--- title: "Design Flex Reviews 2026. Verified Reviews, Pros & Cons | Capterra" description: "Is Design Flex the right BIM solution for you? Explore 357 verified user reviews from people in industries like yours to make a confident choice." source_url: "https://www.capterra.com/p/218525/2020-Design-Live/reviews/" page_type: "reviews" language: "en" publication_date: "2026-10-19" --- Design Flex 4.3 (357) [View alternatives](https://www.capterra.com/p/218525/2020-Design-Live/alternatives/) Provider data verified by our Software Research team, and reviews moderated by our Reviews Verification team. [Learn more](https://www.capterra.com/our-story/) * * * Last updated October 19th, 2026 # Reviews of Design Flex Ease of use 4.2 Customer Service 4.3 ## Pros and Cons in Reviews JD Jodi D Kitchen and Bath DesignerDesign, 2 - 10 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “For the manufacturers that offer accurate pricing in their catalogs, it's great that you can get a price without having to enter it into the online portals of each manufacturer.“ April 27, 2026 JD Jodi D Kitchen and Bath DesignerDesign, 2 - 10 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “Some of these include: difficulty in getting printing/display settings right, strange ceiling lines that shouldn't be there (especially with different ht walls), difficulty in zooming in/out of renderings, limitation of catalogs available and the inability to customize (decorative) objects and appliances.“ April 27, 2026 JM Jackie M Project AssistConstruction, 2 - 10 employeesUsed the software for: Less than 6 months. “What Design Flex offers us is the ability to design and order through our manufacturers with ease.“ May 15, 2026 KG Karly G PresidentDesign, Self-employedUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “Rendering can also be inconsistent, and while it’s good for general visuals, it doesn’t always deliver the level of realism clients expect.“ March 19, 2026 KG Karly G PresidentDesign, Self-employedUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “What I like most is its flexibility and the ability to quickly build detailed layouts that clients can easily visualize.“ March 19, 2026 KG Karly G PresidentDesign, Self-employedUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “Some of the features feel less intuitive than they should be, requiring extra steps.“ March 19, 2026 MG Michelle G Kitchen design ManagerRetail, 11 - 50 employeesUsed the software for: 1-2 years. “Mostly, I like the rendering quality and the ability to plug in full cabinetry manufacture catalogs for quick design and pricing“ August 25, 2025 CW Crystal W OwnerDesign, 2 - 10 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “The software still has some issues with running slow when a lot of walls or sketchup items are in the file.“ June 16, 2025 ## Showing most helpful reviews Showing 1-25 of 357 Reviews Sort by: Most Helpful Rating Company Size Reviewer's Role Length of Use Frequency of Use C Michelle M. Designer Construction Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "2020 Live is the Go To for Kitchen and Bath" March 29, 2023 4.0 I have been using 2020 my whole career (30+ years). While all software has a learning curve and it's hiccups, I find that 2020 is one of the most organic to learn and it produces quality results. I cannot see a time when I will not be using some version of 2020 design software. Pros An oldie but a goodie, I love the split screen that lets me draw on both the floor plan and elevation simultaneously. I also make good use of the running line feature to accentuate my drawings. Sometimes, it is less about what wiz bang new feature that you made (i.e. VR goggles) and more about doing something simple and crushing it. Cons The main reason companies still utilize other programs like Mosaik is for the CNC connection. That is the biggest omission in features with 2020. Review Source KG Karly G. President Design Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Great software I would recommend to designers" March 19, 2026 5.0 Overall, my experience with 2020 Design Flex has been positive. It remains a reliable and capable program that gets the job done and supports a professional design process. It’s a solid choice for designers who need both functionality and flexibility. Pros 2020 Design Flex has been a strong tool in my workflow, especially for kitchen and millwork design. What I like most is its flexibility and the ability to quickly build detailed layouts that clients can easily visualize. It tracks the time per design so there is no confusion when tracking your time. The cloud-based access is a big advantage, making it easy to work across devices without being tied to one computer. The catalog integrations are also helpful, allowing for relatively accurate specifications. When it works well, it really speeds up the design process and helps present a polished, professional package which I feel is great value for your money. Cons