Ready to dive into the world of vinyl cutting? When it comes to home crafting powerhouses, Cricut and Silhouette reign supreme.
Both brands offer cutting-edge machines that transform everyday materials like vinyl, cardstock, and corkboard into stunning creations. But which one is truly right for you?
Whether you're a beginner looking for your first machine or an experienced crafter ready to upgrade, we'll help you navigate the features, capabilities, and value of each brand's lineup.
Let's cut through the confusion and find your perfect crafting companion!
Silhouette vs. Cricut
Cricut and Silhouette are two of the most trusted and most popular brands for those looking for either hobby or small business cutting machines.
Both are excellent machines for making personalized gifts such as t-shirts, cups, organizing labels, paper crafts, party supplies, and home decor signs, and so much more.
Both are established, well-known brands that offer quality products that can compete with commercial cutting machines.
Due to the popularity of these two international home cutting machine brands, there must be good reasons for them being top of the vinyl cutting machine charts!
Of course, the machines are bound to have similarities and differences, so to understand and compare these two incredible brands, we will take a closer look at their machines currently on offer.
Machine Range
Both Silhouette and Cricut have a small range of cutting machines ranging from the entry-level machine to the more advanced cutting machine that competes with commercial vinyl cutting machines.
Let's have a look at the machines starting with the entry-level machines for each brand.
| Cricut Cutting Machines | Silhouette Cutting Machines |
|---|---|
| Joy | Portrait 3 |
| Explore Air 2 Explore 3 | 12″ Cameo 4 15″ Cameo 4 24″ Cameo 4 |
| Maker Maker 3 | Cameo 4 Range and the Silhouette Curio |
Despite having a small number of machines, both brands ensure that the functions and capabilities of each machine increase as you advance through the range, and of course so does the price.
For what they are capable of, both product lines are reasonably priced, so if you are starting your journey with vinyl cutting, Cricut or Silhouette's vinyl cutters can satisfy your needs without having to spend too much initially.
If you want a more detailed comparison between the machines, you can look at our blog posts where we compare Cricut and Silhouettes' latest machines head-on and in greater detail.
- Read our comparison guide: Cricut Explore 3 vs Silhouette Cameo 4
- Read our comparison guide: Silhouette Cameo 4 vs Cricut Maker 3
- Read our comparison guide: Cricut Maker 3 vs Joy
Functions
The functions and capabilities are pretty evenly matched across Cricut and Silhouette as you look at a particular machine against its so-called rival.
If we look at the entry-level machines, both the Cricut Joy and the Silhouette Portrait are capable of cutting and drawing.
As you start to look at the other machines across both brands, you will notice that each have the following increased capabilities:
- increased cutting capacity (longer and broader cuts)
- matless cutting
- ability to cut thicker materials up to 3mm
- ability to carry out functions such as embossing, engraving, and etching
Both machines are Bluetooth enabled, which allows you to create designs in the relevant design software and send them to your respective machine for cutting without being in the same room!
Software
Both Cricut and Silhouette machines use computer software to let you edit and design your project.
Cricut Design Space
Cricut Design Space is a free software application that enables you to design and then cut your projects. Despite being web-based, you can also use this software offline.
Other capabilities allow you to insert jpg photos and convert them to SVG images. As well as using your own images, you can also use your own fonts for free as well.
However, you can also buy fonts and images separately in the program or you can pay around $9.99 per month to join Cricut Access and utilize the files available only for members.
Silhouette Studio
Silhouette's design software is a downloadable program allowing you to work offline perfectly or on the go!
The software is slightly more advanced in terms of graphic design features than Cricut Design Space, which is an excellent thing if you want to make your designs and you're not scared of programs.
However, it has a slightly higher learning curve compared to Cricut's software.
You can also use fonts downloaded on your computer with this software. However, if you want to upload your own SVG files, you will need to have the paid version, which costs around $50.
