Description
VCarve Pro is the industry standard for CNC woodworking software. If you run a CNC router for sign making, furniture, cabinetry, or general woodworking, this is almost certainly the software you should be using.
Simply Technologies is an authorized Vectric reseller in Canada. You can purchase VCarve Pro directly through us with Canadian support included.
What Is VCarve Pro?
VCarve Pro is a 2D and 2.5D CNC design and toolpath software made by Vectric. It handles everything from simple profile cuts and pockets to V-carving, inlays, fluting, and multi-pass toolpaths. It is not a full 3D modelling program (that is Aspire), but for the vast majority of CNC woodworking, VCarve Pro is more than enough.
Who uses it:
- Sign shops and engravers
- Custom furniture and cabinet makers
- Woodworking shops with CNC routers
- Schools and training programs
- Hobbyists doing serious work
How Much Does VCarve Pro Cost?
VCarve Pro is a one-time perpetual license. View current pricing on our product page or contact us for a quote with Canadian support included.
VCarve Pro is a one-time purchase (perpetual license). You own it. There is an optional annual V&Co subscription for updates and additional content, but it is not required to keep using the software.
Is VCarve Pro worth it? If you own a CNC router and plan to use it seriously, yes. The alternative is fighting with free software that costs you hours of lost time. VCarve Pro pays for itself quickly.
What Is the Difference Between VCarve Desktop and VCarve Pro?
The main difference is the work area limit. VCarve Desktop caps your work area at 24×24 inches. VCarve Pro has no work area limit, so you can tile projects across unlimited material size.
VCarve Pro also includes additional toolpaths not available in Desktop: primarily the more advanced V-carving options and some production-focused features.
If you are running a machine with a work area larger than 24×24, you need Pro. If you are doing small work on a desktop CNC, Desktop may be sufficient, but most shops upgrade to Pro eventually and the upgrade cost makes starting with Pro the smarter long-term choice.
| Feature |
VCarve Desktop |
VCarve Pro |
| Work area limit |
24×24 inches |
Unlimited |
| Pricing |
View pricing |
View pricing |
| V-carving |
Yes |
Yes (advanced options) |
| Production toolpaths |
Limited |
Full |
| Upgrade path to Aspire |
Yes |
Yes |
VCarve Pro vs Aspire
VCarve Pro is the right choice for 95% of CNC woodworking. Aspire adds full 3D modelling, which means sculpting 3D relief designs from scratch. If you carve 3D portrait reliefs, architectural panels, or complex artistic 3D work, you want Aspire. If you are doing sign making, cabinetry, furniture, and typical shop work, VCarve Pro is everything you need.
See our Aspire page for details on when to choose Aspire over VCarve Pro.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is VCarve Pro a one-time purchase?
Yes. VCarve Pro is a perpetual license. You pay once and own it. Vectric offers an optional V&Co subscription for ongoing content and updates, but it is not required to keep using the software after purchase.
How much does VCarve Pro cost in Canada?
VCarve Pro pricing is displayed in your local currency automatically when you visit the product page. Contact us for Canadian support and purchasing assistance.
What is the difference between VCarve Desktop and VCarve Pro?
The primary difference is the 24×24″ work area limit on Desktop. VCarve Pro has no limit. Pro also includes additional production-focused toolpaths. If your machine’s work area is larger than 24×24″, you need Pro.
Can I upgrade from VCarve Desktop to VCarve Pro later?
Yes. Vectric offers an upgrade path from Desktop to Pro. The upgrade fee is less than buying Pro outright, but most production shops find it cleaner to start with Pro from day one.
What CNC machines work with VCarve Pro?
VCarve Pro works with virtually all hobby and professional CNC routers, including all machines sold by Simply Technologies. The software outputs standard G-code compatible with most controllers including Mach3, Mach4, GRBL, and the iCNC system used on our Performance series.
Does VCarve Pro work on Mac?
VCarve Pro is a Windows application. It does not run natively on macOS. Mac users can run it via Boot Camp or a Windows virtual machine (Parallels, VMware Fusion).
