If you're sourcing CNC machined parts, you've probably come across Xometry. They're the biggest name in on-demand manufacturing — publicly traded, thousands of partner shops, instant online quoting. But they're not a machine shop. They're a marketplace that connects your RFQ to a network of manufacturers, adds a margin, and manages the logistics.
We're a different model. We're a direct manufacturer in Dongguan, China. When you send us a drawing, we're the ones cutting the metal. No intermediary. No platform markup. No third shop you'll never talk to.
Which model works better depends on what you're buying and what you value. Here's an honest breakdown.
The fundamental difference: platform vs manufacturer
| Xometry | YEYUAN CNC | |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Manufacturing marketplace | Direct manufacturer |
| Number of shops | 2,000+ partner shops globally | 1 shop (ours) in Dongguan |
| Who machines your part | A shop you didn't choose, assigned by algorithm | Our team, same people every time |
| Quoting | Instant online quote (upload CAD) | Manual quote, typically within 24 hours |
| Communication | Xometry PM between you and the shop | Direct — WhatsApp, email, we answer |
| Pricing model | Shop bid + Xometry margin (~20-45%) | Direct shop pricing, no intermediary markup |
| Minimum order | 1 part | 1 part |
| Payment terms | Credit card, net 30 (for approved accounts) | Bank transfer, PayPal |
The core tradeoff: Xometry gives you instant pricing and a huge capacity pool. We give you direct access to the people making your parts at manufacturer-direct pricing.
Capabilities comparison
| Capability | Xometry | YEYUAN CNC |
|---|---|---|
| CNC Milling | 3-axis to 5-axis (partner network) | 3-axis to 5-axis |
| CNC Turning | Yes (partner network) | Yes, including live tooling |
| Swiss Machining | Yes (limited partners) | No |
| Sheet Metal | Yes | No |
| 3D Printing | Yes (SLS, SLA, MJF, FDM, DMLS) | No |
| Injection Molding | Yes | No |
| Die Casting | Yes | No |
| Urethane Casting | Yes | No |
Xometry is a one-stop shop for virtually any manufacturing process. If your project needs CNC machining plus sheet metal plus injection molding, Xometry handles all of it. We only do CNC machining. That's the tradeoff between breadth and focus.
Materials comparison
| Material Category | Xometry | YEYUAN CNC |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum (6061, 7075, etc.) | 10+ alloys | 6061, 7075, 5052 |
| Stainless Steel (304, 316L, 17-4, etc.) | 15+ alloys | 304, 316L, 303, 17-4 |
| Carbon Steel / Alloy Steel | 10+ grades | 4140, 4340, A36 (on request) |
| Titanium | Grade 2, Grade 5 | Grade 2, Grade 5 |
| Copper / Brass | C110, C360, C932, C145 | C110, C145, C360, C932 |
| Engineering Plastics | PEEK, PEI, PTFE, PPS, Nylon, Delrin, PC, ABS | PEEK, PEI, PI, PPS, PTFE, PFA, PCTFE, PAI, PVDF |
| Plastic Stock | Standard grades | In-house stock of PEEK, PEI, PTFE, PPS, PAI, PVDF |
Xometry's material catalog is broader, especially in metals. Our advantage is in engineering plastics — we stock them in-house (most shops don't) and we've run thousands of parts in PEEK, PEI, PTFE, and PAI. If your part is an aluminum bracket, either source works. If it's a PEEK semiconductor component with tight thermal requirements, our focused experience matters.
Tolerances
| Tolerance Level | Xometry | YEYUAN CNC |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | ±0.005" (±0.13mm) | ±0.05mm (±0.002") |
| Precision | ±0.001" (±0.025mm) — available at higher cost | ±0.01mm (±0.0004") — standard for precision work |
| GD&T | Supported | Supported (true position, profile, runout) |
| Inspection | Varies by partner shop | CMM + digital height gage + calipers |
Xometry's standard tolerances are well-documented and achievable across their network. Our standard tolerance is tighter, but Xometry's precision option gets you to the same place with an upcharge. The real difference: we're one shop with one inspection department, so quality is consistent. Xometry's quality varies by which partner shop gets assigned.
