Cross Stitch Software Compared: 5 Tools for 2026

Choosing cross stitch software used to be simple: you bought PCStitch and installed it on your Windows PC. Today there are half a dozen options across desktop, web, and mobile, each with different strengths. This guide compares the main tools so you can pick the right one for how you actually stitch. ## Quick Comparison | Software | Platform | Price | Image Conversion | Blank Canvas | Text Patterns | QR Codes | Backstitch | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | **Xstitchify** | Web (any device) | Free / from £7.99/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Coming soon | | **PCStitch** | Windows only | $49.95 one-time | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | | **WinStitch / MacStitch** | Windows and Mac | From $59-89 | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | | **Stitch Fiddle** | Web (any device) | Free / from $3.99/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | | **KG-Chart** | Windows only | Free (LE) / $35 (Pro) | Limited | Yes | No | No | Yes | ## The Tools in Detail ### PCStitch PCStitch has been the go-to cross stitch software since the 1990s and is still widely used by pattern designers and hobbyists. **What it does well:** - Decades of development and a mature feature set - One-time purchase with no ongoing subscription - Full backstitch and fractional stitch support - Specialty stitches and bead placement - Works offline - Large established user community with plenty of tutorials online **Where it falls short:** - Windows only - no Mac, iPad, or phone support - Requires downloading and installing desktop software - The interface looks dated compared to modern web apps - No cloud saves - patterns are stored on your hard drive - No free version available - No text patterns, QR codes, calculators, or thread conversion tools **Price:** $49.95 one-time purchase **Best for:** Windows users who want a one-time purchase with advanced desktop features. Experienced pattern designers who need backstitch and specialty stitches. [Full comparison: Xstitchify vs PCStitch](/compare/pcstitch/) --- ### WinStitch / MacStitch WinStitch and its Mac counterpart MacStitch are professional-grade tools from Ursa Software, aimed at serious pattern designers. **What it does well:** - Available on both Windows and Mac - Professional colour reduction and dithering algorithms - Advanced backstitch and fractional stitch support - Regular updates from an active developer - High-quality output suited to professional pattern sellers - Supports various fabric types including Aida, evenweave, and linen **Where it falls short:** - Expensive compared to alternatives ($59-89 depending on platform) - Desktop only - no tablet or mobile support - Steep learning curve for beginners - No cloud saves - No text patterns, QR codes, or built-in calculators **Price:** From $59 (WinStitch) / $89 (MacStitch) **Best for:** Professional pattern designers who sell their work. Stitchers who need the most precise colour reduction for complex photo conversions. [Full comparison: Xstitchify vs WinStitch](/compare/winstitch/) --- ### Stitch Fiddle Stitch Fiddle is a web-based tool that works in the browser, similar to Xstitchify. It has a strong grid editor and a loyal user base. **What it does well:** - Web-based, works on any device - Good grid editor for designing patterns from scratch - Backstitch support - Affordable premium tier at $3.99/month - No download needed - Active community **Where it falls short:** - Limited free tier compared to alternatives - DMC threads only - no Anchor, Madeira, or Cosmo - No thread conversion charts - No QR code patterns - No fabric or time calculators - Image-to-pattern colour matching is less advanced **Price:** Free basic tier, from $3.99/month for premium **Best for:** Stitchers who primarily design patterns from scratch using the grid editor. Those who want a simple, affordable web-based tool. [Full comparison: Xstitchify vs Stitch Fiddle](/compare/stitchfiddle/) --- ### KG-Chart KG-Chart LE is a free Windows application that has been popular with hobbyists who design patterns from scratch rather than converting images. **What it does well:** - The LE version is completely free - Good grid editor for hand-designing - Backstitch and fractional stitch support - Multiple thread brand palettes - Works offline **Where it falls short:** - Windows only - no Mac, iPad, or mobile - The interface is dated - Limited image import capabilities - Development appears to have slowed significantly - No cloud saves - No text patterns, QR codes, or calculators **Price:** Free (LE version) / $35 (Pro version) **Best for:** Windows users who want a free desktop tool for hand-designing patterns on a grid. Not ideal for photo conversion. [Full comparison: Xstitchify vs KG-Chart](/compare/kgchart/) --- ### Xstitchify Full disclosure - this is us. We