The best Cricut alternatives (aka Cricut dupes) offer a variety of options for cutting paper, card, vinyl and fabric. So as well as road-testing the best Cricut machines, we've also spent a lot of time testing and reviewing their rival brands, including some of the best Silhouette machines.
In this article, I've brought together the best Cricut alternatives for different uses, and will explain how they compare based on our own tests, as well as customer reviews. Our number one pick overall is the Siser Juliet Digital Cutting Machine. Note that we've also got a guide to the best laptops for Cricut.
The top 3 Cricut alternatives
The Siser Juliet is a classy machine. It's fast and quiet, and I love the LCD touchscreen and the camera for auto tracking. It's not a cheap Cricut alternative, though.
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The xTool M1 uses both a blade and laser for cutting and engraving, so you can do everything for a project in one go. I found it to be versatile and easy to use.
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The Silhouette Cameo 4 is comparable to Cricut Maker 3 in many ways. It's fast and reliable, though it has fewer accessories and options.
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The best Cricut alternatives in full
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The best Cricut alternative overall
30-second review: I think the Siser Juliet Digital Cutting Machine is easily the best alternative to Cricut Maker 3. It's a straight-forward blade cutter with some neat design choices. I liked the LCD display for controlling settings, and the built-in camera helps for precision. There are also adjustable pinch rollers, which means it's possible to adjust the speed and pressure of the cut and experiment more.
Pricing: This isn't a cheaper alternative to Cricut, and may actually cost more than the Maker 3 depending on the deals available. There isn't an official RRP, but the average price falls around $400-$500 in the US and £460-£520 in the UK.
Design: The Siser Juliet looks quite stylish too. It's a cylindrical build that feels more compact than Cricut Maker 3. It's also whisper quiet (78dB) compared to the latest Cricut machines and features a Marker adapter to turn it into a drawing plotter – that built-in camera really aids precision here.
Useability: I also found the software to be easy to use, and it comes with many pre-installed designs, making it ideal for a newcomer to digital crafting.
The best dual-purpose Cricut alternative
30-second review: The xTool M1 breaks the mould for digital craft machines in that it's both a blade cutter and a laser cutter in one machine. The same housing holds both, so you can blade cut and laser engrave in one go, or blade cut and then laser cut smaller details even a blade won't manage.
Pricing: The RRP of the XTool M1 is $799 / £799. That's a fraction of the cost of a Glowforge but more expensive than a Cricut Maker 3. Discounts are rare.
Design: This neat box of tricks won a Red Dot Design Award, and it's easy to see why. I found it to be a smart craft machine like no other on the market right now. The compact machine has few buttons and everything is controlled via xTools app for Android and Apple. This is very similar to Cricut Design Space, and supports vector art software such as CorelDRAW.
Performance: The xTool M1 is a nice mid-way craft machine that can deliver for a greater variety of projects than Cricut. It's an excellent hybrid option and easily one of the best Cricut alternatives for those who need more versatility in terms of materials. The slight downside to the xTool M1 is the laser is a 10 watt diode laser compared to the 45 watt CO2 laser of the Glowforge Pro (see below). In my xTool M1 review I found this to be slower than Glowforge Pro but with good results for thinner materials and all engraving. The brand does have a more powerful machine, the Laserbox, and you can read about that in our guide to the best xTools machines.
Read more: xTool M1 review
The best budget Cricut alternative
30-second review: I think this is the best cheaper alternative to Cricut Maker. There are plenty of similarities between to two machines. In terms of speed, they're very close, with both being very fast.
Pricing: The RRP of the Cameo 4 is $449.99 / £395, although we've seen them as cheap as $249 / £260. Not only is this cheaper than the Cricut Maker, there are no monthly subscription fee like there is with Cricut Access. Note: there are three models of the Cameo 4, which includes this base model and the Cameo 4 Plus and the Cameo 4 Pro (see below), each goes up in size. Read our guide to the best Silhouette machines for more details.
Design: Like the Maker 3, the Cameo 4 has an integrated roller feeder. The roller can handle longer designs than the Maker 3, and the cutter has new tools like the Kraft and Rotary and can handle balsa wood, leather and even chipboard. It can cut material up to 3mm (0.11in) thick using the knife blade, which beats the Maker 3 by 0.6mm.
Performance: Despite Silhouette Cameo 4 prices being lower, it's actually the stronger of the two machines in terms of downward force, boasting 5kg, a full 1kg more than the Cricut Maker. Another big difference between this and the Maker 3 is the software. We've always found Cricut's to be very intuitive and easy to use if perhaps a little simplistic, but Silhouette Studio has a steeper learning curve. That said, I like the fact that Silhouette opted for standalone software that runs on a computer, which means there's no need to be online.
