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Two Top 3D Printers with Dual Extruders: Ultimaker Wins with Software and Materials; Raise3D Wins with IDEX Speed

Picking Your 2025 Workhorse

The professional desktop 3D printer market has grown a lot. The choice is no longer about finding a machine that just works, but about picking a complete system that fits your specific work style, team setup, and what you need to make. In this market, the Ultimaker S7 and the Raise3D Pro3 stand as two champions in the dual-extruder group, both offering great quality and dependability for professional settings.

This comparison cuts through the marketing and spec sheets to focus on the main differences that define these machines. The choice isn't about which printer is "better," but which is the right tool for your job. The Ultimaker S7 excels through its deeply connected software and certified materials system, offering unmatched dependability and ease of use. In contrast, the Raise3D Pro3 leads with the raw speed and geometric flexibility of its Independent Dual Extrusion (IDEX) system. This article will guide you through a detailed comparison of their printing technologies, software workflows, material handling, and ideal use cases to help you make a smart investment.

Quick Look: Key Specifications

For those who need a fast overview, this table provides a direct comparison of the key technical specifications for both printers.

Core Technology: Cores vs. IDEX

The biggest difference between the S7 and Pro3 lies in how they handle dual printing. This single design choice has major effects on workflow, speed, and final part quality.

The Raise3D Pro3's IDEX Advantage

The Raise3D Pro3 features an Independent Dual Extrusion (IDEX) system. This means it has two print heads that move independently of each other along the X-axis. This design unlocks unique abilities that a standard dual-extrusion system cannot match.

The main benefit is a huge boost in productivity through special printing modes. In Duplication Mode, the two print heads work at the same time to create two identical models. This cuts production time in half for small batches of parts like manufacturing jigs, end-use components, or multiple prototype versions. For businesses where output is a key performance measure, this feature provides a direct and measurable return on investment. Mirror Mode works similarly, printing a model and its mirror image at the same time, which is valuable for applications like creating matched pairs of brackets, medical devices, or cases.

The second major benefit of IDEX is perfect dual-material printing. When one print head is active, the other parks completely off to the side, away from the print area. This physical separation eliminates the risk of the inactive nozzle leaking or dripping a different color or material onto the part. This is critical for achieving flawless aesthetic models with sharp color transitions and is equally important for functional parts using dissolvable support materials. With IDEX, the interface between the model and the support is perfectly clean, leading to better surface finish on complex overhangs after dissolution.

The Ultimaker S7's Print Core System

The Ultimaker S7 uses a different approach: a single print carriage that holds two swappable, application-specific Print Cores. For example, an "AA" core is designed for build materials, while a "BB" core is optimized for dissolvable support materials.

The main benefit of this system is unmatched reliability through integration. The S7 printer uses NFC technology to automatically recognize both the material spool loaded into the machine and the type of Print Cores installed. It then cross-references this information and loads a professionally engineered, pre-tested printing profile from a vast library. This removes virtually all guesswork from the setup process. The user doesn't need to be an expert in material science or parameter tuning; the system is designed to deliver a successful print on the first try with certified materials. This dramatically reduces the rate of print failures, saving time, material, and frustration, especially in a team environment with users of varying skill levels.

The second user benefit is simplified workflow and maintenance. Swapping Print Cores is a tool-free, sub-minute process. If a nozzle clogs or wears out, you don't need to perform a complicated hotend disassembly. You simply eject the old core and click a new one into place. This design minimizes machine downtime and makes material changeovers fast and effortless.

For teams prioritizing maximum output via parallel printing and the cleanest possible multi-material surfaces, the Pro3's IDEX system is a powerful asset. For organizations that value foolproof operation, certified material compatibility, and extreme reliability out of the box, the S7's integrated Print Core system is the benchmark for ease of use.

The Ecosystem: Software and Workflow

Beyond the hardware, the software ecosystem is what transforms a 3D printer from a standalone tool into an integrated part of a professional workflow. Here, the two platforms present distinctly different approaches.

