Best LightBurn Alternatives in 2025

Looking for alternatives to LightBurn? In this comparison, we take a closer look at LightBurn alongside similar software solutions including LightBurn, LaserGRBL Rhydon and HP Photo Creations.

Our detailed comparison table highlights key features, pricing, and performance of these leading solutions, empowering you to make an informed decision. Whether you're seeking robust functionality, user-friendly design, or cost-effective alternatives, explore how LightBurn, LaserGRBL Rhydon and HP Photo Creations stack up to find the perfect software for your goals.

	License Model	User Interface and Ease of Use	Supported File Formats and Compatibility	Advanced Features and Customization	Performance and Stability
LightBurn	One-time purchase with both single-user and multiple-user licenses available.	Traditional, clean interface with straightforward navigation suitable for beginners but involves a learning curve.	Supports various file types including AI files, DXF, SVG, GCode; compatible with many laser cutting machines and laser types (CO2, diode, fiber).	Offers advanced features like multi-pass cuts, powerful editing tools, real-time preview, vector drawing tools, customization options, and additional assistance via community forums.	Generally stable with support from the company; may require some basic knowledge due to learning curve.
LaserGRBL Rhydon	Paid license.	User-friendly and powerful interface suitable for beginners.	Supports popular file formats such as BMP, JPG/JPEG, PNG, DXF, SVG, and G-code files; compatible with various CNC and laser engraving machines including diode lasers and CO2 lasers; works on Windows, Mac OS, and Linux.	Includes image adjustment tools and some advanced features but overall limited compared to others; has convenient preview features.	Occasional bugs and stability issues reported; slightly slower processing times.
HP Photo Creations	Free software with no fees.	Simple drag-and-drop functionality with modern design tools aimed at beginners.	Primarily photo and graphics files for creating personalized photo projects; integrates with HP printers; works on Windows and Mac OS X.	Limited advanced editing features focused on photo creation with color adjustments, cropping, red-eye removal, templates, and text tools.	Some users report occasional performance issues and crashes; slow loading times noted.

License Model

LightBurn	One-time purchase with both single-user and multiple-user licenses available.
LaserGRBL Rhydon	Paid license.
HP Photo Creations	Free software with no fees.

User Interface and Ease of Use

LightBurn	Traditional, clean interface with straightforward navigation suitable for beginners but involves a learning curve.
LaserGRBL Rhydon	User-friendly and powerful interface suitable for beginners.
HP Photo Creations	Simple drag-and-drop functionality with modern design tools aimed at beginners.

Supported File Formats and Compatibility

LightBurn	Supports various file types including AI files, DXF, SVG, GCode; compatible with many laser cutting machines and laser types (CO2, diode, fiber).
LaserGRBL Rhydon	Supports popular file formats such as BMP, JPG/JPEG, PNG, DXF, SVG, and G-code files; compatible with various CNC and laser engraving machines including diode lasers and CO2 lasers; works on Windows, Mac OS, and Linux.
HP Photo Creations	Primarily photo and graphics files for creating personalized photo projects; integrates with HP printers; works on Windows and Mac OS X.

Advanced Features and Customization

LightBurn	Offers advanced features like multi-pass cuts, powerful editing tools, real-time preview, vector drawing tools, customization options, and additional assistance via community forums.
LaserGRBL Rhydon	Includes image adjustment tools and some advanced features but overall limited compared to others; has convenient preview features.
HP Photo Creations	Limited advanced editing features focused on photo creation with color adjustments, cropping, red-eye removal, templates, and text tools.

Performance and Stability

LightBurn	Generally stable with support from the company; may require some basic knowledge due to learning curve.
LaserGRBL Rhydon	Occasional bugs and stability issues reported; slightly slower processing times.
HP Photo Creations	Some users report occasional performance issues and crashes; slow loading times noted.

Choosing the right software isn’t just about features. Size, license type, user ratings, and popularity also matter.

This quick comparison shows how LightBurn stacks up against LightBurn, LaserGRBL Rhydon and HP Photo Creations in these key areas—helping you find the best alternative for your needs.

	Size	License	Popularity
LightBurn	39.2MB	Commercial	2%
LaserGRBL Rhydon	7.3MB	Commercial	0%
HP Photo Creations		Commercial	100%

Size

LightBurn	39.2MB
LaserGRBL Rhydon	7.3MB
HP Photo Creations

License

LightBurn	Commercial
LaserGRBL Rhydon	Commercial
HP Photo Creations	Commercial

Rating

LightBurn
LaserGRBL Rhydon
HP Photo Creations

Popularity

LightBurn	2%
LaserGRBL Rhydon	0%
HP Photo Creations	100%