Cricut is one of the biggest names in crafting. Their cutting machines are used by millions of people worldwide, and Design Space is the software that powers them. So can it make stencils? And do you need a Cricut to use it?
This comparison breaks down exactly what each tool does, and who each one is actually for.
What Is Cricut Design Space?
Cricut Design Space is the companion software for Cricut cutting machines. It's where you create, import, or select designs - and then send them to your Cricut to be cut from vinyl, card, heat transfer material, stencil film, or dozens of other materials.
It's free to download and use for basic features, but it's tightly integrated with Cricut hardware. Without a machine, its usefulness is very limited.
What Is Free Stencil Maker?
Free Stencil Maker is the best free stencil maker online — a browser-based tool that converts images and text into clean, print-ready stencils. No machine required. No app download. No account needed for the free tier. You get a stencil file you can print and hand-cut, or send to any compatible cutting machine.
Feature Comparison: Free Stencil Maker vs Cricut Design Space
| Feature | Free Stencil Maker | Cricut Design Space |
|---|---|---|
| Works without a cutting machine | Yes | Very limited use |
| Browser-based | Yes | No (app required) |
| No download needed | Yes | No |
| No account required | Yes (free tier) | No (Cricut account needed) |
| Image to stencil conversion | Automatic | Manual (Image Trace) |
| Text layers | Instant with any font | Yes (Cricut fonts only) |
| Pattern bridging (decorative bridges) | Yes | No (manual weld tool) |
| Multi-page tiled printing | Yes - automatic with alignment holes | No |
| Stencil marketplace | Yes - sell and share stencils | Cricut community library |
| Bridge preservation | Automatic | Manual weld tool |
| PNG export | Yes | Yes (Print Then Cut) |
| SVG export | Yes (Pro) | Limited on free |
| DXF export (laser cutters / CNC) | Yes (Pro) | No |
| PDF export (with alignment marks) | Yes (Pro) | No |
| Direct machine cutting | No | Yes (Cricut only) |
| Stencil material cutting | No | Yes (with Cricut + stencil film) |
| Mobile app | Yes (mobile web) | Yes (dedicated app) |
| Works on Windows / Mac / Linux | Yes (any browser) | Windows + Mac + app |
| Free tier | Generous | Limited |
| Paid subscription | Low | Cricut Access: £7.99/month |
The Core Difference: Machine vs. Manual
This is the fundamental split between these two tools.
Cricut Design Space is built for people who want their cutting machine to do the cutting. You design in the app, set your material settings, load your material, and the machine cuts it for you. For stencil film, mylar, vinyl - this is excellent. Clean cuts, perfect curves, no hand fatigue.
Free Stencil Maker is built for people who want a stencil file they can use however they like - print and hand-cut, send to any cutter, or pass to a print shop. It's not tied to any hardware ecosystem.
Do You Need a Cricut to Use Design Space?
Technically no, but practically yes.
You can open Design Space without a Cricut, and there's one useful function available without hardware: Print Then Cut. This lets you print a design on your home printer, and then the Cricut uses sensors to cut around the printed area.
But that's about it. You can't export designs as standalone stencil files easily from the free tier. You can't send to a different cutter. The whole experience is designed to keep you in the Cricut ecosystem.
The Download Barrier
Cricut Design Space requires a dedicated app. That means:
- Download and install the app (Windows, Mac, or mobile)
- Create a Cricut account
- Agree to Cricut's terms
- Log in each time
Free Stencil Maker: open your browser, go to the site, start making stencils. Done.
For a quick one-off stencil, the app requirement alone makes Design Space a poor choice.
File Formats and Compatibility
Free Stencil Maker Exports
- PNG - free tier, works for printing and hand cutting
- SVG - Pro tier, vector format, compatible with Cricut, Silhouette, any compatible cutter
- PDF - Pro tier, print-ready at precise dimensions
Cricut Design Space Exports
- SVG upload - you can import SVGs into Design Space for cutting
- PNG (Print Then Cut) - prints on your home printer, Cricut cuts around it
- Standalone SVG export - limited on the free tier; Cricut Access required for premium features
Interestingly, if you want to use Free Stencil Maker with a Cricut, you can. Export your stencil as SVG from Free Stencil Maker Pro, then import it into Design Space and cut it on your machine. The two tools can actually complement each other.
Pricing
Free Stencil Maker
| Tier | Cost | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free | £0 | PNG stencils, no account, instant access |
| Pro | Low monthly | SVG + PDF, hi-res, batch, commercial licence |
Cricut Design Space
| Tier | Cost | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free | £0 | Basic design tools, 25 uploads/month |
| Cricut Access Standard | £7.99/month | Unlimited images, fonts, and ready-to-make projects |
| Cricut Access Premium | £9.99/month | Additional discounts on licensed content |
Note: the real cost of Cricut is the machine itself (£150-£450+ depending on model), plus materials. Design Space pricing is secondary to that.
When to Use Each Tool
Use Free Stencil Maker if:
- You don't own a Cricut (or any cutting machine)
- You want to print and hand-cut stencils
- You need a quick stencil without downloading software
- You want to create SVG stencil files compatible with any cutter
- You want a simple, no-account experience
Use Cricut Design Space if:
- You own a Cricut and want to cut stencil material directly
- You're deep in the Cricut ecosystem and use it for multiple project types
- You want Cricut's library of ready-made designs
- You're using Print Then Cut functionality
Use Both if:
- You own a Cricut but want better image-to-stencil conversion - use Free Stencil Maker Pro to generate your SVG, then import into Design Space for cutting.
The Verdict
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| No machine required | Free Stencil Maker |
| Browser-based access | Free Stencil Maker |
| No account needed | Free Stencil Maker |
| Image to stencil (automatic) | Free Stencil Maker |
| Speed (first stencil) | Free Stencil Maker |
| Machine-direct cutting | Cricut Design Space |
| Cricut ecosystem integration | Cricut Design Space |
| Ready-made design library | Cricut Design Space |
If you own a Cricut and are cutting stencil film - Design Space is part of your workflow. But for making the stencil itself, Free Stencil Maker is the best stencil maker available — faster, simpler, and works without any hardware.
Compare all stencil makers: Best Free Online Stencil Makers in 2026 →