The Ultimaker Platform

Ultimaker's greatest strength lies in its seamless, end-to-end platform that tightly integrates hardware, software, and materials.

The heart of this is Ultimaker Cura. While it is a powerful slicer in its own right, its true advantage is the Ultimaker Marketplace. This built-in portal provides access to hundreds of pre-tuned material profiles from dozens of leading filament manufacturers through the Material Alliance Program. When you use a certified third-party material, you can download a profile that has been tested and optimized specifically for the S7, guaranteeing performance and reducing risk when using advanced engineering-grade plastics.

For managing one or more printers, the Ultimaker Digital Factory is an essential tool. This cloud-based platform allows teams to create a centralized print queue, remotely monitor progress with live camera feeds, manage user access levels, and track detailed analytics on printer usage and material consumption. It's a comprehensive solution for ensuring workflow consistency, managing a printer fleet, and scaling up additive manufacturing operations within an organization.

This "walled garden" approach, where every component is designed to work together, creates an experience where "it just works." It minimizes the time users spend tinkering with settings and troubleshooting, maximizing the time they spend producing successful parts.

The Raise3D Platform

The Raise3D ecosystem is built on a philosophy of power, flexibility, and openness.

Its slicer, ideaMaker, is known for its powerful and detailed controls. It offers an extensive array of settings that allow expert users to fine-tune every conceivable aspect of the printing process. This level of control is ideal for those who need to push the boundaries of the hardware or optimize for very specific, non-standard applications. Unique features like algorithmic texture generation directly within the slicer add another layer of capability for designers.

For printer management, RaiseCloud offers a robust suite of tools for remote control, live monitoring, and team collaboration that is functionally comparable to Digital Factory. Users can manage print jobs, organize models, and monitor a fleet of Pro3 printers from anywhere.

The key philosophical difference lies in the Open Filament Program. Unlike Ultimaker's curated approach, Raise3D allows and encourages the use of any 2.85 mm third-party filament. This provides users with maximum flexibility in material choice and the potential for significant cost savings. However, this freedom places more responsibility on the user. While Raise3D provides profiles for many popular materials, for more exotic or new filaments, the user must perform their own testing, validation, and profile creation to guarantee successful and repeatable results.

The Ultimaker ecosystem is the clear choice for organizations seeking a managed, highly reliable, and standardized printing process. The Raise3D ecosystem is ideal for users who value ultimate flexibility, material choice, and have the expertise to fine-tune their workflow for specific needs.

Hardware, Reliability, and User Experience

The daily user experience is defined by the physical hardware, automation features, and overall build quality. Both the S7 and Pro3 are professional-grade machines built for continuous operation.

Build Environment and Handling

Both printers feature a fully enclosed build chamber, which is essential for maintaining a stable thermal environment. This is critical for achieving high-quality results with temperature-sensitive engineering materials like ABS, PC, and Nylon, as it prevents warping and improves layer adhesion. Both also integrate air filtration systems to capture ultrafine particles (UFPs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released during printing, enhancing safety in an office or lab environment. The S7 uses an integrated Air Manager with a HEPA filter, while the Pro3 employs a HEPA filter with an activated charcoal element for enhanced VOC absorption.

For part removal, both machines have adopted flexible magnetic build plates, a massive quality-of-life improvement over the rigid glass plates of the past. The S7 uses a PEI-coated steel sheet, known for its excellent adhesion and durability, while the Pro3 uses a flexible plate with a BuildTak-like surface. In either case, once a print is finished, the user can remove the plate, flex it, and the part simply pops off, reducing the risk of damaging the print or the build surface.

Automation and Daily Operation

In this class of printer, high-level automation is a standard expectation, and both machines deliver. They feature advanced, multi-point automatic bed leveling systems that probe the build surface and compensate for any minor tilt or variation. This is a crucial, non-negotiable feature for ensuring a perfect first layer and print success.