A large laser Cricut alternative
30-second review: The Glowforge Pro is a uniquely powerful Cricut alternative that brings Cricut's approachability to the laser cutter sector. The laser is more powerful than that of the xTool M1 at number 1 on our list.
Pricing: With an RRP of $5,999 / £7,195, the Glowforge Pro is expensive, and it's rare that you'll see a discount. There's also a Glowforge Plus and Glowforge Basic: see our guide to the best Glowforge machines.
Design: I found that the simple, elegant design sets it aside from other laser cutters. It looks like a high-end printer, and is often dubbed a laser printer, but it can cut, engrave and score over 100 materials, from wood and plastic to metal and fabrics, and even marble.
Performance: Like Cricut, it's simple to use. You just drag and drop your design files into the Glowforge app, align the material in the machine, and press 'Print'. The Glowforge app also contains thousands of pre-made designs. Some of these can be used commercially and adjusted to make them unique.
Read more: Glowforge Pro review
Best portable Cricut alternative
30-second review: While the Silhouette Cameo 4 is a great alternative to Cricut Maker 3, the Silhouette Portrait 3 is comparable to Cricut Explore 3. This machine is designed as an entry level cutting machine, and in this respect it's ideal though don't expect the kind of cutting force and flexibility you'd get from the larger Silhouette cutting.
Pricing: The Silhouette Portrait 3 typically ranges from $149-$199 / £160-£220. Both in the US and UK, retailers often have sales that bring the price down, or offer bundles with additional materials and accessories. All in all, I think it's a good value place to start for anyone new to digital cutters.
Design: The Cameo 4 might not be as portable as the Cricut Joy, but it's smaller than the Silhouette Cameo 4 and the Maker. It also has lower cutting power (210 grams to Silhouette Cameo 4's 5000 grams), but I found it to work well for card and sticker projects.
Performance: It can handle some other materials (vinyl, heat transfer (iron-on), paper, cardstock, sticker paper, and some fabric), but if you're a serious sewer or quilter we'd recommend the Silhouette Cameo 4 or one of the Brother machines. I found most Silhouette tools and blades work with the Silhouette Portrait 3, but some do need an adapter (sold separately). It's also compatible with the Silhouette Go App for mobiles.
Best budget Cricut alternative for large projects
30-second review: The Silhouette Cameo 4 Pro is the largest model in the Cameo 4 range. With a 24-inch cutting width and supporting three-metre lengths there's not much this digital cutter can't handle. I've put it a little further down my list because the Pro is so large and specialist. For everyday crafters, the Cameo 4 (above) is more suitable.
Pricing: The significant footprint and professional-grade pricing position this firmly in the specialist category, with a price to match: typically $379-$499 / £579-£769. However, it's worth noting that it can sometimes be found for as low as $299.99 /£479.21 from from some sellers during promotions.
Design: The LCD touchscreen adds convenience to operation, whilst maintaining compatibility with Silhouette's proven software ecosystem. Whilst it may not match some rivals in material versatility, its unmatched cutting width and substantial cutting force make it the go-to choice for those requiring large-format capability.
Performance: If you need a cutting machine that can handle large materials, particularly fabrics and heavy paper, the Cameo 4 Pro is ideal. Other than the size, this model is similar to the smaller Cameo 4 editions; meaning it can trim and cut vinyl, heat transfer material, cardstock, photo paper and fabrics.
Best Cricut alternative for US sewers
30-second review: Brother will be a more familiar brand name for many. It's known for its printers and sewing machines, but it also makes Cricut-like machines for cutting. I found its ScanNCut SDX125 to be a great alternative to Cricut for hobbyists working with paper, card vinyl and fabric, and particularly for quilters. Note, though that the Brother ScanNCut SDX125E is sold in the US, see the Brother ScanNCut SDX900 below if you're in Europe.
Pricing: One downside to the ScanNCut SDX125 is that it's actually more expensive than the Cricut Explore Air 2, typically costing $399.99-$529.99 / £449-£549. However, pre-owned or refurbished units can be found for less.
Design: What makes the ScanNCut SDX125 different from other alternatives is the scanning part. It features a built-in scanner so you can transfer printed pages into real projects. You can send SVG files from your computer, but you can also programme design directly on the machine using the LCD touchscreen display and its 682 built-in designs, including 100 quilting patterns and nine fonts.
