If you’re like me, then you’ve been wondering what craft machine should I buy? The Silhouette, the Circut from Provo Craft, Quickuts, or even the Slice. There are soo many options these days with amazing projects to make with them.
Here we are breaking down public opinion so you can be armed with enough information to choose for yourself which digital cutter is the best for you!
Are you Team Cricut or Team Silhouette?
I received the sweetest e-mail from a reader who said, “I am a beginner and want to purchase either a Cricut or a Silhouette. I’m not sure which is the better option.“
Since I only have a Silhouette, I decided to ask Tip Junkie’s over on the Facebook page to see what they have to say. 120 women chimed in and here are the results:
- 44% prefer the Silhouette
- 56% prefer the Cricut
- Other likes were eCraft, big shot, and slice.
The Benefits of a Silhouette are:
Here is what Tip Junkie readers said are their favorite things about the Silhouette. These are their opinions about working with the craft machine.
- Very easy to learn to use and doesn’t take up much space.
- Shapes are cheap to download, you can use your own fonts, or draw what you want to cut on Silhouette Studio or Adobe Illustrator. I also use the print and cut option a lot.
- With the new fabric interface kit, you can now cut fabric.
- It will cut ANY true type font and there are tons online for free.
- No cartridges, great customer service, love their online store (think iTunes for files!),
The Perks of a Cricut are:
Just like above, the following are quotes from fellow Tip Junkie’s on their favorite aspects of working with this digital cutter.
- Many options to store your cartridges now that take up no space. You can get the carts for $20 now instead of $89-99. I don’t have a computer in my craft studio so Silhouette doesn’t work for me.
- Cricut cuts paper, card stock, heavier card stock, some chip-boards, vinyl, window cling material, thin magnets, wall paper, pre-pasted wall paper and boarders, poster board, some fabrics, just to name a few.
Need more information before you decide what craft machine or digital cutter will work the best for you? Then here are a few articles to help you decide:
- What is the best cutting machine for me?
- Cricut vs. Silhouette the Eternal Debate
- Cutting Samples of both machines
- Tip Junkie’s Silhouette Look Book ~ 130+ tutorials
Silhouette has my vote…cheaper & easier & most versitile…I WANT ONE TOO!!! =)
Sure Cuts a Lot and Make the Cut can no longer be purchased for use with the Cricut. Provo Craft sued both companies and now the third party software is sold without the plugin that allows you to use your Cricut to cut using the program. The old versions have the plugins though.
Make the cut is compatible with the Silhouette now.
That was a great post! Thank you so much. I am going to purchase a Silhouette, but my dilemma is, should a buy one now or wait until the new one comes out?! What are your thoughts? Thanks!
This is great info!! However, just one side note – SCAL is no longer available to purchase for the Cricut. 🙁 Provo Craft sued Craftedge and unfortunately they won so Craftedge can no longer sell this for the Cricut. So sad.
Just and FYI, SCAL and MTC no longer support the Cricut machine due to the settlement of a lawsuit filed against them by Provo Craft. That might make a difference to someone (like me) who is interested in using those products with a die cutter.