[DonRotolo]

The short version is that both programs will take your CAD file and generate G-Code to operate your machine. HSMexpress is like WordPad, while MasterCAM is like full MS Word: they both do the same thing, but one is a LOT more controllable than the other.

HSMexpress has a short learning curve, I could show you in an hour.

With any CAM program, the real trick is knowing your machine and setting the feed and speed of your tools properly. If you don't know what that means, look it up, it'll serve you well.