Every CNC journey begins with a design and ends with a finished project. Between those two points lies one of the most important pieces of the puzzle: CAM software. CAM, short for computer-aided manufacturing, generates the toolpaths that tell your machine how to cut. For beginners, choosing the right software can be intimidating—many programs are complex, expensive, and designed for professional engineers. That’s why Easel by Inventables has become one of the most popular entry points into CNC. It strips away unnecessary complexity and gets makers carving quickly.
But here’s the catch: Easel comes in two versions, Easel Free and Easel Pro. On the surface, they look almost identical. Both run in your browser, both are easy to set up, and both can connect to your CNC without special drivers. Yet the differences are significant enough that they determine what kind of projects you can take on. This article takes a deep dive into the two versions—exploring features, performance, pricing, and real-world use cases—so you can decide which one fits your needs today and tomorrow.
Why Easel Became Popular in the CNC World
Before Easel, many hobbyists had no choice but to use professional-grade software like Fusion 360 or VCarve, which often came with steep learning curves. Easel flipped the script by focusing on accessibility. It is cloud-based, requires no installation, and allows even a beginner to draw shapes, generate toolpaths, and start cutting within minutes. This “low barrier to entry” made it the software of choice for thousands of new CNC owners, especially those buying desktop machines for the first time.
The appeal is not just simplicity. Easel also connects design and cutting in one interface. Many other CAM programs require you to design in one program, export the file, and then open it in another tool to generate toolpaths. Easel combines these steps, which reduces confusion and speeds up the workflow. For new CNC users, that simplicity can be the difference between success and frustration.
Where CAM Software Fits in the CNC Workflow
To understand the difference between Easel Free and Easel Pro, it helps to step back and look at the CNC workflow as a whole:
- Design: You create or import artwork (text, logos, shapes).
- CAM Toolpaths: Software translates the design into cutting instructions (depth, passes, speeds).
- Machine Setup: You secure material, set zero points, and prepare your router.
- Carving: The CNC follows the toolpaths to produce the finished piece.
Easel Free handles all four steps at a basic level. Easel Pro enhances step two—the toolpaths—and step one, by giving you more fonts, more design options, and more efficient strategies. This is why the choice matters: toolpaths directly affect the quality, speed, and finish of your project.
Easel Free: A Simple Entry Point
Easel Free is the version most people encounter first. It has been designed to eliminate barriers. You don’t need powerful hardware or technical training. You simply open the program in your browser, connect your CNC, and start experimenting. Easel Free is all about lowering the intimidation factor for new users.
What Easel Free Offers:
- Clean, browser-based interface with no downloads required.
- Basic 2D drawing and layout tools (shapes, text, image tracing).
- Direct connection to supported CNC machines.
- Free forever—no hidden costs or time limits.
Limitations of Easel Free:
- No access to V-carving toolpaths—letters and lines are cut with flat-bottomed strategies.
- Limited font library and design tools.
- Fewer optimization options, which can result in longer carve times.
In practice, Easel Free is excellent for small signs, engraved panels, and beginner projects. Many users stay with it for months before hitting its limits. For anyone who wants to learn without pressure, it’s a solid foundation.
Easel Pro: Unlocking Advanced Features
Easel Pro takes the same foundation and builds on it with a set of tools aimed at serious hobbyists and small businesses. The most significant feature is V-carving. Instead of cutting letters with a flat-bottom bit, Pro uses tapered toolpaths with a V-bit, creating sharp, elegant lettering that looks like it was done by a professional sign maker.
Another major feature is raster toolpaths. Instead of outlining shapes, rastering sweeps the bit back and forth like a printer. This approach is faster and produces smoother results, especially for textured surfaces and relief carvings. Combined with Pro’s expanded font library, custom tool libraries, and optimized carve strategies, Easel Pro gives makers the ability to step up from hobby projects to polished, sellable products. If you have purchased a CNC router machine from TwoTrees, you can get a special 30% discount on the purchase of an Easel Pro Annual Plan
Highlights of Easel Pro:
- Access to V-carving for sharp lettering and detailed engravings.
- Raster toolpaths for efficient, high-quality 2.5D projects.
- Over 500 fonts for creative design flexibility.
- Custom tool libraries for precise control over feeds and speeds.
- Optimized toolpaths that shorten carve times and reduce wear on bits.
At about $24/month or $155/year, Easel Pro is one of the most affordable CAM upgrades available. For makers who sell their work, the subscription often pays for itself in just a few projects.
Easel Free vs. Easel Pro: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Easel Free | Easel Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | $24/mo or $155/year |
| Toolpaths | Basic 2D cuts | V-carving, raster, 2.5D strategies |
| Fonts & Design Tools | Limited | 500+ fonts, advanced design options |
| Workflow Speed | Basic | Optimized for faster carves |
| Best For | Learning, simple hobby projects | Selling products, advanced carving |
Practical Examples: Free vs Pro in Action
Let’s imagine two makers carving similar projects:
Maker A, using Easel Free: She designs a small pine sign with her family’s last name. The letters carve flat and blocky. It looks nice but requires sanding, and the edges lack crispness. The project takes about an hour.
Maker B, using Easel Pro: He designs the same sign with Easel Pro. By choosing a V-carved font, the letters taper gracefully. He adds a decorative border with raster toolpaths, which carves quickly and leaves a textured background. His carve takes 30 minutes and looks ready to hang without extra finishing.
Case Study: Turning a Hobby into a Side Business
Many makers start with Easel Free, but when they begin selling products on Etsy or at local markets, Easel Pro becomes essential. One TwoTrees TTC-450 Pro user reported making over 50 custom wedding signs in a season. With Easel Pro, his carve times dropped by nearly 40%, and customers noticed the crisp lettering detail that Free could not produce. That difference allowed him to charge premium prices and cover the cost of Easel Pro in a single week of orders.
Tips for Transitioning from Free to Pro
If you’ve been using Easel Free and are considering the upgrade, here are a few tips to make the transition smooth:
- Start with a project you’ve already made in Free and re-carve it in Pro using V-carving—compare the results side by side.
- Experiment with raster toolpaths on textured backgrounds—they add depth without much design effort.
- Explore the expanded font library. Fonts are often the fastest way to make a project look more professional.
- Set up a custom tool library for your favorite bits. This ensures consistency across projects.
Alternatives to Easel
While Easel is excellent for accessibility, more advanced software may eventually catch your eye:
- VCarve: Industry favorite for sign makers. Powerful, but costs hundreds of dollars.
- Carveco: Excellent for 3D relief carving and artistic projects.
- Fusion 360: Professional-grade CAD/CAM with engineering features, free for hobbyists but requires more training.
Easel with TwoTrees CNC Machines
TwoTrees machines such as the TTC-450 Pro and TTC-6050 work seamlessly with Easel. Setup is straightforward, and many TwoTrees users start with Free before moving up to Pro for more complex projects. Because Easel runs in the browser, even users with modest laptops can get started without issue.
Conclusion
Easel Free and Easel Pro are not competitors—they are stepping stones. Free gives you the space to learn, practice, and experiment without cost. Pro opens the door to higher quality, faster workflows, and professional detail. For many makers, upgrading to Pro is the moment their projects cross from “homemade” to “craftsman-made.”
If you’re just starting your CNC journey, begin with Easel Free. Once you find yourself pushing against its limits, Easel Pro will be waiting with the tools you need to go further.
Ready to take your CNC to the next level? Pair Easel Pro with a reliable router like the TTC-450 Pro or TTC-6050 from TwoTrees and unlock your full creative potential.