That said, there are definitely areas where it falls short. The software can be laggy at times, especially with more complex designs, which can interrupt workflow and slow things down. Some of the features feel less intuitive than they should be, requiring extra steps. Rendering can also be inconsistent, and while it’s good for general visuals, it doesn’t always deliver the level of realism clients expect. There are moments where I doo need to call into customer support however, the client support is amazing and the representatives are knowledgable. Review Source PM Patrick M. Kitchen Designer, Project Estimator Building Materials Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "It is okay at best." February 26, 2025 2.0 I have been a Kitchen Designer fo more than 20 years. It works okay but it is not my first choice. I truthfully get so angry at the bugs that I am not happy with the purchase. Pros The program has many features. It also has the ability to do a very nice and realistic 3D rendering. Cons I have used the 2020 software for many years and it was great until the new interface. I am not sure what happened but the the new system is vey buggy and the drag feature will often lose contol and the cabinet will disappear or just plain drop off the grid and reappear when doing a renering. Switched from [WPS Office](https://www.capterra.com/p/126794/WPS-Office/) I thought it was similiar to the old version. Review Source JD Jodi D. Kitchen and Bath Designer Design Used the software for: 2+ years ### "A To The Point Review" April 27, 2026 4.0 Customer service has been very good. The technicians all have different levels of training so you do tend to get slightly different "fixes"/"solutions" when you call back multiple times. Pros I like most of the versatility it offers in designing. The designing part is also user friendly. The renderings are getting much better but take a bit too much time to come up. For the manufacturers that offer accurate pricing in their catalogs, it's great that you can get a price without having to enter it into the online portals of each manufacturer. Cons I don't like the glitches it still has. Some of these include: difficulty in getting printing/display settings right, strange ceiling lines that shouldn't be there (especially with different ht walls), difficulty in zooming in/out of renderings, limitation of catalogs available and the inability to customize (decorative) objects and appliances. Review Source CC Cheryl C. Lead Designer Design Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Design Flex is a time saver" February 7, 2026 5.0 My overall experience with the software so far is positive. The program is powerful, intuitive, and reliable for detailed CAD work, and it handles complex designs smoothly. With the program priced at $2,500 per year, having to pay extra for assistance felt disappointing. The software itself is excellent, but including support would make the investment feel more complete. Pros This Software delivers a reliable intuitive platform that makes detailed design easy and work fast and accurate. The tools are precise, the interface is easy to navigate, and the 3D visuals help clients clearly understand the design. Downloading various catalogues increases the speed of pricing. Being a previous 20/20 user our lead is back on his game. I work in Mozaik by Cyncly. The company IS FANTASTIC. Cons My only disappointment is that support isn’t included. At $2,500 per year, having to pay extra for assistance feels out of step with the investment. The program is excellent, but built‑in support would make it a far better value. Review Source JH John H. Designer Retail Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Lighting issues" February 12, 2026 4.0 Pros The snap alignment system work much more smoothly. The rendering system allows smoother rotation of the design to show customers. Cons The lighting feature is completely messed up. The ceiling light movement system from the earlier version is much better. Also, the sunlight placement system doesn't effect the lighting in the rendering system for image save purposes. Review Source MS Matt S. Kitchen and Bath Design Architecture & Planning Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Love using Design Flex" January 15, 2026 5.0 I've used 2020/Design Flex for many years (since 2007). It's gotten much easier to use over the years. Pros Ease of use and 3D renderings. The ease of adjusting heights, tilt, depth of field, etc. make showing a design fun. Cons Lighting is difficult to set up. Sometimes the renderings can be either bright/washed out or very dark. Review Source TZ Talha Z. Account Manager Retail Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Amazing software" May 5, 2026 5.0 My overall experience has been excellent, smooth, intuitive, and genuinely enjoyable to use. Thank you. Pros Design Flex is a fantastic, intuitive design software that makes complex tasks feel simple. It has quickly