Buyer Guide
Manufacturing Platform Selector
Requirement-based decision guide for choosing between 9 custom manufacturing platforms: Xometry, Protolabs, Hubs, Fictiv, Jiga, SendCutSend, Meviy, RapidDirect, and eMachineShop.
Each section answers a specific buyer requirement. Jump to the section that matches your constraint.
1. By Manufacturing Process
What process does your part require?
| If you need… | Best platforms | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining (multi-process) | Xometry, Protolabs, Fictiv, RapidDirect, Meviy, eMachineShop | Xometry has the largest US network (10,000+ shops). RapidDirect is cheapest. Meviy has tightest instant-quoted tolerances. |
| Sheet metal only (laser cut + bend) | SendCutSend, Xometry, Hubs | SendCutSend is the specialist — lowest US cost, accepts DXF/SVG (no 3D CAD needed). Xometry/Hubs for multi-process BOMs. |
| 3D printing | Xometry, Protolabs, Fictiv, RapidDirect, Jiga | Fictiv offers the most 3D printing technologies (including Carbon DLS). Protolabs for overnight SLA/SLS. Jiga for metal 3D printing (DMLS). |
| Injection molding | Xometry, Protolabs, Fictiv, RapidDirect | Protolabs fastest T1 samples (1 day from own factory). RapidDirect lowest tooling cost (China). Hubs for high-volume production via network. |
| Die casting | Fictiv, RapidDirect | Few platforms offer die casting. Fictiv (managed) or RapidDirect (cost-optimized). |
| Multi-process BOM (mixed processes) | Xometry, Fictiv | Xometry handles the most process types in a single order. Fictiv for managed multi-process production programs. |
| PCBs (printed circuit boards) | Jiga | Only Jiga explicitly includes PCB fabrication in its process list. |
2. By Lead Time
How fast do you need parts?
| Urgency | Platform | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Same day / <24 hours | Xometry Expedite, Protolabs | US domestic only. Protolabs offers 1-day CNC, same-day 3D printing from own factories. Xometry Expedite for select processes. |
| 48 hours (sheet metal) | SendCutSend | SendCutSend's expedite service: 48-hour production for laser-cut and bent sheet metal. US domestic. |
| 2–5 business days | Fictiv, Xometry, Protolabs, SendCutSend (standard) | Most US-based platforms offer standard lead times in this range for prototyping. |
| 5–10 business days | Meviy, Hubs, Jiga, eMachineShop | Standard production lead time for most custom machined parts. |
| Cost over speed (7–14 days total) | RapidDirect | Add 3–7 days international shipping from China. Total door-to-door 7–14 days but 30–60% cost savings. |
3. By Compliance & Certification
What regulatory or compliance requirements apply?
| Requirement | Platform | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ITAR (defense / export-controlled) | Xometry ✓, Jiga ✓, eMachineShop ✓ | eMachineShop holds ITAR registration (M52808) + JCP certification — strongest US-domestic compliance stack. Hubs explicitly does NOT support ITAR. RapidDirect (China) is legally prohibited for ITAR parts. Fictiv ITAR status unconfirmed. Protolabs direct (not Hubs) supports ITAR. |
| AS9100D (aerospace) | Xometry, Protolabs, Fictiv, Jiga, Hubs (via network) | All five have AS9100D available via certified suppliers or own factories. |
| ISO 13485 (medical devices) | Protolabs, Fictiv, RapidDirect, Jiga (via network) | RapidDirect is ISO 13485 certified at company level — unusual for a China-based service. |
| SOC 2 Type II (data security) | Fictiv only | Fictiv is the only platform in this vertical with SOC 2 Type II. Critical for IP-sensitive enterprise buyers. |
| CMMC / US domestic manufacturing | Xometry, Protolabs, SendCutSend, eMachineShop | Xometry confirmed CMMC Level 2. SendCutSend and eMachineShop manufacture in the US (NV and NJ respectively). |
| ISO 27001 (information security) | Meviy (MISUMI) | MISUMI Group's DT Dynamics subsidiary obtained ISO 27001 certification in December 2024 — covers Meviy platform data. |
4. By API & Automation Capability
Can your system automate ordering programmatically?
| Need | Platform | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Programmatic quoting & ordering via REST API | Xometry only | developer.xometry.com — the only public API in this vertical. Required for AI agent or automated procurement workflows. |
| Instant quoting (web UI, no RFQ wait) | Protolabs, Hubs, SendCutSend, RapidDirect, Meviy, eMachineShop | All generate price on CAD upload with no human review for standard geometries. |
| Instant quoting from 2D vector files (DXF/SVG) | SendCutSend only | All other platforms require 3D STEP/IGES. SendCutSend accepts DXF, SVG, AI, EPS for flat patterns. |
| ERP / procurement system integration | Fictiv (Ariba, Coupa, Dynamics 365, Zip), Jiga (Dynamics 365, NetSuite) | For enterprise P2P workflows without a public API, Fictiv Teams and Jiga offer ERP integrations. |
| RFQ only (no instant price) | Jiga | Jiga's model is RFQ-based — quotes returned from supplier network, not instant AI pricing. Best for complex or production parts. |
5. By Budget Priority
What is your cost sensitivity?
