Axidraw's are pretty much plug and play, and the software support is outstanding with plugins for Inkscape along with a CLI and Python API. There's also Vpype, another piece of FOSS software that can make SVGs plotter friendly.
I believe the new Axidraw (teased on the Bantam Tools website and called the Nextdraw) has better honing capabilities. Seeing as how Bantam tools specialized in CNC mills, I suspect we'll see further improvements too.