HONEST COMPARISON
TAKT 3D vs Xometry
Xometry is a marketplace — you upload an STL, and the job gets routed to one of 10,000+ partner facilities. That breadth is real, but so is the tradeoff: marketplace markup, no local pickup, and you don't know who actually printed your part. For FDM jobs in San Diego, a direct relationship with a local shop is faster and cheaper.
QUICK DECISION
Which one should you pick?
Different shops are better fits for different jobs. Here's the honest cut.
Pick TAKT 3D if
- ✓You're in San Diego and want same-day or rush turnaround
- ✓You want free local pickup instead of a shipment
- ✓You want to talk directly to the person printing your part
- ✓Your job is standard FDM thermoplastics (PLA, PLA-CF, PETG, ABS, PC, PET-CF, PA6-CF, TPU)
- ✓You want one invoice, one point of contact, no marketplace markup
Pick Xometry if
- ✓You need metal DMLS, MJF nylon, PolyJet multi-material, or Carbon DLS
- ✓You need ULTEM 9085 / 1010 PEI thermoplastics (our FDM fleet can't run them)
- ✓You're in a regulated industry that requires ISO 13485 (medical) or AS9100D (aerospace) certified supply chain
- ✓You're bundling 3D printing with CNC, sheet metal, casting, or injection molding on one PO
- ✓You're nowhere near San Diego and don't benefit from a local relationship
DETAILED BREAKDOWN
Row-by-row comparison
Every dimension we could verify from public sources. Rows are labeled honestly — TAKT, Them, Tie, or Depends (context-dependent). No straw men.
Dimension
TAKT 3D
Xometry
Winner
Manufacturer vs marketplace
Direct manufacturer — you know who prints your part
Marketplace — routed to one of 10,000+ partner facilities
Depends
Published $/cm³ rate card
Yes — full table at /pricing
No — quote tool only; pricing includes platform markup
TAKT
Local pickup in San Diego
Yes — free pickup at our Kearny Mesa shop
No — all orders ship
TAKT
FDM turnaround (rush)
1–2 business days rush
1-day expedite on select FDM; typical 3–4 days + shipping
TAKT
Metal 3D printing (DMLS)
No
Yes
Them
HP Multi Jet Fusion nylon
No
Yes
Them
PolyJet multi-material / multi-color rigid
No
Yes
Them
ULTEM 9085 / PEI
No (our FDM fleet doesn't run PEI — needs a 300°C+ chamber)
Yes
Them
Carbon-fiber nylon (PA6-CF30)
Yes — $0.12/cm³ base published
Available via partners
TAKT
ISO 13485 / AS9100D certification
No (we work with medical/aerospace, not implantable)
Yes — platform-level certs
Them
Direct shop accountability
Yes — talk to the printer
Supplier-varying; disputes routed through Xometry support
TAKT
Free US shipping
$7.99 flat UPS Ground
Free US shipping
Them
Multi-process PO (FDM + CNC + sheet metal + IM)
FDM only
Yes
Them
Order minimum
$20 order min
No quantity minimum
Them
WHAT XOMETRY DOES BETTER
Things we'll acknowledge openly
No shop is best at everything. Here's where Xometry wins.
- ◆Process breadth nothing local can match — DMLS metal, MJF, PolyJet, Carbon DLS, SLS
- ◆ULTEM 9085 / 1010 PEI thermoplastics for high-heat aerospace parts
- ◆ISO 9001, ISO 13485, IATF 16949, AS9100D certifications (platform level)
- ◆Fusion 360 integration for CAD-native quoting
- ◆Free US shipping on most orders
- ◆No quantity minimum and a polished customer portal
- ◆One PO for mixed-process jobs (3D print + CNC + sheet metal + casting + injection mold)
Why we say this out loud: because if you need something Xometry genuinely does better, pushing you to us helps nobody. We'd rather earn your trust now by being honest, and earn your next order when the job matches what we do.
vs Xometry FAQ
Is TAKT 3D cheaper than Xometry?+
For local FDM jobs: yes, typically. Xometry's pricing includes a marketplace markup on top of the fulfilling supplier's rate. For processes we don't offer (metal DMLS, MJF, ULTEM), Xometry is your option regardless of price.
Is TAKT 3D faster than Xometry?+
For local San Diego orders: yes. Our rush is 1–2 business days with free local pickup. Xometry's typical FDM turnaround is 3–4 days + shipping, even on the expedite tier. If you're outside San Diego, Xometry's routing advantage narrows that gap.
Can you match Xometry on ISO 13485 medical certification?+
No. We're not ISO 13485 certified, so if your job legally requires a certified supplier (implantables, Class II/III medical, pharma processing), Xometry or another certified supplier is correct. For non-implantable research prototypes and lab fixtures, we're routinely used by UCSD, Scripps, and Salk researchers.
Xometry has "instant quotes" too — why pick TAKT?+
Both offer instant quotes. The differences: (1) we publish our $/cm³ rates openly at /pricing; Xometry's rates are quote-gated; (2) our rate doesn't include a marketplace markup; (3) local pickup is free; (4) you talk to the operator, not a support queue.
What does TAKT NOT offer that Xometry does?+
Metal 3D printing (DMLS), HP MJF, PolyJet multi-material, Carbon DLS, ULTEM 9085/1010 PEI, CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, injection molding, and urethane casting. For any of those, Xometry is the right call.
Does TAKT 3D write this compare page in a biased way?+
We try not to. Every "they win" row in the table below is called out explicitly — and the "Pick Xometry if…" list is deliberate. We'd rather keep a customer who picks a competitor this time and trusts us next time than push a bad fit.
How recent is this comparison data?+
Last updated April 2026 from the competitor's public website (https://xometry.com) and third-party review sources. If you spot something stale, email support@takt3d.com and we'll re-check.
Ready when you are
Still leaning TAKT? Let's run your file.
Instant quote, published pricing, no marketplace markup. Free local pickup in San Diego.