stixiva
Who is it for?
Make, edit and reuse charts, from photo to PDF pattern.
Free during the public beta, with an account, no credit card.
Comparison · checked on October 16, 2026
stixiva vs FlossCross ?
FlossCross is a completely free online chart editor. stixiva is an online cross stitch studio, made in France. Here’s what sets them apart, criterion by criterion.
- 11 more criteria with stixiva
- Official, dated sources
FlossCross
Who is it for?
Make a chart for free, with no account.
Free, no sign-up.
Side by side
stixiva and FlossCross, criterion by criterion
| Criterion | stixiva | FlossCross |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free during the public beta, with an account, no credit card | Free, no sign-up |
| Devices | Browser (computer, tablet, phone) and Windows 10 and 11 | Recent browser |
| Thread and bead brands | 26: 8 floss brands (DMC, Anchor, Madeira, Sullivans, Gamma, PNK Kirov, Splendor and Mandarin Floss), 15 fuse bead brands (Perler, Hama, Artkal S, Hama Mini, Hama Maxi, Perler Mini, Perler Caps, Nabbi, Artkal A, Artkal C, Artkal M, Artkal R, Yant, Mard and Mill Hill), 2 diamond painting brands (Diamond Dotz and Diamond Painting) and one yarn brand (Red Heart) | DMC |
| Maximum size | 512 × 512 stitches | Not stated |
| Free PDF patternPrint or download your pattern as a PDF without paying. | Yes: Free during the public beta. | Yes |
| 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 |
| In the browserNothing to install: it opens in a browser. | Yes | Yes |
| Windows softwareSoftware to install on Windows. | Yes | No |
| Mac softwareSoftware to install on a Mac. | No: On a Mac, the studio opens in the browser. | 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 |
| French interfaceThe interface is available in French. | Yes | No: Interface in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Russian. |
| Photo to patternTurn a photo into a cross stitch chart. | Yes | Yes |
| Isolated stitch cleanupFind and merge isolated stitches (“confetti”). | Yes | Not stated |
| LayersWork on several layers. | Yes | Not stated |
| Fractionals and backstitchHalf, quarter and three-quarter stitches and backstitch. | Yes | Yes: Half cross, petit point and backstitch. |
| BeadsPlace embroidery beads on the chart. | Yes | Not stated |
| SymmetryDraw in mirror or radial symmetry. | Yes | Not stated |
| 3D or realistic previewSee the stitched piece before you start. | Yes | Partly: Preview drawn with images of real DMC threads. |
| Opens .pat, .xsd, .oxsOpen patterns from PCStitch, Pattern Maker or in OXS format. | Yes | Partly: Opens and exports the OXS format. |
| Paper or scanned patternDigitize a photo, scan or PDF of a symbol chart. | Yes | No |
| Embroidery machine filesOpen machine embroidery files (PES, DST, JEF…). | Yes | No |
| Switch thread brandsSwitch a whole project from one thread brand to another. | Yes | Not stated |
| Thread stashKeep track of the skeins you already own. | Yes | Not stated |
| Stitch trackingCheck off your stitches as you go. | Yes | Not stated |
✓ yes½ partly✕ no? not stated on the official website
What stixiva adds
- Windows software. There is also a Windows 10 and 11 app (64-bit).
- In French. The site, the studio and its guides are written in French.
- Isolated stitch cleanup. The studio finds isolated stitches; you choose which to merge and which shades to protect, with before and after side by side.
- Layers. Up to 32 layers per project.
- Beads. Beads go on the chart, with their key.
- Symmetry. Radial symmetry draws a mandala in a single stroke.
- Paper or scanned pattern. The assistant reads a photo, scan or PDF page of a symbol chart, square by square, and turns it into an editable project.
- Embroidery machine files. stixiva opens PES, DST, JEF, EXP, VP3, HUS and XXX machine embroidery files.
- Switch thread brands. A whole project switches from one brand to another in one click, among 26 brands: 8 floss brands (DMC, Anchor, Madeira, Sullivans, Gamma, PNK Kirov, Splendor and Mandarin Floss), 15 fuse bead brands (Perler, Hama, Artkal S, Hama Mini, Hama Maxi, Perler Mini, Perler Caps, Nabbi, Artkal A, Artkal C, Artkal M, Artkal R, Yant, Mard and Mill Hill), 2 diamond painting brands (Diamond Dotz and Diamond Painting) and one yarn brand (Red Heart).
- Thread stash. Note the skeins you already own, and build the list of the ones you’re missing.
- Stitch tracking. Stitching mode checks off your stitches on a tablet or phone, and picks up where you left off from one device to another.
What FlossCross does well
- Completely free, PDF included, no sign-up; patterns you make can be sold.
- OXS import and export, compatible with WinStitch and MacStitch.
- Your designs stay saved in the browser.
FlossCross details
- French interface : Interface in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Russian.
- Fractionals and backstitch : Half cross, petit point and backstitch.
- 3D or realistic preview : Preview drawn with images of real DMC threads.
- Opens .pat, .xsd, .oxs : Opens and exports the OXS format.
Switching from FlossCross to stixiva
FlossCross exports to OXS format, which stixiva opens directly.
No sign-up
Try it before you leave FlossCross
stixiva’s free tools run in your browser, no account needed: enough to judge for yourself.
Photo to pattern
A preview of your photo as a cross stitch chart, threads included.
Cross stitch name generator
Type a name, get its chart to stitch.
Small free motifs
Hearts, flowers, animals, borders: ready-to-stitch charts, with their threads.
Floss converter
DMC, Anchor, Madeira, Sullivans: the official and the closest equivalent.
Skein calculator
How many skeins to buy, for your fabric and strand count.
DMC color chart
All 482 Mouliné Spécial colors, by number or name.
Sources
This comparison is published by stixiva, one of the programs compared. The other programs’ listings are taken from their official websites, linked below, on October 16, 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.
Other comparisons
Is stixiva a free alternative to FlossCross?
During its public beta, the whole stixiva studio is free with an account, PDF pattern included. FlossCross: Free, no sign-up.
Can I bring my FlossCross patterns into stixiva?
FlossCross exports to OXS format, which stixiva opens directly.
Is this comparison impartial?
It is published by stixiva: that’s why each cell comes from FlossCross’s official website, cited at the bottom of the page and checked on October 16, 2026, and why the page also says what FlossCross does that stixiva doesn’t.
Try stixiva alongside FlossCross
Open one of your patterns or drop in a photo: the whole studio is free during the public beta.
Create my free accountFree during the beta, no credit card.