LightBurn
LightBurn Software develops native desktop design and machine-control software for laser cutters (and CNC routers via MillMage), serving hobbyists, makers, small businesses, and educational institutions globally through direct-to-consumer perpetual licenses with optional annual update subscriptions.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersBrookfield, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What LightBurn does
LightBurn Software Inc. is a privately-held, US-incorporated (Delaware) software company founded in 2017 and headquartered in Brookfield, USA, that develops native desktop design, layout, and machine-control software for laser cutters and engravers. Its flagship products — LightBurn Core ($99) and LightBurn Pro ($199) — communicate directly with a broad set of laser controllers (GCode families including Cohesion3D, Smoothieware, Grbl, Marlin, Grbl-LPC; DSP controllers from Ruida, Trocen, and TopWisdom; and EZCad2/EZCad3-based galvo fiber, CO2, and UV lasers) without requiring middleware, integrating vector design, image tracing, parameter editing, and machine control into a single Windows/Mac application. The company sells software exclusively direct-to-consumer through its Shopify storefront, supported by a 30-day unrestricted free trial, an active community forum, extensive YouTube tutorials, and documentation that together form a product-led acquisition funnel.
The company monetizes primarily through perpetual one-time software licenses (with an optional $40/year update subscription), incremental seats ($25-$50 each), Core-to-Pro upgrades ($100), and floating licenses for institutional buyers; ancillary revenue historically came from branded cameras and accessories, which the company announced it will discontinue as of June 2026 in order to refocus on software. In February 2026, LightBurn extended its design-and-control platform into CNC routers with MillMage, an all-in-one CAD/CAM/control product that mirrors the LightBurn model for GRBL, grblHAL, FluidNC, Smoothieware, and standard GCode CNC machines. The customer base spans hobbyists and individual makers, small-to-medium professional engraving and production shops, and educational institutions acquiring volume/floating licenses, with no disclosed enterprise anchor accounts and no external institutional capital.
LightBurn firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- LightBurn
- Legal name
- LightBurn Software Inc.
- Website
- https://lightburnsoftware.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- LightBurn Software develops native desktop design and machine-control software for laser cutters (and CNC routers via MillMage), serving hobbyists, makers, small businesses, and educational institutions globally through direct-to-consumer perpetual licenses with optional annual update subscriptions.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
LightBurn industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Laser and CNC Control Software
- SIC
- Photographic Equipment & Supplies (3861), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Optoelectronic Emitters (LED/Laser/VCSEL) (HDAHALAL)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Optics & Laser/Light Engine Components (Lenses, Galvos, Laser Modules, UV Engines) (IMAAAIAC)
Keywords
Where LightBurn is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Brookfield
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
LightBurn business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Software Licenses: LightBurn generates primary revenue from perpetual software licenses. Customers purchase a license key once and own it forever; annual update subscriptions are optional. Core license ($99) for GCode lasers; Pro license ($199) for all controller types including DSP and Galvo. Upgrade path from Core to Pro costs $100. Additional seats available at $25 (Core) or $50 (Pro) per seat.
- Software Updates (Annual Subscription): Optional annual subscription for software updates at $40/year. If renewed before expiration, customers receive an extra two months. Expired licenses continue to work but cannot use newer software versions released after expiration.
- Hardware Sales (Cameras and Accessories): Previously sold LightBurn-branded cameras, camera mounts, and LightBurn Bridge kits. As of June 2026, the company announced discontinuation of hardware sales to focus on software. Remaining inventory being depleted.
- Floating Licenses: Floating license option for organizations requiring shared seat access across multiple computers. Minimum 10 seats required. Pro Floating 10-seat license: $549; Core Floating 10-seat license: $274.
- Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including t-shirts, hoodies, tote bags, and swag packs through their online store.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Annual | LightBurn Core - GCode lasers |
| One time/ perpetual license | Annual | LightBurn Pro - All laser types |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Upgrade Core to Pro |
| Subscription | Annual | Annual Software Updates |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Additional Core Seat |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Additional Pro Seat |
| One time/ perpetual license | Annual | LightBurn Pro Floating License (10 Seats) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Annual | LightBurn Core Floating License (10 Seats) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | LightBurn Cameras |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Merchandise |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels7 records
LightBurn product offering
Product offeringCore offering
LightBurn develops and sells desktop layout, editing, and control software for laser cutters/engravers and CNC routers. The flagship LightBurn software supports a wide range of laser controllers (GCode-based and DSP-based) and Galvo lasers, providing vector design, image tracing, CAM toolpath generation, and direct hardware control. A separate product line, MillMage, targets CNC router workflows with similar editing and CAM capabilities.
Product overview
LightBurn Software offers two tiers of laser control and design software - LightBurn Core ($99) for GCode-based hobbyist lasers, and LightBurn Pro ($199) covering all controller types including DSP (Ruida, Trocen, TopWisdom) and Galvo (EZCad2) systems. The company also launched MillMage Core as a separate product for CNC routers combining CAD, CAM, and machine control. Hardware offerings include 5MP and 8MP cameras for laser alignment, plus license management add-ons for additional seats and floating licenses. All software is sold as one-time purchases with optional annual update renewals ($40/year).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- LightBurn Core A perpetual-license version of LightBurn targeted at hobbyist users, supporting GCode-based laser controllers. Provides vector design, image import/tracing, and direct control of compatible laser cutters.
