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Cricut vs Silhouette: Which Cutting Machine Is Right for You?

Cricut and Silhouette both make home cutting machines that handle paper, cardstock and vinyl. Here is how the Cricut Explore 3 and the Silhouette Cameo 5 differ, side by side, so you can pick the one that fits how you like to work.

Updated October 15, 2026
2 machines compared
How we picked

Sample picks while Kimberly finishes her hands-on testing. The final list may change.

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How we review

How we compared

How easy the app is to learn
Whether you can work offline
Using your own designs and fonts
What the software costs over time
The materials each one cuts

Read our full review process

Illustration only
Guided and simpleBest for: Beginners
Cricut Explore 3
Why it's here: Cricut Design Space walks you through each cut, and there is a large library of beginner projects and help online.
- Free Design Space app
- Cuts Smart Materials without a mat
- Two tool slots
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Illustration only
Detailed desktop softwareBest for: Design your own
Silhouette Cameo 5
Why it's here: Silhouette Studio is desktop software that works without an internet connection and gives you fine control over your own designs.
- Free Silhouette Studio software
- Works offline
- Two tool slots
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Side by side

Feature	Cricut Explore 3	Silhouette Cameo 5
Software	SoftwareCricut Design Space (free)	SoftwareSilhouette Studio (free basic edition)
Paid extras	Paid extrasOptional Cricut Access subscription for images and fonts	Paid extrasOptional one-time software upgrades
Works offline	Works offlineLimited	Works offlineYes
Upload your own SVG files	Upload your own SVG filesYes, free	Upload your own SVG filesWith a paid upgrade
Cuts without a mat	Cuts without a matYes, with Cricut Smart Materials	Cuts without a matYes, with backed materials
Print Then Cut	Print Then CutYes	Print Then CutYes

Which one is for you?

Choose Cricut if

You want an app that guides you through every cut
You plan to upload your own SVG files without paying for an upgrade
You want lots of beginner projects and help online

Choose Silhouette if

You want to design and cut without an internet connection
You enjoy fine-tuning your own designs on a computer
You would rather pay once for software than subscribe

Our short answer

For most beginners, Cricut is the easier place to start. If you design your own files, work on a computer and want to cut offline, Silhouette is well worth a look.