Cost / License
- Free
- Open Source (GPL-3.0)
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Inkscape

Mastercam is described as 'Program your manufactured parts with leading-edge features for precision and efficiency. Creating code to drive your CNC equipment is what Mastercam does best' and is a CAD software in the system & hardware category. There are more than 10 alternatives to Mastercam for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Linux, Mac, Web-based and Self-Hosted apps. The best Mastercam alternative is Ink/Stitch, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Mastercam are Embroidermodder, Blender CAM, MoI - Moment of Inspiration and TYPE EDIT.

Embroidermodder is a free machine embroidery software program which allows editing, scaling, and translating sewing machine embroidery files to a variety of formats. It allows the user to add custom modifications to their embroidery designs.



Blender CAM is an open source solution for artistic CAM - Computer aided machining - a g-code generation tool.
Blender CAM is an add-on for the free open-source Blender 3d package.



MoI’s sleek intuitive UI blends a fluid easy workflow with powerful tools, making it the perfect choice for someone who has been frustrated with the complexity of existing CAD tools.




TYPE EDIT is an artistic CAD/CAM software for milling applications. Cut, Engrave & Design in Brass, Steel, Wood with high level of details using vector edition. With 400+ powerful features spread within 3 interactive modules, TYPE EDIT is a concentrate of vector edition...




The complete software solution for CNC Routing, Sign Making, Wood Carving & Engraving at a truly remarkable price!




LinuxCNC controls CNC machines. It can drive milling machines, lathes, 3D printers, laser cutters, plasma cutters, robot arms, hexapods, and more.




PyCAM is a toolpath generator for 3-axis CNC machining. It loads 3D models in STL format or 2D contour models from DXF or SVG files. The resulting GCode can be used with EMC2 or any other machine controller.




CamBam is an application to create CAM files (gcode) from CAD source files or its own internal geometry editor. CamBam has many users worldwide, from CNC hobbyists to professional machinists and engineers.

Mach3 is very popular among the Hobby CNC community. Artsoft produces Mach3 software and has been around for some time. This software can be used as a fully functional CNC control or used as a CNC simulator for training, learning or testing CNC programs.

Mastercam is a tool for creating the code that drives a CNC Machine (such as a mill or lathe). Moment of Inspiration is a tool for creating 3D virtual models. It may be possible to load a MOI file into MasterCam, but an MOI file can't be used directly in CNC machine.