Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Hours VS MaxCut

Compare Hours VS MaxCut and see what are their differences

Hours logo Hours

Boosting productivity through live, virtual co-working.

MaxCut logo MaxCut

The Complete Cut List Optimization & Costing Solution for Woodworkers, Joiners and Cabinetry Professionals.
  • Hours Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-26
  • MaxCut MaxCut Optimization Results
    MaxCut Optimization Results //
    2026-04-09
  • MaxCut MaxCut Input Items
    MaxCut Input Items //
    2026-04-09
  • MaxCut MaxCut Cost Summary
    MaxCut Cost Summary //
    2026-04-09

MaxCut is cut list optimization software for professional cabinet makers, joiners, and woodworking shops. It reduces sheet material waste, speeds up cut planning, and gives small-scale cabinetry businesses accurate control over job costing and profit margins. Key features include: professional cutting diagrams and order lists, grain alignment across panels, tension-free cuts, accurate job and labour cost calculations, professional report and panel label printing, a reusable cabinet library, and CSV export. MaxCut is available as a free Community Edition and a paid Business Edition for professional use.

Hours

Website
hours.zone
Pricing URL
-
$ Details
-
Platforms
-
Release Date
-

MaxCut

$ Details
freemium $20 / Monthly (Business Edition)
Platforms
Windows
Release Date
2019 February
Startup details
Country
New Zealand
State
Auckland
City
Auckland
Employees
1 - 9

Hours features and specs

  • Simple Time Tracking
    Allows users to easily track their time with just a few clicks, making it less cumbersome than more complex project management tools.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    Hours.zone offers an intuitive and clean interface which enhances user experience and reduces the learning curve.
  • Real-Time Reporting
    Provides real-time data on time usage, which can be crucial for making immediate adjustments in work patterns.
  • Cross-Platform Access
    Available on multiple platforms (web and mobile), allowing users to log their hours from anywhere.
  • Collaborative Features
    Supports team collaboration by allowing multiple users to log time on shared projects and tasks.

Possible disadvantages of Hours

  • Limited Integration
    May not integrate well with other project management or productivity tools, limiting its usefulness in a broader tech ecosystem.
  • Basic Functionality
    While it offers core time-tracking features, it may lack advanced functionalities that some businesses require.
  • Potential Subscription Costs
    Depending on the feature set desired, there could be subscription costs involved, which may not be ideal for all users.
  • Data Security Concerns
    As with any online time-tracking tool, there could be potential data security issues unless robust safeguards are in place.
  • Limited Customization
    May not offer extensive customization options, making it less adaptable to unique business needs and workflows.

MaxCut features and specs

  • Efficient Cutting Diagrams
    With intelligent algorithms, MaxCut calculates the best way to cut up your boards and panels, so you get the most out of every sheet. You’re always in control, with adjustable cuttings settings. Keep more of your profits by reducing waste.
  • Wide Range of Materials
    MaxCut accommodates an impressive variety of materials and component types, allowing you to tackle projects ranging from standard melamine to exotic veneers with ease. Count on MaxCut’s extensive range of materials for a truly versatile workshop experience.
  • Precise Professional Quotes & Offers
    Picture sending out a precise, professional proposal in moments. If a client needs a last-minute tweak, no sweat—MaxCut’s mass-change feature lets you adjust one detail or the entire quote in just a few clicks. It’s quick, accurate, and gives your customers total confidence in your work.
  • Know Your Costs & Profit Margins
    Instantly see how each material choice affects your bottom line. You’ll know your exact costs—and profit margins—in real time. Need to switch up materials or adjust a dimension? No problem. Just make the change, and watch your numbers update on the spot.
  • Massively Time-Saving
    Automated cut list creation, presaved product catalgoues and mass changes mean you spend less time planning and more time delivering quality cabinets.Gone are the days of spending hours and hours on repetitive simple cutlist tasks.
  • Master Complex Projects with Ease
    Handle complex projects seamlessly. MaxCut links all your products and parts, ensuring that things are organised and easy to adjust. Handle large jobs with many materials and parts in a fraction of the time.
  • Create Your Own Product Catalog
    Store your favorite products, dimensions, and parts in one place. When it’s time to start a new job, simply select what you need, tweak a few settings, and get started—no repetitive data entry.
  • Advanced Cabinetry Features
    Tackle complex cabinetry tasks with ease—from tension-free cuts and precise holes and grooving to customizable settings for different sheet materials. Tackle even the most demanding cabinet jobs with total confidence.
  • Print Part Labels
    Tired of mixing up parts mid-project? Generate clear part labels—including part dimensions, materials, etc — and print them in just a few clicks. It’s an easy way to stay on top of every piece from rough cuts to final assembly.
  • Extensive Integration Capabilities
    Whether you’re using Excel, design software or project management tools, MaxCut slots right in for seamless data exchange and smoother workflows.

Analysis of Hours

Overall verdict

  • Hours.zone is a useful tool for certain users, but its value depends on specific needs and preferences.

Why this product is good

  • Hours.zone provides a simple way to manage and coordinate time zones, which can be very helpful for teams working remotely or with members in different geographic locations. It allows users to compare time across various zones, making scheduling more efficient and reducing errors related to time conversions.

