Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

MaxCut VS FocusStack

Compare MaxCut VS FocusStack and see what are their differences

MaxCut logo MaxCut

The Complete Cut List Optimization & Costing Solution for Woodworkers, Joiners and Cabinetry Professionals.

FocusStack logo FocusStack

Know where your focus goes and take it back. FocusStack helps you stay on task with focus sessions, distraction blocking, smart nudges, and automatic time tracking.
  • 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.

  • FocusStack One click. You whole workspace
    One click. You whole workspace //
    2026-06-29
  • FocusStack See where your day went. Share it.
    See where your day went. Share it. //
    2026-06-29
  • FocusStack Tracked hours become invoice
    Tracked hours become invoice //
    2026-06-29

FocusStack

Most productivity tools tell you where your time went after you get distracted.

FocusStack helps you stay focused while the work is happening.

Start a focus session, name the task you’re working on, and pick a project. FocusStack automatically tracks the apps and websites you use, blocks distractions you’ve chosen to avoid, and nudges you when your attention starts drifting.

At the end of the day, you get a complete picture of where your focus actually went, how much time each project received, and whether your actions matched your intentions.

Features

  • Focus sessions
  • Automatic app and website tracking
  • Distraction blocking
  • Smart focus nudges
  • Project-based productivity reports
  • Timeline and calendar views
  • One-click Workspace Stacks
  • Privacy-first local storage
  • Lifetime access

Built for

  • Founders
  • Developers
  • Freelancers
  • Students
  • Remote workers
  • Anyone who spends their day on a computer

The goal isn’t to help you work more.

It’s to help you spend more time on the things that matter.

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

FocusStack

$ Details
paid Free Trial $29 / One-off
Platforms
MacOS Windows
Release Date
2026 May
Startup details
Country
India
State
Karnataka
City
Bengaluru
Founder(s)
Nishlesh Goel, Vivek Wadate
Employees
1 - 9

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.

FocusStack features and specs

  • Focus Sessions
    Stay locked in on one task with distraction-free focus sessions.
  • Smart Nudges
    Get gentle reminders when your attention starts drifting.
  • Automatic Time Tracking
    Track apps and websites automatically without manual timers.
  • Project Tracking
    See exactly how much time each project actually receives.
  • Privacy First
    Your activity stays on your machine, not someone else’s server.

Analysis of FocusStack

Overall verdict

  • I don't have verified information about FocusStack (usefocusstack.com) in my knowledge base, so I can't confirm whether it's a legitimate or high-quality product. I'd recommend researching independent reviews, checking the company's reputation, and verifying its claims before use.

Why this product is good

  • I don't have specific, verified data on this product's features or performance.
  • No independent reviews or established track record are available to me for this service.
  • Its legitimacy, pricing transparency, and customer support quality cannot be confirmed from available information.

Recommended for

  • Users should conduct independent research including checking reviews on sites like Trustpilot or Reddit before proceeding.
  • Consider reaching out to the company directly for a trial or demo to assess fit.
  • Best suited for those willing to do due diligence given limited public information on this specific product.

MaxCut videos

Demo

More videos:

FocusStack videos

How I Track My Deep Work Automatically

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to MaxCut and FocusStack)
Productivity
91 91%
9% 9
Project Management
0 0%
100% 100
Cutting Optimisers
100 100%
0% 0
Tool
100 100%
0% 0

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing MaxCut and FocusStack.

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.

FocusStack's answer:

Most productivity tools are passive. They tell you where your time went after the day is over.

FocusStack is designed to help while the work is happening.

  • Focus sessions keep you locked on a specific task
  • Distraction blocking prevents attention leaks
  • Smart nudges help you catch yourself when you drift
  • Automatic tracking shows where your focus actually went
  • Workspace Stacks launch your entire work setup with one click

FocusStack combines focus, time tracking, and productivity insights into a single workflow.

How would you describe the primary audience of your product?

MaxCut's answer

  • Professional cabinetry business
  • Cabinetry manufacturer
  • Joiner/Joinery

FocusStack's answer:

FocusStack is built for people who spend most of their day on a computer creating, building, studying, or solving problems.

Typical users include:

  • Founders
  • Developers
  • Freelancers
  • Designers
  • Students
  • Researchers
  • Remote workers
  • Knowledge workers

Anyone who wants to reduce distractions and spend more time doing meaningful work can benefit from FocusStack.

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.

FocusStack's answer:

FocusStack started with a simple frustration.

I would sit at my computer for hours, feel busy all day, and still wonder where my time had gone.

I tried existing productivity and time-tracking tools. They were useful for understanding what happened after the fact, but they didn’t help me stay focused in the moment.

So I started building a tool for myself.

The idea was simple: create something that could help me stay attentive while working, automatically track my activity, block distractions, and show me how I actually spent my day.

What started as a personal tool quickly became FocusStack.

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.

FocusStack's answer:

Most competitors focus on measuring productivity.

FocusStack focuses on improving it.

Tools like Toggl, Clockify, and many time trackers are great at recording hours. FocusStack goes a step further by helping users stay attentive while they’re working through focus sessions, distraction blocking, and real-time nudges.

Users don’t just learn where their time went. They actively protect where it goes next.

User comments

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Reviews

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

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.

FocusStack Reviews

We have no reviews of FocusStack yet.
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What are some alternatives?

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

CutList Optimizer - A free cutlist optimizer

Toggl - Toggl is an online time tracking tool. It features 1-click time tracking and helps you see where your time goes. Free and paid versions are available.

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.

Rize - Rize is a time tracker that makes you more productive.

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.

Clockify - Simple and free time tracker. Perfect for small and mid-sized businesses as well as freelancers. Unlimited projects and users, unlimited productivity. Get all the premium functionalities, completely free.