Printrun

pronterface.com

Free plan
Windows
macOS
Linux

7.5 Club score Visit pronterface.com

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 suite includes STL and G-Code platers for arranging objects or combining sliced files. Macros and custom buttons can run Python, shell, and G-Code commands. A part excluder can stop a failed object while others continue. Printrun runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows under GNU GPL version 3.

Who it suits

It suits 3D-printer or CNC users who need desktop control, monitoring, slicing, and SD-card workflows. Open-source users comfortable with README-based setup and GitHub support may find it appropriate.

Good to know, and what to watch

Free and open-source under GNU GPL version 3
Supports Linux, macOS, and Windows
Controls printers over serial or Ethernet
Includes STL and G-Code platers
Macros can combine Python, shell, and G-Code

STL loading requires Slic3r or Skeinforge
No cloud slicing is listed
Windows and macOS may block unverified software

Plans

Every plan and price

Printrun

Free

Free plan

The verdict

Printrun provides a broad desktop host suite for printer control, monitoring, slicing, and print-job management. Its free, open-source model and configurable tools appeal to users who can handle local setup and slicer configuration.

What the maker publishes

Automation: Users can define macros and custom buttons, including combinations of Python, shell, and G-Code commands. source
Included tools: The suite includes Pronterface, a graphical host; Pronsole, an interactive command-line host; and Printcore, a standalone non-interactive G-Code host. source
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. source
License and development: The maker describes Printrun as free, open-source software under GNU GPL version 3, with development taking place openly on GitHub. source
Limit: The README says loading STL files requires a slicing program such as Slic3r or Skeinforge, with its path added to settings. source
Part handling: The part excluder can stop printing a failed object while the rest of a multi-object plate continues. source
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. source
Platforms: The maker lists Windows and macOS binaries and Linux packages, and says Printrun is regularly tested on Linux distributions, Windows, and OSX. source
Printer connections: Printrun supports serial and Ethernet connections and has been used with 3D printers and CNC machines. source
Printing workflow: Pronterface and Pronsole can control machines, slice objects from the host, print objects, upload to SD cards, and run SD prints. source
Purpose: Printrun is a 3D printing host software suite that talks to printers and handles printing. source
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. source
Slicer integration: Pronterface can use Slic3r presets to slice parts from within the host; its README also describes Slic3r and Skeinforge setup. source
Support: The maker directs users to the README for installation and usage documentation and to GitHub issues for help or problem reports. source

Checked against the maker's pages on 9 Oct 2026.