Timeline of MakerBot Replicator Clones

 MakerBot released their Replicator 1 Dual 3D printer back in 2012 as an open source design. It soon became a sensation in the 3D printing community due to the widespread adoption and the spread of other companies who used the same formula, capitalizing on the open source nature of the product.

MakerBot Replicator 1 Dual

FlashForge wasted no time, coming out with the Creator. It was basically a carbon copy of the Replicator 1 Dual, but with FlashForge logos, and I assume a slightly different price. Both of these early printers had plywood frames, which made them cheaper but limited structural rigidity.

Notably, the CTC Bizer was another clone of the FlashForge Creator, as was the Monoprice Maker Architect.

FlashForge Creator

Later in 2012, MakerBot improved on the initial formula by adding a version with a metal body. This version was called the Replicator 2, and only had one extruder.

MakerBot Replicator 2

The PowerSpec 3D Pro is a clone of the Replicator 2, with one extruder as well. It does have the ABS-friendly top hat and hinged front door.
PowerSpec 3D Pro


2013 brought the metal-enclosed version of the dual extruder formula, the MakerBot Replicator 2X. This is where the DNA for the Creator Pro can be seen clearly with the large top hat and acrylic front door, though in this version the door opens upward with a beefy looking hinge.

MakerBot Replicator 2X


FlashForge released the Creator X in early 2014. There's barely any information left on the modern internet on the topic of the Creator X, but I believe it was a competitor to the Replicator 2, though the Creator X has dual extruders. It's possible that this is FlashForge attempting to iterate and make a printer truly of their own, but I doubt that due to the extreme similarity between this and so many of the competing products.

FlashForge Creator X

In 2015 a new competitor enters the fray - Qidi Tech One. This is a MakerBot 2X clone in its plainest form, and should be regarded as a direct brother to the FlashForge Creator Pro as well. There's a few tiny electronics and design changes over time, mirroring its' competitors, but it is basically the same machine as it was when released. Interestingly kept with the vertical hinge on the front door.

Qidi Tech One

Around the same time, the Wanhao Duplicator 4S was released. It's similar to the Creator Pro in most ways.

Wanhao Duplicator 4S


In 2016, FlashForge released their Creator Pro, a dual extruder printer with an enclosed build surface and heated bed. Even in the last months of 2022 the Creator Pro is sold new on Amazon for $399.
FlashForge Creator Pro



Even as soon as 2020, FlashForge released the Creator Max, which is a slight modernization of the Creator Pro with a touch screen, but as far as I can tell it remains the same printer other than this change.




FlashForge Creator Pro Max

I'm sure with the open source nature of these, there's even more clones I may have missed. Feel free to let me know in the comments.



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