Is Beam Bench free?
Yes. Why it is free, what it costs, and what that means for support.
Yes, Beam Bench is free. No paid tier, no subscription, no license keys, no per-machine fees, no premium features. The app you download from beambench.com is the whole app.
Why is it free?
I fund Beam Bench through two sister sites I run for makers:
- PrintCutCarve.com: maker resources and community.
- Craftgineer.com: AI tools for makers.
Outside the maker world, I also run Journtell.com, which turns family memories into written story books.
If people who find Beam Bench useful check those out and share them, the app stays free. That's the model.
Will it stay free?
That's the current plan. If a sponsor model emerges in the future, anything paid would be additive (sponsor recognition, custom integrations, hosted services) rather than removing existing functionality.
If that ever changes, it would be a clear, separate announcement. Right now: free, forever.
What does free mean for support?
Beam Bench is supported via the community, not a paid support contract:
- The Facebook group is the primary help channel.
- Bug reports go through the Send Feedback dialog inside the app.
- I read everything but turnaround depends on volume.
You aren't entitled to a fix on a deadline. You're part of a community that helps each other.
Can I use Beam Bench commercially?
Yes. There are no per-use, per-machine, or per-business restrictions on using Beam Bench to run jobs you are selling.
Can I redistribute or modify the app?
Check the app's license file (in the install directory, or via the About dialog License link). It governs redistribution and modification rights.
Related
- Welcome: what Beam Bench is
- Community & support
- About dialog: version and license