Last updated: October 2026

Cricut vs Silhouette mostly comes down to software. Cricut pairs its machines with Design Space, a guided app with an optional Cricut Access subscription and matless Smart Materials. Silhouette pairs its machines with Silhouette Studio, installed desktop software with a free Basic Edition and one-time paid upgrades. The machines themselves are close on width and price, so pick the software you would rather use every day.

How we picked: compiled from manufacturer specifications, published prices and owner feedback patterns. We have not tested these machines ourselves. Our method.

The short version

CricutSilhouette
SoftwareDesign Space (free)Silhouette Studio (free Basic Edition)
Paid software modelCricut Access subscription, optionalOne-time edition upgrades, “no subscriptions required”
PlatformsWindows, Mac, iOS, AndroidStudio for Windows and Mac; Silhouette Web in the browser; Silhouette Go for iOS and Android
OfflineDesktop and iOS after saving content; Android not supportedStudio is an installed desktop program
Matless cuttingSmart Materials on Explore 3, Maker 3 and laterPortrait 4 lists matless cutting
Full-size machineExplore 5, Maker 4, Maker 5Cameo 5 series (Cameo 5 alpha)
Compact machineJoy Xtra, Joy 2Portrait 4
Best forPeople who want a guided app and a big built-in libraryPeople who want deeper desktop tools without a monthly fee

The machines

Cricut’s lineup

Cricut’s cutting machines page lists these as current in October 2026:

  • Cricut Maker 5, about $349. Cricut’s help center lists a 12 inch maximum width and 12 foot length on Smart Materials, and materials up to 1/8 inch (3 mm) depending on density and tool. Cricut’s comparison chart lists 300+ materials.
  • Cricut Maker 4, about $329 on sale ($399 regular). Cricut’s product page lists 300+ materials, 13 compatible tools and “faster cutting speeds than the previous model.”
  • Cricut Explore 5, about $199. 100+ materials, 11.7 inch maximum width and 12 foot length on Smart Materials per Cricut’s comparison chart.
  • Cricut Joy Xtra, about $149 on sale ($179 regular). 8.5 inch width, 4 foot length on Smart Materials, 75+ materials.
  • Cricut Joy 2, about $99. 4.5 inch width.
  • Cricut Venture, about $499. 24 inch width for large and batch work.

The Maker 3 and Explore 3 are discontinued and may be found used. Cricut lists them only as certified refurbished units (about $269 and $179, out of stock when checked). Cricut’s help center confirms that Explore 3, Maker 3 and later machines cut Smart Materials, so a used unit still works with them, but the current Explore 5 and Maker 4 are the models to compare against.

Silhouette’s lineup

  • Silhouette Cameo 5 alpha, about $280 (October 2026). 12 x 24 inch operating area, up to 16 feet long, material up to 3 mm, USB and Bluetooth, with an AutoBlade included. Silhouette’s Cameo 5 page now leads to this model.
  • Silhouette Cameo 5 alpha Plus, about $400 (October 2026).
  • Silhouette Portrait 4, about $200 (October 2026). 8.5 inch width, up to 16 feet long, matless cutting with 2 mm clearance, Bluetooth and USB.

How they compare on hardware

At the 12 inch size, both brands cut roughly a 12 inch wide area. Silhouette lists a longer maximum length (16 feet) than Cricut’s 12 feet on Smart Materials. Cricut’s Maker line has the broader published tool range, including fabric and thicker-material blades. Silhouette’s Cameo 5 alpha supports what Silhouette calls an electrostatic mat (sold separately) and 4-point registration for Print & Cut.

At the compact size, the Portrait 4 lists 16 feet of matless cutting at 8.5 inches wide, while the Joy Xtra lists 4 feet on Smart Materials at the same width. The Joy Xtra adds Print Then Cut; on the Silhouette side, printed stickers go through Silhouette Studio’s Print & Cut feature with registration marks.

The software

Silhouette Studio editions

Silhouette Studio is downloaded and installed on Windows or Mac. The current version listed on Silhouette’s software page is 5.0.539. Prices below are Silhouette’s list prices, with the sale price shown when we checked in October 2026.

EditionPriceWhat it adds (from Silhouette’s pages and Studio 5 manual)
BasicFreeDesign and text tools, trace, Print & Cut, cut settings
Designerabout $49.99 list ($39.99 sale)Lasso selection, warp templates, advanced rhinestone tools; can open SVG files
Designer Plusabout $74.99 list ($59.99 sale)Everything in Designer, plus importing appliqué embroidery files
Businessabout $99.99 list ($79.99 sale)Multi-cutter support, opening Ai, EPS and CDR files, tiling, nesting, matrix copy, weed settings, saving SVG

Silhouette’s software page states: “To open SVG file you will need Designer Edition or higher, and to Save SVG Files you will need Business Edition.” That is the most common reason people upgrade. Our guides on SVG files in Basic Edition and Designer Edition vs Basic go further.

