DeskProto
DeskProto is a 3D CAM software that calculates CNC milling toolpaths for non-machinists — designers, jewelers, medical professionals, educators, and hobbyists — sold globally as a freemium perpetual-license product across Windows, MacOS, and Linux by bootstrapped Dutch firm Delft Spline Systems.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersUtrecht, Netherlands
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What DeskProto does
DeskProto is a 3D CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) software developed and sold by Delft Spline Systems, a privately held Dutch company headquartered in Utrecht, Netherlands. The software calculates toolpaths for CNC milling machines and is positioned specifically for non-machinists — designers, artists, jewelers, medical professionals, educators, and hobbyists — rather than trained machinists. DeskProto supports 3-axis, 4-axis continuous rotation, indexed 4-axis, and indexed 5-axis machining, combining 2D vector machining (DXF/EPS/AI/SVG), 3D geometry machining (STL), and bitmap relief machining in a single program. The platform is built on the Qt cross-platform framework (Qt5 for V7.x, Qt6 for V8.x) and runs on Windows, MacOS, and Linux. Notable technical capabilities include multi-threaded toolpath calculations, a patent-pending 123WaxRing system for jewelry machining, a dual wizard/dialog interface, and a deep integration with Rhino 3D via the Print 3-D command.
The product is sold on a one-time perpetual license model across four editions — Free, Entry (€145), Expert (€595), and Multi-Axis (€995 commercial; €248 educational/hobby) — with the same installation file unlocked by registration code. The Free Edition provides a no-time-limit, freemium funnel; paid editions add capacity and advanced strategies. Distribution is entirely internet-based: direct via the DeskProto webshop and through a global network of regional resellers (notably Filou GmbH in Germany and a Chinese reseller for Asia). The software is localized in 10 languages, and a content-led marketing strategy emphasizes tutorials, forums, and a public gallery of user projects to drive word-of-mouth demand. Notable reference customers include NASA Langley, MIT, Weta Workshop, Volkswagen, Intel, Hallmark, Unilever, Otto Bock, and Coloplast. The company is bootstrapped, with 1-10 employees, no external funding, and continuous product development since at least 2002.
DeskProto firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- DeskProto
- Legal name
- Delft Spline Systems
- Website
- https://deskproto.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- DeskProto is a 3D CAM software that calculates CNC milling toolpaths for non-machinists — designers, jewelers, medical professionals, educators, and hobbyists — sold globally as a freemium perpetual-license product across Windows, MacOS, and Linux by bootstrapped Dutch firm Delft Spline Systems.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
DeskProto industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) Software
- akta.pro primary industry
- Industrial CAD/CAM for Manufacturing (EDAOAGAG)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- CNC Machine Tools (Turning, Milling, Machining Centers) (IMAHADAA)
Keywords
Where DeskProto is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Utrecht
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
DeskProto business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Software Licenses: One-time perpetual license sales for DeskProto CAM software across four editions (Free, Entry, Expert, Multi-Axis). Customers purchase once and receive a registration code to unlock the purchased edition functionality.
- Freemium Model: Free Edition provides basic CAM functionality with no time limitations. This drives user acquisition and conversion to paid editions through trial functionality embedded in the software.
- Upgrade Sales: Special upgrade pricing offered to existing customers moving from lower to higher editions. Version updates also available at discounted rates.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | One time/ perpetual license | Free Edition - Basic CAM functionality at no cost |
| One time/ perpetual license | One time/ perpetual license | Entry Edition - Low-cost 3D CNC machining |
| One time/ perpetual license | One time/ perpetual license | Expert Edition - Complete 3-axis CNC functionality |
| One time/ perpetual license | One time/ perpetual license | Multi-Axis Edition - 4-axis and 5-axis machining |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
DeskProto product offering
Product offeringCore offering
DeskProto is a 3D CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing) software product that calculates toolpaths for CNC milling machines, converting 3D models into machine-readable machining instructions. Developed by Delft Spline Systems in Utrecht, Netherlands, it delivers a three-in-one CAM workflow supporting prototyping in ABS (plastic), metal, and jewelry, with editions ranging from a free version to a multi-axis professional edition.
Product overview
DeskProto is a 3D CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) software developed by Delft Spline Systems (Utrecht, Netherlands) for CNC milling machines. The product line consists of four editions of a single unified program — Free Edition (free), Entry Edition (€145), Expert Edition (€595), and Multi-Axis Edition (€995) — differentiated by unlocking codes rather than separate installations. The software performs three types of machining (2D vector, 3D geometry STL, and bitmap-to-relief) in one program. The Multi-Axis Edition additionally supports 4-axis and 5-axis indexed machining. A discontinued accessory, the 123WaxRing fixture and wizard, targeted jewelers for three-sided wax ring machining. Integration with Rhino CAD is available via a dedicated RhinoProto pairing with native Print 3-D command support. The software runs on Windows, MacOS, and Linux, and is documented through tutorials, reference manuals, brochures, and free sample CAD models.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- DeskProto Free Edition Free edition of the DeskProto CAM software, providing basic toolpath generation capabilities for CNC milling, typically used by hobbyists, students, and evaluators testing the software before purchase.
- DeskProto Entry Edition Entry-level paid edition of DeskProto providing 3-axis CAM toolpath generation for light industrial and small-business CNC machining needs, targeting smaller shops and individual professional users.
- DeskProto Expert Edition Advanced paid edition of DeskProto providing more sophisticated CAM features than the Entry Edition, including extended machining strategies for professional users with complex 3-axis and rotary-axis work.