become an essential part of my workflow. Cons I haven't found any real issues so far. The software has met my expectations in every area, and any minor adjustments would simply be part of normal future improvements rather than actual shortcomings. Review Source JM Jackie M. Project Assist Construction Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Great software for our business" May 15, 2026 5.0 So far I've had no problems with figuring things out from trial and error, but I do find that there is a lack of new up to date training videos online. Pros Super easy to get the hang of things. What Design Flex offers us is the ability to design and order through our manufacturers with ease. That does wonders for our company. Cons The program is a but pricey for a company of our size, but we aim to make the most of it and get our return on investment. The interface is decent enough, but not very modern. Review Source JP Jill P. General Manager Consumer Goods Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Good program with endless capabilities" March 10, 2026 4.0 Fairly easy to use, a lot of different features to explore. Excited to give tips to the team and see what they do with it Pros Tips and tricks you learn by talking to someone in person. Professionalism and knowledge of instructors was great! Cons Different levels of experiences makes it tough to learn at the same pace. A lot of questions kept arising slowing the pace down Review Source JT Jamie T. Owner, Kitchen & Cabinetry Designer Design Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Great for Cabinetry Designers" July 7, 2023 4.0 I've been using 2020 my entire career 15+ years. As a kitchen designer specializing in cabinetry design, It's great software for cabinetry.... factory cabinetry that have their catalogs uploaded. The renderings have improved but are still lacking compared to what else is on the market. 2020 is not for the general contractor or design build firm. It's for the cabinetry designers. Pros The most impactful features of 20/20 is the integration of factory line cabinets. From changing out the doorstyle & color to being able to quote and order. Cons There is a learning curve. Bugs need to be fixed before rolling out more features. I learn more about 2020 from a Facebook support group . Alternatives considered [Mydoma Studio](https://www.capterra.com/p/155585/Mydoma-Studio/) Reason for choosing Design Flex I've been using 2020 for 15 years. I'm extremely proficient in it. I don't have time to learn another program. Review Source BF Barbara F. Administrative Assistant - Designer Architecture & Planning Used the software for: 2+ years ### "2020 Design Live Great To Use" February 19, 2025 5.0 I have been a user for over 30 years and the 2020 Design Live is excellent. Pros The ease of use. I can navigate through a drawing with a lot of ease. Cons The way the color comes out on my screen. Always looks daker than it should. Review Source AH Abel H. Ceo Construction Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Good software " April 1, 2025 5.0 I like the program, i dislike the limitations in terms of catalogs that are not downloadable even the most basic ones. Pros The simplicity of use while designing as long as you have a basic idea on kitchen or bath layouts. Cons Receiving emails for new catalog downloads that i can not use Review Source LT Lee T. Manufacturer's Sales Representative Design Used the software for: 2+ years ### "2020 Design Live keeps getting better year after year" November 22, 2024 5.0 Getting the product was easy. Now I have to find the time to learn more about generating realistic perspectives. Especially with the lighting. Pros This is the leading software for the Kitchen and Bath Industry and they are always making advances in the technology. I love the option to sign in to work. I remember the old usb keys and how sensitive they were. I was always worried it was going to get damaged. There are so many more catalogs for appliances, countertops, and accessries. Cons I am having a problem with my textures constantly tiling. I have to figure out how to fix that. I wish 20-20 had some pre-set options for the lighting, shadows, and textures and I wish we could save overall textures for a room and add the design. Review Source DC Danitza C. interior designer and project manager Architecture & Planning Used the software for: 2+ years ### "nice program" July 8, 2024 4.0 I was working the last 3 years in this program and is easy to get the basic but if you want something more standup you have to see a lot of tutorial or pay for training and is no the money is the time Pros I like that is easy to use on the basic design, you don't need to know much about program or kitchen to do a design in half an hour, for a basic presentation an estimate if you have the catalogs already installed. take time to do something more detailing but also easy to work just more time. love the countertop option, and most of the time