cura an alternative to?

UltiMaker Cura is an open-source alternative to Simplify3D. Other open-source alternatives to Simplify3D include PrusaSlicer and OrcaSlicer.

Is UltiMaker Cura actively maintained?

Yes. The most recent commit to UltiMaker Cura was on 1 October 2026, and the latest release is 5.13.0, published on 28 May 2026. The project has 7k stars on GitHub.

UltiMaker Cura: open-source alternative to Simplify3D

About UltiMaker Cura

Ultimaker Cura is a 3D printer slicing application built on the Uranium framework. A slicer converts 3D models into G-code instructions that a printer can follow, and Cura is used to prepare models for printing on a wide range of machines.

The README highlights hundreds of settings and print profiles that are managed by the community, and the project documents how to add machine profiles, translate the interface and develop plugins. The application is written in Python with a QML and PyQt6 interface. Build instructions, a Conan-based dependency setup and a settings reference are kept in the project wiki.

Cura is released under the LGPL-3.0 licence. Releases are published on GitHub, and the project asks contributors to look at its guides before submitting printer profiles or translations. It runs as a desktop application rather than a hosted service.

Key features

3D model slicing to G-code
Hundreds of print settings
Community-managed printer profiles
Plugin support
Python application with a QML interface

Good fit for

→Preparing 3D models for printing
→Tuning print settings for a specific printer

Built with: Python
Tags: 3d-printing; slicer; gcode; ultimaker; python; qml; desktop; plugins

UltiMaker Cura: questions and answers

What is UltiMaker Cura used for?: Ultimaker Cura is an open-source slicer application that prepares 3D models for printing, with many settings and community-managed printer profiles. It is a good fit for preparing 3D models for printing and tuning print settings for a specific printer.
Is UltiMaker Cura open source?: Yes. UltiMaker Cura is open source under the LGPL-3.0 licence. Its source code is on GitHub at Ultimaker/Cura and is written mainly in Python.
Is UltiMaker Cura free?: Yes. UltiMaker Cura is open source, so the software itself is free to use.
Can I self-host UltiMaker Cura?: Yes. UltiMaker Cura can be self-hosted on your own server or infrastructure.
What is UltiMaker Cura an alternative to?: UltiMaker Cura is an open-source alternative to Simplify3D. Other open-source alternatives to Simplify3D include PrusaSlicer and OrcaSlicer.
Is UltiMaker Cura actively maintained?: Yes. The most recent commit to UltiMaker Cura was on 1 October 2026, and the latest release is 5.13.0, published on 28 May 2026. The project has 7k stars on GitHub.