Top 3D Printing Companies: Hardware, Software & Service

Explore top 3D printing companies with a detailed comparison table to help you choose the right hardware, software, or manufacturing partner.

Introduction

Additive manufacturing (3D printing) is reshaping industries from aerospace to healthcare, with the market set to exceed $84 billion by 2030.

However, the term “3D printing company” can be confusing. It covers machine manufacturers, software providers, and production partners, making it hard to choose the right fit.

This guide simplifies your search by breaking down the ecosystem into these key categories: hardware, software, and on-demand manufacturing platforms.

The Titans of the Trade – Top Publicly Traded 3D Printing Companies

This section highlights the leading publicly traded 3D printing companies, based on market capitalization and industry influence. These firms represent the foundation of the additive manufacturing sector and are commonly referenced across the industry.

Here we have adopted the list of "3D Printing Companies by Market Cap" from companiesmarketcap.com. The list represents the "10 Largest 3D Printing companies by Market Cap".

Rank	Company	Ticker	Market Cap	Stock Price	Country	One-line Profile
1		XMTR	$2.42 B	$47.68	🇺🇸 USA	An AI-powered marketplace connecting customers to a global network of on-demand suppliers.
2		PRLB	$1.14 B	$48.15	🇺🇸 USA	A digital manufacturer using highly automated factories for rapid prototyping and on-demand production.
3		SSYS	$0.79 B	$9.40	🇮🇱 Israel	An equipment manufacturer pioneering industrial polymer printing with its foundational FDM and PolyJet technologies.
4		MTLS	$0.30 B	$5.17	🇧🇪 Belgium	A software and service provider specializing in 3D printing software, particularly for the medical industry.
5		NNDM	$0.29 B	$1.38	🇺🇸 USA	A specialty equipment manufacturer developing 3D printers for creating functional electronics.
6		DDD	$0.26 B	$2.05	🇺🇸 USA	An equipment and solutions provide & an industry co-inventor with an exceptionally broad portfolio of printing technologies.
7		VLDX	$86.51 M	$6.15	🇺🇸 USA	An advanced equipment manufacturer enabling support-free metal printing for highly complex, mission-critical parts.
8		PWG.PA	$49.86 M	$0.99	🇫🇷 France	An industrial solutions provider known for its high-productivity DLP technology.
9		NCL	$14.22 M	$0.15	🇺🇸 USA	A product manufacturer using proprietary 3D printing technology to create decorative flooring.
10		SHPW	$1.98 M	$0.30	🇺🇸 USA	An on-demand manufacturing platfor focusing on serving individual creators and small businesses with custom 3D printing.

Note: Market cap and stock prices are dynamic and subject to market fluctuations. The figures shown are accurate as of the publication date of this article. For the most current data, please refer to the source website: companiesmarketcap.com.

The Complete Ecosystem – Finding Your Perfect Partner by Category

Public giants tell only part of the story. Many of the most innovative and agile companies remain private or niche, solving highly specific problems in the workflow. Here’s a breakdown:

Top Industrial 3D Printing Hardware Companies

The companies listed below are not desktop or consumer-grade brands—they specialize in industrial-grade 3D printing systems built for certified production, process stability, and high-value applications in aerospace, automotive, medical, and heavy industry.

1.  Metal-Focused Companies

2.  Polymer-Focused Companies

3.Resin / Photopolymer-Focused Companies

Key Takeaways

● Global Leaders: EOS, Stratasys, 3D Systems dominate across multiple technologies.

● China’s Strength: UnionTech in resin SLA, BLT in large-format metal LPBF.

● Innovators: Velo3D (support-free metal), Carbon (fast resin), Desktop Metal (binder jetting), Markforged (composites + accessible metal).

● HP: Positioned squarely for polymer mass production.

Top On-Demand 3D Printing Service Platforms

Choosing an on-demand manufacturing partner is a critical decision. Factors like technology access, production model, quality control, and speed can significantly impact a project's success.

Some platforms operate as vast marketplaces, connecting you to a network of suppliers, while others leverage their own in-house production facilities.

To help you navigate these choices, we've compiled a detailed comparison of the leading on-demand 3D printing service platforms.

Comparative Analysis of Leading Platforms

Top 3D Printing Software Providers

Software is the brain behind the 3D printing process, transforming a digital idea into a physical object. The workflow typically involves several stages, each with specialized software tools: from creating the 3D model (CAD) and repairing it, to slicing it into printable layers and managing the printer itself.

Below are the top software providers that dominate the industry, categorized by their primary role in the 3D printing ecosystem.

1. CAD & 3D Modeling Software

This is where every design begins. These tools are used to create 3D models from scratch.

Autodesk

● Key Role: The industry giant for design and engineering software.

● Why They Lead: Autodesk offers a complete design ecosystem, from the accessible, free Tinkercad for beginners to the powerful, all-in-one Fusion 360 for professionals.

Dassault Systèmes

● Key Role: A global leader in professional-grade design software.

● Why They Lead: Dassault Systèmes dominates the professional market with SolidWorks, the industry standard for mechanical design, and CATIA for high-end aerospace and automotive engineering.

2. Slicing & Print Preparation Software

Slicers are essential tools that convert a 3D model (like an STL file) into layer-by-layer instructions (G-code) that a 3D printer can understand.

Ultimaker

● Key Role: Creator of the world's most popular open-source slicer.

● Why They Lead: Its free, open-source slicer, Ultimaker Cura, has become the industry's default choice due to its ease of use, extensive printer compatibility, and massive community support.

Prusa Research

● Key Role: Developer of a leading open-source slicer with a focus on user experience.

