Ihave used a cricut and have a scanncut. I find the learning curve is the same with these machines each have their own proprietary software. If you join a forum it helps a lot. If you buy from a dealer like i did it helps a lot. Reason i like the scanncut is you dont need software or computer just scan and cut. They do have a program but it is not necessary to use the machine others you have to be linked to the software in some way