Published: April 23, 2026
For a long time, Mac users who wanted to control a laser engraver had very few options. Most laser software was built for Windows, leaving macOS users searching for workarounds or running virtual machines. That has changed. Today, there are several native Mac applications for laser engraving on macOS, and two of the most capable GRBL-focused options are CutLabX and Lùmen.
If you are searching for a CutLabX alternative or trying to decide between CutLabX and Lumen, this guide offers an honest, side-by-side comparison. Both apps have genuine strengths. The right choice depends on how you work and what features matter most to you.
CutLabX is a Mac laser engraver application available on the Mac App Store. It targets GRBL-based machines and provides a visual workspace for preparing and sending laser jobs. One of CutLabX's standout qualities is its built-in design tools. You can add text, draw basic shapes (rectangles, circles, lines), and arrange elements directly inside the app without needing external design software.
This makes CutLabX appealing if your workflow involves creating designs from scratch — engraving a name on a cutting board or creating geometric patterns entirely within the app. CutLabX supports common image formats for raster engraving and SVG for vector work, all wrapped in a clean interface distributed through the Mac App Store.
Lùmen is a native macOS app built with Swift and SwiftUI, designed specifically for controlling GRBL-based laser engravers. It covers both ends of the job: a built-in shape and text editor on the canvas for the designs you make on the spot, and the laser-specific side of the workflow — getting the best possible engraving and cutting results from your machine.
Lumen's core strengths include 7 dithering algorithms (Floyd-Steinberg, Atkinson, Burkes, Jarvis-Judice-Ninke, Sierra, Sierra Lite, and Stucki), a dual layer system that lets you combine raster engraving and vector cutting in a single project, and built-in device presets for popular engraver brands including Sculpfun, Ortur, Atomstack, TwoTrees, and NEJE.
The philosophy behind Lumen is that a label, a name, or a simple frame should not require a second app, while anything more elaborate is better made where you already make it — Affinity Designer, Illustrator, Canva, even Preview — and imported. So the editor covers rectangles, ellipses, lines, and multi-line text in any font on your Mac, and the rest of the app is about what happens after the design is ready: converting images to optimized G-code, managing the laser job, and producing the best physical result.
Here is a detailed comparison of the features that matter most for laser engraving on Mac. This table aims to be fair to both applications.
| Feature | CutLabX | Lùmen |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | macOS (Mac App Store) | macOS (native SwiftUI) |
| GRBL Support | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Text Tool | Yes | Yes — multi-line, any font installed on the Mac |
| Built-in Shape Drawing | Yes | Yes — rectangle, ellipse, line/polyline |
| Dithering Algorithms | Basic dithering | 7 algorithms (Floyd-Steinberg, Atkinson, Burkes, JJN, Sierra, Sierra Lite, Stucki) |
| Dual Layer (Engrave + Cut) | Separate operations | Yes — combined in one project |
| Device Presets | Manual configuration | Built-in presets for Sculpfun, Ortur, Atomstack, TwoTrees, NEJE + custom presets |
| Project Save/Load | Basic save | Full project save with both layers, settings, and SVG data |
| Test Grid Generator | No | Yes — power vs speed calibration grid |
| Resume from Position | No | Yes — resume interrupted jobs from the exact line |
| Image Formats | JPG, PNG, common formats | JPG, PNG, common formats |
| SVG Import | Yes | Yes (paths, rectangles, circles, ellipses, arcs, bezier curves) |
| Material Presets | Limited | Yes — with custom preset saving |
| Real-time Overrides | Basic | Yes — feed rate and power adjustable during job |
| Laser Pointer Mode | Yes | Yes — with frame tracing |
To be clear: designing inside the laser app is genuinely useful. If you frequently make simple pieces directly before engraving — labels, name tags, basic patterns — not having to open a second application saves real time. This used to be the clean line between the two apps; it is not any more. Lumen has drawn shapes and text on the canvas since version 2.1 — rectangles, ellipses, lines and polylines, multi-line text in any font installed on your Mac, each item resizable and rotatable by dragging or by typing millimetres. What still belongs in a design app is node-level vector work: editing curves point by point, Boolean operations, tracing a bitmap. For that, make the artwork in Affinity Designer, Illustrator, or Inkscape and import the SVG.