Silhouette also offers Silhouette Web (browser based, listed for Windows, Mac, Chromebooks and tablets), Silhouette Go for iOS and Android, and Silhouette Connect, a plug-in for Adobe Illustrator and CorelDRAW. The Silhouette Design Store sells designs individually or by monthly subscription; that is separate from the software itself.

Cricut Design Space and Cricut Access

Design Space is free on Windows, Mac, iOS and Android. Cricut’s Access page lists three tiers in October 2026:

PlanPriceHighlights
Free$03,000+ images, 100+ fonts, 250+ ready-to-make projects
Access Standard$9.99/month or $95.88/year1,500,000+ premium images, 1,000+ fonts, 100,000+ projects, 20 monthly credits
Access Premium$14.99/month or $119.88/yearStandard benefits plus 200 monthly credits, 20% off Cricut materials, free shipping over $50

Cricut’s help center describes Access as auto-renewing and tied to your Cricut account rather than a specific machine. It also notes some licensed content is not included and must be bought separately.

Offline use

This is a real difference for anyone with patchy internet.

Cricut’s help center says Design Space for Desktop and iOS can save projects, images and fonts for offline designing and cutting, but offline mode is not available on Android. Its Maker 5 specification page adds that an internet connection is required to install and sign in to Design Space, set up products, update firmware, search for content, upload images and use Print Then Cut. In short: connect first, download what you need, then you can cut offline on desktop or iOS.

Silhouette Studio is an installed desktop program, and Silhouette’s manual notes that purchased Design Store images can be used indefinitely without being connected to the internet. Silhouette’s site does not spell out a full offline policy for the software, so if offline use is critical, confirm with Silhouette support before buying.

Materials and supplies

Both brands cut the everyday craft materials: adhesive vinyl, heat transfer vinyl, cardstock and printable sticker paper.

  • Cricut Smart Materials load without a mat on Explore 3, Maker 3 and later machines. Cricut’s help center says scraps need to be at least 6 inches long to feed without a mat.
  • Silhouette mats come in standard tack for cardstock and vinyl and light tack for thin paper, per Silhouette’s mat page. Silhouette’s 12 inch Cameo mats were listed from $14.99 ($11.99 on sale when checked).
  • Blades: Silhouette’s AutoBlade was listed at $12.99 regular ($10.39 on sale) and fits Cameo 3 through Cameo 5 alpha and Portrait 2 through 4.

Cricut’s comparison pages say its machines can cut any compatible material on a machine mat, so you are not limited to Smart Materials; matless cutting is what needs Cricut’s Smart Materials. Silhouette machines likewise cut sheet materials on a mat. Our cut settings reference lists published settings by machine and material.

Total cost: an example

Say you buy a 12 inch machine and use it for three years.

  • Silhouette Cameo 5 alpha about $280, plus Designer Edition about $49.99 list if you want SVG support: roughly $330 total, no recurring software fee.
  • Cricut Explore 5 about $199, plus Cricut Access Standard at $95.88 a year: roughly $487 over three years. Without Access, about $199.

The Cricut route costs less up front. The Silhouette route costs less over time only if you would otherwise pay for Access. If you never subscribe, the Explore 5 is the cheaper 12 inch machine at these prices.

Who should pick which

Pick Cricut if:

  • You want a guided app on your phone or tablet, including Android.
  • You will use a big built-in library of images and projects.
  • You like the idea of matless Smart Materials for long cuts.
  • You want the widest tool range (Maker line).

Pick Silhouette if:

  • You dislike subscriptions and would rather pay once for software.
  • You design on a computer and want deeper desktop tools like point editing, trace settings and, in Business Edition, nesting and tiling.
  • You want the longest published cut length at each size.
  • You cut in places with unreliable internet.

For more help deciding, see Cameo 5 vs Cricut Maker vs Joy Xtra, our best vinyl cutter picks and Cricut alternatives.

FAQ

Is Silhouette or Cricut easier for beginners? Cricut’s Design Space is built around a guided app and ready-to-make projects. Silhouette Studio exposes more manual controls, such as the trace sliders and Send panel settings, which means more control and more to learn. See our beginner machine guide.

Do you have to pay for Cricut Access? No. Design Space has a free plan. Access is an optional, auto-renewing subscription for extra images, fonts, projects and discounts.

Can Silhouette Studio open SVG files for free? No. Silhouette’s software page says opening SVG needs Designer Edition or higher.

Can I use Cricut Design Space offline? On desktop and iOS, after you save projects, images and fonts while online. Not on Android.

Which brand cuts longer designs? Silhouette lists 16 feet for the Cameo 5 alpha and Portrait 4. Cricut lists 12 feet on Smart Materials for its 12 inch machines.

Sources