Yes. The full design, toolpath, simulation and G-code export app is free in your web browser. An optional Pro plan adds unlimited cloud projects and the desktop apps when they ship.

Is GCarve a VCarve alternative?

Yes. GCarve covers the same everyday CNC router work as VCarve: vectors and text, profile, pocket, drill and V-carve toolpaths, inlays, 3D reliefs, simulation and G-code for your machine. It is free, runs in any browser and can use your existing Vectric post-processors and tool database.

Does GCarve work on a Mac, Chromebook or iPad?

Yes. GCarve runs in the web browser, so it works on macOS, Windows, Linux, ChromeOS and iPad. Desktop apps for Mac, Windows (including Windows 7) and Linux are coming.

Which CNC machines does GCarve support?

Any router that takes G-code: 47 built-in post-processors cover WinCNC (CAMaster), GRBL and grblHAL (Shapeoko, X-Carve, Onefinity, LongMill), Mach3/Mach4, LinuxCNC, UCCNC, Centroid, Masso, Avid, ShopBot and more, and you can upload your own Vectric .pp post.

Free CNC router software that runs in your browser.

GCarve is a free alternative to VCarve: design or import vectors, build V-carve, profile, pocket, drill, inlay and 3D toolpaths, watch the cut in 3D, and export safe G-code for your machine. Nothing to install. Desktop apps for Mac, Windows and Linux are coming.

Open GCarve free Request an invite GCarve vs VCarve

GCarve is built by a small shop for shops. If it saves you time, a donation keeps it going.

♥ Donate

GCarve in the browser: a 3D perspective simulation of a carved sign with pockets, a bore, V-carved lettering and a flute

Why shops switch to GCarve

FREE

No licence to buy

The whole design, toolpath, simulation and export app is free. No seat licences, no upgrade fees for the next version.

ANYWHERE

Runs in any browser

Mac, Windows, Linux, Chromebook or iPad: open gcarve.app and work. Projects live in your account, so the office and the shop PC see the same job.

BRING YOUR SETUP

Keep your Vectric posts and bits

Upload your Vectric .pp post-processor and it just works. Import your Vectric tool database (.vtdb) with its feeds per material.

ONLY IN GCARVE

Variables and constraints

Name your sizes (width, gap, count) and type them or math into any field: 2in * count, thickness + 0.02. Link shapes so one stays right of another. Change one number and every shape, toolpath and the board follow. VCarve's dimensions are fixed values.

BUILT IN

333 machines, 4,273 bits, researched

Pick your router and suggested feeds stay inside its spindle speed and feed limits; export warns about anything past them. Add bits from Whiteside, Amana, Onsrud, Vortex and 11 more makers with their own chip loads. No libraries to hunt down.

PUSH THE BIT

As hard as you want, knowingly

A live chip-load meter shows every feed from "rubs and burns" through the sweet spot to "breaks the bit", for your material, bit and machine. Run conservative or push for speed and see exactly where you are.

Everything from the drawing to the cut

DESIGN

Vectors, text, nesting

Import SVG and DXF, draw shapes, editable text on paths, booleans, offsets, dogbone corners, true-shape nesting across sheets, snapping, rulers and dimensions.

TOOLPATHS

Every cut you need

Profile with tabs and ramps, pocket, drill, bore, V-carve with a true medial axis, inlay, flute and 3D relief from STL. Feeds and speeds suggested from chip load.

SIMULATE

Watch it before you cut

Play the job on a 3D model of the board at any speed, orthographic or perspective, see rapid travel and cut time, and spot a problem before the spindle starts.

POSTS

Your machine's dialect

47 built-in posts: WinCNC (CAMaster), GRBL, grblHAL, Mach3, LinuxCNC, UCCNC, Centroid, Masso, Avid, Haas, ShopBot and more.

JOBS

Jobs, not just files

Name every G-code file at export, keep projects and every earlier revision together, and the shop PC always runs the current file.

SAFETY

Checked before it ships

Every export is checked for rapids inside the material, cuts into the spoilboard or off the board, and the spindle left on. Air-cut test files with one click.

CONTROL

GCarve Control

A machine screen for GRBL / grblHAL / FluidNC routers with a start check that refuses unsafe jobs and always stops the spindle at the end.

GCarve and VCarve at a glance

	GCarve	VCarve
Price	Free (optional Pro)	Paid licence
Runs in a web browser	Yes, any device	No, Windows desktop software
Mac, Linux, Chromebook, iPad	Yes (browser; desktop apps coming)	Windows only
Variables & constraints (sizes from named values, linked shapes)	Yes	No: dimensions are fixed values
Bit library	4,273 bits from 15 makers built in, with maker chip loads	Your tool database; maker libraries downloaded separately
Machine limits on feeds	333 machines: feeds kept inside your spindle and feed limits, export warns past them	Machine configurations from makers
Uses your Vectric posts and tool database	Yes	Yes
Projects in the cloud	Yes	Local files

More detail: GCarve as a VCarve alternative.

Desktop apps are coming

Windows

Windows 10/11, plus Windows 7/8 and 32-bit

Coming soon

macOS

Apple silicon and Intel

Coming soon

Linux

x86-64 and ARM

Coming soon

Until then, everything runs free in your browser at gcarve.app, with the same account the desktop apps will use.

Pricing

Free

The whole design, toolpath and simulation app in your browser.

GCarve online, every feature
G-code export for any machine
3 cloud projects

Open GCarve

GCarve Pro optional

For shops that cut every day.

Unlimited cloud projects
The desktop apps (Mac, Windows, Linux) when they ship
Supports development

See your plan

Early access is invite-only while we grow. Request an invite · Prefer a one-time thank-you? Donate.

Questions

Is GCarve really free?

Yes. The full app is free in your browser. Pro is optional: more cloud projects and the desktop apps.

Can I use my VCarve posts and bits?

Yes. Upload your Vectric .pp post and import your .vtdb tool database. G-code comes out in your machine's dialect.

Does it work on a Mac or iPad?

Yes, in the browser. Native Mac, Windows and Linux apps are coming.

Which machines?

Any G-code router: CAMaster/WinCNC, Shapeoko, X-Carve, Onefinity, LongMill, Avid, Laguna, ShopBot, Mach3/4, LinuxCNC, Masso, Centroid and more.