The lasing properties of Nd∶KGW crystal in free-running mode with different transmission of the output couplers are reported.The best results have been obtained with the output coupler of 24% transmission.The slope efficiency is 1.0% and the extrapolated energy threshold is 0.54 J.A comparative experiment of Nd∶KGW and Nd∶YAG laser crystals has been cavried out under identical experimental conditions in both free-running and Q-switched modes.The much higher efficiency and the lower threshold for Nd∶KGW (Nd: 2.2 at.-%) compared to Nd∶YAG (Nd: 1.1 at.-%) at 1.064 μm are demonstrated in both operation mode.