Tool profile
Carbide Create: cost, fit and limits
Carbide Create is a 2D and 3D CNC design and toolpath program made by Carbide 3D, offered as a free Core version that ships with Carbide 3D machines and a paid Pro version that adds 3D modeling and support for any CNC machine.
What to know first
Carbide Create Pro costs USD 120 a year as a subscription or USD 360 once as a perpetual license that includes one year of updates, with further updates at USD 120 a year. A 14-day free trial of Pro is offered. Core covers 2D and 2.5D work and is built for Shapeoko and Nomad machines. The pages we read name no AI feature, and the vendor states a US location.
Carbide Create at a glance
| Maker | Carbide 3D, United States |
|---|---|
| Free plan | Free trial only |
| Entry price | USD 120 per year (Pro subscription) |
| API access | No |
| Category | Best AI CAM Software in 2026, rank 10 of 11 |
| Website | carbide3d.com/carbidecreate/ |
Who Carbide Create is best for
Shapeoko and Nomad owners
Core is included free with every Carbide 3D machine, so an owner can design and cut without buying separate software.
Hobbyists who want a low yearly cost
Pro at USD 120 a year or USD 360 once is the lowest printed price in this category, and a 14-day trial lets a buyer test it first.
Owners of other CNC routers
Pro supports any CNC machine through standard G-code, so a hobbyist with a different router can still use the same application.
Carbide Create plans and pricing
| Plan | Price | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Pro subscription | USD 120 per year | Full access to all Pro features and all updates during the term, after which the license deactivates. |
| Pro perpetual | USD 360 one-time | Full Pro features without a term, with one year of updates included and further updates at USD 120 a year. |
| Core | Included free with every Carbide 3D machine | 2D and 2.5D design and machining for Shapeoko and Nomad machines, not compatible with other CNC machines. |
Checked November 2026.
What Carbide Create does
- Core design tools
- Shapes, text, booleans, pockets, V-carving and engraving with a tool library cover 2D and 2.5D work, which is enough for signs, plaques and flat parts.
- Pro 3D modeling
- Pro adds 3D modeling and advanced toolpaths, which extends the program to relief carving and contoured surfaces that Core cannot cut, along with the advanced toolpaths that Core does not include.
- Any-machine support
- Pro outputs standard G-code, so it is not locked to Carbide 3D hardware, while Core stays tied to those machines, which opens the program to shops with routers from other makers.
- Free Pro trial
- A 14-day trial of Pro is offered before purchase, which is enough time to cut a test project on a real machine, so a buyer can test the program on a real project.
- Subscription or perpetual
- The buyer picks a yearly subscription that deactivates at the end of its term or a perpetual license with one year of included updates, which lets a buyer trade a lower yearly cost against owning the software.
How Carbide Create handles your data
Carbide Create runs as desktop software, so design files stay on the user's computer unless the user shares them. The privacy policy lives on the vendor's shop domain and covers customer and order records. Cloud storage of projects, retention periods, hosting region and security certifications are not described on the pages we read. Because the vendor names no AI function, there is no model-training question to answer for this product, and a buyer with confidential designs mainly needs to understand what the shop account holds.
Where Carbide Create falls short in practice
- Core is tied to Carbide 3D. Core is not compatible with CNC machines other than Carbide 3D, so owners of other routers must buy Pro to cut with it, so the free tier does not help those owners.
- Updates end after a year. A perpetual license gets updates for one year and then no new updates unless the buyer pays USD 120 a year, which changes the cost over several years.
- Subscription deactivates. The Pro subscription deactivates at the end of its term, so a lapsed payment stops the software from running until it is renewed, which suits a buyer who keeps cutting through the year.
Works with
Alternatives to Carbide Create
Carbide Create: common questions
Is Carbide Create free?
Core is included free with every Carbide 3D machine and handles 2D and 2.5D design and machining. It is built for Shapeoko and Nomad machines and is not compatible with other CNC machines. Pro is the paid version, with a 14-day free trial.
How much does Carbide Create Pro cost?
The vendor lists USD 120 a year as a subscription or USD 360 once as a perpetual license. The perpetual license includes one year of updates, then updates cost USD 120 a year. The subscription includes all updates during the term and deactivates at its end.
Can Carbide Create run machines other than Carbide 3D?
Pro supports any CNC machine according to the vendor home page, while Core does not. A hobbyist with another router should plan on Pro and test it during the 14-day trial to confirm that the post processor matches the machine.
Does Carbide Create have AI features?
No AI capability is named on the pages we read. The vendor presents a design and toolpath program in a Core and a Pro version, and the focus is on price, trial length and machine compatibility. A buyer who wants an assistant should read the ranking, where the tools that name one are priced by quote.
Is a Carbide Create perpetual license worth it?
Over several years, possibly not. The perpetual license costs USD 360 and includes one year of updates, then updates cost USD 120 a year, the same as the subscription. It makes sense if you are happy with the version you own and skip later updates.