Buyer's Guide · Updated June 2026

8 Best Cabinet Design Software in
2026

Cabinet software ranges from five-figure production suites that drive a CNC line to free tools that just draw a box. This guide compares the eight that matter in 2026 — production CAD, catalogue-driven kitchen design, and the new AI-native concepting layer — so you can match the tool to the size of your shop and the job in front of you.

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In a hurry? Quick picks

The shortlist by job, before the deep dive.

Fastest from description to CAD

Prompt2CAD

Best full production suite

Cabinet Vision

Best value production on subscription

Mozaik

Best perpetual-licence parametric tool

PolyBoard

Best for kitchen dealers

2020 Design Flex / ProKitchen

Best for a one-person shop

SketchList 3D

Production suites, catalogue tools, and AI concepting

Cabinet software falls into three groups, and the expensive mistake is buying for a shop bigger than yours. Production suites like Cabinet Vision, Mozaik, and PolyBoard model real construction — face-frame or frameless, the 32 mm system, hardware and reveals — and output cut lists and CNC files. They are powerful, Windows-only, and carry a real learning curve and cost. Catalogue-driven kitchen tools like 2020 Design Flex and ProKitchen sell branded cabinetry to clients in a showroom, strong on presentation but built around manufacturer catalogues rather than bespoke carcasses.

The third group is new, and it answers a specific problem: a one-off bespoke cabinet rarely justifies firing up a $5,000-a-seat suite. Prompt2CAD is an AI-native concepting layer — describe the run, get a parametric 3D model with the right door and drawer layout, resize it conversationally, render it for the client, and export STEP or DXF to nest and machine downstream. It collapses the early concept-and-present stage to minutes, runs in a browser on a Mac or PC, and leaves the precise production work to the tool that does it best.

Comparison at a glance

Best-for, pricing, and platforms across all eight tools.

SoftwareBest forPricingPlatforms
Prompt2CADAI-nativeFast bespoke cabinet and built-in concepting from a descriptionFree trial credits, Designer plan $29/monthWeb — runs in any browser, Mac or Windows
Cabinet VisionHigh-volume cabinet manufacturers running design-to-CNCQuote-based, modular (Core Cabinets, Design, rendering, nesting, bidding add-ons)Windows
MozaikCabinet shops wanting design, cut lists, and CNC on a subscriptionFrom about $125/month per seat (Manufacturing or CNC), 3-month paid trialWindows
PolyBoardParametric cabinet carcasses with accurate cut lists and CNC filesPerpetual licence roughly $1,995–$2,345, free demo (no manufacturing output)Windows
SketchList 3DWoodworkers who want cabinet cut lists and board planningPaid plans from about $450/year (two-year plan)Windows, Mac
2020 Design FlexKitchen dealers and showrooms designing with manufacturer cataloguesQuote-based annual subscription, around $2,500/year per reportsWindows (cloud-based)
ProKitchenKitchen and bath dealers who need Mac and PC catalogue designQuote-based annual subscription, add-ons (VR, closet, countertop), 2-week trialWindows, Mac
SketchUpQuick visual blocking when you already know the dimensionsFree web plan, paid plans from $129/yearWeb, iPad, Mac, Windows

The 8 tools in detail

Honest pros, cons, and where each one fits in a real workflow.

01Prompt2CADAI-native

Best for: Fast bespoke cabinet and built-in concepting from a description

Pricing: Free trial credits, Designer plan $29/month

Platforms: Web — runs in any browser, Mac or Windows

Prompt2CAD is the concepting layer in front of cabinet production software. Describe a base run with a sink cabinet, two drawer banks, and a corner unit, get a parametric model you can resize and re-spec conversationally, render it for the client, then export STEP or DXF to nest and machine in a production tool. It is the fastest way to a client-ready concept for a one-off cabinet that does not justify firing up a full suite, and it runs the same on a Mac as on a PC.

✓ Pros

  • Describe a cabinet run in plain language and get a parametric 3D model in seconds
  • Set carcass dimensions, door and drawer counts, and reveals, then resize without rebuilding
  • Works for kitchen runs, vanities, media walls, and one-off built-ins alike
  • Photorealistic render via Nano Banana for client approval before a sheet is cut
  • Exports STEP, DXF, OBJ, STL, GLB for handoff to Fusion, PolyBoard, or a CNC shop

— Cons

  • Best for rectilinear casework, not ornate or heavily moulded cabinetry
  • No built-in nesting, board optimisation, or manufacturer catalogues — export and refine downstream
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02Cabinet Vision

Best for: High-volume cabinet manufacturers running design-to-CNC

Pricing: Quote-based, modular (Core Cabinets, Design, rendering, nesting, bidding add-ons)

Platforms: Windows

Cabinet Vision (Hexagon) is the production heavyweight. If you run a shop pushing volume through a CNC, it is the standard against which everything else is measured, and it earns its cost on the floor. For a small shop or a single bespoke kitchen, it is far more software than the job needs — concept faster upstream and reserve a suite like this for when production volume justifies it.

