Carbide Create vs PolyBoard: Which Should You Use?
The verdict
Carbide Create and PolyBoard 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; PolyBoard is free, with limits (Paid) and is a desktop install with no browser version. They differ most on 3D: Carbide Create offers basic 3d and PolyBoard offers good 3d rendering.
Free tiers & pricing last verified Jun 23, 2026.
Pick Carbide Create if…
Free, with limitsCNC routing furniture parts for free
Pick PolyBoard if…
Free, with limitsCustom cabinetmakers designing parametric carcasses
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.
PolyBoard
Free, with limitsFree demo download includes all design functionality; it just cannot output manufacturing documents (cutting lists, plans, CNC files), which require purchase.
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.
PolyBoard
Free demo download includes all design functionality; it just cannot output manufacturing documents (cutting lists, plans, CNC files), which require purchase.
Carbide Create vs PolyBoard: questions, answered
What is the main difference between Carbide Create and PolyBoard?
They differ most on 3D: Carbide Create offers basic 3d and PolyBoard offers good 3d rendering.
Is Carbide Create or PolyBoard free?
Carbide Create is free, with limits and PolyBoard is free, with limits. 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. PolyBoard: Free demo download includes all design functionality; it just cannot output manufacturing documents (cutting lists, plans, CNC files), which require purchase.