Silhouette Studio V4 vs. V5: Which Version Should You Actually Be Using?

There's a lot of confusion right now about Silhouette Studio V4 and V5 — specifically whether you should update, whether you have to update, and why so many experienced Silhouette users are still on V4 by choice.

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The short answer is that most people do not need (and should not be using) V5. For the majority of Silhouette machines, V4 is still the better option.

Do I Have to Use Silhouette Studio V5?

There are only two machines that require Silhouette Studio V5 — the Cameo 5 Alpha (CAMEO 5a) and the Silhouette CAMEO 5 MK Pro (24" Cameo 5). These two models are only supported by Silhouette Studio V5, so if you have one of them, V5 is not optional. You need it.

The CAMEO Pro MK and CAMEO 5a were released AFTER Silhouette Studio V5 was launched and they are not supposed by any Silhouette Studio V4 version.

That's it. All other Silhouette users can and should be using Silhouette Studio V4.

Who Should Be Using Silhouette Studio V4?

Everyone else. If you have a Cameo 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or a Portrait, or any other Silhouette machine that isn't the two listed above, V4 is what I recommend and what I use.

While Silhouette Studio V5 does support these machines - it's not necessary and in my opinion it's not stable enough - still.

The bottom line is V5 offers no real benefit over V4 unless you have the CAMEO 5a or MK Pro.

Which Version of Silhouette Studio V4 is Best?

Instead I would recommend everyone who can be on V4 to use V4.5.738. This version is both stable and updated as far as features.

If you are on Silhouette Studio V5 currently, you can roll back by installing the V4.5.738 legacy version of the software.

How to Revert from Silhouette Studio V5 to V4

I have a full step-by-step video showing exactly how to go back to V4 from V5 on Silhouette U and if you need even more help, as a member of Silhouette U I'll walk you through in a live chat!

As always, if you get stuck at any point, same-day support from Silhouette U means you're not sitting alone trying to figure out why your software or machine won't cooperate.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. By clicking on them and purchasing products through my links, I receive a small commission. That's what helps fund Silhouette School so I can keep buying new Silhouette-related products to show you how to get the most out of your machine!

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