Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Raycast VS Cutlist Evolution

Compare Raycast VS Cutlist Evolution and see what are their differences

Raycast logo Raycast

Fastest way to control Jira, GitHub and other web apps

Cutlist Evolution logo 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.
  • Raycast Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-24
  • Cutlist Evolution Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-09
  • Cutlist Evolution Inputs
    Inputs //
    2026-08-11
  • Cutlist Evolution Workbench
    Workbench //
    2026-08-11

Cutlist Evolution works out how to cut your parts from the stock you have with the least waste, then gives you a plan your workshop can actually follow.

It handles sheet goods (plywood, MDF, melamine, glass), linear stock (timber, tube, extrusion) and roll materials, with both guillotine cutting for panel saws and true-shape nesting for CNC. The constraints that matter on a real job are built in: grain direction and orientation locks, edge banding and face finishes, blade kerf, and per-edge trim.

Parts can be typed in, pasted from a spreadsheet, or imported as CSV or DXF. It also reads 3D models directly from Fusion 360, Shapr3D, Onshape, SketchUp and Blender, taking the model apart into measured panels with duplicates merged. A free SketchUp extension sends parts across with no export step at all.

Cutting plans export to PDF, CSV, DXF and SVG, plus saw formats including PTX, Biesse XML and Mayer.

It runs entirely in the browser with nothing to install, works on any device, and is available in 30 languages. The free tier covers up to 40 parts per cut list and 3 saved projects; paid plans raise those limits and add the CNC and saw-file exports. There is also a native iPhone and iPad app.

Raycast

Pricing URL
-
$ Details
Platforms
-
Release Date
-

Cutlist Evolution

$ Details
freemium ยฃ5 / Monthly (Starter)
Platforms
Web iOS
Release Date
2020 January
Startup details
Country
United Kingdom
Founder(s)
J Gibson
Employees
1 - 9

Raycast features and specs

  • Speed
    Raycast is known for its blazing fast performance, allowing users to quickly access and execute commands without noticeable lag.
  • Customization
    Raycast offers extensive customization options, enabling users to tailor the tool to meet their specific workflow needs and preferences.
  • Integration
    Raycast integrates seamlessly with a variety of applications and tools, improving productivity by allowing users to perform tasks directly within the launcher.
  • User Interface
    Raycast features an intuitive and clean user interface, making it easy for both beginners and advanced users to navigate and utilize its features.
  • Community Support
    Raycast has an active community that contributes plugins, custom scripts, and support, enhancing the functionality of the tool and providing valuable resources.

Possible disadvantages of Raycast

  • Platform Limitation
    As of now, Raycast is only available for macOS, limiting its accessibility for users on other operating systems such as Windows and Linux.
  • Learning Curve
    New users might face a learning curve due to the number of features and customization options available, which might be overwhelming initially.
  • Dependency on Plugins
    While plugin support enhances functionality, dependency on third-party plugins can lead to stability issues or conflicts if those plugins are not well-maintained.
  • Cost
    Although Raycast offers a free version, some advanced features and integrations may require a subscription, which could be a consideration for budget-conscious users.
  • Privacy Concerns
    As with any tool that integrates deeply into your system and workflows, there can be concerns regarding data privacy and security, even though Raycast maintains strong privacy policies.

Cutlist Evolution features and specs

  • Sheet & linear materials
    Y
  • Adjustable blade width / kerf
    Y
  • Grain direction / part orientation
    Y
  • Trim stock and parts
    Y
  • Edge banding
    Y
  • Offcuts
    Y
  • Stock management
    Y
  • Export in various formats
    Y
  • Import from speadsheet
    Y
  • Labels
    Y
  • Beam / panel saw support
    Y

Analysis of Raycast

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Raycast is considered a good tool, especially for macOS users who want to enhance productivity and optimize their desktop experience. Its balance of functionality, speed, and customization makes it a valuable asset.

