Where to download Silhouette Studio for free
Silhouette Studio free download for Mac and PC starts at silhouetteamerica.com/software. Going straight to that page skips the menus. Ignore the “Shop now” button that makes it look like the software costs money. Scroll down to the Download button instead.
You’ll be asked for an email. Use the one tied to your Silhouette account, and if you don’t have an account yet, you’ll be prompted to make one. You don’t need to own a Silhouette machine to download or use the software.
The free version, Basic Edition, has plenty of design tools. The main thing it can’t do is import or export SVG files. That takes a paid upgrade, which is a one-time purchase under $50 and works on up to three computers.
To see how the two versions compare in more detail, see Silhouette Studio V4 vs. V5: Which Version Should You Actually Be Using?
Do you need Silhouette Studio V5 or V4?
The main download button installs V5 (V5.0.414 when this was recorded). You only have to use V5 if you have a CAMEO 5 Alpha or the 24-inch Pro MK2. Everyone else can use it, but V5 tends to be buggier, so it isn’t recommended unless your machine needs it.
For everyone else, click Legacy to see the older versions. V4.5.738 is the recommended pick. It’s about two and a half years old, and its only change was a firmware update, but it’s one of the most stable versions. V4.3.370, from 2020, still works and is still supported if you’d rather use it. Both come in Mac and Windows versions.
How to install Silhouette Studio on a Mac or Windows PC
On a Mac, drag the download into your Applications folder. Macs can keep several versions of Silhouette Studio installed side by side.
Windows PCs can only have one version installed. Moving up, for example from V4.3 to V4.5, doesn’t require deleting anything first. Going back from V5 to V4.5 does: uninstall V5 first, then install the legacy version.
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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