use the SAMPLE-F base catalogs because I can change sizzes easily if I need it and color, and finished. Cons I hate that I cannot have the catalogs that I have it before, as the furniture, appliances, the cabinets companies, before was easy to get but now some doesn't works and I need it, but your team doesn't care much, the help is not much when you have question and I don't have time to see videos to research how to do something that I already have it on my setup. Review Source SB Simone B. Kitchen Designer Construction Used the software for: 2+ years ### "2020 Kitchen Design " March 28, 2023 1.0 3D rendering for clients to show their kitchen and being able to price it, otherwise I hate being forced to use it. We hate the cloud browser. It crashes all the time. Lags all the time. Can't manipulate items to look for accurate or panel ready appliances. I'd give it a 2.5/10. Pros 3D rendering and our cabinet lines have their cabinetry that we're able to somewhat accurately show and price. Cons I honestly am frustrated daily having to use it. We HAVE to use it because of our cabinetry lines and pricing, but other than that I honestly do not like it. I absolutely cannot stand the cloud browser. You can't manipulate things if needed. There's panel ready appliances and yet you can't change it to reflect the color of the cabinets you're designing. The appliances in the cloud browser to actually put in an appliance cabinet takes FOREVER because you have to keep guessing where its going to land within the cabinet and then keep manipulating the cabinet to get to look remotely close vs when it was appliance catalogs in the local browser and it accurately attached to it. Sometimes the appliance in the drawing is floating somewhere else on the floor plan, but it's in the cabinet so you have to place it somewhere close and figure out where it actually is showing accurately in the cabinet. The decorative items and lighting sucks compared to before. Once you put a few cloud items in a drawing it repeatedly crashes or gets super laggy. You can't look at a 3D rendering and draw simultaneously because it lags so much. Placing items in the drawing will like swing in and out vs snapping to where it's suppose to go so for me to put in a soffit and move it in and out is nearly impossibly and takes forever to get it back into place. If there's internet issues and a drawing has cloud items, you literally cannot work within it because the cloud items don't load...the list goes on. Review Source SB Sherri B. Kitchen Designer Specialist Retail Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Use the tools provided to you to give the best service you can give. " March 28, 2023 5.0 My experience with 20/20 Design Live has been positive so far. It offers a lot of things that I haven't even started to dig into. Everyday I learn something when I use it. Pros I am always blown away be how well it runs. So many of these types of programs go very slow lag freeze up. The Design Live actually for me works very well. Cons More affordable training. With sales slowing down there really isn't enough money to spend to learn how to actually use the program to it's full potential. You offer the classes in large towns but the cost to get there and then the cost of the training. It puts it out of reach for the people who could really benefit. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Kitchen Design Building Materials Used the software for: 2+ years ### "2020 Design has learning curve, but worth the journey" March 28, 2023 4.0 I have been using 2020 design for nearly 20 years, I love that I can create a photo realistic model and accurate parts list/price list for my clients. I try to incorporate architectural features that are unique to their space to help make it feel like it is theirs. Pros 2020 Design is easy enough for a novice to start dragging and dropping cabinets to create a simple design and quote, but there are powerful features locked away that make it worth the time investment to get really familiar with the software Cons Some complain about the software crashes in 2020 Design, I have found this happens less often with newer versions of the software. By constructing your designs strategically, minimizing the rendering that happens behind the scenes and keeping an eye on the file size of imported models and materials, you can almost eliminate this problem. Review Source RV Robert V. President Construction Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Speed" March 28, 2023 3.0 Frustrating but it’s a necessary evil if I want any chance of selling cabinets. Pros The kitchen and bath design from the architectural to the countertops makes jobs possible. Cons Stop focusing on “the bubbles in the glass of champagne” and focus on making the program faster. It lags, it shuts down, and trying to modify anything while having any cloud based features makes the rendering extremely slow. The developers are too focused on the gimmicky details, which