Why this product is good

  • Raycast is praised for its efficiency in streamlining workflows on macOS. It acts as a powerful application launcher, offering features like quick access to apps, system commands, and a broad range of extensions. Users appreciate its speed, simplicity, and the ability to customize it to fit their specific needs.

Recommended for

  • MacOS users looking for a fast application launcher
  • Professionals who want to streamline their workflow
  • Developers and power users seeking customizable tools
  • Individuals interested in keyboard-driven productivity solutions

Raycast videos

Hands on - Increase your Mac Productivity with Raycast

Cutlist Evolution videos

Best free cutlist optimizer

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Raycast and Cutlist Evolution)
Productivity
90 90%
10% 10
Mac
100 100%
0% 0
Cutting Optimisers
0 0%
100% 100
App Launcher
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Raycast and Cutlist Evolution

Raycast Reviews

Top 10 Productivity Apps for MacOSย 2025
Since my first Mac, Iโ€™ve always used Alfred, but Raycast has quickly stolen the crown when it comes to Spotlight search. Raycast is a powerful alternative that consolidates multiple functionalities into a single, sleek interface. It eliminates the need for separate apps like Rectangle for window management or Paste for clipboard history. Ideal for developers, it integrates...
Source: dev.to
4 Best Spotlight Alternatives to Increase Your Macโ€™s Functionality
Similar to Raycast, LaunchBar also shows you your reminders and lets you manage your events, so you never miss out on whatโ€™s on your agenda for the day. And, you get the ability to create or use custom scripts to extend Raycastโ€™s functionality and use it for automating repetitive tasks.
Source: techpp.com

Cutlist Evolution Reviews

Cutlist Optimizer Review โ€” What are the Best Options This 2023?
Since Cutlist Evolution runs on a web-based program, woodworkers donโ€™t need to install the application on their devices. This specification allows users to save and load cutlist files on different devices.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Raycast seems to be a lot more popular than Cutlist Evolution. While we know about 38 links to Raycast, we've tracked only 2 mentions of Cutlist Evolution. 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.

Raycast mentions (38)

  • Raycast, Warp, Tmux?! My terminal stack after 30 dev experiments
    Raycast โ€” The launcher with extensions, scripts, and fast everything. - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago
  • ๐ŸคฏPowerful AI Tools You Should Know v2๐Ÿซต
    Raycast: Your Shortcut to Everything. - Source: dev.to / almost 2 years ago
  • Tools that keep me productive
    Raycast is my go-to replacement for macOS' spotlight. It's like Spotlight on steroids. I previously used Alfred, another outstanding Spotlight alternative, but for some reason Raycast grew on me. I also use it for window management. - Source: dev.to / over 2 years ago
  • A collection of useful Mac Apps
    Raycast - Price: Free Spotlight-like app for macOS that allows you to quickly access and execute commands, access apps, hotkeys, text expansion, clipboard manager and more. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Everything I Installed on My New Mac
    Raycast is a productivity tool that lets you search apps and do things just with a single keystroke. It's like Spotlight on steroids. I've been using it for a while now and it's been a game-changer. I can't imagine using my Mac without it. I use it to open apps, search files, run scripts, and so much more. It has a vibrant ecosystem of extensions that you can install to do even more. I highly recommend checking it... - Source: dev.to / about 3 years ago
View more

Cutlist Evolution mentions (2)

  • Online / AI assisting tools for cut list and dimensions ?
    Https://cutlistevo.com/ to my knowledge is the most efficient and feature rich online optimiser. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Need help laying out pieces on one MDF board
    Https://cutlistevo.com also worth a look - more professional features. Source: over 3 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Raycast and Cutlist Evolution, you can also consider the following products

Alfred - Alfred is an award-winning app for macOS which boosts your efficiency with hotkeys, keywords, text expansion and more. Search your Mac and the web, and be more productive with custom actions to control your Mac.

CutList Optimizer - A free cutlist optimizer

Swish - Insanely great window management

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

Slapdash - Fastest way to work across your cloud apps โšก๏ธ

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.