Free, browser-based foam cutter CAM
cncfoam.com runs entirely in your browser — no install, no signup, free — and does 2- to 5-axis hot-wire foam cutting. It is the only option that streams modern G-code straight to an ESP32/FluidNC controller over USB or Wi-Fi, on any OS.
Looking for a free GMFC alternative, a DevFoam alternative, a JediCut alternative, or simply a browser foam cutter CAM that works on Mac and Linux? Here is how cncfoam.com compares to the established hot-wire packages — factually, feature by feature.
Foam-cutter CAM comparison table
| Feature | cncfoam.com | GMFC | DevFoam (DevCad) | JediCut |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Paid (shareware, license per machine) | Paid (~€145 / $165) | Free (open source) |
| Install required | No (browser) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Signup required | No | License key per machine | Trial then license | No |
| OS support | Any (browser) | Windows only | Windows only | Windows only |
| Mac / Linux | Yes | No | No | No |
| 2-axis | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 4-axis | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 5-axis rotary | Yes | No | Yes (DevFoam Pro / DevCNC) | No |
| Live 3D preview | Yes | Limited | Yes (via DevSim) | No |
| Direct ESP32/FluidNC streaming (USB/WiFi) | Yes | No (parallel port / USB adapter) | No (needs Mach3/DevCNC) | No (parallel port) |
| DXF/SVG import | Yes | Yes | Yes | Limited (DXF AutoCAD 2013–2017 only) |
| Modern GRBL/FluidNC G-code | Yes | No | Partial | Incremental G91 (needs editing for GRBL) |
| Actively developed | Yes (2026) | Last stable 2017 | Yes | Sporadic |
Comparison accurate as of 2026. Competitor capabilities are summarised from their public documentation; names and trademarks belong to their respective owners.
A free GMFC alternative
GMFC (G-code Magic Foam Cutter) is a long-established, well-respected tool with deep wing-cutting features that many foam pilots have relied on for years. Its trade-offs today are that it is Windows-only, its last stable release was in 2017, and it drives machines through parallel-port or USB-adapter hardware. cncfoam.com wins for anyone on a Mac or Linux, anyone who wants zero install and no license key, and anyone running a modern ESP32/FluidNC controller it can stream to directly.
A free DevFoam (DevCad) alternative
DevFoam / DevCad is very capable, with strong wing and fuselage wizards and support for up to 5-axis cutting through its Pro/DevCNC line. The catches are that it is paid (around €145 / $165), Windows-only, and needs a separate controller application — Mach3 or DevCNC — to actually drive the machine. cncfoam.com matches it on browser-based 2–5 axis design and 3D preview while being free, cross-platform, install-free, and able to stream G-code itself with no extra controller software.
A free JediCut alternative
JediCut is free and open source, which makes it a popular starting point. In practice it is Windows-only, can be fiddly to configure, has restrictive DXF import (AutoCAD 2013–2017 only), and produces incremental (G91) G-code that typically needs editing before it will run on a GRBL or FluidNC controller. cncfoam.com is also free, but runs in any browser with no setup, imports DXF/SVG more freely, and outputs modern controller-ready G-code you can stream straight to the machine.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free alternative to GMFC?
Yes. cncfoam.com is a free, browser-based foam-cutter CAM with no install and no signup. It runs on any operating system, supports 2–5 axis hot-wire cutting and streams modern G-code straight to an ESP32/FluidNC controller over USB or Wi-Fi. GMFC is a long-established Windows-only program whose last stable release was in 2017 and which relies on parallel-port or USB-adapter hardware.
Do I need to install software to cut foam?
No. cncfoam.com runs entirely in your web browser — there is nothing to download and nothing to install, on any OS. You design or import a shape, preview the cut in 3D, then download the G-code or stream it directly to your machine. The traditional desktop tools (GMFC, DevFoam/DevCad, JediCut) all require a Windows installation.
Can I cut wings in the browser?
Yes. Load or generate an airfoil, set root and tip profiles, and a 4-axis morph blends them along the span to cut tapered and twisted wings — all previewed as a real 3D solid before you cut. You can then export the G-code or stream it to your machine, without installing anything.
What software works with FluidNC or GRBL for foam cutting?
cncfoam.com emits modern GRBL/FluidNC-style G-code and can stream it directly to an ESP32 running FluidNC over USB or Wi-Fi. Older foam tools were not built for these controllers: JediCut outputs incremental (G91) code that usually needs editing to run on GRBL, while GMFC and DevFoam expect a separate controller app (Mach3 or DevCNC) or legacy parallel-port hardware.
Is there a Mac or Linux foam cutter CAM?
Yes — cncfoam.com runs in any modern browser, so it works on macOS, Linux, Windows and ChromeOS with no install. GMFC, DevFoam (DevCad) and JediCut are all Windows-only, so on a Mac or Linux machine they require a virtual machine or Wine. cncfoam.com just opens in a tab.
Is cncfoam.com really free?
Yes. The browser tool is free, with no paid tier and no signup required to design, simulate, export G-code or stream to your machine. An optional account only adds conveniences like saving named projects and publishing to the community shape library; the cutting workflow itself is free forever.
Try it now — in your browser
No download, no account, no risk: open the tool, load a shape or generate a wing, and watch the cut in 3D. When it looks right, export the G-code or stream it to your machine.