Cabinet design software compared (2026)
Cabinet software ranges from free generic modellers to production suites costing more than a panel saw. This overview compares six realistic options on the things that matter in a workshop: what it runs on, what it costs to get started, and what production output you actually get. Full disclosure: KWAL Cabinet Studio is our own product — so we kept every claim factual, dated, and we tell you honestly when another tool is the better fit.
The comparison at a glance
| Tool | Type | Platform | Entry price* | Free option |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KWAL Cabinet Studio | Cabinet-specific, parametric | Browser | €15 per export | Design & preview free |
| PolyBoard | Cabinet-specific, parametric | Windows desktop | ~€2,445 licence | — |
| SketchUp + OpenCutList | Generic 3D + cut-list extension | Desktop / web | $399/yr (Pro, for extensions) | Free web tier (non-commercial) |
| Cabinet Vision | Production suite | Windows desktop | Quote-based | — |
| SketchList 3D | Woodworking design | Win/Mac desktop | $599.99/yr | — |
| Fusion 360 | Generic CAD/CAM | Win/Mac desktop | $680/yr commercial | Free for personal use |
* Prices checked August 2026 on vendor or reseller sites; they change — always verify with the vendor.
PolyBoard — the established parametric desktop tool
PolyBoard (Boole & Partners) is the closest comparison to KWAL: genuinely parametric cabinet design with real-time cut lists and CNC integration via its OptiCut/OptiNest ecosystem. It is mature, deep, and Windows-only, with a one-time licence around €2,445–€4,695. A strong choice if you want an owned desktop licence and work on Windows; the trade-offs are the upfront investment and a desktop-era workflow.
SketchUp + OpenCutList — the hobbyist favourite
SketchUp is where most hobbyist woodworkers start, and the free open-source OpenCutList extension generates parts lists and cutting diagrams from your model. The catch: nothing is parametric — every cabinet is modelled by hand, and changing a dimension means redrawing. Extensions also require the desktop version (the $399/yr Pro tier); the free web tier cannot run them. Great for one-off furniture and non-commercial tinkering; laborious for repeated cabinet work.
Cabinet Vision — the production standard
Cabinet Vision (Hexagon) is the industry standard for production shops: screen-to-machine CNC output, dealer network, deep customisation. Pricing is quote-based and modular, and the learning curve matches its depth. If you run a multi-machine production line, it is probably the right tool — and honestly more tool than a small shop or solo maker needs.
SketchList 3D and Fusion 360 — the adjacent options
SketchList 3D ($599.99/yr) is friendly furniture-design software with cut lists and layouts, aimed at woodworkers who want 3D design without CAD complexity — less cabinet-run and CNC oriented. Fusion 360 is a different animal: a full generic CAD/CAM platform, free for personal use and $680/yr commercially. It can model anything — but knows nothing about cabinets, so cut lists, edge banding and carcase logic are all manual work.
Which one should you choose?
- Production shop with CNC line: look at Cabinet Vision (or Microvellum) — quote-based, but built for that scale.
- Hobby, one-off projects, zero budget: SketchUp's free tier, or Fusion 360 for personal use.
- Windows shop wanting an owned parametric licence: PolyBoard.
- Small shop or serious DIY builder who wants parametric cabinets and production files without a licence investment: that is exactly the gap KWAL Cabinet Studio was built for — design free in the browser, preview everything, and pay from €15 only when you export the cut list, DXF and PDF dossier.