I understand help sell, but for my purposes of designing a kitchen and showing basic drawings and a cool 3d rendering, it’s too slow for the money I paid. NOTE: I purchased a top of the line computer specifically for running your program and have a great internet connection. My complaints match all complaints by every user I have ever encountered. You are the only game in town so we are forced to use and just ask, beg you to try and find a way to make the program faster at the basics. Reason for choosing Design Flex Product/catalog support and it is the industry standard Review Source IH Iryna H. Director Retail Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Good, can be better" March 30, 2023 4.0 Pros Relatively easy to learn how to use. A lot of functions, options. Easy to instal and tweak. Allows a lot of customisations. Cons Very hardware demanding. Big designs crash program even with good hardware. Reason for choosing Design Flex Got used to it Review Source CT Craig T. Owner/Kitchen Designer Construction Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Its good-could be better" March 28, 2023 3.0 2020 has been a very important member of my small business. Pros 2020 design lives helps me draw kitchens quickly and accurately and allows my customers to envision what their space will look like. 2020 has lots of youtube videos that help you learn, and learn how to use new features. Cons I wish the program would allow us to more easily dimension our drawings, and I wish it wouldn't crash quite as much as it does...though much better than it used to be. Reason for choosing Design Flex 2020 is who my main cabinet supplier uses. So that is why I went with 2020. Review Source SC Steve C. Sales Support/Design Retail Used the software for: 2+ years ### "If you are in the Cabinet Industry... how can you not have 2020? " July 6, 2023 5.0 I can't imagine being in the Cabinet Industry, and not being set up on 2020. There are other products on the market, but I don't find anything to be as beneficial as 2020 Design is. Pros The renders and the accuracy of the drawings makes the product an invaluable tool in the retail side of the equation. When your customer looks at the drawings, and says, 'Wow'... it's all worth it. Cons Honestly, there isn't anything I don't like. There are some things that are quirks, but its just fussy fine tuning things. Reason for choosing Design Flex Years of satisfaction with the product... I don't feel there is really any alternatives. Review Source TP Theresa P. Design & Sales Administration Design Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "2020 Design Live Review" March 28, 2023 3.0 Overall, 2020 Design Live is just like 2020 Design. I started using this program thirty-two years ago and many aspects have never changed which is disappointing. I would have thought that some features could have been improved by now. Some features are not working at all. Although my auto save is on and although I periodically save on my own, I do experience crashing on occasion and when I do, my design completely disappears. Very frustrating. Pros I have always found 2020 easy to use and was concerned that Design Live would bring a whole new program, learning curve and challenges, but that is not the case. If you can use 2020 Design, transitioning to Design Live is absolutely no problem. Cons I do not like being forced to use manufacturer catalogs for non-cabinetry items. I rarely know selections, like appliances for example, so it's very difficult to make a random selection. The room catalogs are so limited, outdated, or now eliminated and that's frustrating. It's like I'm being forced to create a very specific drawing, without actually having the specifics. That results in a misleading rendering. Review Source RS Randy S. Cabinet Design and Sales Specialist Retail Used the software for: 2+ years ### "2020 Design Live best option for designing and selling cabinets" March 28, 2023 5.0 Overall experience with the program is great. I wouldn't use anything else. Pros easy to learn and use. Full of features. Cons Doesn't import AutoCad files as well as it should. Review Source MS Mark S. Designer/ Sales Construction Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "2020 Designer Review" March 28, 2023 5.0 There are no real business problems here to resolve, however if work from home was needed or directed, then LIVE would serve us very well Pros I liked that the transition was very user friendly from the USB to online... so far so good... remote login would also be a benefit, should there be a day I need to consider a day or more working from home Cons The other day there was a bit of trouble with the server at 2020 and I was out of use for a few days... with the USB, I would have not missed a beat Review Source Similar Products Featured ## Send me user reviews about this product ### Fill out the form and we'll send a list of the top-rated software based on real user reviews directly to your inbox.