- DeskProto Multi-Axis Edition Top-tier edition of DeskProto supporting 4-axis and 5-axis simultaneous machining, targeting professional users with advanced multi-axis CNC milling requirements such as industrial prototyping, mold making, and complex geometry parts.
Quantifiable outcome
- Software pays for itself in two days for some users
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use DeskProto
Customer profileNamed customers16 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
DeskProto technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature11 records
DeskProto partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core, regional and minor.
- McNeel (Rhino)coreSeamless integration between Rhino 3D CAD software and DeskProto CAM software via the Print 3-D command. Rhino's Print 3-D command automatically opens DeskProto with geometry loaded. This integration is unique among CAD-CAM combinations.
- Filou GmbH (German Reseller)regionalGerman DeskProto distributor providing localized sales, support, and translated materials in German language.
- Usability Technologies Co.,LtdminorChinese reseller planning to release 123WaxRing-compatible products following discontinuation of original hardware manufacturing.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
DeskProto competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Inventables (Easel): Easel is Inventables' browser-based, free CAM software bundled with its X-Carve and Carvey CNC machines. It targets the same DIY/maker/hobbyist CNC audience as DeskProto's Free Edition, offering a cloud-native alternative to DeskProto's desktop-only delivery model.
- Carbide 3D (Carbide Create / Motion): Carbide 3D sells its own CNC machines bundled with Carbide Create — a free, simple CAM program tightly integrated with its hardware. While it primarily serves its own hardware customers, it overlaps DeskProto's hobbyist/prosumer CNC user base and offers a competing free CAM option.
Broad incumbents
- Mastercam: Mastercam is the dominant professional CAM software globally, offering 2D through 5-axis machining and broad CNC tooling support. While its primary market is professional machinists, its Hobbyist/Home Inspector edition competes with DeskProto at the lower end of the multi-axis market.
- Autodesk Fusion 360: Fusion 360 is a broad, integrated CAD/CAM/CAE platform from Autodesk with a free personal-use license and growing hobbyist adoption, directly competing with DeskProto's freemium positioning for non-machinists. Its much larger R&D budget and cloud-native delivery make it a formidable incumbent against DeskProto's desktop CAM niche.
Direct peers
- MecSoft (RhinoCAM / VisualCAM): MecSoft's RhinoCAM is a CAM add-in that runs inside Rhinoceros — directly analogous to DeskProto's RhinoProto/Print 3-D integration with Rhino. Both target Rhino users wanting integrated CAD/CAM for 3-axis through 5-axis machining, making them near-perfect substitutes within the Rhino ecosystem.
- MeshCAM: MeshCAM (by GRZ Software) is a deliberately simple 3D CAM program that converts STL files to toolpaths — directly mirroring DeskProto's 3D geometry machining workflow. Both target users who want STL-to-GCode without learning complex CAM, and MeshCAM is a frequent alternative considered alongside DeskProto.
- BobCAD-CAM: BobCAD-CAM offers affordable 2D through 5-axis CAM software for CNC mills and routers, with multiple product tiers targeting both hobbyists and small shops. Its tiered, ease-of-use-focused product structure parallels DeskProto's Free/Entry/Expert/Multi-Axis edition strategy.
- SprutCAM: SprutCAM is a multi-axis CAM package supporting 3-axis through 5-axis simultaneous machining with a focus on ease of use. It competes with DeskProto's Multi-Axis Edition, particularly for European and Russian customers, and serves an overlapping wood/foam/plastic machining customer base.
- Vectric (VCarve Pro / Aspire): Vectric's VCarve Pro and Aspire are the closest direct competitors to DeskProto — CAM software explicitly aimed at non-machinists in signmaking, woodworking, and small CNC shops, with similar price points and ease-of-use positioning. They target the same hobbyist and prosumer designer/woodworker segments that DeskProto serves.
- EstlCAM: EstlCAM is a low-cost, easy-to-learn German CAM program aimed squarely at hobbyists and small CNC shops — overlapping strongly with DeskProto's Entry Edition positioning. It offers 2D/3D machining at similarly accessible price points and competes directly for the European hobbyist user.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
DeskProto social profiles
Digital presenceDeskProto financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
DeskProto leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
DeskProto funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
DeskProto 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 DeskProto
What does DeskProto do?
DeskProto is a 3D CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing) software product that calculates toolpaths for CNC milling machines, converting 3D models into machine-readable machining instructions. Developed by Delft Spline Systems in Utrecht, Netherlands, it delivers a three-in-one CAM workflow supporting prototyping in ABS (plastic), metal, and jewelry, with editions ranging from a free version to a multi-axis professional edition.
Is DeskProto a public or private company?
DeskProto is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was DeskProto founded?
DeskProto was founded in 2002. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is DeskProto based?
DeskProto is headquartered in Utrecht, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does DeskProto make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Software Licenses are the primary driver. The others are freemium Model and upgrade Sales.
Who are DeskProto's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Inventables (Easel) and Carbide 3D (Carbide Create / Motion). Broad incumbents are Mastercam and Autodesk Fusion 360. Direct peers are MecSoft (RhinoCAM / VisualCAM), MeshCAM, BobCAD-CAM, SprutCAM, Vectric (VCarve Pro / Aspire) and EstlCAM.
Does DeskProto have an API?
No public API is recorded for DeskProto.
What industry is DeskProto in?
DeskProto's product category is Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAOAGAG, Industrial CAD/CAM for Manufacturing, with a secondary code of IMAHADAA, CNC Machine Tools (Turning, Milling, Machining Centers).