PiBot CNC & Laser Controller Guide

This page compares the five current PiBot controller boards. Specifications and software support are checked against PiBot product documentation, the technical Wiki, and the software vendors' official documentation. Always verify the exact board revision and firmware before wiring or flashing.

Current Controller Lineup

Five PiBot controller boards are in the current lineup. The table focuses on documented hardware and firmware differences; it does not rank the boards or make assumptions about a customer's machine.

Controller
Flagship
V5.88 Ultra
Best Seller
V4.96 Pro
Plug-in ESP32-S3
V5.77 Carrier
Plug-in ESP32
V4.7 B
Isolated GRBL
V3.28 Isolated
Main controller
Integrated ESP32-S3
8 MB Flash + 8 MB PSRAM
Integrated ESP32
Replaceable plug-in ESP32-S3 module
Plug-in ESP32 DevKitC module
ATmega328P
Documented firmware
FluidNC
grblHAL Experimental
FluidNC
grblHAL
FluidNC
grblHAL
FluidNC
grblHAL
GRBL 1.1h
Axes / motor outputs
6 dedicated + 1 configurable
via Extra I/O; up to 7 axes1
6
6 dedicated + 2 configurable
via Extra I/O; up to 8 axes2
6 external-driver outputs
3 axes / 5 outputs
XXYYZ
Stepper driver interface
On-board or external drivers
standard and SPI
On-board or external drivers
standard and SPI
External drivers only
External drivers only
On-board sockets + external drivers
Spindle / laser control
PWM, laser, isolated RS485, 0–10 V
PWM, laser, RS485, 0–10 V
PWM, laser, RS485, 0–10 V
PWM, laser, RS485, 0–10 V
PWM, 0–10 V
Connectivity / storage
Wi-Fi, 2× USB-C, microSD
Wi-Fi, USB, microSD
Wi-Fi, 2× USB-C, microSD
(with plug-in ESP32-S3 module)
Wi-Fi, USB, microSD
(with ESP32 module)
USB
Isolation distinction
10 opto-isolated inputs; galvanically isolated RS485
Standard non-isolated RS485
Standard non-isolated RS485
Standard non-isolated RS485
Full optocoupler isolation for I/O
Technical Wiki

1 V5.88 has six dedicated motor outputs. Its Extra I/O signals can be configured as one additional Step / Dir / Enable motor group, for up to seven axes, or used as ordinary I/O. The same Extra I/O signals cannot serve both purposes at the same time. The official grblHAL Web Builder target currently advertises a maximum of 4 axes; see the V5.88 grblHAL chapter before choosing firmware.

2 V5.77 has six dedicated motor outputs. Its six Extra I/O signals can be configured as two additional Step / Dir / Enable motor groups, for up to eight axes, or used as ordinary outputs. The same Extra I/O signals cannot serve both purposes at the same time.

Controller Family Photos

PiBot V4 controller family overview including V4.96 Pro
PiBot V4 controller family / V4.96 Pro overview. Additional current-model family photos can be added here later.

Firmware & Software Compatibility

This table provides a quick compatibility overview. Software and firmware versions change, so verify the exact combination before production use.

Firmware
FluidNC WebUI
OpenBuilds CONTROL
LaserGRBL
Candle
UGS
LightBurn
FluidNC
Native
PiBot tested
PiBot tested
PiBot tested
PiBot tested
✓
grblHAL
—
PiBot tested
PiBot tested
PiBot tested
PiBot tested
✓
GRBL 1.1
—
PiBot tested
PiBot tested
PiBot tested
PiBot tested
✓
✓ = compatible. PiBot tested = recorded in PiBot's October 2025 compatibility test. — = not applicable; it does not mean the firmware itself is unsupported.

Resources & Support

PiBot Controller Store grblHAL Controllers List PiBot Discord Support AI Documentation Index Expanded AI Index

Sources Checked