Carbide Create vs OpenCutList: Which Should You Use?
The verdict
Carbide Create and OpenCutList are both home & construction design tools, compared here side by side. Carbide Create is free, with limits (Paid) and is a desktop install with no browser version; OpenCutList is truly free (Free) and is a desktop install with no browser version. The biggest difference is cost: OpenCutList is truly free, while Carbide Create is free, with limits (from Paid).
Free tiers & pricing last verified Jun 23, 2026.
Pick Carbide Create if…
Free, with limitsCNC routing furniture parts for free
Pick OpenCutList if…
Truly freeSketchUp woodworkers needing free cut lists
Side by side
Carbide Create
Free, with limitsFree 2D CAD/CAM download with no license codes; a paid Pro upgrade adds 3D and advanced toolpaths, but the free tier fully designs CNC furniture parts.
OpenCutList
Truly freeFree and open-source SketchUp extension; entirely free with no paid tier, though it requires SketchUp itself.
Read the full reviews
Carbide Create
Free 2D CAD/CAM download with no license codes; a paid Pro upgrade adds 3D and advanced toolpaths, but the free tier fully designs CNC furniture parts.
OpenCutList
Free and open-source SketchUp extension; entirely free with no paid tier, though it requires SketchUp itself.
Carbide Create vs OpenCutList: questions, answered
What is the main difference between Carbide Create and OpenCutList?
The biggest difference is cost: OpenCutList is truly free, while Carbide Create is free, with limits (from Paid).
Is Carbide Create or OpenCutList free?
Carbide Create is free, with limits and OpenCutList is truly free. Carbide Create: Free 2D CAD/CAM download with no license codes; a paid Pro upgrade adds 3D and advanced toolpaths, but the free tier fully designs CNC furniture parts. OpenCutList: Free and open-source SketchUp extension; entirely free with no paid tier, though it requires SketchUp itself.