What this matrix records, and what it cannotHow each cell was decided, and why an empty one is not a no

The matrix fills as machines are reviewed. Each cell records what a vendor states in writing about a specific machine and a specific program, with the page it was read from and the date. Nothing is inferred from a listing that says "LightBurn compatible", because that phrase can mean a bundled licence, a licence bought separately, a bridge the maker wrote, or simply that somebody once got it working.

The programs that drive these machines

Control software talks to the machine; design software makes the file and hands it over. Several do both, and which one you are locked into is set by the machine.

Laser control and design software, by vendor, role and licence
Software	Vendor	Does	Licence
LightBurn	LightBurn Software	Design and control	Bought once
xTool Creative Space	xTool	Design and control	Free
EZCAD	JCZ	Drives the machine	Bundled with the machine
RDWorks	RuiDa	Drives the machine	Free
Glowforge App	Glowforge	Design and control	Subscription
LaserGRBL	LaserGRBL	Drives the machine	Free

Prices are deliberately not in this table. They belong with the source they were read from, on the running-costs page, because a figure stated in two places goes stale in one of them.

The matrix is not built yet

Laser Oracle publishes a compatibility cell only when a vendor states the pairing in writing, with the page it was read from and the date it was read. No machine has been through that yet, so the matrix below the software table is empty rather than populated with inferences from listing copy.

The distinction this page exists to draw is already worth stating without it. “LightBurn compatible” appears on a large share of the machines sold in this category and can mean four different things: the machine ships with a licence, it works with a licence you buy separately, it works through a bridge the maker wrote, or somebody once got it working. Only the first costs you nothing.