Quality & Certifications
| Certification | Xometry | YEYUAN CNC |
|---|---|---|
| ISO 9001 | Yes (network-wide requirement for partners) | Yes |
| AS9100 (Aerospace) | Yes (select partners) | No |
| ISO 13485 (Medical) | Yes (select partners) | No |
| ITAR Registered | Yes | No |
| Material Traceability | Available (at added cost) | Available on request |
This is where Xometry's platform model shines. If your part needs AS9100 or ISO 13485 certification, Xometry can route it to a certified partner shop. We can't offer those certifications, and we tell every customer this upfront.
For parts that don't require AS9100 or ISO 13485 — which is most industrial, commercial, and prototype work — certification matters less than consistent quality. Our ISO 9001 system covers everything we do.
Lead time comparison
| Scenario | Xometry | YEYUAN CNC |
|---|---|---|
| Simple aluminum part, qty 10 | 3-5 days (domestic US) | 5-7 days (international shipping) |
| Complex 5-axis part, qty 50 | 5-10 days | 7-15 days |
| Engineering plastic part, qty 100 | 7-14 days (material may need sourcing) | 5-10 days (material in stock) |
| Urgent / expedited | As fast as 1-2 days (premium) | 3-5 days (we prioritize, no surcharge) |
Xometry wins on domestic speed for US customers. Their partner network includes local shops, so shipping is overnight ground instead of international air freight. Our parts ship from China, which adds 2-5 days for express shipping to the US and Europe.
The exception is engineering plastics. Because we stock PEEK, PEI, PTFE, PAI, and PVDF in-house, our plastic part lead times can be shorter than Xometry's — their partners often need to order plastic stock, which adds 3-10 days before machining starts.
Pricing: the biggest difference
This is where the platform-vs-manufacturer distinction hits hardest. Xometry adds a margin (industry estimates suggest 20-45%) on top of the partner shop's bid. Their value proposition is the instant quote, the managed logistics, and the quality guarantee. You pay for that convenience.
As a direct manufacturer, our pricing is whatever our cost structure says it should be — material, machine time, labor, tooling, and margin. No platform layer.
For a representative aluminum 6061 part (100mm x 80mm x 30mm housing, qty 50):
| Cost Component | Xometry (estimated) | YEYUAN CNC |
|---|---|---|
| Per-part price | $55-75 | $35-45 |
| Shipping (to US) | $15-25 (domestic ground) | $40-60 (international express) |
| Total landed cost (50 pcs) | ~$3,000-4,500 | ~$2,000-2,800 |
At quantity 50, the per-part savings outweigh the higher shipping cost. At quantity 5, the shipping difference narrows the gap and Xometry's domestic speed becomes more attractive. At quantity 500, the per-part savings multiply and the shipping cost amortizes to nearly nothing per part.
When Xometry is the better choice
Xometry makes more sense when:
- You need parts in 1-3 days and you're in the US
- You need AS9100 or ISO 13485 certification
- You're ordering multiple processes (CNC + sheet metal + 3D printing) and want one supplier
- You need the convenience of credit card payment with net terms
- You're buying for a large organization where procurement processes favor established platforms with vendor portals
- You value the instant quote over the lowest possible price
Xometry is a good service. We're not going to pretend otherwise. For certain buyers and certain projects, they're the right answer.
When direct manufacturing makes more sense
A direct shop like us works better when:
- Price matters more than instant quoting (waiting 24 hours for a quote saves 20-40%)
- You need expertise in a specific area (for us: engineering plastics, 5-axis aluminum, tight-tolerance parts)
- You want a direct relationship with the people making your parts
- You're doing iterative development and want consistent feedback from the same team
- You're ordering production quantities where the per-part savings compound
- Your parts involve materials that most shops don't stock (PEEK, PAI, PVDF)
Bottom line
Xometry and YEYUAN aren't really competitors. We serve different buyers with different priorities. Xometry is the platform for when convenience, speed, and certification coverage matter most. We're the direct shop for when cost, material expertise, and relationship matter most.
The right choice depends on your specific project. If you're not sure which model fits, send us your drawing and we'll give you an honest assessment — including whether we think Xometry would serve you better for this particular job. We'd rather lose a quote honestly than win one by pretending we're something we're not.
Disclosure: YEYUAN CNC is a direct CNC machining manufacturer. Xometry is a publicly traded manufacturing marketplace (NASDAQ: XMTR). We are not affiliated with Xometry. All Xometry information is based on publicly available data as of June 2026.