BurnBadger

ACMER S1 software for Mac and Windows

BurnBadger is free laser software for GRBL diode lasers like the ACMER S1 (2.5, 3.5 and 6 W). Pick your material and the power and speed fill in, frame it, burn. Free to download; Pro is $59 once.

Should work, not checked yet. The ACMER S1 runs GRBL-family firmware, the kind BurnBadger talks to, but we haven’t had one on our bench. BurnBadger was built and tested on the Artilume T1. Got one? Add it: about 10 minutes and a scrap of plywood. The first 3 people to check each new laser get BurnBadger Pro free, for life.
Download for WindowsDownload for Mac

About the ACMER S1

FirmwareGRBL. Owners’ consoles show “Grbl 1.2h”, and ACMER’s own quick-start sets the S1 up in LightBurn as a GRBL laser over USB.
ConnectionUSB only (CH340 chip). No Wi-Fi.
Work area130 × 130 mm
ACMER’s softwareACMER offers its own app, ACMER Studio. Its support centre also lists LightBurn and LaserGRBL.

Your software options

SoftwarePriceRuns on
BurnBadgerFree; Pro $59 once, no yearly feeWindows and Mac (iPhone, iPad and Android coming very soon)
LightBurn$99 for Core (a year of updates; $40 a year after that)Windows and Mac
LaserGRBLFreeWindows only
ACMER Studio (ACMER)FreeNot stated on ACMER’s pages

Coming from LightBurn? See how BurnBadger compares.

Your first burn on the ACMER S1 with BurnBadger

  1. Connect by USB. BurnBadger finds the laser, reads its settings and offers to fix the common ones (laser mode, max power) in one click.
  2. Focus. Use the focus tool that came with your ACMER S1.
  3. Pick your material. Power and speed fill in for your laser’s wattage. They’re measured on a 7 W Artilume T1 and scaled, so burn the test card or a test grid before a good piece.
  4. Add a design. Text, art, a photo or a starter project, then fit it to your material.
  5. Frame, then Burn. The frame shows exactly where it lands. Glasses on.

Questions

What software works with the ACMER S1?

ACMER offers its own app, ACMER Studio. Its support centre also lists LightBurn and LaserGRBL. LaserGRBL: free, Windows only. LightBurn: $99 one time for Core (a year of updates; $40 a year after that to keep updating). Windows and Mac. BurnBadger is free on Windows and Mac (Pro is $59 once) and works with GRBL diode lasers.

Is there free ACMER S1 software for Mac?

ACMER offers ACMER Studio; we couldn’t confirm from ACMER’s pages whether it runs on a Mac. BurnBadger is free on Mac.

Does BurnBadger work with the ACMER S1?

It should: the ACMER S1 runs GRBL-family firmware, the kind BurnBadger talks to. It hasn’t been checked on one yet. If you own one, the 10-minute “Add my laser” check in the app adds it.

Sources

Checked October 2026. Makers change their software and firmware, so tell us if something here is out of date: support.

Other lasers

TwoTrees TTS-55 · Ortur Laser Master 2 Pro S2 · Creality Falcon · Sculpfun S9 · Atomstack A5 · Longer Ray5 · Artilume T1 · all lasers

ACMER is a trademark of its owner. BurnBadger is independent and isn’t affiliated with ACMER.