You can buy files from the software’s online store or purchase a subscription that allows you to download files at a discounted price.
The functions and design capabilities within each software application are very similar as they provide a variety of design options to customize your projects which could be from their own project library or from importing your own designs or images for editing purposes.
Overall, they’re both great software. If you want to just cut and open files, the Cricut program is ideal for you and it is also easier to use.
If designing is your thing and you will want to make your own designs, Silhouette’s software is the better choice as it has a lot of advanced designing options you can use.
Also, if you’re purchasing images from Silhouette’s software, you will be able to use them even if you cancel your subscription in the future compared to Cricut where you will no longer have access to any designs used when you had the Access subscription.
Pricing
Silhouette machines have a higher price tag. However, in general, the pricing is really pretty similar.
As of this writing, the retail prices for the Cricut machines range from $149.99 to $399.99. In contrast, Silhouette’s machines retail for $199.99 to $499.99.
For instance, the Cricut Joy pricing starts at $159.99, and the Silhouette Portrait 3 is priced at $199.99.
The Cameo 4 is priced at $299 which is the exact same price as the Cricut Explore 3.
Overall User Experience
When it comes to the overall user experience, both companies are doing a great job of making sure people can use their machines easily.
Setting up your Cricut is quick and easy, and as mentioned, the Design Space software is easy to use and great for beginners.
The Silhouette is slightly more difficult to set up. Loading the mat can be time-consuming for some, and some find that Silhouette's instructions are not as easy to follow compared to Cricut's.
With that said, both Silhouette and Cricut websites have excellent customer support. You can contact them and ask questions about anything that concerns you, and you will receive immediate help.
Materials
Both Silhouette and Cricut can slice through a lot of materials utilizing different blades. The materials include heat transfer vinyl, thin leather, vellum, vinyl, cardstock, craft foam, and more up to a maximum thickness of 3mm.
Cricut has an Intuitive Control Panel where you choose all the materials in the Cricut Design Space software, which streamlines the creation process and allows you to choose from a large variety of project material types.
To customize the Silhouette blade strength according to the material you are cutting, just twist the blade to a certain number based on the fabric before slicing.
Both brands are perfect for cutting denser materials by purchasing separate deep-cutting blades available.
Overall Machine Design
The overall look and feel of both the Cricut and Silhouette units are very similar. They are also comparable in weight and size.
They can both fit on a desk or shelf since they’re about the size of a small home printer. The Cricut Maker and Explore machines also have extra storage underneath and on the top left of the unit.
You can store extra blades, markers, and tools in the inbuilt storage tray. The Silhouette machine, on the other hand, doesn’t have much storage space.
Cricut vs. Silhouette – The Verdict
So, which cutting machine champion deserves your craft room? Both Cricut and Silhouette deliver exceptional results, but they shine in different ways.
Creative freedom enthusiasts, listen up: Silhouette Cameo 4 is your playground, offering advanced design capabilities and unlimited customization options.
Meanwhile, Cricut's Maker and Explore series are perfect for crafters who value simplicity and reliability, with the Maker's impressive 4kg cutting force tackling everything from delicate paper to tough materials with ease.
Think of it this way: Cricut is like having a friendly crafting buddy with ready-to-go designs and intuitive software, while Silhouette is your artistic partner-in-crime, offering deeper design control for those who love to push creative boundaries.
The verdict? If user-friendly crafting is your priority, Cricut might be your match. But if you're itching to flex those design muscles, Silhouette's advanced Studio software could be calling your name.
- If you want to go with Silhouette, here is our guide to help you find the newest Silhouette machine.
- If you want to go with Cricut, here is our guide to help you find the best Cricut machine.
>>>>>TIP: If you are looking to get some Cricut supplies for your new machine, check this out to see where to get you Cricut supplies!
You can also check out our Cricut Resource Hub and Silhouette Resource Hub, where we share crafts and project ideas, machine reviews, guides, tutorials & much more!
