In this article, we will look at the 11 Best 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing Stocks to Buy.
3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing Industry Outlook 2025
According to Fortune Business Insights, the international 3D printing market was valued at $19.33 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 23.4% to reach 101.4 billion by 2032. The industry is driven by the rapid rise of digitization and increased adoption of advanced technologies. The report indicates that a shift towards smart factories, machine learning, and robotics is expected to fuel demand for the 3D printing and additive manufacturing industry.
Moreover, a report published by the 3D Printing Industry highlighted significant trends moving into 2025. As per the report industry experts expect AI and automation to revolutionize 3D printing workflows through optimizing design, production, and post-processing workflows. AI-powered monitoring systems. In addition, AI-driven designs are also accelerating the creation of lightweight, high-performance components, particularly for aerospace, defense, and automotive applications. These advancements reduce failures, improve efficiency, and unlock new possibilities for complex designs. Industry experts also believe that 2025 will mark the year of full industrialization of additive manufacturing as an industry that will go beyond prototyping to mass production. By 2025, the technology is expected to achieve cost-competitive manufacturing for high-performance applications in sectors such as aerospace, medical, and automotive.
The report also highlighted Sona Dadhania, Principal Technology Analyst at IDTechEx, outlook for the industry. Dadhania has a cautiously optimistic outlook for the 3D printing industry in 2025, emphasizing both challenges and opportunities. She identifies macroeconomic factors as key influences on the industry’s near-term trajectory. In 2024, rising interest rates discouraged the purchase of 3D printing equipment, while broader economic difficulties, particularly in Europe, created significant headwinds. Moreover, Germany, which is a critical market for additive manufacturing, faced notable challenges due to its economic struggles as well. She noted that these unfavorable conditions are likely to persist in 2025, with additional uncertainty arising from potential tariffs that could further hinder adoption, especially among new users.
Despite these obstacles, Dadhania highlights areas of potential growth. She noted that established users who are scaling up their additive manufacturing operations and services are likely to drive progress. The focus will remain on high-value applications, with solutions tailored to meet the demands of industries seeking advanced capabilities.
With that let’s take a look at the 11 best 3D printing and additive manufacturing stocks to buy.
High-end 3D printers creating intricate designs with consistent precision in a well-lit factory.
Our Methodology
To curate the list of 11 best 3D printing and additive manufacturing stocks to buy we used ETFs, financial media reports, and stock screeners. Using these sources we aggregated a list of 3D printing stocks. Next we ranked these stocks in ascending order of the number of hedge fund holders, sourced from Insider Monkey’s Q4 2024 database. We have also added the analyst upside potential for each stock. Please note that the data was recorded on March 19, 2025.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).
11 Best 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing Stocks to Buy
11. Nano Dimension Ltd. (NASDAQ:NNDM)
Analyst Upside Potential: 367.29%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 9
Nano Dimension Ltd. (NASDAQ:NNDM) is an Israel-based technology company specializing in advanced manufacturing solutions. It provides intelligent machines for the fabrication of Additively Manufactured Electronics and other high-tech manufacturing processes. The company integrates technologies such as 3D printing, artificial intelligence (AI), and inkjet solutions.
During the fiscal third quarter of 2024, Nano Dimension Ltd. (NASDAQ:NNDM) delivered record revenue of $15 million, reflecting a 22% increase compared to the same period last year. The company also improved its gross margins from 44% last year to 48% during the recent quarter. Management noted that it is in the process of acquiring Desktop Metal and Markforged, two major companies in the additive manufacturing industry. These acquisitions aim to transform Nano Dimension Ltd. (NASDAQ:NNDM) into an industry leader. Moreover, the company also secured notable new customers during the quarter including Applied Materials, the University of Dayton, and a leading aerospace and defense company. The company was held by 9 hedge funds in Q4 2024, making it one of the best 3D printing and additive manufacturing stocks to buy.
10. Xometry, Inc. (NASDAQ:XMTR)
Analyst Upside Potential: 38.94%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 14
Xometry, Inc. (NASDAQ:XMTR) operates as an AI-powered industrial parts marketplace that connects buyers with international suppliers via its digital platform. Along with the marketplace, the company also provides manufacturing services including CNC machining, 3D printing, sheet metal forming, injection molding, and more. The company partners with more than 10,000 suppliers worldwide, including 2,000 in Europe, to enable rapid prototyping and production.