Both printers are also equipped with essential failsafe sensors. Filament run-out sensors will pause the print if a spool runs empty, allowing the user to load a new one and resume. Power loss recovery ensures that a long print job isn't lost due to a brief power interruption. From a usability standpoint, both machines feature large, responsive color touchscreens with intuitive user interfaces that make onboard operation straightforward.

Build Quality and Reliability

The S7 and Pro3 are robustly constructed with high-quality linear rails, rigid frames, and components designed to withstand the rigors of 24/7 professional use. Their long-term reliability is rooted in their respective design philosophies. The Ultimaker S7's reliability is systematically enhanced by its integrated software and material ecosystem, which prevents errors before they happen. The Raise3D Pro3's reliability is rooted in its robust mechanical design and the raw efficiency of its IDEX system, which is built to perform high-volume work consistently.

Which Printer for Your Job?

The best way to choose between these two printers is to match their strengths to your specific, real-world applications.

The Corporate Engineering Team

This team is developing functional prototypes using certified, engineering-grade materials like PETG, Tough PLA, and PC. The environment prioritizes repeatability, ease of use for multiple engineers with varying experience levels, and centralized workflow management. The cost of a failed 20-hour print is a significant loss of project time. In this scenario, the Ultimaker S7 is often the better fit. Its Digital Factory software is ideal for managing a multi-user queue, and the Material Alliance Program provides the "press print and walk away" confidence needed to guarantee results with minimal tweaking.

The Small Batch Manufacturer

This business is tasked with producing 50 identical enclosures per week for a commercial product. The key metric for success is throughput: how many finished parts can be produced per day? Here, the Raise3D Pro3 has a decisive advantage. Its IDEX Duplication Mode can produce two enclosures in the time it takes other machines to produce one, effectively doubling production speed. For applications where efficiency directly translates to revenue, the Pro3 offers a clear path to a faster return on investment.

The R&D Lab or University

This user is experimenting with novel composite materials, custom-formulated polymers, or highly abrasive filaments. They need maximum control over every print parameter and the freedom to use any material without restriction. For this application, the Raise3D Pro3 is the superior choice. Its completely open filament system and the highly detailed controls within the ideaMaker slicer are purpose-built for the type of experimentation and fine-tuning that R&D requires.

The Product Design Studio

This studio creates large, complex, multi-material concept models that require extensive dissolvable supports. The goal is a visually stunning final part with a perfect surface finish. This scenario presents a difficult choice. The Raise3D Pro3 offers a slightly more cubic build volume and guarantees perfectly clean support separation due to its IDEX system parking the inactive nozzle. The Ultimaker S7, however, offers extreme confidence and reliability on long, complex prints thanks to its battle-tested, highly optimized profiles for its own PVA and BVOH support materials. The decision here depends on whether the absolute highest priority is the geometric freedom of a slightly larger build area or the highest possible probability of print success.

Final Verdict: A Choice of Philosophy

Both the Ultimaker S7 and the Raise3D Pro3 are top-tier professional 3D printers. They represent two different, but equally valid, approaches on how to achieve professional results. The best choice is not a matter of quality, but of which approach best aligns with your primary needs and workflow.

Choose the Ultimaker S7 if your priority is a complete, integrated ecosystem that delivers unparalleled reliability and ease of use. You manage a team, require the guaranteed performance of certified materials, and want to minimize time spent on setup and troubleshooting to maximize the number of successful prints.

Choose the Raise3D Pro3 if your priority is manufacturing efficiency, high throughput, and workflow flexibility. You need the productivity boost of IDEX for batch production and value an open system that gives you the freedom to use any material and fine-tune every aspect of the printing process.

By understanding these fundamental differences in approach, you can confidently select the machine that will not just be a tool, but a true asset to your professional operations in 2025 and beyond.