Prusa Goes to the Cloud with Optional “EasyPrint” Slicer

Prusa EasyPrint Slicer
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

Prusa Research has introduced Prusa EasyPrint, a browser-based slicing tool that lets users prepare 3D prints without complex software. The tool is currently set up as a bridge between Prusa 3D printers and Prusa Research’s Printables file sharing library. It can be used on any computer and mobile device with internet access through the Printable website or the Prusa app. Printers must be listed on your Prusa Connect account, but files can be transferred via USB.

EasyPrint on a PC, Tom’s Hardware

EasyPrint on a PC (Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

The new slicer was launched as a large scale test, with access restricted by invite only. Josef Prusa said in a blog post the restricted access is to give his team time to perfect the software and test the server load.

“If costs are reasonable, I would love to keep this free for everyone, with some reasonable limitations,” he said.

Prusa also said he would like to eventually open the slicer app to all printer brands. Since many popular slicers are derived from PrusaSlicer, it wouldn’t be that hard. “Printables are meant to be for everyone. We do not want to make any walled garden. Actually, quite the opposite - we want 3D printing to be easier for everyone,” he said.

EasyPrint utilizes the same PrusaSlicer users currently download to their computer, except this one is hosted in the Cloud by PrusaResearch.

I tested it on both my PC and iPhone, and it worked quite well. It’s a simplified, uncluttered version of the PrusaSlicer, with access to the most commonly used features. It uses the official profiles for your machine and filament, it allows you to scale models, make multiples and pack the plate with several files. You also can select your favorite infill, set the percentage and add automatic supports.

Screenshots an iPhone using EasyPrint, Tom’s Hardware

Screenshots an iPhone using EasyPrint (Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

Because you are locked into the official Prusa print settings, you do not have the ability to tweak things like speed, flow or the number of walls. For that, you need the full PrusaSlicer program. Files can be easily transferred to the full version of PrusaSlicer as a 3MF if you want to tweak them in the more powerful software.

The best 3D printers in the market use different slicers, and EasyPrint is notably different from other printer manufacturers' apps. For example, Bambu Lab’s MakerWorld doesn’t use a slicer at all, but relies on printer specific gcode uploaded by model designers and other platform users. I’ve seen many new Bambu owners complain that they can’t scale a model or even figure out how to print multiples because they are trying to use their Bambu Lab with a phone.

Creality has a complex Orca-based slicer baked into its mobile app that’s less visually appealing, while Anycubic uses a mix of user uploaded gcode and a basic slicer.

Manufacturers need to think about their newest customers as 3D printing becomes more mainstream. More people are relying on their smartphone as their primary computer, and many students only have a simple Chromebook to use at school. Prusa aims to make 3D printing more accessible, and EasyPrint is ideal for these users.

Denise Bertacchi
Freelance Reviewer

Denise Bertacchi is a Contributing Writer for Tom’s Hardware US, covering 3D printing. Denise has been crafting with PCs since she discovered Print Shop had clip art on her Apple IIe. She’s been a freelance newspaper reporter, online columnist and craft blogger with an eye for kid’s STEM activities. She got hooked on 3D printing after her son made a tiny Tinkercad Jeep for a school science project. Excited to learn more, she got a Creality CR10s and hasn’t looked back. She loves reviewing 3D printers because she can mix all her passions: printing, photography and writing. When she’s not modding her Ender 3 Pro or stirring glitter into a batch of resin, you’ll find her at the latest superhero movie with her husband and two sons. 

Read more
Best Online Slicers
6 Best Online Slicers to Try — 3D Slice on the Cloud
Bambu Lab Security Update
Bambu Lab Security Update will remove OrcaSlicer’s Access
Prusa CORE One
Prusa CORE One Review: Better in a Box
Elegoo Centauri Carbon
Elegoo Centauri Carbon review: Finally an affordable Core XY
Creality Hi Combo
Creality unveils multicolor 3D printer for under $500
Bambu Lab H2D
Bambu Lab H2D Review: For Elite Crafters
Latest in 3D Printing
Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro
Grab a powerful 3D printer for just $209 this Spring Deals season
Bambu Lab H2D
Bambu Lab H2D Review: For Elite Crafters
Best Online Slicers
6 Best Online Slicers to Try — 3D Slice on the Cloud
Bambu Lab H2D
Bambu Lab Announces New Printer: H2D
Flite Test flying 3D printer
YouTubers Give New Meaning to 'Air Printing'
IBM logo on a metallic surface
IBM secures patent for 4D printing — smart material uses ML for transporting microparticles
Latest in News
Despite external similarities, the RTX 3090 is not at all the same hardware as the RTX 4090 — even if you lap the GPU and apply AD102 branding.
GPU scam resells RTX 3090 as a 4090 — complete with a fake 'AD102' label on a lapped GPU
Inspur
US expands China trade blacklist, closes susidiary loopholes
WireView Pro 90 degrees
Thermal Grizzly's WireView Pro GPU power measuring utility gets a 90-degree adapter revision
Qualcomm
Qualcomm launches global antitrust campaign against Arm — accuses Arm of restricting access to technology
Nvidia Ada Lovelace and GeForce RTX 40-Series
Analyst claims Nvidia's gaming GPUs could use Intel Foundry's 18A node in the future
Core Ultra 200S CPU
An Arrow Lake refresh may still be in the cards with only K and KF models, claims leaker