Comparison · listings checked between October 16, 2026 and November 1, 2026
Comparing cross stitch software: which one should you choose?
12 programs, apps and online tools for making or tracking a chart, compared on 20 verifiable criteria: the real price of a pattern, devices, drawing tools, the files they open and stitch tracking.
- 12 programs
- 20 criteria
- Official, dated sources
Interactive chart
Find the software that suits you
Each program is placed by what you have to pay to use it fully (printing your patterns, or tracking your stitching) and the number of criteria it meets. Tick your needs to filter.
Tick what matters to you
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stixiva
Online cross stitch studio and Windows app
Free during the public beta, with an account, no credit card
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Stitchmate
An online chart studio, with stitch tracking
Free to design; printable PDF from $7.99 per pattern (5 for $12, 10 for $20), or a $99 pass ($149 to sell)
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Stitch Fiddle
An online chart editor for cross stitch, knitting and crochet
Free version (charts up to 300 × 300); paid Premium plan, price listed on stitchfiddle.com
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FlossCross
A completely free online chart editor
Free, no sign-up
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Knytstudio
An online studio for cross stitch and other crafts, with a community
Free to design; first pattern free, then €2.99 per pattern (3 for €6.99, 10 for €19.99) or Pro at €4 a month
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Pic2Pat
A free photo-to-pattern converter
Free, PDF included (floss and fabric kits sold separately)
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PCStitch
Chart software for Windows
$49.95 one-time purchase; free evaluation with no time limit, no registration
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WinStitch and MacStitch
Full chart software for Windows and Mac
Premium: £46 or equivalent ($47 before tax), one-time purchase; free demo without printing or export
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Stitchly
A design and tracking app for iPhone, iPad and Android
Free trial; full version as a one-time purchase, $75 on the US App Store (often $39.99)
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Magic Needle
An iPhone, iPad and Android app that turns a photo into a chart and tracks your stitching
Free to install; PDF export $1.99, patterns $0.99 to $2.99, Premium $6.99 to $41.99 (US App Store)
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Pattern Keeper
An Android app that opens PDF patterns and tracks stitched stitches
One-month full trial, then about $9 one-time purchase
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Markup R-XP
An iPhone, iPad and Android app to mark up your patterns and track your stitching
Two-week trial, then £14.99 a year (before tax)
Full table
12 programs, 20 criteria
The table scrolls sideways, the criteria column stays in place. Each program name opens its detailed comparison with stixiva, including price and devices.
| Criterion | stixiva | Stitchmate | Stitch Fiddle | FlossCross | Knytstudio | Pic2Pat | PCStitch | WinStitch and MacStitch | Stitchly | Magic Needle | Pattern Keeper | Markup R-XP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ||||||||||||
| Free PDF patternPrint or download your pattern as a PDF without paying. | Yes: Free during the public beta. | No: The PDF preview and PNG export are free; the printable PDF is paid. | Not stated: PDF export exists; the site doesn’t say whether it’s part of the free version. | Yes | Partly: The first pattern is free; the next ones are paid per pattern or with the Pro plan. | Yes | No: Saving is disabled during the evaluation; the license key unlocks saving and printing. | No: The demo allows neither printing nor exporting; the advanced PDF is Premium only. | Not stated: PDF export exists; the site doesn’t say whether it’s part of the free trial. | No: PDF export is an in-app purchase ($1.99 on the US App Store). | No: Doesn’t create patterns: it opens PDFs from many designers and compatible programs. | No: Doesn’t create patterns: it opens PDFs and images from any designer. |
| No account to get startedTry it without creating an account. | Partly: The site’s 44 free tools work without an account; the studio needs a free account. | Yes | Partly: An account is required for most features. | Yes | Yes | Yes: The site doesn’t ask for an account to convert a photo. | Yes | Yes | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| Devices and language | ||||||||||||
| In the browserNothing to install: it opens in a browser. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Windows softwareSoftware to install on Windows. | Yes | Yes: Desktop app included with a pass. | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Mac softwareSoftware to install on a Mac. | No: On a Mac, the studio opens in the browser. | Yes: Desktop app included with a pass. | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes: The iPad app runs on Apple silicon Macs. | Partly: The iPad app installs on Apple silicon Macs, without being verified for macOS. | No | No |
