CutList Optimizer (cutlistoptimizer.com) is one of the most widely used online panel cutting tools. Free in its basic version, it shares the same target audience as Offcut: woodworkers and makers who want to optimise their sheet good cuts directly from the browser. But the two tools differ on key points. Here is a full comparison.
Comparison table
| Criterion | Offcut | CutList Optimizer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free (advanced exports in paid plan) | Freemium — 5 calculations/day free |
| Free calculations | Unlimited | 5 per day maximum |
| Saved projects (free) | Per plan | 5 maximum |
| Grain direction | ✅ | ✅ |
| Edge banding | ✅ | ✅ |
| PDF export | ✅ (paid plan) | ✅ |
| DXF export (CNC) | ✅ (paid plan) | ❌ |
| SVG export | ✅ (paid plan) | ❌ |
| Part label export | ✅ | ❌ |
| Weight statistics | ✅ per part and total | ❌ |
| Mobile app | Responsive web | ✅ Android app |
| Languages | 10 (app + guides/content) | Interface only |
Calculation limits: 5/day vs unlimited
This is the most immediate difference for regular users. CutList Optimizer limits the free version to 5 calculations per day and 5 saved projects. For intensive professional use or when testing multiple configurations of the same project, this limit becomes a real constraint.
Offcut imposes no limit on the number of calculations — the free version can be used continuously. The only free-plan restrictions relate to the number of panel formats (2 max) and part references (10 max per project), which suits most standard projects.
Exports: DXF and SVG absent from CutList Optimizer
CutList Optimizer exports to PDF and CSV — enough to print a plan or open it in a spreadsheet. But it does not offer DXF or SVG export, which rules out direct integration with CNC machines or vector drawing software.
Offcut provides both formats in addition to PDF: DXF (for CNC and CAM software) and SVG (vector, for design and illustration). It also adds part label export — a practical workshop format missing from most competitors.
Weight statistics: an Offcut exclusive feature
Neither CutList Optimizer nor most of its competitors calculate part weights. Offcut integrates this directly into the optimisation tool: each part shows its individual weight, and the project displays the total weight. These figures are calculated from the material density (MDF, plywood, melamine…). If you deliver furniture, size fixings, or plan transport, Offcut’s weight statistics save you time.
Mobile app: CutList Optimizer has the edge
CutList Optimizer offers a native Android app — an advantage for users who work exclusively on mobile or want to check plans from a job site without opening a browser. Offcut is a responsive web application, accessible on mobile via any browser but without a dedicated downloadable app.
Maturity and reliability
CutList Optimizer has been around for about a decade. Ten years of use by millions of woodworkers means that most edge cases — unusual sheet sizes, blade kerf settings, diagonal grain — have been encountered and fixed. This is a significant advantage for professional users who need proven stability.
Offcut is more recent, but its development is active and its advanced features (weight statistics, DXF export, part labels) reflect a clear product vision focused on the real needs of woodworkers.
Which tool should you choose?
Choose CutList Optimizer if: you need a native mobile app, you are comfortable with the 5 calculations/day limit, and you do not need DXF exports or weight statistics.
Choose Offcut if: you run frequent calculations without hitting a daily limit, you need DXF/SVG exports for CNC or design plans, or you want to integrate part weight data into your workflow.
Verdict
For occasional and straightforward use, CutList Optimizer remains an excellent, solid, and proven tool. But as soon as your needs exceed 5 daily calculations, you have a CNC machine, or you need weight statistics, Offcut is the better option — at no extra cost.
For a broader overview of free panel cutting plan software, see our free panel cutting software comparison.
Offcut tools to go further
- 🪵 Offcut app — cutting plan — generate an optimised cutting plan in a few clicks, for free.
- 📊 Wood weight calculator — instantly estimate the weight of your panels.
Frequently asked questions
Is CutList Optimizer really limited to 5 calculations per day?
Yes, in the free version. Beyond that, a subscription or licence purchase is required. Offcut does not limit the number of calculations even in the free plan.
Does Offcut have a mobile app?
Offcut is a responsive web application — it works on mobile via the browser but is not available for download on the App Store or Google Play. CutList Optimizer offers a native Android app.
Can you import a CSV parts list into Offcut?
This feature is on Offcut’s roadmap. CutList Optimizer already offers CSV import, which can be an advantage if you manage parts lists from a spreadsheet.
