Printrun
Printrun is free, open-source host software for controlling 3D printers and handling print jobs.
What Printrun is
Printrun is free, open-source host software for controlling 3D printers and handling print jobs. The suite contains Pronterface, a graphical host; Pronsole, an interactive command-line host; and Printcore, a standalone host for non-interactive G-Code. It supports serial and Ethernet connections and has been used with 3D printers and CNC machines. Pronterface and Pronsole can control machines, slice objects from the host, print, upload files to SD cards, and run SD prints. Users can configure temperature gauges or graphs, calibration controls, a 2D or 3D viewer, and tabbed or single-window layouts. Pronterface can use Slic3r presets, while the README describes Slic3r and Skeinforge setup. STL and G-Code platers help position, rotate, or combine files. Macros and custom buttons can run Python, shell, and G-Code commands. The part excluder can stop a failed object while others continue on a multi-object plate. Printrun runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows under GNU GPL version 3.
Good
- Free and open-source under GNU GPLv3
- Runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows
- Supports serial and Ethernet connections
- Includes printer control and monitoring tools
- Offers macros and custom buttons
Watch out
- STL loading requires separate slicing software
- Windows and macOS may block unverified software
- Cloud slicing is not provided
Who it suits
It suits users who need desktop software to control and monitor compatible printers or CNC machines. It is also relevant to people wanting open-source tools, configurable interfaces, and host-side print workflows.
Verdict
Printrun combines graphical, command-line, and standalone host tools for local printer control and G-Code work. Its free cross-platform license and configurable workflow suit users comfortable setting up external slicers when needed.
Plans and prices
From Printrun's own pricing page, checked 9 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Printrun | Free | Free, open-source software · GNU General Public License version 3 |
The facts
Each one read from Printrun's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Automation
- Users can define macros and custom buttons, including combinations of Python, shell, and G-Code commands.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Included tools
- The suite includes Pronterface, a graphical host; Pronsole, an interactive command-line host; and Printcore, a standalone non-interactive G-Code host.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Interface
- The interface can be configured with temperature gauges or graphs, calibration or lightweight controls, a 2D or 3D viewer, and tabbed or single-window layout.checked 9 Oct 2026
- License and development
- The maker describes Printrun as free, open-source software under GNU GPL version 3, with development taking place openly on GitHub.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Limit
- The README says loading STL files requires a slicing program such as Slic3r or Skeinforge, with its path added to settings.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Part handling
- The part excluder can stop printing a failed object while the rest of a multi-object plate continues.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Platers
- Printrun includes an STL plater for positioning and rotating objects and a G-Code plater for combining already-sliced files into one print job.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Printer connections
- Printrun supports serial and Ethernet connections and has been used with 3D printers and CNC machines.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Printing workflow
- Pronterface and Pronsole can control machines, slice objects from the host, print objects, upload to SD cards, and run SD prints.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Printrun is a 3D printing host software suite that talks to printers and handles printing.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Security notice
- The README says Windows and macOS may block Printrun because it is not from a verified developer and provides instructions for allowing it to run.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Slicer integration
- Pronterface can use Slic3r presets to slice parts from within the host; its README also describes Slic3r and Skeinforge setup.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker directs users to the README for installation and usage documentation and to GitHub issues for help or problem reports.checked 9 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Platforms
- The maker lists Windows and macOS binaries and Linux packages, and says Printrun is regularly tested on Linux distributions, Windows, and OSX.checked 9 Oct 2026
Alternatives to Printrun
- 1
Polar Cloud
Free planAndroidiOSWebAPI8.1From $79 a year - 2
AstroPrint
Free planAndroidiOSWebAPI7.4From $9.90 a month - 3
SimplyPrint
Free planAndroidiOSWebAPI7.3From €254.15 a month - 4
Obico
Free planAndroidiOSWebAPI7.1From $6.99 a month - 5
3DPrinterOS
AndroidiOSWebAPI7.0From $19 a month - 6
CHITUBOX
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows6.9$499 one-time