Honest Comparison
3D Printer on Demand vs Shapeways
Looking for a Shapeways alternative? Here is the short version. The Shapeways you may remember closed in 2024 and relaunched late that year as a business maker run from the Netherlands. The service is not the one you signed up for before.
3D Printer on Demand is built for US businesses that want a fast, plain price for FDM parts. You get an instant quote with no login. Your parts are made in the USA, so there are no customs forms and no overseas shipping wait.
Both can make one part or thousands. We credit where Shapeways still wins below, then show why US buyers pick us.
Side by side
| 3D Printer on Demand | Shapeways | |
|---|---|---|
| Instant quote | Free and no login. Upload your part and see a price in your browser. | You sign in first. There is no public price before you make an account. |
| Where parts are made | Made in the USA. No customs, no overseas shipping. | Run from the Netherlands. US buyers ship from the EU and may pay customs. |
| Materials | FDM only. PLA, PETG, and ABS are auto-priced. PA-CF and TPU get a fast human quote. | 90 plus materials and finishes, including cast metals like brass, bronze, silver, and gold. |
| Order size | One part up to 10,000 parts. Flat per-part price. | No minimum order. One part up to 10,000 plus. |
| Ship time | Ships in 2 to 5 days. | Lead time varies by material and finish. Plan for EU transit to the US. |
| Payment terms | Net-30 and purchase orders for US businesses. | Built for business buyers. Terms depend on your account setup. |
| Built-in checks | Automated checks flag print problems before you order. | A business maker with hands-on manufacturing support. |
| Brand history | Newer brand focused on US FDM production. | Brand dates to 2007. The relaunched company is new as of late 2024. |
See your own part priced in seconds. No account, no sales call.
Upload your STLWhere Shapeways wins
- More materials. Shapeways runs 90 plus materials and finishes, including cast metals like brass, bronze, silver, and gold. We are FDM only, so we cannot match that.
- A long brand name. Shapeways has been known in 3D printing since 2007.
Where we win
- Free instant quote with no login. You see a price right away. Shapeways asks you to sign in first.
- Made in the USA. No customs forms and no overseas shipping wait. Shapeways runs from the Netherlands.
- Flat per-part price. You know the cost per part before you order, with no surprise math.
- Fast ship time. Parts go out in 2 to 5 days.
- Built-in checks. We flag print problems before you pay, so fewer parts fail.
The bottom line
Pick Shapeways if you need a material we do not offer, like cast metal, or finishes outside of FDM. Their 90 plus material menu and long history are real strengths, and the relaunched company is built for business buyers. Pick 3D Printer on Demand if you want FDM parts made in the USA, a flat per-part price, and a quote you can see in seconds with no login. For US businesses that print PLA, PETG, or ABS and care about ship speed and no customs, we are the simpler choice.
Try our instant quoteCommon questions
- Is Shapeways still in business?
- Yes, but it is not the same company. Shapeways filed Chapter 7 in 2024 and the old consumer marketplace closed. It relaunched late in 2024 under new owners as a business maker run from the Netherlands. The old store where people sold designs did not come back.
- What is the best Shapeways alternative for US businesses?
- 3D Printer on Demand is a strong fit for US businesses that need FDM parts. Your parts are made in the USA, so there are no customs forms and no overseas shipping. You also get a free instant quote with no login.
- Does 3D Printer on Demand offer metal like Shapeways?
- No. We print FDM only, which means plastics like PLA, PETG, and ABS, plus PA-CF and TPU on a human quote. Shapeways offers cast metals such as brass, bronze, silver, and gold. If you need metal, Shapeways is the better pick.
- Can I get a price without making an account?
- Yes, with 3D Printer on Demand. Upload your part and see a flat per-part price in your browser, no login needed. Shapeways asks you to sign in before you see a quote.