✓ Pros

  • The most widely used design-for-manufacture suite in the industry
  • Full path from design to nested CNC output with material optimisation
  • Modules for rendering, bidding, costing, and countertops
  • Handles face-frame and frameless construction with engineering rigour

— Cons

  • Windows only and quote-based — an enterprise-level investment
  • Steep learning curve; weeks to become productive
  • Modular pricing means the useful configuration costs well beyond the base

03Mozaik

Best for: Cabinet shops wanting design, cut lists, and CNC on a subscription

Pricing: From about $125/month per seat (Manufacturing or CNC), 3-month paid trial

Platforms: Windows

Mozaik hits a popular middle ground: real production output — cut lists, optimiser, CNC posts — without Cabinet Vision's upfront cost. The monthly model suits shops that would rather expense it than buy a perpetual licence. Watch the recent price increases when you budget, and pair it with a fast concepting tool upstream so you are not paying production seats to explore early ideas.

✓ Pros

  • Detailed drawings, 3D renderings, cut lists, and a built-in optimiser
  • CNC tier drives routers directly with stock post processors included
  • Subscription avoids a large upfront licence
  • Strong following among small and mid-size production shops

— Cons

  • Windows only — no native macOS support
  • Reviewers report steep price rises since the Cyncly acquisition
  • Subscription means cost continues for as long as you design

04PolyBoard

Best for: Parametric cabinet carcasses with accurate cut lists and CNC files

Pricing: Perpetual licence roughly $1,995–$2,345, free demo (no manufacturing output)

Platforms: Windows

PolyBoard (from Wood Designer) is a parametric cabinet engine with a one-time licence rather than a subscription, which appeals to shops tired of recurring fees. Its strength is manufacturing accuracy — cut lists and CNC files that are right the first time. A natural downstream partner when you concept in Prompt2CAD and want a perpetual production tool to drive the saw.

✓ Pros

  • Parametric workflow: dimension the carcass, drop in doors, drawers, shelves, fillers
  • Resize a cabinet and every part recalculates automatically
  • Outputs 100% accurate cut lists, plans, and CNC files
  • Perpetual licence with OptiCut and OptiNest board-optimisation add-ons

— Cons

  • Windows only
  • Learning curve steeper than a catalogue-driven kitchen planner
  • Cut lists and CNC output require the paid licence

05SketchList 3D

Best for: Woodworkers who want cabinet cut lists and board planning

Pricing: Paid plans from about $450/year (two-year plan)

Platforms: Windows, Mac

SketchList 3D is built for the woodworker who needs to turn a cabinet design into accurate production paperwork without a five-figure suite. It is also one of the few that runs on a Mac. Concept the layout with the client in Prompt2CAD, then commit to a buildable design and pull the cut list here.

✓ Pros

  • Automatic cut lists, board-foot calculations, and material reports
  • Purpose-built for cabinetmakers and built-in joinery
  • One of the few production-oriented tools that runs on a Mac
  • Approachable price for a one-person shop

— Cons

  • Limited for complex, curved, or highly detailed work
  • Visualisation is functional rather than photorealistic

062020 Design Flex

Best for: Kitchen dealers and showrooms designing with manufacturer catalogues

Pricing: Quote-based annual subscription, around $2,500/year per reports

Platforms: Windows (cloud-based)

2020 Design Flex (Cyncly, the evolution of 2020 Design Live) is the showroom tool: it sells kitchens around real branded cabinetry and appliances with photorealistic presentation. If your business is dealing manufacturer lines, it is purpose-built. If you build bespoke carcasses yourself, a parametric tool fits better, and a concepting tool like Prompt2CAD covers the early creative pass faster.

✓ Pros

  • Huge library of real manufacturer cabinet, appliance, and surface catalogues
  • Cloud-based, so you can sign in across machines
  • Built for showroom selling: photorealistic kitchens and bath designs
  • Includes catalog updates and support in the subscription

— Cons

  • Not Mac compatible
  • Quote-based pricing that reviewers say rises year over year
  • Catalogue-driven: aimed at speccing branded product, not bespoke carcasses

07ProKitchen

Best for: Kitchen and bath dealers who need Mac and PC catalogue design

Pricing: Quote-based annual subscription, add-ons (VR, closet, countertop), 2-week trial

Platforms: Windows, Mac

ProKitchen is a showroom-oriented kitchen and bath tool whose standout trait is genuine Mac support alongside Windows. Like 2020, it is catalogue-driven — strong for speccing branded product, less so for bespoke joinery. Pair it with a fast concepting layer when you want to explore a one-off design before dropping into catalogue parts.

