Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

LibreCAD VS CNCjs

Compare LibreCAD VS CNCjs and see what are their differences

LibreCAD logo LibreCAD

An open source 2D CAD application for Windows, Apple and Linux.

CNCjs logo CNCjs

A web-based interface for CNC milling controller running Grbl, Marlin, Smoothieware, or TinyG. - cncjs/cncjs
  • LibreCAD Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-18
  • CNCjs Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-21

LibreCAD features and specs

  • Free and Open Source
    LibreCAD is completely free to use, and its open-source nature allows users to modify and improve the software according to their needs.
  • Cross-Platform
    The software is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, ensuring that users on different operating systems can utilize it without compatibility issues.
  • Lightweight
    LibreCAD is not resource-heavy, making it suitable for older computers and systems with limited hardware capabilities.
  • 2D CAD Focus
    Specialized for 2D design, making it easier for users who specifically need 2D drafting tools as it avoids the complexities associated with 3D modeling.
  • Customizable Interface
    Users can tailor the interface to better suit their workflow, enhancing productivity and ease of use.
  • Active Community Support
    An active community provides support, documentation, and forums for troubleshooting and advice, making it easier for users to solve problems and learn new features.

Possible disadvantages of LibreCAD

  • Limited 3D Capabilities
    LibreCAD is primarily a 2D CAD software and does not support 3D modeling, which can be a limitation for users needing advanced spatial design tools.
  • Steeper Learning Curve for Beginners
    While powerful, the software can be challenging for new users unfamiliar with CAD software, requiring a significant amount of time to learn.
  • Fewer Advanced Features
    Compared to some professional CAD packages, LibreCAD lacks some of the more advanced features and tools, which can limit its use in complex projects.
  • Limited File Format Compatibility
    LibreCAD primarily supports DXF format, and while it can read/write other formats, the compatibility is not as comprehensive as some other CAD software.
  • Occasional Stability Issues
    Some users have reported crashes and bugs, which can be problematic for those working on time-sensitive projects.
  • Sparse Documentation
    While there is community support, the official documentation can be lacking in detail, making it difficult for users to find thorough guidance on complex tasks.

CNCjs features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    CNCjs offers a modern interface that is both intuitive and easy to navigate, making it accessible for both novices and experienced machinists.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    CNCjs can be run on Windows, macOS, and Linux systems, allowing users to operate it on their preferred operating systems.
  • Open Source
    As an open-source project, CNCjs is free to use and can be modified by users, fostering a community around its continuous improvement and customization.
  • Extensive Plugin Support
    The platform supports plugins, enabling users to extend functionalities according to their specific needs and integrate it with other tools and services.
  • Active Community
    CNCjs has a vibrant and active community, providing support, sharing customizations, and contributing to its ongoing development.

Possible disadvantages of CNCjs

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendly interface, the depth of features available can be overwhelming to new users, requiring a significant learning commitment.
  • Installation Complexity
    For those unfamiliar with development environments, installing CNCjs, especially on some platforms, can be challenging without technical expertise.
  • Limited Documentation
    While there is community support, the official documentation can sometimes be limited, making troubleshooting and advanced configuration difficult.
  • Resource Intensive
    Running CNCjs can demand considerable system resources, which might lead to performance issues on older or less powerful hardware.
  • Reliance on Community Contributions
    Being an open-source project, its development heavily relies on community contributions, which can sometimes lead to slow progress in feature updates and bug fixes.

LibreCAD videos

FreeCAD vs. LibreCAD

More videos:

CNCjs videos

A quick run through how to use CNCJS with your CNC/Shapeoko or DIY CNC - GRBL

More videos:

  • Review - A quick look at the keyboard function in CNCJS
  • Review - CNCJS - For beginners with Shapeoko 3

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to LibreCAD and CNCjs)
3D
88 88%
12% 12
Photos & Graphics
0 0%
100% 100
Architecture
100 100%
0% 0
CAD
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using LibreCAD and CNCjs. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare LibreCAD and CNCjs

LibreCAD Reviews

15 Best Sketchup Alternatives 2022
Also, it is a CAD program so the created files can work on other CAD software programs, even if 3D based. Sketchup supports up to 11 languages, but LibreCAD beats that with support for more than 30 languages.
Alternatives to SketchUp: Check out 10 free programs
Just like Blender, you can help develop and enhance the platform by editing the code base and adding even more features to the software. So, if you’re looking for a more simple, perfect for beginners program, LibreCAD can be the best out of the alternatives to SketchUp for you. Being a fully free system, you can only gain.
Source: solidface.com
9 Free CAD Software to Download
Here’s another high quality 2D-CAD modeling platform, LibreCAD, an easy-to-use software with a lot of high quality features included in it. LibreCAD has features such as snap to grid for drawing, usage of layers, measurements inside your drawing and plenty others to make your life easier when you’re drawing on a 2D-CAD platform.
Looking for a SketchUp alternative? Check out the 10 best options
LibreCAD is a 2D CAD software that serves as a great way to learn and practice 2D modeling. It’s completely free and open-sourced, with a healthy user base around it to boot.
Source: all3dp.com

CNCjs Reviews

We have no reviews of CNCjs yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, LibreCAD seems to be a lot more popular than CNCjs. While we know about 19 links to LibreCAD, we've tracked only 1 mention of CNCjs. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

LibreCAD mentions (19)

  • Looking for a poor man's AutoCad
    LibreCAD, OpenSCAD (more script based and more for solids), FreeCAD. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • If I don't use Windows or Mac and only use Linux, will I run into a lot of compatibility issues?
    CAD options on Linux are more limited than windows or mac but they do exist. The industry standard for 2d CAD files is the .dxf file format. I use LibreCAD. https://librecad.org/ The UI is a little clunky and eccentric in places but it is feature complete for 2d CAD drawings. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Windows / MacOS - Home/garden design
    You could also try out free AutoCAD alternatives like libreCAD (2D), or brlCAD (2D&3D, I believe). Source: about 2 years ago
  • Everything you need to know about CAD humble bundle
    It seems like a low risk purchase for $1, however, there are free options available too such as https://librecad.org/ . Or see https://www.reddit.com/r/humblebundles/comments/117ki1c/comment/j9v0v37/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3 for an older Autocad clone. Beckercad 2D seems like a niche product so I would probably invest my time learning something that is more mainstream. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Architectural Software
    For 2d stuff I tend to use Libra cad Https://librecad.org/. Source: over 2 years ago
View more

CNCjs mentions (1)

  • Desktop CNC
    Once I have the toolpath file, I load it into a G-code sender. Currently, I'm finding that CNCjs meets all my needs. This application connects to your arduino over serial and sends the right commands at the right time. Source: over 3 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing LibreCAD and CNCjs, you can also consider the following products

FreeCAD - An open-source parametric 3D modeler

Universal Gcode Sender - A full featured gcode platform used for interfacing with advanced CNC controllers like GRBL and TinyG.

SketchUp - 3D for Everyone

bCNC - Development

Autodesk AutoCAD - Autodesk AutoCAD is a commercial computer-aided design (CAD) and drafting software application.

Candle - GRBL controller application with G-Code visualizer written in Qt