Different markets. Xometry makes precision industrial parts for engineers. 3DAPI makes consumer products for online sellers and ships them to their buyers.
Last reviewed September 2026
The short answer
Different markets entirely. 3DAPI is consumer print on demand fulfillment for ecommerce sellers. Xometry is industrial, certified, multi-process precision manufacturing for engineers and enterprises.
| 3DAPI | Xometry | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Online sellers fulfilling consumer products to buyers in many countries | Engineers and enterprises buying precision or certified parts |
| Model | Print on demand fulfillment, every store order made and shipped automatically | Industrial manufacturing marketplace with instant quoting |
| Where orders are made | 30+ production centers in 10+ regions, the one nearest your buyer | Thousands of suppliers, US-based marketplace |
| Store integrations | Shopify connects through ShipStation for now, and a direct Shopify connection is coming soon. Etsy, Amazon, eBay and WooCommerce connect through ShipStation, plus an API. | Quoting and procurement workflows, not store order sync |
| Processes | FDM 3D printing | CNC, sheet metal, injection molding, casting, industrial 3D printing incl. metal |
| Inventory and minimums | None and no minimums, with optional regional Stock for bestsellers | Prototypes through production runs |
| Pricing | Pay per order: production price plus shipping. Free plan available | Instant quotes per part, industrial pricing |
Xometry is a large US-based, AI-powered on-demand manufacturing marketplace connecting buyers to thousands of suppliers (reported at 4,500 to 5,000+). Its Instant Quoting Engine prices CNC machining, sheet metal, injection molding, casting and industrial 3D printing (FDM, SLA, SLS, MJF, PolyJet, DMLS and other metal processes) across plastics and metals.
It carries industrial certifications including ISO 9001, ISO 13485, IATF 16949 and AS9100D, is ITAR-registered and CMMC Level 2 certified, and serves engineers and enterprises.
Mostly it does not overlap. Xometry sells precision and industrial parts to engineers and procurement teams. 3DAPI makes consumer 3D printed products on behalf of online sellers and ships them to their shoppers.
For an ecommerce seller, 3DAPI is the right shape and price point: connect a store, ship consumer products to customers, no inventory, no engineering quote per order, consumer FDM economics.
Xometry is not built to be a store's consumer fulfillment backend, and its industrial pricing and workflow are not aimed at made-to-order goods sold on Etsy or Shopify.
Whenever the job is industrial. A machined aluminum part, an injection-molded production run, a certified aerospace, medical or defense component, metal 3D printing, tight tolerances with inspection reports, or ITAR, AS9100 or CMMC compliance: Xometry wins, decisively.
That is exactly its market, and 3DAPI does not compete there.
Xometry is built for engineers and businesses ordering precision and industrial parts, not for automated consumer dropshipping. For store-connected print on demand to your customers, 3DAPI fits.
No. 3DAPI focuses on FDM print on demand for consumer products. For CNC, metal or injection molding, an industrial marketplace like Xometry is the right choice.
Details about Xometry come from its public website and industry coverage, last reviewed September 2026. Services and prices change; check with Xometry before deciding. Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we will correct it.
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