Recommended for

  • Remote teams that have members in different time zones
  • Individuals or companies that frequently schedule international meetings
  • Freelancers or contractors working with clients globally
  • Event planners coordinating events across several locations

Hours videos

Hours (Starring Paul Walker) Movie Review

More videos:

  • Review - THE HOURS (2002) Movie Review
  • Review - Hours - Movie Review (2013)

MaxCut videos

Demo

More videos:

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Hours and MaxCut)
Productivity
67 67%
33% 33
Time Tracking
100 100%
0% 0
Cutting Optimisers
0 0%
100% 100
Invoicing
100 100%
0% 0

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing Hours and MaxCut.

What makes your product unique?

MaxCut's answer:

At MaxCut, we stand out by hyper-focusing on making complex cutlist tasks simple for our target audience. We cater specifically for small businesses in cabinetry and joinery and offer a remarkably capable free edition that covers the most important optimization needs without excessively pressuring users to upgrade. We've taken a targeted, opinionated approach to building MaxCut, focussing on what a small cabinerty and joinery business will need. This keeps MaxCut straightforward and easy to use for that audience.

How would you describe the primary audience of your product?

MaxCut's answer:

  • Professional cabinetry business
  • Cabinetry manufacturer
  • Joiner/Joinery

Who are some of the biggest customers of your product?

MaxCut's answer:

While we do serve larger clients with multiple licenses, our real pride lies in the tens of thousands of active small to medium-sized businesses around the globe that use MaxCut every day. They’re the heart of our community and the driving force behind our commitment to making professional cutlist optimization accessible and user-friendly for all.

What's the story behind your product?

MaxCut's answer:

After spending over a decade in a previous business building complex software that required months to set up and years to master, the founders of MaxCut decided never again! That decision gave birth to MaxCut. Driven by talented software engineers passionate about creating a software product that’s incredibly quick and simple to set up (you can do it in minutes), easy to use, and immediately valuable. MaxCut is our passion project. We’re continually evolving MaxCut to meet the real-world needs of small and medium-sized businesses in the cabinetry and joinery industry. Keeping things simple and easy to use.

Why should a person choose your product over its competitors?

MaxCut's answer:

  • Focussed on Cabinetry and Joinery Industry: Rather than trying to serve every industry, MaxCut concentrates on the specific needs of small businesses in cabinetry and joinery—ensuring each feature is directly relevant to users in those industries.

  • Simplicity: MaxCut is designed with ease of use in mind, making even complex tasks intuitive and straightforward.

  • Generous Free Edition: Our free version delivers robust optimization tools without pressuring you to upgrade.

  • Reliable Support: When you need assistance, our support team is quick to respond and genuinely helpful.

  • Regular Software Updates: We frequently improve MaxCut, often releasing new functionality each month.

  • Great Value for Money: The savings in material and time you’ll gain from MaxCut significantly outweigh the cost of the software.

User comments

Share your experience with using Hours and MaxCut. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Hours and MaxCut

Hours Reviews

The 7 Best Harvest Alternatives – Comparison Guide
The main focus of the Hours app is the visual timeline, which is a running list of several timers that show you exactly how and where you are spending your time. This makes real-time tracking easy by allowing you to switch between timers with one tap. Hours also offers smart reminders, the ability to edit timelines, smart reporting, and the ability to track time for your...

MaxCut Reviews

  1. Oliver Graham
    · Owner at Grahams Joinery ·
    In the last few months this app has made a huge difference in my joinery business

    Running my business as a skilled joiner focusing on custom kitchen and bathroom cabinets means I'm constantly seeking tools that boost efficiency and precision in my work routine.MaxCut quickly became a tool, in my daily tasks and heres my truthful assessment after incorporating it into my workflow for a few months.

    Pros:    Streamlining productivity. maxcut has really simplified the way i make cut lists for my projects! tasks that used to eat up hours of work can now be completed in just minutes with the softwares help and it also guarantees that i achieve the most effective layout, for each sheet of material used in my projects.|Cutting expenses. material expenses are increasing lately; it's important to make the most out of every piece of board you have on hand! maxcuts optimization tools have really cut down on my waste material. helped me save money. plus its a win, for the environment too! my clients love that sustainability angle.|User friendliness. the software impressed me with its ease of use – the interface is simple to navigate. i didn't have to spend much time learning how to use it effectively this is particularly beneficial for business owners, like myself who are pressed for time and can't afford to learn intricate systems.|Handles custom materials. maxcut is awesome because it allows me to enter the materials i'm working with along, with the blade kerfs and dimensions i need for my projects to ensure my cut lists are accurate and customized to fit my workflow perfectly.|Affordability is a factor to consider. when i look at software options i've used before maxcut stands out for its great quality at a reasonable price point that even small businesses, like mine can afford.
    Cons:    Limited advanced features in free version. while the free version is great to get started, some advanced features that would be helpful (like detailed reporting and integration with other tools) are locked behind the paid plans. that said, the paid version is well worth the investment if you’re serious about optimization.|No mobile app. as someone who often works on-site, having a mobile app version of maxcut would be a game-changer for reviewing cut lists or making adjustments on the go.
  2. Johan van Niekerk
    · Owner and Skilled Joiner at Craftsmanship Creations ·
    The precision and optimization of MaxCuts cutting list capabilities are truly remarkable!