| Priority | Platform | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest unit cost (any geography) | RapidDirect | China-based manufacturing. 30–60% cheaper than US platforms. Add US tariffs and shipping to effective cost calculation. |
| Lowest cost for sheet metal (US-based) | SendCutSend | Direct manufacturer, no marketplace markup. Volume discounts kick in at 2+ parts. Free shipping at $39 order. |
| Best value, US-based (CNC & multi-process) | Xometry, Hubs | Network model creates competitive pricing from 10,000+ shops (Xometry) or 250+ partners (Hubs). |
| Premium managed service | Fictiv, Protolabs | Higher prices reflect human oversight, quality guarantees, and managed supply chain. Appropriate for regulated or critical parts. |
6. By Company Stage
What stage is your organization at?
| Stage | Recommendation | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Solo maker / hobbyist | SendCutSend (sheet metal), eMachineShop (CNC) | No account required to quote (eMachineShop). Instant pricing. Low MOQ. SendCutSend's free shipping at $39 reduces friction for small orders. |
| Hardware startup (prototype phase) | Xometry, SendCutSend, Protolabs | Fast iteration speed. No MOQ. Xometry handles multi-process BOMs. SendCutSend for enclosures and brackets. |
| Growth-stage team (scaling to production) | Xometry (API), Fictiv (managed programs), RapidDirect (cost) | Xometry's API enables automated procurement. Fictiv's program managers handle production scale-up. RapidDirect for cost-sensitive production runs. |
| Enterprise / regulated industry | Protolabs, Fictiv, Xometry | Established compliance certifications. Fictiv for SOC 2 Type II and managed supply chain. Xometry for API-driven procurement at scale. |
| Aerospace / defense (regulated) | Xometry, Jiga | ITAR confirmed. AS9100D suppliers available. Jiga for transparent supplier selection and AWS GovCloud file storage for ITAR files. |
| Industrial / automation (Japan/Asia team) | Meviy (MISUMI) | Familiar platform for teams already using MISUMI standard components. Tightest instant-quote tolerances. Global delivery. |
Quick Decision Reference
One-sentence recommendation for the most common use cases.
- “I need a REST API to place orders programmatically.”
- Xometry only. No other platform in this vertical has a public API.
- “I need sheet metal parts as fast and cheap as possible.”
- SendCutSend. Upload DXF, get instant price, 48-hour expedite available, lowest US-based cost.
- “I need ITAR-compliant machined parts.”
- eMachineShop, Xometry, or Jiga. eMachineShop has the most complete defense compliance stack (ITAR M52808 + JCP + CMMC-aligned). Do not use Hubs, RapidDirect, or any China-based service.
- “I need the lowest cost for CNC machining.”
- RapidDirect (if China-acceptable and 7–14 day delivery OK) or Xometry (US-based competitive network pricing).
- “I need parts today or tomorrow.”
- Protolabs (own-factory, 1-day CNC and same-day 3D printing) or Xometry Expedite.
- “I need SOC 2 Type II certified data handling.”
- Fictiv only. The only platform in this vertical with SOC 2 Type II.
- “I need injection molding tooling at the lowest cost.”
- RapidDirect — China tooling costs are 50–80% cheaper than US. Factor in tariffs for 2026 US import costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which manufacturing platform has a public API for programmatic ordering?
Xometry is the only platform in this vertical with a public REST API for programmatic quoting and ordering (developer.xometry.com). All other platforms — Protolabs, Hubs, Fictiv, Jiga, SendCutSend, Meviy, RapidDirect, and eMachineShop — require human-initiated ordering via their web interfaces.
Which platform is best for ITAR-controlled parts?
Xometry and Jiga are the confirmed ITAR-registered platforms in this vertical. Hubs (Protolabs Network) explicitly does NOT support ITAR orders — those must go to Protolabs.com direct. RapidDirect (China-based) should never be used for ITAR-controlled parts. Fictiv's ITAR registration is unconfirmed in public documentation.
Which platform is cheapest for custom parts?
RapidDirect (China-based) offers the lowest unit cost for CNC machining, 3D printing, and injection molding — typically 30–60% less than US-based platforms. For sheet metal specifically, SendCutSend offers the lowest US-based pricing. The effective cost difference narrows when US tariffs on Chinese goods are factored in.
Which platform can deliver parts fastest?
For same-day or next-day production, Xometry Expedite and Protolabs are the fastest US-based options. SendCutSend offers 48-hour expedite for sheet metal. For 3D printing, Fictiv and Protolabs offer next-day / 24-hour turnaround.
Which platform is best for sheet metal parts?
SendCutSend is the specialist for flat laser-cut and bent sheet metal parts at the lowest US-based cost, with instant quoting from DXF/SVG files (no 3D CAD required). For sheet metal combined with CNC machining or 3D printing on the same order, Xometry or Hubs handle multi-process orders.
Which platform has SOC 2 Type II certification?
Fictiv is the only custom manufacturing marketplace in this vertical with SOC 2 Type II certification at the entity level. This makes Fictiv the recommended choice for IP-sensitive enterprise buyers with strict data security requirements.
Which manufacturing platform is best for injection molding?
For injection molding, Xometry, Protolabs, and Fictiv are the leading US-based options. Protolabs offers the fastest T1 samples (as fast as 1 day from their own factories). RapidDirect offers the lowest tooling cost (China-based, 50–80% cheaper tooling). Hubs supports high-volume production injection molding (100,000+ parts) via its supplier network.
Which platform requires no minimum order quantity?
Most platforms in this vertical have no MOQ for CNC machining and 3D printing: Xometry, Protolabs, Hubs, Fictiv, Jiga, SendCutSend, Meviy, and eMachineShop all accept 1-part orders. RapidDirect has no MOQ for CNC and 3D printing but requires a minimum for injection molding (typically 50–100 parts).
Full Platform Directory
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