Cross stitch pattern software compared
Side by side
| This site | Stitchmate | Stitch Fiddle | PCStitch | WinStitch / MacStitch | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Where it runs | Web browser on phone, tablet or computer | Web browser; Mac and Windows app with a paid pass | Web browser; Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook, Android and iOS | Windows program | WinStitch on Windows, MacStitch on Mac |
| Photo to pattern | Yes; the photo never leaves your device | Yes | Yes (picture upload) | See their website | Yes, from photos or clip art |
| Free version | Unlimited patterns; printable PDF free up to 60 × 60 stitches | Up to 10 patterns; PNG exports; PDF preview only | Up to 15 charts, 50 colors per chart, 300 × 300 stitches | Full trial with no time limit; saving and printing need a key | Free demo |
| Price | $3.99 once per pattern larger than 60 × 60 | $5.99 per pattern, 5 for $12, 10 for $20; passes from $14.99 for 30 days | $5.50 for one month or $33 for one year, paid once, no renewal | See their order page | £46 (varies by country) |
| Selling what you make | Yes, patterns and finished pieces | Pattern unlocks are for personal use; the Seller Pass adds a commercial license | Yes; their pricing page says designs are your property | See their website | See their website |
| Half stitches and backstitch | Not yet: whole cross stitches only | See their website | Half and quarter stitches, knots and beads are listed | See their website | See their website |
Sources: Stitchmate pricing, Stitch Fiddle pricing, PCStitch download, WinStitch and MacStitch.
Which one fits you
A photo, printed quickly
A browser tool: choose the photo, pick a size, print. Nothing to install, and small patterns print free here.
Names, words and small gifts
A tool with ready alphabets, such as the cross stitch letters page, saves drawing each letter by hand.
Large designs with fine detail
Half stitches, backstitch and layers are in desktop programs and in paid web plans. This site does whole stitches only for now.
Selling patterns
Check the license. Here, patterns you make are yours to sell; some tools need a seller plan for that.
Questions
What is the best free cross stitch pattern software?
For turning a photo into a small pattern and printing it, a browser tool with a free PDF is the quickest start. For large designs with backstitch and half stitches, a desktop program or a paid web plan does more.
Do I need to install anything?
Not for browser tools such as this site, Stitchmate or Stitch Fiddle. PCStitch and WinStitch are programs you install on a computer.
Is there a subscription here?
No. Making patterns is free, small patterns print free, and a larger pattern costs $3.99 once.