| iPhone, iPad or Android appAn app to install from an app store. | No: On tablets and phones, the studio opens in the browser. | No: On tablets and phones, it opens in the browser. | Not stated | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes: Android only; an iPhone version is planned. | Yes |
| French interfaceThe interface is available in French. | Yes | Yes: Interface in 14 languages, including French. | Not stated | No: Interface in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Russian. | Yes | Yes | Not stated | Yes: Menus in French, help in English. | Yes | Yes: Interface in 13 languages, including French. | Not stated | Not stated |
| Making the chart | ||||||||||||
| Photo to patternTurn a photo into a cross stitch chart. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Isolated stitch cleanupFind and merge isolated stitches (“confetti”). | Yes | Yes: One-click cleanup and a “FLOW Score” that rates how easy it is to stitch. | No: The help suggests fixing squares by hand after importing a photo. | Not stated | Yes | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | No | No |
| LayersWork on several layers. | Yes | Yes | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | No | Partly: “Objects” float above the background stitches. | Yes | Not stated | Not stated | No | No |
| Fractionals and backstitchHalf, quarter and three-quarter stitches and backstitch. | Yes | Yes | Partly: Lines can draw half and quarter stitches; French knots not documented. | Yes: Half cross, petit point and backstitch. | Partly: Cross stitch and backstitch; no documented fractionals. | No: Full cross stitches only. | Yes: Half, quarter, three-quarter, petit point, backstitch, French knots and over 60 specialty stitches. | Yes: Fractionals, backstitch, French knots and specialty stitches (Hardanger, chain stitch…). | Yes: Half, quarter, three-quarter, backstitch and French knots. | Not stated | Not stated | Partly: Marks backstitch, fractionals and blackwork. |
| BeadsPlace embroidery beads on the chart. | Yes | Not stated | Yes: Mill Hill beads in the palettes. | Not stated | Not stated | No | Yes | Yes: Beads, bugle beads, buttons and sequins. | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| SymmetryDraw in mirror or radial symmetry. | Yes | Not stated | Yes: Horizontal or vertical mirror of a selection, on computer and tablet. | Not stated | Not stated | No | Yes: Mirror mode. | Yes | Not stated | Not stated | No | No |
| 3D or realistic previewSee the stitched piece before you start. | Yes | Partly: Raised rendering of French knots in the preview. | Not stated | Partly: Preview drawn with images of real DMC threads. | Yes: Realistic preview of the stitched piece. | Not stated | Partly: A “virtual stitches” view, without 3D. | Partly: A framed view simulates the stitched piece, without 3D. | Not stated | Not stated | No | No |
| Opening files | ||||||||||||
| Opens .pat, .xsd, .oxsOpen patterns from PCStitch, Pattern Maker or in OXS format. | Yes | Yes | No: Opens images, no documented .pat, .xsd or .oxs file. | Partly: Opens and exports the OXS format. | No: Doesn’t open OXS files yet, according to its website; it exports them. | No | Partly: Its own .pat format. | Partly: Opens PCStitch .pat files (versions 4 to 7); Ursa created the OXS format. | No: Opens its own files and images. | Not stated | No | No |
| Paper or scanned patternDigitize a photo, scan or PDF of a symbol chart. | Yes | No: Opens symbol PDFs (early access), not scanned pages yet. | No | No | No | No | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Partly: A photo of a paper chart opens with limited features (no search or floss numbers). | Partly: Opens photos and scans of paper charts to mark them up, and detects symbols and colors; the chart doesn’t become editable. |
| Embroidery machine filesOpen machine embroidery files (PES, DST, JEF…). | Yes | Not stated | No | No | No | No | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | No | No |
| Threads and stitching | ||||||||||||
| Switch thread brandsSwitch a whole project from one thread brand to another. | Yes | Yes | Not stated | Not stated | Partly: A separate DMC, Anchor and J&P Coats converter in its tools. | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | No | No |
| Thread stashKeep track of the skeins you already own. | Yes | Partly: A palette can be built from the threads you own. | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | No | Not stated | Yes: A stash list of skeins owned and to buy. | Not stated | Yes: A thread catalog, from which checked stitches are deducted automatically. | Not stated | Not stated |
| Stitch trackingCheck off your stitches as you go. | Yes | Yes | No: Progress tracking doesn’t work for cross stitch yet, according to its help. | Not stated | Yes: Stitch tracking across devices, with an account. | No | Not stated | Not stated | Yes | Yes: You mark stitched areas to track progress. | Yes: Mark stitches with a finger, highlighted symbols, counters by color. | Yes |
✓ yes½ partly✕ no? not stated on the official websiteHover over a cell to read the detail; price, devices and thread brands are detailed on each program’s page.
