Same files, both ways
Open .lbrn and .lbrn2 projects and export them back. Your existing library is not locked in.
Open-source alternative
A free alternative to LightBurn
OpenBurn covers the day-to-day workflow — vector design, cut layers, animated preview and GRBL control — without a license fee. It reads and writes .lbrn/.lbrn2, so you can try it on your existing projects and migrate gradually.
The workflow you already know
Cuts / Layers, Line, Fill, Offset Fill, Image, passes, kerf and optimisation settings — in familiar places.
Open source, no lock-in
MIT licensed, auditable and free forever. Fork it, extend it or build it yourself.
Side by side
How they compare
An honest look, not a marketing table.
| Feature | OpenBurn | LightBurn |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free, forever | Paid license |
| Source code | Open (MIT) | Closed |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS & Linux | Windows & macOS (Linux beta) |
| .lbrn / .lbrn2 files | Read & write | Native format |
| GRBL control | Yes, plus simulator | Yes |
| Material, interval & kerf tests | Yes | Yes |
| Ruida / DSP controllers | On the roadmap | Yes |
| Cameras & Print & Cut | On the roadmap | Yes |
| Code-signed installers | Not yet | Yes |
Based on publicly documented features as of 2026. LightBurn is a trademark of LightBurn Software Inc. OpenBurn is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by LightBurn.
Migrating in five minutes
Nothing is converted irreversibly: you can open your files, try the workflow and export back.
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Open your project
Use File → Open and pick a .lbrn or .lbrn2 file from your existing library.
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Review the layers
Check modes, speed, power and passes in Cuts / Layers, then adjust anything that needs it.
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Preview the job
Press Alt+P to inspect every path, travel move and the estimated time.
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Connect your laser
Use Web Serial for a real GRBL machine, or the simulator to explore without hardware.
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Export if you need to
Write .lbrn or .lbrn2 back at any time and keep working in either tool.
Where LightBurn still wins
We would rather be honest: these are the gaps we are still working on.
- Ruida / DSP controllers are not supported yet.
- Cameras and Print & Cut are on the roadmap.
- Installers are not code-signed yet.
- A decade of edge cases and a much larger ecosystem.
Questions before switching
Will my cut settings survive the round trip?
Layers and cut settings are mapped both ways. Object-level overrides are exported as layer settings, groups are flattened and text is exported as outlines. Check the file-format notes for the exact mapping.
Is there a paid tier or a trial limit?
No. OpenBurn is MIT-licensed and fully functional. There is no account, no subscription and no timer.
Can I keep using LightBurn too?
Yes. Both tools read and write compatible files, and OpenBurn can export GCode as well. Use whichever fits the job.
Try it on a real project
Open one of your existing LightBurn files and see how far you get. It costs nothing.