    Running my business as a joiner at Craftsmanship Creations requires me to be meticulous and efficient with a keen eye for detail. Introducing MaxCut into my work routine has significantly boosted both my productivity and precision levels. I must say I am thoroughly impressed, with this software!

    Ever since I began using MaxCut software tool I've been impressed by its user intuitive interface. Although I was a bit hesitant at first to try out this technology, the clear layout and helpful tutorials of MaxCut made it simple to grasp and even simpler to excel at. This was especially important for me, as someone who didn't feel very confident when it came to design software.

    MaxCut is a dependable tool that supports me throughout the journey empowering me to embrace more complex tasks, with assurance and ease without any hesitation or doubt.

    Pros:    The precision and optimization of maxcuts cutting list capabilities are truly remarkable! it reduces material waste efficiently while guaranteeing cuts, resulting in cost savings and enhanced project quality, for me.|The user found the interface easy to use. it was clear and concise, which helped them concentrate on their work instead of struggling with complex tools for hours.|Time saving functions; creating lists of cuts has become much more efficient, than before! tasks that used to consume hours of my time are now finished within minutes; allowing me to dedicate my attention to essential areas of my business.|Working on custom cabinetry and woodworking projects has been made easier thanks, to maxcuts flexibility in dealing with special sizes and materials.|The customer service department is top notch. they are quick to respond and have a wealth of knowledge to assist whenever needed.
    Cons:    Can’t think of any
  3. Love this program, absolutely changed my business

    I've been a user of MaxCut since its inception, in the days which dates back, to 2016. MaxCut has truly made things more convenient, for me helping me save time and resources in the process. The customization features and informative reports have greatly enhanced my project management capabilities.

    Pros:    A huge time saver, for me was when i used to spend hours crunchin' numbers in the days gone by.. now with maxcut handy i just input the specifics. it quickly gives me all the info i require.|I really appreciate how adaptable maxcut is, to my workflow. i've customized it to suit my preferences ! it definitely streamlines things for me when i'm managing materials and projects.|Reports that provide insights have unexpectedly caught my attention recently; understanding the destination of my resources and tracking expenses has proven beneficial, in managing my costs.|Using maxcut has really helped me reduce waste and save money with the current prices being so high. every saving counts!|Great support system! whenever i encounter a problem or obstacle in my work tasks the support team is always prompt, in assisting me with a solution.
    Cons:    I can only use maxcut on my windows computer; i wish it could also run on my mac.

Cutlist Optimizer Review — What are the Best Options This 2023?
The cutting diagrams from MaxCut can transform into 2D and 3D visualizations, but we can assure you that its interface is user-friendly and navigational for newbies. Like Cutlist Optimizer, it has a free trial version upon installation. However, you must pay for subscription plans to access other advanced features.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Hours seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 9 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Hours mentions (9)

  • Group Pomodoro where you write aim & result?
    There are Discord servers that do group pomodoros, or websites like hours.zone, but these tend to focus on general to-do lists rather than goals for each pomodoro session. Source: over 4 years ago
  • Looking for friendly & supportive morning work session buddy
    I like hours.zone because we can see what each other is working on. I break up my work into lots of tiny tasks and aim to clear the whole list before the session ends, so it's a bit like a game. Source: over 4 years ago
  • 21F, engineering student. Can't get myself up from bed and study. Timezone: GMT +6
    Thanks to your post, I know of hours.zone now. I have made an account. All the best everybody who is reading this! Source: over 4 years ago
  • 21F, engineering student. Can't get myself up from bed and study. Timezone: GMT +6
    I'm serious about this and would do anything to make this buddy thing work. We can check on each other at a fixed time every day and virtually study at Hours.zone. Source: over 4 years ago
  • Time lapse of some assignment prep in bed!
    - I use a website called Hours with friends so we can hold each other accountable. The time lapse trick is one too - I took this video specifically because I was struggling to focus - because I don't want my time lapses to be of me wandering off onto Reddit when I should be studying. This post was part of my accountability for myself :-). Source: almost 5 years ago
View more

MaxCut mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of MaxCut yet. Tracking of MaxCut recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Hours and MaxCut, you can also consider the following products

Timeneye - Time Tracking Software for Teams and Freelancers

CutList Optimizer - A free cutlist optimizer

Bonsai - One platform to streamline your agency business. Consolidate your projects, clients and finances into one integrated and easy-to-use platform.

Cutlist Evolution - Our cutlist optimizer generates efficient layouts for both linear and sheet material. It's a professional tool that saves money and reduces waste, making it ideal for commercial workshops.

Timing - Timing is the best way to keep track of the time you spend with your Mac.

Cutlist Plus - Cutlist Plus is an excellent layout management platform that allows to create highly optimized shape-based content for websites or applications with cutting diagrams like rectangular, triangular, square, or multiple dimensional interfaces.