What VCarve Pro Does
VCarve Pro is a complete 2D and 2.5D CAM package for CNC routing. Most production woodworking and sign shops use it for layout, toolpath generation, V-carving, profile and pocket cutting, drilling, and nested-based manufacturing. It handles vector and bitmap import, includes a large library of bits and toolpaths, and outputs G-code for virtually any CNC router on the market.
VCarve Pro vs VCarve Desktop vs Aspire
Vectric offers three tiers of software. Here’s how they differ.
VCarve Desktop ($349): Limited to 24 by 24 inch job size. Right for hobbyists or very small shops working with limited material sizes.
VCarve Pro ($999): No job size limit. Full feature set for production work. The right choice for any commercial shop running a CNC router.
Aspire ($1,995): Adds full 3D modelling and complex sculpting to VCarve Pro. The right choice if your work includes detailed 3D carving or relief work.
Most production shops we work with run VCarve Pro. It covers the vast majority of cabinet, sign, and custom woodworking applications. For more comparison detail, see our [internal link: VCarve Pro vs Fusion 360] guide.
VCarve Pro Pricing
VCarve Pro is a perpetual licence (no subscription). $999 at the product page price. The site displays pricing in your local currency based on your location (CAD, USD, EUR, or GBP). Software can be added to your CNC router order.
System Requirements and Compatibility
VCarve Pro runs on Windows (Windows 10 or later recommended). 8GB RAM minimum, 16GB recommended for larger files. Compatible with virtually any modern CNC router via standard G-code output. We can confirm compatibility with your specific machine if you’re not sure.
VCarve Pro for Cabinet Making
Cabinet shops use VCarve Pro for nested-based manufacturing, dado cuts, dowel hole drilling, and panel cutting. The software’s batch nesting capability optimizes material usage across multiple cabinet parts in a single sheet. This alone often pays for the software in the first month of production use.
VCarve Pro for Sign Making
Sign shops use VCarve Pro for V-carved lettering, profile cuts on dimensional signs, HDU sign cutting, and detailed graphic work. The V-carving toolpath is one of the most-used features in sign shop workflows.
VCarve Pro for Custom Millwork and One-Offs
Custom millwork shops use VCarve Pro for curved trim, decorative panels, mouldings, and one-off architectural pieces. Vector import flexibility makes it easy to bring designs in from Illustrator, CAD packages, or scanned drawings.
Learning VCarve Pro: Resources and Training
Most operators are producing usable toolpaths within a day or two of focused use. Mastery comes with weeks of regular practice. Optional training packages are available as an add-on when your team wants help getting up to speed. Vectric also publishes an extensive tutorial library for self-directed learning.
For schools, EMPOWER[ED] ACADEMY pairs VCarve workflows with a structured CAD and CNC certification curriculum, teacher onboarding, and student certification.
Where to Buy VCarve Pro
Buying VCarve Pro through Simply Technologies gives you product page pricing in your local currency, a written quote on request, and a single point of contact for any licensing or installation questions. Importing direct from Vectric or buying through a US-only seller works too, but you lose the local support layer when something goes wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does VCarve Pro cost?
VCarve Pro perpetual licence is $999 at the product page price. The site displays pricing in your local currency.
Is VCarve Pro a subscription?
No. VCarve Pro is a perpetual licence. You buy it once and own it. Upgrades to new versions are optional and reasonably priced.
What CNC routers is VCarve Pro compatible with?
VCarve Pro outputs standard G-code compatible with virtually any modern CNC router, including everything in our lineup. We can confirm compatibility with your specific machine.
How long does it take to learn VCarve Pro?
Most operators are producing basic toolpaths within a day. Confident production use comes within two to three weeks of regular practice. Mastery takes longer but the learning curve is significantly less steep than Fusion 360 or other complex CAM packages.
Do you offer VCarve Pro training?
Optional training packages are available as an add-on when your team wants help getting up to speed. We also point users toward Vectric’s online tutorial library as a free supplement.
Can VCarve Pro do 3D carving?
VCarve Pro handles 2.5D work including V-carving. For full 3D modelling and complex relief carving, you want Aspire (Vectric’s higher-tier package). We can advise on which is right for your work.
Buy VCarve Pro
Get VCarve Pro standalone or add it to a CNC router order.
