NestingPro vs Deepnest

An honest comparison between the best known open source nesting tool and a modern browser based nesting platform.

Last updated: July 2026

In short

Deepnest is a free open source desktop application that nests parts on sheet material. It works, but it needs an install on every workstation, has no user management, and produces exports that other systems do not always read cleanly. NestingPro does the same nesting work in the browser, with shared projects, costing and production ready DXF export.

Feature by feature

Browser versus desktop install

Deepnest has to be installed and updated on every workstation and only runs on that machine. If you work from the office, the workshop and at home, your files live in three places. NestingPro opens in any modern browser, including a tablet next to the machine, and always runs the latest version.

Collaboration and project management

Deepnest has no accounts, no project history and no shared library. NestingPro stores every project with its parts, materials, settings and nesting results. A colleague opens the same project, sees the same sheets and the same costing, and you can roll back to an earlier version.

Exports your machine actually accepts

A common complaint about open source nesting is that the DXF output is not read correctly by other CAM packages. NestingPro writes DXF to the AutoCAD 2000 standard using LWPOLYLINE, keeps layers such as cut and engrave, and exports per sheet. SVG and PDF export are available too.

From nesting to costing

Nesting is only half the job. NestingPro calculates net cutting length per sheet, cutting time based on your machine feedrate plus a configurable margin per part, material usage with volume discounts, and turns that into a quote you send as a PDF. Deepnest stops at the nesting itself.

When is Deepnest the better choice?

If you nest a single sheet occasionally, work alone, and do not mind installing software and cleaning up exports by hand, Deepnest is free and perfectly usable. Once nesting becomes part of daily production, several people are involved, or quotes have to come out of it, that approach breaks down.

Frequently asked questions

Is Deepnest free?

Yes, Deepnest is open source and free. There is no official support and updates are irregular.

Does NestingPro do contour nesting?

Yes. NestingPro nests on the true contour, including nesting inside holes, kerf, trim margin and common line cutting.

Can I use my existing drawings?

Yes, you import SVG and DXF files and NestingPro keeps the layers for cutting and engraving.