Cricut Access pricing and what's included

Cricut Access is a subscription service for Cricut cutting machines that costs $9.99 per month or $95.88 per year when paid annually. The yearly plan works out to about $8 per month if you commit upfront. Both plans renew automatically unless you cancel.

The subscription gives you access to Cricut's design library — over 100,000 images, fonts, and projects you can cut or write with your machine. Without the subscription, you can still use your Cricut machine, but you'll only have access to a smaller free library and designs you upload yourself. Cricut Access also includes monthly new designs added to the library and priority customer support.

Cricut also sells Cricut Access Premium, which costs $119.88 per year (about $10 per month). This tier adds unlimited cloud storage for your designs and removes ads from the Cricut Design Space app. Most people use the standard Access plan; Premium is mainly for people who store hundreds of custom designs or find the ads distracting.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard Cricut Access costs $9.99 monthly or $95.88 yearly, and gives you access to over 100,000 designs in Cricut's library.
  • Without a subscription, your Cricut machine still works, but you can only use free designs and files you create or upload yourself.
  • Cricut Access Premium adds unlimited cloud storage and removes ads for $119.88 per year, but most users don't need it.
  • Both plans renew automatically each month or year, so you'll need to cancel manually if you want to stop paying.

What you can do with Cricut Access designs

The designs in Cricut Access cover a wide range of projects: vinyl decals, t-shirt designs, greeting cards, home décor, paper crafts, and more. Each design comes as a file you can open in Cricut Design Space (the free software that controls your machine) and customize — you can resize it, change colors, add text, or combine multiple designs.

You're not limited to using designs exactly as they appear. You can layer designs together, cut them from different materials, or modify them to fit your project. The subscription also includes access to Cricut's project tutorials, which show step-by-step how to make specific items like personalized mugs or custom wall art.

How Cricut Access compares to buying designs individually

Cricut also sells individual designs through its marketplace. A single design typically costs between $0.99 and $4.99, depending on complexity. If you plan to use more than 20 to 30 designs per year, the subscription usually costs less than buying them one at a time.

However, if you only cut a few projects per year or prefer to design everything yourself, you may not need the subscription. Many people use free design software like Canva or Adobe Express to create their own files and upload them to Cricut Design Space without paying for Access.

Free alternatives to Cricut Access

You don't have to subscribe to use your Cricut machine. The free tier of Cricut Design Space includes a limited library of designs you can use without paying. You can also upload your own designs from other sources — files you create in Canva, Adobe Express, or even simple images you find online (as long as you have the right to use them).

Many crafters use a mix: they subscribe to Cricut Access for convenience and inspiration, but also create their own designs or find free designs from other websites. Some people subscribe for a month or two when they have a specific project in mind, then cancel until they need it again.

How to cancel Cricut Access

If you decide you don't want to keep paying, you can cancel through your Cricut account settings. Log into the Cricut website, go to your account menu, find the subscription section, and select the option to cancel. You'll keep access to your designs until the end of your current billing period — if you paid for a month, you have until the next billing date; if you paid yearly, you have until the year is up.

Cricut will ask if you want to say why you're canceling, but you don't have to answer. After you cancel, you can still use your machine with free designs and your own uploads. If you change your mind later, you can resubscribe at any time.

Cricut Access on different machines

Cricut Access works with all current Cricut cutting machines: the Cricut Explore 3, Cricut Maker 3, Cricut Joy, and older models like the Cricut Explore 2 and Cricut Maker. The subscription is tied to your Cricut account, not to a specific machine, so if you own multiple machines, one subscription covers all of them.

When you buy a new Cricut machine, the company sometimes includes a trial period of Cricut Access — usually 30 days or sometimes a few months. Check your machine's documentation or your account to see if a trial is active. After the trial ends, you'll need to pay for the subscription if you want to keep using the design library.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Cricut machine without Cricut Access?

Yes. Your machine works without the subscription. You'll have access to a smaller free design library and can upload your own designs from other sources. You just won't be able to use the 100,000+ designs in the paid library.

Do I have to pay for Cricut Access every month?

No. You can choose to pay monthly ($9.99) or yearly ($95.88). The yearly option costs less per month if you plan to use it for the full year. Both plans renew automatically, so you need to cancel manually if you want to stop.

What happens to my designs if I cancel Cricut Access?

Designs you've already cut or downloaded stay in your Design Space library. You lose access to the full design library, but any files you created or uploaded yourself remain available. If you resubscribe later, you'll have access to the library again.

Is Cricut Access worth it?

That depends on how often you cut projects. If you use your machine regularly and like having a large library of designs to choose from, the subscription usually costs less than buying individual designs. If you rarely use your machine or prefer to design everything yourself, you may not need it.

Can I share one Cricut Access subscription with someone else?

The subscription is tied to one Cricut account. If someone else wants to use the designs, they would need their own subscription or their own Cricut account linked to the same household account (if Cricut offers that option in your region). Check Cricut's current account sharing policies for details.