On February 25, William Blair analyst Brian Drab maintained a Buy rating on the stock. Drab noted that the company exceeded expectations with its fourth-quarter revenue and achieved its first positive adjusted EBITDA. This was driven by a 20% year-over-year increase in marketplace revenue, reflecting robust growth momentum. He believes that despite a slight dip in Q1 forecasts due to international investments in regions like India and Turkey, the company’s strategic efforts to diversify supply chains away from China align with broader industry trends. This positions Xometry, Inc. (NASDAQ:XMTR) to capitalize on market opportunities. Moreover, its Marketplace revenue is expected to grow over 20% annually along with positive full-year adjusted EBITDA. It is one of the best 3D printing and additive manufacturing stocks to buy.
Alger Small Cap Growth Fund stated the following regarding Xometry, Inc. (NASDAQ:XMTR) in its Q4 2024 investor letter:
“Xometry, Inc. (NASDAQ:XMTR) is a leading two-sided marketplace for on-demand manufacturing services. The company provides real-time access to global manufacturing demand and capacity, with sourcing and pricing available across a network of buyers and sellers. In our view, this marketplace enables buyers (e.g., engineers and product designers) to efficiently source manufacturing processes and sellers of manufacturing services to grow their businesses. Xometry’s AI-enabled technology platform is powered by proprietary machine learning algorithms, resulting in a sophisticated marketplace for manufacturing. During the quarter, shares contributed to performance after delivering strong fiscal third quarter results, along with management raising fiscal fourth guidance that signaled continued revenue growth and earnings-before-interest-taxes-depreciation-amortization (EBITDA) break-even. Further, we believe last few quarters have demonstrated consistency in execution which is driving investor confidence.”
9. Proto Labs, Inc. (NYSE:PRLB)
Analyst Upside Potential: 22.98%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 18
Proto Labs, Inc. (NYSE:PRLB) is a digital manufacturing company that provides rapid prototyping and on-demand production services. The company specializes in manufacturing custom parts using advanced technologies including injection molding, CNC machining, 3D printing, and sheet metal fabrication.
During the fiscal fourth quarter of 2024, the company exceeded expectations by generating $78 million in cash from operations and expanding its consolidated gross margin and earnings per share. In addition, revenue from production use cases surpassed prototyping, with a 50% increase in customers using combined offerings and higher revenue per customer. Proto Labs, Inc. (NYSE:PRLB) has expanded its focus beyond prototyping to include low-to-mid volume production manufacturing. Moreover, it has also enhanced its production capabilities with improved pricing for larger orders, additional quality control measures, industry certifications, and advanced automation technologies.
Looking ahead, the company aims to accelerate revenue growth by leveraging its reorganized structure, expanded production offerings, and continued investments in prototyping services. It is one of the best 3D printing and additive manufacturing stocks to buy.
8. Stratasys Ltd. (NASDAQ:SSYS)
Analyst Upside Potential: 33.97%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 20
Stratasys Ltd. (NASDAQ:SSYS) specializes in polymer-based additive manufacturing and 3D printing solutions. It provides advanced 3D printers, consumables, software, and services that cater to a wide range of industries including aerospace, automotive, healthcare, education, consumer products, and more.
On March 5, James Ricchiuti from Needham maintained a Buy rating on the stock with a price target of $13. In fiscal 2024 Stratasys Ltd. (NASDAQ:SSYS) reported significant financial and strategic developments. Its Manufacturing segment grew and the revenue from this segment now accounts for 36% of revenues in 2024, up from 34% in 2023. Moreover, despite an overall 6.9% decline in revenue, the company improved its adjusted gross margin by 100 basis points to 49.2%, reflecting strong cost controls.
In addition, the company continues to enhance FDM technology, which is the most popular 3D printing method globally. Some recent innovations include Fortus FDC Filament Dryer which improves printer uptime by up to 2.7 times and eliminates moisture-related defects. The stock was held by 20 hedge funds in Q4 2024 making it one of the best 3D printing and additive manufacturing stocks to buy.
7. 3D Systems Corporation (NYSE:DDD)
Analyst Upside Potential: 85.36%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 20
3D Systems Corporation (NYSE:DDD) is a leading provider of additive manufacturing solutions, specializing in 3D printing and digital manufacturing. It manufactures a range of products including 3D printers, and printing materials, and also offers software support and services.
