Comparison

stl vs CNC Maker Assistant

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side โ€” with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

stl

Features
Read full description

stl-er is the world's first AI-powered 3D model generator built for 3D printing. Simply describe any object in plain text โ€” and get a fully parametric, functional 3D model in seconds. No CAD experience needed. HOW IT WORKS 1. Describe what you want (e.g., "phone stand with cable slot") 2. AI generates a precise 3D model using CAD 3. Adjust dimensions with live parameter sliders 4. Download the STL file โ€” ready for your 3D printer KEY FEATURES โ€ข AI-Powered Generation โ€” From text prompt to 3D model in seconds โ€ข Live Parameter Sliders โ€” Fine-tune dimensions, rounding, and details in real-time โ€ข AI Refinement โ€” Modify designs with follow-up prompts ("make it taller", "add ventilation holes") โ€ข Instant STL Downloads โ€” Export files ready for any 3D printer or slicer โ€ข 3D Preview โ€” Rotate and inspect your model before downloading โ€ข Community Library โ€” Browse, remix, and share models created by other makers โ€ข Cross-Platform โ€” Seamlessly sync between iPhone, iPad, and Web PERFECT FOR โ€ข 3D printing enthusiasts and makers โ€ข DIY builders and hobbyists โ€ข Product designers and engineers โ€ข Educators and students โ€ข Anyone who wants custom 3D models without learning CAD software WHY stl-er? Traditional CAD software has a steep learning curve. AI model generators produce meshes that aren't optimized for printing. stl-er combines the precision of parametric CAD with the simplicity of natural language โ€” every model is mathematically exact, fully customizable, and ready to print. Every design is solid, manifold, and slicer-ready. Start creating. Now. Terms of Use: https://www.stl-er.com/terms-conditions/ Privacy Policy: https://www.stl-er.com/privacy-policy/

About

CNC Maker Assistant

Features
Read full description

CNC Maker Assistant is a workshop tool for hobby CNC users โ€” not a chat app. IMPORT & VISUALIZE Import your G-code (.nc, .gcode, .ngc, .tap, .cnc) and see the actual toolpath rendered in 3D, with a 2D top-down mode too. Orbit, pan, and zoom with touch gestures, jump to any CAD-style view (Top/Front/Iso/etc.), or play the program back move-by-move with a scrubber โ€” see exactly what your machine will do before you cut. DETERMINISTIC SAFETY CHECKS Every file is analyzed by real, deterministic logic โ€” not a language model guessing. Rapid moves into stock, dangerously low Z clearance, a missing spindle start: these are found by code, then explained and prioritized by AI. The AI never invents a warning that the analyzer didn't already find. FEED & SPEED CALCULATOR Pick your material, tool diameter, flute count, and machine's max RPM, and get a starting feed rate and spindle speed from real formulas and curated cutting-data tables โ€” aluminum, steel, acrylic, HDPE, wood, and more. The AI explains the "why" behind the numbers; it never calculates them. CNC KNOWLEDGE, GROUNDED Ask questions in a focused chat โ€” tool selection, troubleshooting chatter, G-code reference โ€” and get answers grounded in a curated knowledge base, not generic web search results. BUILT FOR THE WORKSHOP Big touch targets, offline-capable calculators, and a toolpath viewer designed to be legible with gloved hands next to a running machine. Cutting recommendations are conservative starting points to test on your own machine โ€” always verify feeds, speeds, and workholding before running a real job. Free to start: 1 AI-explained G-code import, 5 feed/speed explanations, and 5 chat messages per day. CNC Maker Assistant Pro removes all three daily limits. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

stl4 screens
CNC Maker Assistant4 screens

Verdict

The call

stl and CNC Maker Assistant are too close to call on the numbers: across 5 compared parameters โ€” price, ads, in-app purchases and device support among them โ€” neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Both are free to download. stl sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month and CNC Maker Assistant sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
stl versus CNC Maker Assistant: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterstlCNC Maker Assistant
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyโ€”Weekly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details โ€” not scored
Size84 MB28 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTHOMAS CHRISTIAN HAGNAUERYakup Ad

In-app purchases

5 purchases

stl

Subscriptions4
  • Premium โ€” 100 AI Models/mo$5.991 Month
  • Pro โ€” 500 AI Models/mo$15.991 Month
  • Premium โ€” 100 AI Models/mo$59.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Pro โ€” 500 AI Models/mo$159.991 Year
One-time1
  • Pro Credit Top-Up$15.99
1 purchases

CNC Maker Assistant

Subscriptions1
  • Pro Monthly$4.991 Month

Questions

Is stl free?
stl is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is CNC Maker Assistant free?
CNC Maker Assistant is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do stl or CNC Maker Assistant have ads?
Neither stl nor CNC Maker Assistant shows ads.

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