built Xstitchify as a free, web-based alternative to desktop software, with a focus on making pattern creation accessible on any device. **What it does well:** - Works on any device - iPad, Android, Mac, Windows, Chromebook, mobile - No download or installation needed - Free tier with generous limits - Image-to-pattern conversion with DMC colour matching - Text pattern generator for quotes, names, and lettering - QR code pattern generator (unique to Xstitchify) - Blank canvas pattern designer - Thread conversion charts across DMC, Anchor, Madeira, and Cosmo - Fabric size, time, and thread calculators - Cloud pattern library **Where it falls short:** - Backstitch and fractional stitches are not yet supported (coming soon) - No specialty stitches (bead placement, etc.) - Requires an internet connection - Newer than established desktop tools, so less third-party tutorial content **Price:** Free to use. Standard plan from £7.99/month for unlimited downloads. Pro plan from £19.99/month for commercial use and SVG export. **Best for:** Stitchers who want a free, modern tool that works on any device. Photo conversion, text patterns, and QR codes. Casual stitchers and beginners who do not want to buy expensive desktop software. ## Feature-by-Feature Breakdown ### Image to Pattern Conversion All five tools can convert images to cross stitch patterns, but quality varies. PCStitch and WinStitch have the most mature colour reduction algorithms, developed over decades. Xstitchify and Stitch Fiddle offer solid results through web-based conversion with DMC matching. KG-Chart's image import is more limited and works best with simple, high-contrast images. ### Thread Support **4 brands:** Xstitchify (DMC, Anchor, Madeira, Cosmo with conversion charts) **Multiple brands:** PCStitch, WinStitch, KG-Chart (DMC, Anchor, and others, but no conversion tool) **DMC only:** Stitch Fiddle If you regularly switch between thread brands or need to substitute Anchor for DMC, Xstitchify's [thread conversion tool](/thread-conversion/) is a significant advantage. ### Backstitch and Special Stitches This is where the desktop tools still have the edge. PCStitch, WinStitch, and KG-Chart all support backstitch, fractional stitches, and in some cases specialty stitches. Stitch Fiddle has backstitch support. Xstitchify does not yet support backstitch or fractional stitches, though both are in development. If backstitch is critical for your projects, PCStitch or WinStitch are currently the stronger options. ### Platform and Accessibility **Works everywhere:** Xstitchify, Stitch Fiddle (web-based, any device with a browser) **Windows and Mac:** WinStitch / MacStitch **Windows only:** PCStitch, KG-Chart If you stitch on your iPad, want to access patterns from your phone, or use a Mac, web-based tools are the only option without workarounds. ### Pricing | Tool | Upfront Cost | Monthly Cost | Free Tier | |---|---|---|---| | KG-Chart LE | Free | None | Yes (full LE version) | | Xstitchify | Free | From £7.99/mo (optional) | Yes | | Stitch Fiddle | Free | From $3.99/mo | Yes (limited) | | PCStitch | $49.95 | None | No | | WinStitch | $59-89 | None | No | Desktop tools are one-time purchases with no ongoing cost. Web-based tools use freemium models where the core features are free and advanced features (unlimited downloads, SVG export, commercial use) require a subscription. ### Calculators and Resources Only Xstitchify offers built-in calculators for [fabric size](/fabric-calculator/), [stitching time](/time-calculator/), and [thread usage](/thread-calculator/), plus comprehensive [colour charts](/dmc-colors/) for four thread brands. ## Which Tool Should You Choose? **Choose PCStitch if** you are a Windows user who wants a one-time purchase with mature backstitch and specialty stitch support. You prefer working offline and do not need mobile access. **Choose WinStitch if** you are a professional pattern designer who needs the most advanced colour reduction. You work on Mac or Windows and are willing to pay a premium for professional output. **Choose Stitch Fiddle if** you primarily design from scratch on a grid, want backstitch support, and prefer a simple affordable web-based tool. **Choose KG-Chart if** you are on Windows, want something free, and primarily design patterns by hand rather than converting photos. **Choose Xstitchify if** you want a free, modern tool that works on any device. You convert photos, create text patterns, or make QR codes. You want thread conversion charts and calculators alongside your pattern maker. You do not need backstitch support right now. ## Try Them The best way to decide is to try the tools yourself. The web-based options (Xstitchify and Stitch Fiddle) cost nothing to try. PCStitch and WinStitch require purchase upfront. **[Try Xstitchify Free -](/pattern-maker/)** Convert a photo, generate text, or design from scratch. No account needed.