Pricing is often a deciding factor, especially for hobbyists.
CutLabX is available on the Mac App Store with subscription and in-app purchase options. Pricing may vary by region, so check the current listing for the latest details.
Lùmen is a one-time purchase of €19.99 through LemonSqueezy. No subscription, no annual renewal, no tiered pricing. You pay once and receive all future updates. Lumen also offers a 3-day free trial so you can test the app with your specific engraver before buying.
Both CutLabX and Lumen are native Mac applications — a significant advantage over cross-platform tools. Neither requires Wine, virtual machines, or browser-based workarounds.
CutLabX leans toward an all-in-one design and engrave workflow. You open the app, create or import your design, and send it to the laser. The built-in design tools mean fewer context switches between applications. This is especially convenient for quick, one-off projects where you do not want to open a full design application just to add a line of text.
Lumen takes a laser-first approach. The interface is organized around the engraving and cutting workflow: connect, draw or import artwork, choose your dithering algorithm, set power and speed, and run the job. The dual layer system lets you combine an engrave pass and a cut pass in one project — ideal for engraved coasters with cut outlines or custom keychains.
Lumen's device presets save setup time. Select your machine model (Sculpfun S30, Ortur Laser Master 3, etc.) and the app auto-configures work area, power limits, and speed limits. The test grid generator creates a power-versus-speed calibration grid so you can find optimal settings for any material in one test run.
Laser engravers cannot produce true grayscale. They simulate shading through dithering — dot patterns at varying densities. The choice of algorithm dramatically affects how engraved photos look.
Lumen offers 7 dithering algorithms: Atkinson for high-contrast wood results, Floyd-Steinberg for photographic detail, Jarvis-Judice-Ninke for smooth gradients, and more. CutLabX provides basic dithering that works well for many projects, but if you do detailed photo engraving on varied materials, Lumen's selection gives you more control.
There is no universally "better" app here. The right choice depends on your workflow.
The best advice is to try both. Lumen offers a 3-day free trial, and CutLabX may offer a trial through the Mac App Store. Since both work with the same GRBL engravers, you are not locked in. Try each with your machine and decide which workflow feels more natural.
CutLabX and Lumen are not the only options. LightBurn is a powerful cross-platform choice ($99+ one-time, with paid update renewals). Other GRBL laser software for Mac includes browser-based tools like LaserWeb. For a complete overview, see our guide to laser engraver software for Mac.
It depends on your workflow. Both apps draw text and basic shapes on the canvas, so that is no longer the dividing line. Lumen is stronger on the laser side: 7 dithering algorithms, a dual layer system combining engrave and cut in one project, device presets for popular engravers, a power/speed test grid generator, and resume from a stopped line. CutLabX is bought and updated through the Mac App Store, which some users prefer. Both are native Mac apps that control GRBL laser engravers.
Yes. Both CutLabX and Lumen control GRBL-based laser engravers over USB serial. Any GRBL engraver from brands like Sculpfun, Ortur, Atomstack, or TwoTrees will work with either app. You can even try both and decide which workflow suits you better.
CutLabX is available on the Mac App Store with subscription or purchase options — check the current listing for exact pricing. Lumen is a one-time purchase of €19.99 with no subscription and no recurring fees. Both offer free trials so you can test before committing.
Ready to try a laser-focused approach? Lùmen is a one-time purchase of €19.99 with a 3-day free trial. It includes built-in presets for all major engraver brands, 7 dithering algorithms, dual layer support, and project save/load — everything you need to get the best results from your GRBL laser engraver on Mac.