In the fiscal third quarter of 2024, 3D Systems Corporation (NYSE:DDD) reported facing macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties, leading to reduced capital expenditure spending by customers and a persistent headwind to hardware system sales. As a result, the Q3 revenue remained flat sequentially and slightly weaker than anticipated. Management noted that it is targeting high-reliability markets such as energy, oil & gas, semiconductor equipment manufacturing, and aerospace and defense. Moreover, the company is also focusing on opportunities driven by investments in AI, particularly in areas including semiconductor equipment manufacturing, data centers, and power generation equipment.
Looking ahead, the company anticipates that its inventory will lead to significant cash generating in Q4. It is one of the best 3D printing and additive manufacturing stocks to buy.
6. FARO Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:FARO)
Analyst Upside Potential: 31.67%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 25
FARO Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:FARO) is an international technology company specializing in three-dimensional measurement, imaging, and realization solutions. It develops portable 3D measurement devices such as the FaroArm Portfolio, FARO Laser Tracker, and FARO Laser Scanning Portfolio. These tools are used for various industry tasks including inspections, rapid prototyping, reverse engineering, and quality assurance.
On February 25, Analyst James Ricchiuti from Needham reiterated a Buy rating on the stock with a price target of $37. The analyst noted that FARO Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:FARO) ended the year with better-than-expected results. The revenue declines were less severe than anticipated, and margins exceeded expectations, leading to significant earnings per share beat. Ricchiuti mentioned that the company is pursuing new OEM and distribution agreements, including partnerships with Topcon and another metrology company and is also introducing new products and implementing selective price increases to drive growth. Ricchiuti believes that management’s projections for Q1 2025 align with market expectations, showing a moderate revenue decline but a stronger EPS outlook. FARO Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:FARO) is one of the best 3D printing and additive manufacturing stocks to buy.
5. Altair Engineering Inc. (NASDAQ:ALTR)
Analyst Upside Potential: 1.19%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 39
Altair Engineering Inc. (NASDAQ:ALTR) is a computational science and artificial intelligence company that provides software and cloud solutions in simulation, high-performance computing, data analytics, and artificial intelligence. It also offers a range of services and solutions tailored for 3D printing including Inspire Print3D, which is a specialized tool for additive manufacturing simulation, focusing on selective laser melting. Moreover, after the acquisition of Gen3D, the company has incorporated its Sulis Flow and Sulis Lattice platforms into its Inspire suite.
During the fiscal fourth quarter of 2024, Altair Engineering Inc. (NASDAQ:ALTR) delivered $192.6 million in revenue, up 12.3% year-over-year. The growth was driven by its software segment which grew 15% year-over-year to reach $179.4 million. Moreover, in October 2024, the company announced acquiring Siemens. Conestoga Capital Advisors in its Q4 2024 investor letter stated that Siemens aims to enhance its leadership in industrial software, particularly in simulation, high-performance computing, data science, and artificial intelligence. This aim aligns with Altair Engineering Inc. (NASDAQ:ALTR) as its portfolio will complement Siemens’ Xcelerator platform. It is one of the best 3D printing and additive manufacturing stocks to buy.
Conestoga Capital Advisors stated the following regarding Altair Engineering Inc. (NASDAQ:ALTR) in its Q4 2024 investor letter:
“Altair Engineering Inc. (NASDAQ:ALTR), a leader in design and simulation software, announced on October 31st that it was being acquired by Siemens for $113 per share, representing an equity value of $10.6 billion. The price represented a 19% premium to the stock’s unaffected market price on October 21st and a 13% premium to the stock’s all-time high closing price. The deal valued ALTR at approximately 14X its 2025 revenue and 63X EBITDA.”
4. HP Inc. (NYSE:HPQ)
Analyst Upside Potential: 26.04%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 48
HP Inc. (NYSE:HPQ) is a global technology company specializing in personal computing, printing, and related services. The company offers a comprehensive range of services and products in 3D printing including HP Jet Fusion Series and HP Metal Jet S100.
During the fiscal first quarter of 2025, the company grew its revenue by 2%, marking the third consecutive quarter of growth. The growth was driven by strong performance in the Personal Systems segment, with a 5% year-over-year revenue increase driven by commercial PCs and high-value categories like AI PCs and premium devices. On the other hand, the Printing segment saw mixed results with strong unit growth in consumer printers but a slight revenue decline of 1% in constant currency. Management announced that it has enhanced subscription services like HP All-In for consumer convenience. It also reported growth in industrial printing with high-speed solutions such as HP PageWide presses for commercial applications. It is one of the best 3D printing and additive manufacturing stocks to buy.