- LightBurn Pro A perpetual-license version of LightBurn supporting GCode, DSP, and Galvo laser controllers. Targeted at professional users and shops running mixed laser fleets.
- MillMage A separate desktop application from the LightBurn team for designing and producing CNC router toolpaths, including 2D/2.5D CAM operations and machine control.
- LightBurn Camera 5MP A 5-megapixel camera accessory designed for use with LightBurn software to provide workpiece alignment, positioning, and overscan features. Being discontinued.
- LightBurn Camera 8MP An 8-megapixel camera accessory designed for use with LightBurn software, providing higher-resolution workpiece imaging for alignment and overscan. Being discontinued.
Companies that use LightBurn
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
LightBurn technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
Feature8 records
LightBurn partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators1 record
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
LightBurn competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- LaserGRBL: Free, open-source laser engraving software targeting the same GCode-based hobbyist laser market that LightBurn Core addresses. Most direct substitute on price and core functionality, capping LightBurn's pricing power in the entry-level segment.
- RDWorks: Software shipped with and tightly coupled to Ruida DSP controllers — the same controller family LightBurn Pro natively supports. Represents the bundled/vertical alternative LightBurn competes against for Ruida-based CO2 laser owners.
- EZCad2 / EZCad3 (JPT): Native control software for EZCad-based galvo fiber, CO2, and UV lasers. LightBurn Pro integrates with these controllers; the vendor's own tooling is the primary incumbent alternative for the galvo marking segment.
- Vectric (VCarve Pro / Aspire): Established design and CAM software for CNC routers and signmakers — the same professional SMB/production segment MillMage now targets. Closest commercial competitor to MillMage in the CNC CAM space.
- Carbide Create (Carbide 3D): Free design/CAM software bundled with Carbide 3D CNC routers; competes directly with MillMage for hobbyist and small-shop CNC users on price (free) and ease of use.
- EstlCAM: Low-cost CAM software widely used in the hobbyist CNC and laser community. Comparable in target buyer (hobbyist/SMB maker) and pricing tier to LightBurn Core / MillMage Core.
- T2Laser: Independent laser control and engraving software targeting hobbyist and small-business users with GCode and DSP laser support. Direct functional overlap with LightBurn Core and Pro at a similar price point.
Broad incumbents
- Autodesk Fusion 360: Broad incumbent CAD/CAM platform with CAM, simulation, and 2.5D/3D toolpath capabilities overlapping MillMage and LightBurn design functions. A more general-purpose, higher-priced alternative for professional and educational users.
- CorelDRAW / LaserCut module: General vector design suite with a LaserCut plugin used widely in signmaking and engraving shops. Broader-design incumbent with overlapping laser cutting/engraving workflow use cases for LightBurn's professional/SMB segment.
Others
- LightBurn Hardware OEMs (e.g., xTool, Glowforge): Major consumer/prosumer laser cutter OEMs that ship their own design/control software. They are ecosystem participants whose hardware LightBurn supports but whose bundled software competes for the same end-user workflow.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
LightBurn social profiles
Digital presenceLightBurn financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
LightBurn leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
LightBurn funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
LightBurn M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about LightBurn
What does LightBurn do?
LightBurn develops and sells desktop layout, editing, and control software for laser cutters/engravers and CNC routers. The flagship LightBurn software supports a wide range of laser controllers (GCode-based and DSP-based) and Galvo lasers, providing vector design, image tracing, CAM toolpath generation, and direct hardware control. A separate product line, MillMage, targets CNC router workflows with similar editing and CAM capabilities.
Is LightBurn a public or private company?
LightBurn is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was LightBurn founded?
LightBurn was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is LightBurn based?
LightBurn is headquartered in Brookfield, United States, in the North America region.
How does LightBurn make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Software Licenses are the primary driver. The others are software Updates (Annual Subscription), hardware Sales (Cameras and Accessories), floating Licenses and merchandise Sales.
Who are LightBurn's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are LaserGRBL, RDWorks, EZCad2 / EZCad3 (JPT), Vectric (VCarve Pro / Aspire), Carbide Create (Carbide 3D), EstlCAM and T2Laser. Broad incumbents are Autodesk Fusion 360 and CorelDRAW / LaserCut module. LightBurn Hardware OEMs (e.g., xTool, Glowforge) is listed as an others.
Does LightBurn have an API?
No public API is recorded for LightBurn.
What industry is LightBurn in?
LightBurn's product category is Laser and CNC Control Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAHALAL, Optoelectronic Emitters (LED/Laser/VCSEL), with a secondary code of IMAAAIAC, Optics & Laser/Light Engine Components (Lenses, Galvos, Laser Modules, UV Engines). Its SIC code is 3861.