UltiMaker Cura for Mac: The Free 3D Printing Slicer for Almost Any Printer
Got a Creality, Anycubic, Elegoo or other budget 3D printer? There's a good chance the slicer recommended in the box is Cura, or based on it.
UltiMaker Cura is free, open source and has profiles for hundreds of printers. Simple mode gets you printing fast; custom mode gives you hundreds of settings when you're ready.
What is UltiMaker Cura?
UltiMaker Cura is a free, open-source 3D printing slicer for Mac, Windows and Linux. It turns 3D models into printer instructions, with built-in profiles for hundreds of printers from many brands. Recommended mode offers a few simple choices; Custom mode exposes hundreds of settings. A Marketplace adds plugins and material profiles, and tree supports and adaptive layers are built in.
Key features
Hundreds of printers
Profiles for Creality, Anycubic, Elegoo, UltiMaker and many more.
Simple or custom
Start with easy recommended settings, then dig deeper.
Plugins
Add features and material profiles from the Marketplace.
How to get started with UltiMaker Cura
1. Download UltiMaker Cura from ultimaker.com and drag it into Applications.
2. Skip sign-in if you like, and add your printer from the list.
3. Open an STL or 3MF file, choose a profile, and click Slice.
4. Save the G-code to your SD card or USB stick and print.
2. Skip sign-in if you like, and add your printer from the list.
3. Open an STL or 3MF file, choose a profile, and click Slice.
4. Save the G-code to your SD card or USB stick and print.
Prefer the command line? If you use Homebrew, the free package manager for Mac, open Terminal and run:
brew install --cask ultimaker-cura
Tips to get more out of it
• Use the Preview tab to check each layer before printing.
• Try tree supports for figures. They use less plastic and remove cleanly.
• Search settings by name in Custom mode instead of scrolling.
• Save your tuned settings as a custom profile.
• Try tree supports for figures. They use less plastic and remove cleanly.
• Search settings by name in Custom mode instead of scrolling.
• Save your tuned settings as a custom profile.
Is it really free?
Free and open source. An UltiMaker account is optional.
Pros and cons
| 👍 Pros | 👎 Cons |
|---|---|
| Free and open source | Can be slow on big models |
| Works with most printers | Hundreds of settings |
| Simple and custom modes | Marketplace needs an account |
Who is it for?
Best for: Owners of Creality and other budget printers. Works on: Mac, Windows and Linux. Sign-up: Optional.
UltiMaker Cura alternatives
• PrusaSlicer: a free slicer with excellent support tools.
• OrcaSlicer: a free community slicer popular for its calibration tools.
• Bambu Studio: a free slicer built for Bambu Lab printers.
• OrcaSlicer: a free community slicer popular for its calibration tools.
• Bambu Studio: a free slicer built for Bambu Lab printers.
FAQ
Do I need an UltiMaker account?
No. You can skip sign-in. An account is only needed for the Marketplace and cloud features.
Does Cura work with Creality printers?
Yes. It includes profiles for many Creality models.
The verdict
UltiMaker Cura is the free slicer that works with almost everything. If you have a budget printer, it's a great place to start.
👉 Try it: ultimaker.com/software/ultimaker-cura/
Part of the free creative apps for mac series on johnthecomputerman.co.uk. Follow @johnthecomputerman on Instagram for a new free Mac tool every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Pricing and features were checked in September 2026 and can change, so check the tool's own site for the latest.