Performance: Like the Silhouette Cameo 4, it can handle material up to 3mm thick, beating the Cricut Maker 3. It has an AutoBlade that automatically detects the material thickness. However, in terms of width, The SDX125E is limited to 29.7cm (11.7in) compared to the Cricut Maker's 33cm (13in).
Best Cricut alternative for UK sewers
30-second review: If you're in Europe, you might be scratching your head wondering why you can't find the Brother ScanNCut SDX125E anywhere. Well in the UK and elsewhere in Europe, Brother has the SDX900, which is a very similar machine in terms of size and functions. While they look slightly different, both models offer the same range of features, including scanning, cutting, drawing, and wireless connectivity.
Pricing: Like the Brother ScanNCut SDX125E above, the SDX900 is expensive. The price in the UK typically falls in the range of £350-£500. You might find it on sale for around £354, or closer to £405-£499 depending on the retailer and any bundled items. If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, you may prefer the Cricut Explore Air 2 unless you really need to cut thicker material.
Design: Like the Brother ScanNCut SDX125E above, the SDX900 has a built-in scanner, LCD touchscreen and 682 built-in designs, which means you can use it without connecting it up to a computer. And like its American cousin, it beats the Cricut Maker 3, handling material up to 3 mm thick.
Performance: Like the ScanNCut SDX125, it's a great alternative to Cricut for hobbyists working with a wide range of materials.
Best heat press Cricut alternative
30-second review: The Fierton Heat Press Machine is the best Cricut Easy Press alternative for those who are printing rather than cutting, particularly on T-shirts, sweatshirts or other fairly large textile items.
Pricing: Fierton Heat Press Machines generally range from $99-$149 / £90-£150. This is relatively expensive and there are cheaper options out there than can do the job. However, they are frequently on sale, and you might find them for closer to $40-$80 / £60-£120.
Design: The Fierton heat press is light, portable and it's suitable for vinyl and textiles such as sweatshirts, banners, and T-shirts using thermal transfer and sublimation paper.
Performance: I found this very easy to use. You simply set your preferred time and temperature, then watch it do its thing in under sixty seconds. There's a safety mode and an insulated safety base, and I was able to work for a couple of hours without it getting too hot. There's also an automatic turn-off time to help if you forget. The iron sits a little way from the surface and takes a little longer to heat up than some options, but once it's ready it does the job very well.
How to choose the best Cricut alternative
When choosing an alternative to Cricut, you need to consider how you want to use it and match your needs to the machine. Take into account the size of the machine, the number of accessories and how it's used. Cricut uses its own app and many alternatives, such as Silhouette, have similar software. However, some newer machines, such as Siser and Brother, have onboard CPUs and LCD touchscreens, which can make them easier for beginners.
Also take into account how the machines work. For example, the Silhouette Cameo 4 craft machine is, on paper, less powerful than a Cricut Maker 3, but it cuts in a different way, making multiple fast cuts rather than one deep cut. Ultimately, the best Cricut alternative for you will depend on what you want it for, be it papercraft, sewing, engraving or more?
How we tested the best Cricut alternatives
When we test craft machines we not only examine what a product can do, but also the value it represents. Our writers are crafters, some professional, and so they know what's needed from a craft machine for different uses, be it for hobbyists or professionals.
Our reviewers aim to test each machine on the basis of how it's intended to be used. We will use them on a real project or multiple projects, from start to finish. We compare power, functions and features, accessories, build and value. Where we've not been able to test a machine ourselves, we refer to reviews on our sister sites such as T3 and TechRadar, as well as compiled reviews and views from reliable crafters.
Read more about how we test and review craft machines.
Best Cricut alternatives: frequent questions
Which craft machine is comparable to a Cricut Maker 3?
There are two digital craft machines that stand out as being as good as a Cricut Maker 3, and these are the new Siser Juliet and the Silhouette Cameo 4. Both can cut and handle many materials, including heat press vinyl.
Is Cricut or Silhouette better?
Cricut Maker 3 will cost more if you want to make the most of it, factoring in various accessories that you might want, but generally Cricut machines are more user-friendly and a lot easier for beginners to get started with.
Is Brother ScanNCut as good as Cricut?
I really like the Brother ScanNCut machines, as they can do almost everything the Maker 3 can do but also feature an onboard CPU and LCD touchscreen, meaning you don't need a laptop or other software to get up and running. Brother also sell a ScanNCut machine that comes with everything, from blades to materials, to get going out of the box.
Should I buy a cheaper Cricut alternative?
There are more affordable craft machines that Cricut, but often these are smaller, less powerful or manual craft cutters. Generally the best Cricut alternatives, including those from Silhouette, Siser and Brother are costly but they will last and can grow with your skills.
