PreForm

Formlabs' free print preparation software for its SLA resin and SLS powder 3D printers.

Free3D printing slicers

Updated Nov 7, 2026 · AppBreakup editorial · Windows, macOS

Visit PreForm See 4 alternatives

Is PreForm free?

Yes, free to use

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All 4

PrusaSlicer
Open source
Lychee Slicer
Starting price: €9.99 a month for Plus; €8.33/month billed yearly (€99.90)
CHITUBOX
Free plan + paid

Verified facts: 5 of 5
Alternatives ranked: 4
Approved reviews: 0
Visits sent from here: 0

About PreForm

PreForm is the free print preparation app for Formlabs 3D printers. You import a model, and it automatically picks an orientation, generates supports and lays parts out on the build platform for Formlabs SLA resin printers, or packs them in 3D for its Fuse SLS powder printers. Print settings come pre-tuned for each Formlabs material, and you can adjust things like layer height and exposure or set up certified third-party resins. It shows real-time estimates and printability checks before you send a job, and can import native CAD formats such as STEP and SolidWorks files directly. An API lets developers script print preparation and connect printers to CAD, MES or ERP systems, and the separate Dashboard service tracks printers online. There are no licence fees or installation limits. It runs on Windows and macOS. The catch is that it only prepares jobs for Formlabs machines, so it isn't a general slicer for other brands of printer.

Best for: Owners of Formlabs SLA or SLS printers who want one-click supports and validated print settings.

PreForm pricing (checked Nov 8, 2026)

Each line is quoted from PreForm's own site, with the page it came from.

Plan or term	What it says	Checked	Source
Price	Free	Nov 8, 2026	formlabs.com

What works

Free with no licence fees or installation limits
Automatic orientation, supports and layout tuned for Formlabs materials
Imports native CAD files such as STEP and SolidWorks
API for scripting batch print preparation

Why people leave

Only works with Formlabs printers
No Linux version
Closed source

PreForm vs PrusaSlicer, Lychee Slicer and CHITUBOX

From each app's listing and the prices verified on its own site. A dash means we haven't verified it yet.

Attribute	PreForm	PrusaSlicer	Lychee Slicer	CHITUBOX
Pricing	Free	Open source	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Verified price	—	—	€9.99 a month for Plus; €8.33/month billed yearly (€99.90)	—
Free plan	Free app	Free app	Yes, Lychee Slicer Lite (ads on export)	Yes
Open source	No	Yes	No	No
Self-hostable	No	No	No	No
Platforms	Windows, macOS	Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows, macOS, Linux

Top PreForm alternatives

See all 4

1
PrusaSlicer
Free, open-source slicer that also handles Prusa's SL1 resin printers as well as FDM machines.
76.8
2
Lychee Slicer
Resin slicer with strong support editing that works across many brands of SLA and MSLA printers.
68.8
3
CHITUBOX
Widely used free resin slicer for MSLA printers from many manufacturers.
64.8
4
UltiMaker Cura
Free, open-source FDM slicer with profiles for hundreds of printers if you move to filament.
59.4

Why people left PreForm

In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.

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PreForm: common questions

What is PreForm?

PreForm: Formlabs' free print preparation software for its SLA resin and SLS powder 3D printers. Best for owners of Formlabs SLA or SLS printers who want one-click supports and validated print settings. Available for Windows and macOS.

Is PreForm free?

Yes, PreForm is free to use.

How much does PreForm cost?

PreForm is free to use. Price: Free. Checked on PreForm's own site, November 2026.

Is PreForm open source?

No, PreForm is not open source. Open-source alternatives include PrusaSlicer and UltiMaker Cura.

What platforms does PreForm run on?

PreForm is available for Windows and macOS.

What are the best alternatives to PreForm?

The highest-ranked PreForm alternatives right now are PrusaSlicer, Lychee Slicer and CHITUBOX. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.

PreForm vs PrusaSlicer: what's the difference?

PreForm is free to use; PrusaSlicer is free and open source. PrusaSlicer is open source and PreForm is not. Only PrusaSlicer runs on Linux.

See all 4 PreForm alternatives

PreForm facts

5 of 5 verified

Price: Free; Checked Nov 8, 2026formlabs.com(opens source in a new tab); “Offered totally for free, with no licenses, annual fees, or installation limits, PreForm ensures your workflow is smooth and worry-free.”
Supported printers: Formlabs SLA and SLS; Checked Nov 8, 2026formlabs.com(opens source in a new tab); “upload them seamlessly to your Formlabs SLA or SLS 3D printers.”
macOS: macOS 13 or later; Checked Nov 8, 2026formlabs.com(opens source in a new tab); “For Mac Download PreForm macOS 13 or later”
Windows: Windows 10 64-bit or later; Checked Nov 8, 2026formlabs.com(opens source in a new tab); “Windows 10, 64-bit (version 1809) or later”
API: Yes; Checked Nov 8, 2026formlabs.com(opens source in a new tab); “Script PreForm to automate”