3. PTC Inc. (NASDAQ:PTC)
Analyst Upside Potential: 32.10%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 56
PTC Inc. (NASDAQ:PTC) is a global software company specializing in solutions that enable industrial and manufacturing companies to digitally transform their processes. Its core products include Computer-Aided Design with tools like Creo and Onshape that help companies create, analyze, and optimize product designs in 2D and 3D formats.
On March 14, Saket Kalia from Barclays maintained a Buy rating on the stock with a price target of $215. In the fiscal first quarter of 2025, PTC Inc. (NASDAQ:PTC) demonstrated solid financial and strategic performance, aligning with its guidance and long-term goals. The company achieved an 11% year-over-year growth in constant currency ARR, reaching $2.277 billion. Moreover, operating free cash flow grew by 27%, reaching $238 million. Management noted that it has begun realigning its go-to-market organization to focus on vertical industries such as aerospace, automotive, and medical devices. It is one of the best 3D printing and additive manufacturing stocks to buy.
2. ANSYS, Inc. (NASDAQ:ANSS)
Analyst Upside Potential: 9.89%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 74
ANSYS, Inc. (NASDAQ:ANSS) is a multinational company specializing in the development and marketing of engineering simulation software. Its products enable engineers, designers, researchers, and students to simulate complex designs across various industries. The company’s Additive Suite offers a comprehensive workflow for metal 3D printing, enabling designers to create, repair, and clean up CAD geometry.
The company reported strong financial results for Q4 2024. Its revenue for the quarter was $882.2 million, exceeding the average estimate of $863.49 million and reflecting 10% year-over-year growth. On March 18, ANSYS, Inc. (NASDAQ:ANSS) announced that it is integrating NVIDIA Omniverse into its simulation software to enhance visualization, data processing, and collaboration across engineering workflows. The key features of this integration include 3D-IC Design, which will enable real-time visualization of electromagnetic fields, thermal effects, and stress distribution in vertically stacked semiconductor chips. This will help optimize 3D-IC design for AI, IoT, and autonomous vehicles by diagnosing electromagnetic and thermal issues early. It is one of the best 3D printing and additive manufacturing stocks to buy.
Conestoga Capital Advisors stated the following regarding ANSYS, Inc. (NASDAQ:ANSS) in its Q4 2024 investor letter:
“ANSYS, Inc. (NASDAQ:ANSS) is a market leader in selling computer-aided engineering (CAE) software that allows engineers to simulate how product designs will behave in real world environments before they are manufactured. Despite its pending acquisition by Synopsys (SNPS), the company’s stock reacted favorably to a surprisingly healthy quarter.”
1. Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK)
Analyst Upside Potential: 25.98%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 74
Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK) is a leading company specializing in 3D design, engineering, and entertainment software. It provides advanced solutions for industries such as architecture, engineering, construction, manufacturing, media, and entertainment. It offers tools including AutoCAD Civil 3D, Revit, and BuildingConnected to support building information modeling, construction management, and infrastructure design.
On March 20, Morgan Stanley analyst Elizabeth Porter maintained a Buy rating on the stock with a price target of $385. Porter noted that the nomination of new directors by Starboard is expected to improve communication and execution, addressing investor concerns and boosting confidence in management’s ability to achieve margin expansion goals. Moreover, the analyst believes that despite softening demand in the architecture sector, Autodesk, Inc.’s (NASDAQ:ADSK) strong business model, supports sustainable growth, due to its high retention rates and pricing power.
Porter noted that the company focuses on optimizing its go-to-market strategy and achieving top industry GAAP margins. She also noted the potential for margin expansion and EPS growth driven by the company’s new transaction model, projecting an 8% upside to market EPS expectations for fiscal years 2026–2028. Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK) is the best 3D printing and additive manufacturing stock to buy.
Parnassus Mid Cap Fund stated the following regarding Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK) in its Q3 2024 investor letter:
“In Software, we added Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK) and Cloudflare while exiting Bill.com. We believe Autodesk’s dominant position in architecture, engineering and construction software allows it to increase margins and offer attractive revenue growth. Autodesk is a market-leading vertical software company with the ability to meaningfully improve its margins, while its revenue growth should accelerate as it completes its sales channel re-alignment.”
While we acknowledge the potential of Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK) to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than ADSK but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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