Aren't these things locked to their software and require a subscription for basic functionality?
Plus, for less than $300, you can pick up some jank from us cutter that is not locked in a sandbox, but I reckon you still need to get something like corel to drive it.
You pretty much just answered your own question. The Cricut has their own software that will aid you though out the whole process. sure it's simple and if you want more there's a subscription.
If you pick up a cheap vinyl cutter. Now you need software, the plugins etc. what do you choose? Adobe? Subscription, Corel? $500. (more than the cutter). say your friend got you the software free no questions asked. now you have no idea and no guidance on how any of it works. youtube, forum. etc....
Do you see where im going with this?
Sure everyone here knows how to use a vinyl cutter. but im sure hands down when everyone started, it was a lot of messing about getting it to work. ''\
$300, a basic cutter and you'll be making stickers from your phone, ipad, laptop. easily. i dont see the problem here.