Software, accessories and safety
LightBurn Core vs Pro: Which License Does Your Laser Need?
Summary
The controller in your laser decides it. Core ($99) runs GCode-based controllers such as GRBL. Pro ($199) is needed for DSP controllers like Ruida and for galvo lasers running EZCad2, EZCad3, or BSL. Both are one-time purchases with a year of updates, and each can be active on three computers at once.
Controllers covered by each license
| License | Price | Controllers |
|---|---|---|
| Core | $99 | GCode-based: GRBL, Smoothieware, Marlin, GRBL-LPC, Cohesion3D |
| Pro | $199 | Everything in Core, plus DSP (Ruida, Trocen, TopWisdom) and USB-connected galvo lasers (EZCad2, EZCad3, BSL; fiber, CO2, or UV) |
A diode machine and a CO2 machine of the same wattage can still need different licenses if their controllers differ. The controller name is in the manual or on the maker's support page, and LightBurn's Hardware Compatibility Matrix lets you search by model.
Say you bought Core for a GRBL diode laser and later add a Ruida CO2 machine. Core won't run the new one, and moving to Pro costs the $100 difference.
Core or Pro: a quick choice
- Choose Core when all the lasers you want to run use supported GCode controllers.
- Choose Pro when you need a supported DSP or USB-connected galvo controller. Pro also covers the controllers included in Core.
- Check compatibility before purchasing. Laser type and wattage alone do not tell you which license will work, and Pro does not make an unsupported machine compatible.
After the first year
Licenses are perpetual. Updates are free for one year from the day you first activate, and after that the version you have keeps working. Another year of updates costs $40, for Core and Pro alike.
Three computers can be activated at once, and you can move activations whenever you like. Extra seats are sold separately. LightBurn runs on Windows and macOS.
The 30-day trial has no watermarks and no feature limits. LightBurn asks buyers to try it on their own hardware before paying and notes that machines missing from its list may still work.
Sources
- LightBurn — Licenses and update policy
- LightBurn — Core license
- LightBurn — Pro license
- LightBurn — Download and 30-day trial
Specs and prices are as published on these pages on the date above and can change; check the manufacturer or retailer before you buy.