Searches for “free cut list optimizer” and “free panel cutting software” usually come from two people: the cabinet maker who still draws the cutting plan on paper and wants something faster, and the workshop already paying for an expensive licence and looking for an alternative. In this guide you see what free cutting optimization software for furniture can do, which limits to check and how to get your first cutting plan in a few minutes.
What cutting software must do, even when free
- A calculated cutting plan, not just a list: parts laid out on the sheet with edge-to-edge (guillotine) cuts, the way a panel saw makes them.
- Saw kerf and board trimming included, otherwise the last parts come out undersized.
- Grain direction on parts that need it: fronts are not rotated.
- Edge banding subtracted from the size when you enter finished sizes.
- A saw sheet and labels, so the operator calculates nothing at the machine.
What you get for free in OptimCut
The OptimCut Trial account is free, with no card and no trial period that runs out. It is not a demo version: it uses the same optimization engine as the paid plan.
| Included | Trial (free) | Pro (20 EUR / month) |
|---|---|---|
| Optimizations | 3 per month | 20 per day |
| Parts per optimization | up to 100 | up to 300 |
| Search cycles | up to 5 | up to 15 |
| Precise method | no | yes |
| Cutting plan, cut sheet, labels, PDF, CSV | yes | yes |
| Stock with offcuts, furniture recipes, material catalogue | yes | yes |
| Quick optimization for quotes | yes | yes |
Three optimizations a month means three real orders. Take this month's biggest order and compare the number of sheets in your plan with the one OptimCut calculates. It is the fairest test.
How to make your first cutting plan in 5 minutes
- 1Create the account
With e-mail or Google. Choose the Trial plan, no card.
- 2Open Quick optimization
No need to fill in the catalogue or stock: enter the sheet size (for example 2800 × 2070) and how many you have.
- 3Enter the parts
Name, length, width, pieces. You can paste the list straight from Excel.
- 4Optimize
Choose trimming and blade width, start the calculation and see the diagram of every sheet, the fill rate and the offcuts.
- 5Print
The complete sheet, the step-by-step cut sheet and the labels, on paper or as PDF.
For everyday orders it is worth moving to the full workflow: material catalogue, stock and furniture recipes described once. Everything is explained in the user manual.
Free or paid: when Pro is worth it
- Stay on Trial if you have a few orders a month or only need quick estimates for quotes.
- Move to Pro when you cut every day, have orders above 100 parts (a whole kitchen) or want the Precise method for minimal waste.
- The Pro price, 20 EUR a month, is usually earned back with a single sheet saved. See the numbers in chipboard cutting waste.
Free desktop program or online software?
Older cutting programs were installed on a Windows computer. OptimCut runs in the browser: on a computer, tablet or phone, with no installation and no licence tied to one machine. The calculation runs on the server, so it is fast even on an older phone. The full comparison is in online panel cutting software.
Conclusion
Free panel cutting software is useful if it makes a real cutting plan, with kerf, trimming, grain and edge banding, and gives you the workshop documents. OptimCut Trial has all of that, with no card. Create a free account and make your first plan on a real order.
Frequently asked questions
Is there free panel cutting software?
Yes. The OptimCut Trial account is free with no card: 3 optimizations per month, up to 100 parts each, with cutting plan, cut sheet, labels and PDF.
Does the free version expire?
No. The Trial account has no end date; the limit is the number of optimizations per month, which renews every month.
Do I need to install anything?
No. OptimCut runs in the browser, on Windows, macOS, Linux, tablet or phone.
Can I optimize the cutting for a whole kitchen for free?
If the kitchen has up to 100 parts, yes. For larger orders the Pro plan allows up to 300 parts per optimization.
Try version 3.0.0
The Trial account is free: create your first cutting plans in minutes, right from your browser.