Types of software
“Cross stitch software” covers very different tools. Knowing which family to look in saves time.
Online studios
They open in the browser, nothing to install: photo to pattern, editing and export.
- stixiva · Online cross stitch studio and Windows app. Make, edit and reuse charts, from photo to PDF pattern. Free during the public beta, with an account, no credit card.
- Stitchmate · An online chart studio, with stitch tracking. Convert a photo into a chart with less confetti, and only pay for printed patterns. Free to design; printable PDF from $7.99 per pattern (5 for $12, 10 for $20), or a $99 pass ($149 to sell).
- Stitch Fiddle · An online chart editor for cross stitch, knitting and crochet. Draw simple charts in the browser, for cross stitch as well as knitting or crochet. Free version (charts up to 300 × 300); paid Premium plan, price listed on stitchfiddle.com.
- FlossCross · A completely free online chart editor. Make a chart for free, with no account. Free, no sign-up.
- Knytstudio · An online studio for cross stitch and other crafts, with a community. Make and share patterns within a community, and track your stitching on the same site. Free to design; first pattern free, then €2.99 per pattern (3 for €6.99, 10 for €19.99) or Pro at €4 a month.
Photo converters
A photo becomes a chart in seconds, with no real editing afterwards.
- Pic2Pat · A free photo-to-pattern converter. Get a chart from a photo quickly and for free, without editing it. Free, PDF included (floss and fabric kits sold separately).
Installed software
Classic programs, bought once and installed on the computer.
- PCStitch · Chart software for Windows. Draw charts on a Windows PC, with lots of specialty stitches, offline. $49.95 one-time purchase; free evaluation with no time limit, no registration.
- WinStitch and MacStitch · Full chart software for Windows and Mac. Demanding stitchers who want full software installed on Windows or Mac. Premium: £46 or equivalent ($47 before tax), one-time purchase; free demo without printing or export.
Tablet design apps
To draw your chart with a finger or a stylus.
- Stitchly · A design and tracking app for iPhone, iPad and Android. Draw and track your charts on an iPad or phone, with a stylus. Free trial; full version as a one-time purchase, $75 on the US App Store (often $39.99).
- Magic Needle · An iPhone, iPad and Android app that turns a photo into a chart and tracks your stitching. Turn a photo into a chart on your phone, then track your stitching in the same place. Free to install; PDF export $1.99, patterns $0.99 to $2.99, Premium $6.99 to $41.99 (US App Store).
Tracking apps
They don’t create charts: they open a PDF pattern and track stitched stitches.
- Pattern Keeper · An Android app that opens PDF patterns and tracks stitched stitches. Track a PDF pattern bought from a supported designer on Android. One-month full trial, then about $9 one-time purchase.
- Markup R-XP · An iPhone, iPad and Android app to mark up your patterns and track your stitching. Track any pattern, paper or PDF, on iPhone, iPad or Android. Two-week trial, then £14.99 a year (before tax).
Free cross stitch software
During its public beta, stixiva is free with an account, PDF pattern included. Among the other programs compared, 2 are completely free for printing your patterns:
- FlossCross · Free, no sign-up. Make a chart for free, with no account.
- Pic2Pat · Free, PDF included (floss and fabric kits sold separately). Get a chart from a photo quickly and for free, without editing it.