● Why They Lead: PrusaSlicer leads through continuous innovation, introducing cutting-edge features like organic supports and an intuitive user interface that sets new industry standards.

Materialise

● Key Role: The gold standard for professional and industrial print preparation.

● Why They Lead: Materialise Magics is the gold standard for industrial 3D printing, offering advanced tools for file repair, support generation, and build preparation essential for professional production.

3. Generative Design & Optimization Software

This advanced category uses algorithms to create optimized, high-performance designs based on user-defined constraints like weight, strength, and manufacturing method.

nTopology

● Key Role: The leader in next-generation, advanced engineering design software.

● Why They Lead: nTopology leads in advanced design with its unique implicit modeling engine, enabling engineers to create highly complex and optimized parts (like lattices) that are impossible in traditional CAD.

Summary of Top 3D Printing Software

The Ultimate Differentiator – One-Stop-Shop Manufacturing Partners

Modern product development rarely relies on a single process. Projects today often require a combination of 3D printing, CNC machining, vacuum casting, and injection molding—sometimes within the same production cycle.

This shift has created a new standard for manufacturing partners. Companies no longer seek a single-service vendor, but a one-stop manufacturing provider—capable of managing diverse processes under unified control. These partners reduce lead time, simplify logistics, and ensure quality across the entire production chain.

While platforms like Xometry connect customers to a distributed network of suppliers, companies that own and operate all core services in-house, such as Protolabs and Unionfab, offer greater process reliability. Their vertical integration translates to tighter project management, consistent output, and full traceability.

Unionfab, in particular, provides a comprehensive suite of capabilities that go far beyond additive manufacturing:

● CNC machining for tight-tolerance metal and plastic parts

● Vacuum casting for bridge tooling and rapid low-volume production

● Injection molding for mass production scalability

● All built on a foundation of industrial-grade 3D printing technologies (SLA, SLM, SLS, MJF, FDM)

With six smart factories, 1,000+ machines, and end-to-end digital infrastructure, Unionfab delivers production-ready solutions for complex product lifecycles—from prototype to full-scale rollout.

A true one-stop-shop is not just about offering more processes—it's about offering a fully managed path from idea to execution.

If you haven’t used Unionfab’s 3d printing service yet, sign up now to get a 10% discount on your first order!

How to Choose Your Ideal 3D Printing Partner: A Checklist

Choosing the right 3D printing partner isn’t just about capabilities—it’s about fit. The best provider for your project depends on where you are in the product lifecycle, what materials you need, and how complex your production will become.

Use the following checklist to guide your selection:

● What is the current stage of your project?

○ Do you need fast-turnaround prototypes, or are you preparing for on-demand volume production?

○ Providers like Unionfab support both short-run iteration and scalable output.

● What are your material requirements?

○ Do you need standard plastics, or aerospace-grade metals and biocompatible resins?

○ Check if the provider offers material breadth across polymer and metal AM.

● Are certifications required for your industry?

○ Does your application require ISO 13485 (medical) or AS9100D (aerospace) certification?

○ Unionfab meets both, ensuring compliance for regulated sectors.

● How broad is the service scope you need?

○ Do you only need 3D printing, or also CNC machining, vacuum casting, and injection molding as the project evolves?

○ A one-stop partner like Unionfab reduces vendor complexity.

● What are your budget and ROI expectations?

○ Are you focused on lowest unit cost, or seeking the best balance of price, quality, and lead time?

○ Unionfab’s scale enables cost savings—up to 70% lower—without compromising performance.

Choosing the right partner isn’t about choosing the biggest—it’s about choosing the one that’s built for your needs.

Conclusion & Your Next Step

The 3D printing landscape is vast, dynamic, and full of incredible potential. As we've seen, the "best" company isn't a single entity, but rather the partner that aligns perfectly with your specific project needs—be it a hardware innovator, a software powerhouse, or a full-service manufacturing platform.

Navigating this landscape can be challenging. If you're unsure which technology, material, or manufacturing partner is right for your project, our team of experienced engineers is here to help.

Request a free, no-obligation project review with a Unionfab expert today. We'll help you find the optimal solution to bring your ideas to life, efficiently and cost-effectively.

FAQs

What is the most popular 3D printing brand?

For consumers, Creality and Prusa are dominant. In the industrial sector, Stratasys and EOS are major leaders.

What is the holy grail of 3D printing?

The "holy grail" is achieving true mass production with speed, cost, and material properties that are comparable to traditional methods like injection molding.

What is the largest market for 3D printing?

By application, the largest markets include aerospace, medical/dental, and automotive. Geographically, North America and Asia-Pacific are the dominant regions.

Who are the top 10 3D printing companies?

Based on recent market cap data, the top 10 publicly traded companies include Xometry, Protolabs, Stratasys, Materialise, Nano Dimension, 3D Systems, Velo3D, Prodways Group, Northann Corp, and Shapeways.

Which 3D printing companies are publicly traded?

Many 3D printing companies are publicly traded, including Xometry (XMTR), Protolabs (PRLB), Stratasys (SSYS), 3D Systems (DDD), Velo3D (VLDX), and Materialise (MTLS).

What are some major 3D printing companies in the USA?

Major US-based companies include Xometry, Protolabs, 3D Systems, Velo3D, HP, and Carbon.

What are the largest 3D printing companies by market cap?

As of recent data, the largest 3D printing companies by market cap include Xometry, Protolabs, and Stratasys.

Who is the leading company in 3D printing?

There is no single leader; it depends on the category. Stratasys is a pioneer in hardware, Xometry leads in the marketplace model, and Autodesk is a leader in design software.