✓ Pros

  • Over 500 manufacturer catalogues for catalogue-driven kitchen design
  • Runs on Mac as well as PC — unusual in this category
  • Cloud saving, HD renderings, and VR presentation add-ons
  • Free trial to evaluate before subscribing

— Cons

  • Quote-based pricing with add-ons that stack up
  • Catalogue-led, so less suited to fully bespoke carcasses
  • Reviews flag reliability issues with rendering and VR

08SketchUp

Best for: Quick visual blocking when you already know the dimensions

Pricing: Free web plan, paid plans from $129/year

Platforms: Web, iPad, Mac, Windows

SketchUp is the fastest way to block out a cabinet run if you already have the dimensions and just want a picture. It is not parametric, so a change of brief means redrawing, and production output relies on extensions. Prompt2CAD reaches a comparable layout from a description and exports STEP for tools that handle the saw.

✓ Pros

  • Famously easy to learn for rough 3D layouts
  • Huge component library and a free web tier
  • Good for client-facing walkthroughs of a kitchen layout

— Cons

  • Not a parametric modeller — resizing a carcass means manual rework
  • Cut lists and CNC output need third-party extensions like CutList or OpenCutList

How to choose

Match the stack to the work you actually do.

Cabinet maker doing bespoke kitchens

Custom carcasses with cut lists and CNC files

Recommended stack: Prompt2CAD to concept and present → PolyBoard or Mozaik for production

Production shop with a CNC line

Nested, machine-ready parts at volume

Recommended stack: Cabinet Vision, or Mozaik CNC for a lighter footprint

Kitchen fitter or remodeler

Designs built from branded cabinet catalogues

Recommended stack: 2020 Design Flex or ProKitchen

Designer presenting to clients

Renders and layouts for approval, not production files

Recommended stack: Prompt2CAD for fast renders → hand cut files to the shop

DIY builder or one-person shop

A one-off built-in with a cut list

Recommended stack: Prompt2CAD + SketchList 3D, or SketchUp Free with an extension

Frequently asked questions

What is the best free cabinet design software in 2026?

Fully free options are limited in this category. SketchUp's free web tier handles rough layouts but needs an extension like OpenCutList for cut lists. Prompt2CAD offers free trial credits so you can generate, render, and export a parametric cabinet before paying. PolyBoard offers a free demo, but it holds cut lists and CNC files behind the paid licence. For genuinely free production output, expect to compromise on either capability or polish.

Do I need Cabinet Vision for a small shop?

Usually not. Cabinet Vision is built for volume manufacturing and priced accordingly; a small or one-person shop rarely uses enough of it to justify the cost and learning curve. Mozaik, PolyBoard, and SketchList 3D cover design plus cut lists and CNC at a fraction of the commitment. Many small shops concept in Prompt2CAD and produce in one of those, and only move to Cabinet Vision when production volume demands it.

Which cabinet software exports cut lists and DXF for CNC?

Cabinet Vision, Mozaik, PolyBoard, and SketchList 3D all generate cut lists, and the first three drive CNC machinery directly. Most professional tools export DXF or STEP, which CAM software turns into G-code for the router. Prompt2CAD exports DXF, STEP, and STL for that handoff but does not produce the cut list itself — that comes from the production tool downstream.

Do these tools handle both face-frame and frameless cabinets?

The production suites do. Cabinet Vision, Mozaik, and PolyBoard all model face-frame (American traditional) and frameless (European 32 mm) construction, including the hardware and reveals each implies. Catalogue tools like 2020 and ProKitchen build from whatever construction the manufacturer's catalogue uses. When concepting in Prompt2CAD you can describe either style and confirm the exact construction details in your production tool.

Is there cabinet design software for Mac?

Most of the category is Windows-only — Cabinet Vision, Mozaik, PolyBoard, and 2020 Design Flex all require Windows. The Mac-friendly options are Prompt2CAD (runs in any browser), ProKitchen, SketchList 3D, and SketchUp. If you work on a Mac and want bespoke parametric output rather than catalogue parts, Prompt2CAD is the most direct fit.

What does a cabinet maker actually send to the CNC?

The router needs G-code, generated by CAM software from a cut list plus part geometry, typically as DXF or nested sheet files. Cabinet Vision, Mozaik, and PolyBoard produce these directly from the design. If you concept in a tool that does not nest — Prompt2CAD or SketchUp — you export DXF or STEP and let the production tool or CAM package handle nesting and tool paths.

Keep exploring

Related guides, comparisons, and editable models.

Guide

AI Cabinet Designer

How Prompt2CAD designs base, wall, and tall cabinets from a description.

Guide

Kitchen Designer

Full kitchen runs, islands, and cabinetry laid out conversationally.

Comparison

Best Wardrobe Design Software 2026

The fitted-wardrobe and closet companion to this guide.

Comparison

Best Furniture Design Software 2026

The broader furniture CAD roundup, including AI-native tools.

Model

Country Kitchen Wall Run

A parametric kitchen cabinet run you can open and edit.

Model

MCM TV Console

A low cabinet with doors and drawers to start from.

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Media Storage Wall

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Modern Bathroom Vanity

A vanity cabinet example for bath casework.

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