Zorocut vs Deepnest (deepnest-next)
Deepnest is the free, open-source true-shape nester many hobby and plasma users try first. The maintained fork, deepnest-next, is community-run and partly GPLv3, with open issues on DXF scale, arcs, part-in-part and edge margins, and no quoting or remnants. The original Deepnest can no longer import DXF.
What Deepnest costs, what it does better, and where Zorocut is the cheaper or simpler fit. Each row links to its source. (github.com/deepnest-next)
Updated October 30, 2026 · by the Zorocut team · Competitor facts checked on October 28, 2026
| Feature | Zorocut | Deepnest |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free €0 · Cutter €19/month or €190/year · Shop €49/month or €490/year (3 machines) · Offline €490 once, then €99/year for updates. Excl. VAT, per machine | Free; MIT licence, but deepnest.js is GPLv3github.com · checked October 28, 2026 |
| Runs on | macOS, Windows and Linux app, plus the online nester in any browser | Windows and Linux desktop; macOS still looking for testers. The original Deepnest is unmaintained, and its DXF import has failed since March 2025github.com · checked October 28, 2026github.com · checked October 28, 2026 |
| Nesting | Automatic true-shape nesting with part-in-part on every plan | True-shape, but part-in-part fails (#170) and there is no edge margin (#167)github.com · checked October 28, 2026 |
| Common line | Not yet | Yes, line merginggithub.com · checked October 28, 2026 |
| Remnants | Every nest reports the unused strip; remnant library (rectangles) on Shop | Nogithub.com · checked October 28, 2026 |
| Customer quote | Quote PDF priced from the nest — sheets, cut length, pierces; branded on Shop | Nogithub.com · checked October 28, 2026 |
| Arcs in the export | Kept as arcs | Curves approximated as segments (#66, #160); DXF scale bugsgithub.com · checked October 28, 2026 |
| Your files | Nesting runs on your computer; your DXFs are not uploaded to be nested | Runs on your computergithub.com · checked October 28, 2026 |
| Languages | 10 on the website, 8 in the desktop app | Englishgithub.com · checked October 28, 2026 |
The Zorocut column describes our own plans as they are today; the pricing page has the details. Pricing
In short
Deepnest is where many shops start, and it costs nothing. If you lose time to rescaled DXFs, arcs turned into segments or holes left empty, Zorocut Free fixes those for €0 and adds a quote priced from the nest.
Where Deepnest is better than Zorocut
- Free and open source, with no account.
- Common-line merging.
- It keeps searching until you stop it, for long runs.
- PLT export.
Price difference per year
Deepnest is free, and so is Zorocut Free. Zorocut's paid plans start at €190 a year, for unlimited exports and quotes.
Our arithmetic at list prices, excluding VAT on both sides. An estimate, not a quote.
Looking for a Deepnest alternative?
Zorocut nests and quotes on your own computer — macOS, Windows, Linux or the browser — and gives CypCut, FSCUT or Raytools a layered DXF. The Free plan has unlimited nesting and 10 exports or quotes a month, with no card.
How to switch
Open the same DXF or SVG parts in Zorocut; it detects mm or inch and asks you to check the sizes.
We haven't used Deepnest hands-on yet. This page is built from its public pages, linked in each row. Something wrong or out of date? Write to [email protected] and we'll correct it.