The others are free to try or to design, but charge for the PDF, a license or a subscription: the “Free PDF pattern” row of the table says so for each one.
Which software for which need?
On a Mac
Software or an app that installs on a Mac: Stitchmate, WinStitch and MacStitch, Stitchly, Magic Needle.
On iPhone, iPad or Android
An app to install from an app store: Stitchly, Magic Needle, Pattern Keeper, Markup R-XP.
Nothing to install
They open in the browser, on a computer or a tablet: stixiva, Stitchmate, Stitch Fiddle, FlossCross, Knytstudio, Pic2Pat.
French interface
The interface is available in French: stixiva, Stitchmate, Knytstudio, Pic2Pat, WinStitch and MacStitch, Stitchly, Magic Needle.
To turn a photo into a chart
They convert a photo into a cross stitch chart: stixiva, Stitchmate, Stitch Fiddle, FlossCross, Knytstudio, Pic2Pat, PCStitch, WinStitch and MacStitch, Stitchly, Magic Needle.
To reuse a paper or PDF pattern
They read a symbol chart from a photo, scan or PDF: stixiva, Pattern Keeper, Markup R-XP.
To track your stitching
You check off your stitches as you go: stixiva, Stitchmate, Knytstudio, Stitchly, Magic Needle, Pattern Keeper, Markup R-XP.
Five questions to ask yourself
1. What does a pattern really cost?
Many tools are free for designing but charge for the PDF you print: per pattern, by subscription or by license. Look at what you have to pay to print your patterns: it’s the chart’s horizontal axis.
2. Which device will you work on?
An online studio follows you on computer, tablet and phone. Installed software only runs on the system it was made for, usually Windows.
3. What happens to confetti?
A converted photo leaves isolated stitches, slow to stitch for a single color. Some tools leave them, others find them and offer to merge them: the “Isolated stitch cleanup” row of the table.
4. Can you reuse your old patterns?
.pat, .xsd and .oxs files move from one program to another. A paper pattern or a purchased PDF needs a tool that can read a symbol chart.
5. How will you stitch?
If you stitch with a tablet beside you, stitch tracking stops you losing your place. It exists in some studios and in dedicated apps.
Our method
This comparison is published by stixiva, one of the programs compared. The other programs’ listings are taken from their official websites, linked below, between October 16, 2026 and November 1, 2026. The names mentioned are trademarks of their respective owners; stixiva is not affiliated with any of them. Has something changed? Email contact@stixiva.com and we’ll correct the listing.
A “not stated” cell means the official website doesn’t mention it: the feature may exist without being presented. We don’t give an overall score, only criteria anyone can check.
What is the best free cross stitch software?
It depends on what you want to do. For a quick photo conversion, an online converter is enough. To edit the chart and print a PDF pattern without paying, stixiva is free during its public beta, and so is FlossCross. The table shows, program by program, what is free.
Do I need to install software to make a pattern?
No. Several studios open in the browser, on a computer or a tablet. Installed software is still useful for working offline.
Can I open a pattern made in another program?
Often, yes, thanks to exchange formats: .pat (PCStitch), .xsd (Pattern Maker) and .oxs. The “Opens .pat, .xsd, .oxs” row of the table shows which programs can read them.
Which cross stitch software works on a Mac?
On a Mac, online studios open in Safari or Chrome with nothing to install. For installed software and apps, the table lists a Mac version for Stitchmate, WinStitch and MacStitch, Stitchly and Magic Needle.
Which cross stitch app for a phone or tablet?
The apps to install are Stitchly, Magic Needle, Pattern Keeper and Markup R-XP. The online studios (stixiva, Stitchmate, Stitch Fiddle, FlossCross and Knytstudio) also open in a tablet’s browser.
How are the criteria chosen?
They are verifiable features that each publisher presents on its website: price, devices, formats, drawing and tracking tools. We don’t give ratings: each cell points to what the publisher states.
Try stixiva on your next chart
Photo to pattern, isolated stitches, layers, PDF pattern and stitching mode: the whole studio is free during the public beta.
Create my free accountFree during the beta, no credit card.