Free, fully featured GRBL CNC control software. Bundled with the CNC3D Design Suite for laser, plasma, router and pen-knife toolpathing. One installer, no signup, no limits.
~50 MB installer · Windows 8.1 – 11 (64-bit)
Latest build, SSL-secured download
Already bundled with Commander (machine control) + Design Suite (CAM toolpathing). Use them together or separately.
Two apps. One installer. Always free.
Run your machine with Commander, build your toolpaths in the Design Suite. They install side-by-side and talk to each other natively.
CNC3D Commander
GRBL CNC control + machine setup
- ✓Run G-code jobs from PC, SD card or over Wi-Fi
- ✓Jogging, override controls, spindle + coolant
- ✓Probing wizards: Z-axis, corner, circle, angle
- ✓Easy GRBL machine configuration without command lines
- ✓Variable macros and "My Buttons" custom controls
- ✓Job visualizer, tracing, alarm and error info
- ✓Firmware updates for ESP32, xPRO V5, Nighthawk
- ✓IP / Wi-Fi controller support with network recovery
- ✓SD card file sync, start jobs accurately from any line
CNC3D Design Suite
CAD CAM toolpath generation
- ✓Fully featured 2D CAD design tools, built-in
- ✓Laser raster + vector engraving
- ✓Plasma cutting with lead-in / lead-out + kerf compensation
- ✓Router profiles with multi-pass + tab support
- ✓Pen / knife paths for plotting and vinyl
- ✓SVG / DXF import and export
- ✓Heightmap probing for auto-Z correction on warped material
- ✓Per-shape toolpath settings and live preview
- ✓Saves to .c3p project files, opens directly in Commander
System requirements
- Operating system
- Windows 8.1 – Windows 11 (64-bit)
- RAM (minimum)
- 2 GB. 8 GB recommended
- Processor
- Intel Pentium / Core i3 or better
- Storage
- 200 MB free
- GRBL firmware
- Version 1.1* or greater on the controller
- Connectivity
- USB serial, Wi-Fi (ESP32 / xPRO V5), or SD card
Written in Microsoft .NET. No Mac or Linux build. Use a Windows VM (Parallels / VMware) or a small Mini-PC if you're on another platform.
Controllers supported
- Nighthawk CNC. Full Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB and SD card; firmware updates pushed from Commander.
- Spark Concepts xPRO V5. Full SD card handling, network setup, network recovery.
- Generic GRBL boards. Arduino-based or ESP32-based GRBL 1.1+ controllers via USB serial.
- FluidNC is partially supported. See notes below.
FluidNC caveat: FluidNC replaces GRBL's standard $settings with a compiled YAML config, which means Commander's easy-settings tools don't apply. Run jobs and basic control work; advanced configuration must be done in FluidNC's web UI.
Did your browser block the download?
Chrome, Edge and Windows SmartScreen sometimes flag CNC3D Commander on first install. The installer is clean. It's an industry-wide problem with new-ish builds of small-vendor software that haven't yet earned enough downloads to be on Microsoft's "known good" reputation list. Here's how to get past it.
Chrome / Edge says "blocked"
- Open your downloads list (Ctrl+J).
- Find
CNC3DCommanderSetup.exe. - Click Keep or Keep anyway.
- Then run it normally.
Windows SmartScreen says "unrecognized publisher"
- Click More info on the blue dialog.
- Click Run anyway.
- Approve the UAC prompt that follows.
Antivirus flagged it
Add an exception for C:\CNC3D Commander\ (the default install location) or temporarily disable real-time scanning for the install. Microsoft Defender, Norton and Avast occasionally false-positive on the .NET installer wrapper. If it persists, email us and we'll send you a checksum to verify your copy.
Still stuck?
Try a previous build below, or email solutions@cnc3d.com.au with your Windows version and the exact text of the error. Australia-based engineering team, real humans, usually back to you the same day.
Need an older build?
Previous Commander releases are archived if you need to roll back compatibility for a specific machine config.
Ready to run your machine?
Free desktop apps. Always will be. The optional subscription tiers below add the back-office on top.