Cross Stitch Software Compared: 7 Tools for 2026

Choosing cross stitch software is no longer just a choice between one or two Windows programs. Today’s cross stitch pattern makers range from quick photo converters to full browser editors and established desktop design suites.

This guide compares seven useful options: Xstitchify, FlossCross, Pic2Pat, PCStitch, WinStitch/MacStitch, Stitch Fiddle and KG-Chart. The right one depends on whether you want to convert a photo, draw a pattern stitch by stitch, work offline, use an iPad, or prepare patterns for sale.

Disclosure: Xstitchify publishes this guide, so it is not an independent review. We have aimed to describe each tool fairly, link to the tools themselves, and be clear where Xstitchify is and is not the best fit. Features and prices can change, so check the relevant product before paying.

Quick comparison

Export options and commercial-use terms can vary by plan. Check the current licence before selling patterns made with any tool.

FlossCross

FlossCross is one of the strongest free browser-based cross stitch editors. It combines photo conversion with a manual chart editor, rather than stopping after it produces an automatic chart.

What it does well:

• Free browser-based pattern creation and export
• Photo-to-pattern conversion plus stitch-by-stitch editing
• Full stitches, half/quarter stitches and backstitch
• DMC and Anchor thread palettes
• PDF, SVG and OXS file support
• No desktop software installation

Things to consider:

• Its workflow is centred on patterns stored in the browser rather than an account-based cloud library
• Its toolset is deliberately focused; compare any specialist requirements such as layers, French knots, broader thread-brand conversion or cross-device project syncing before committing to a workflow
• As with any browser tool that stores work locally, keep exported backups of important projects

Best for: Stitchers who want a substantial manual pattern editor and printable exports without a subscription.

Pic2Pat

Pic2Pat is a long-running free tool with a very specific job: upload a picture, choose from the generated alternatives and download a printable cross stitch pattern.

What it does well:

• Simple three-step photo-to-pattern process
• Free to use in a browser
• Accepts a wide range of image formats, with uploads up to 18 MB according to Pic2Pat
• Produces a PDF with thread colours and estimated skein quantities
• No account or desktop installation is needed for the basic workflow

Things to consider:

• It is a photo converter, not a complete blank-canvas pattern designer
• There is no full browser editor for adjusting individual stitches after conversion
• It does not provide layers, lettering, QR pattern generation, cloud saves or OXS interchange
• The workflow is designed around downloading a finished PDF rather than keeping an editable project online

Best for: Someone who wants to turn one photo into a printable chart as quickly as possible and does not need to edit the result in detail.

See the full Xstitchify and Pic2Pat comparison.

PCStitch

PCStitch is an established Windows program used by hobbyists and professional designers. Its long development history gives it a broad desktop feature set.

What it does well:

• Mature pattern editor with backstitch, fractional stitches and specialty-stitch tools
• Photo import and detailed manual chart design
• Works offline after installation
• One-time-purchase model rather than a required subscription
• Large body of third-party tutorials and experienced users

Things to consider:

• Windows only, with no native Mac, iPad or phone version
• Projects live on the computer unless you arrange your own syncing and backups
• The desktop interface can take longer to learn than a focused web converter
• It does not combine photo, text, QR and browser-based mobile workflows in one service

Best for: Windows users who want mature offline software and detailed control over traditional chart features.

See the full Xstitchify and PCStitch comparison.

WinStitch and MacStitch

WinStitch and MacStitch are the Windows and macOS versions of a professional desktop pattern-design suite. They suit designers who prefer installed software and fine-grained control.

What they do well:

• Strong colour reduction and photo-import controls
• Backstitch, fractional stitches and advanced design features
• Desktop versions for both Windows and Mac
• Offline work and locally stored project files
• Output suitable for complex and commercial pattern workflows

Things to consider:

• Higher upfront cost than free browser tools
• No phone or tablet version with the same full editor
• More features also mean a steeper learning curve
• Cloud syncing and mobile access are not the centre of the workflow

Best for: Experienced designers who want advanced installed software on Windows or Mac and prefer a one-time purchase.

See the full Xstitchify and WinStitch comparison.

Stitch Fiddle

Stitch Fiddle is a browser-based chart editor used for cross stitch as well as other grid crafts. It is easy to start and has a familiar cell-based design workflow.

What it does well:

• Runs in a browser on desktop and mobile devices
• Photo import and a practical blank-grid editor
• Backstitch support
• Free entry point with an optional premium plan
• Useful for people who create more than one kind of charted craft

Things to consider:

• Some features and exports require the paid plan
• It does not offer Xstitchify’s layers, pressure-sensitive drawing, OXS interchange or cross-brand thread-conversion tools
• Fractional-stitch and specialist-stitch requirements should be checked against the current editor

Best for: People who want a relatively simple web grid editor, especially if they also make knitting, crochet or bead charts.

See the full Xstitchify and Stitch Fiddle comparison.

KG-Chart

KG-Chart is a Windows desktop application with a free LE edition and a paid Pro edition. It remains useful for straightforward manual chart design without a browser or subscription.

What it does well:

• Free LE version for basic pattern designing
• Manual grid editor with backstitch and fractional stitches
• Multiple thread palettes
• Works offline on Windows
• Familiar traditional desktop workflow

Things to consider:

• Windows only
• Photo conversion is less central than in dedicated image-to-pattern tools
• No browser, iPad or phone workflow
• No account-based cloud pattern library

Best for: Windows users who want an offline grid editor at little or no cost.

See the full Xstitchify and KG-Chart comparison.

Xstitchify

Full disclosure: this is our tool. Xstitchify began as a browser-based photo converter and now covers the full path from an idea or imported file to editing, exporting and tracking a pattern.

What it does well:

• Photo-to-cross-stitch conversion with DMC, Anchor, Madeira and Cosmo colour matching
• A blank pattern designer, text pattern generator, QR pattern generator and AI pattern generation
• A full editor with layers, backstitch, French knots, half stitches and quarter stitches
• Pressure-sensitive drawing with Apple Pencil and compatible styluses
• OXS import and export, plus import of Pattern Maker .xsd and PCStitch .pat files
• Pattern Keeper-compatible PDFs, along with PNG and SVG export options
• Cloud saves, a pattern library and a built-in stitch tracker across devices
• Thread conversion charts for four major brands, plus fabric, time and thread calculators
• Works in a browser on iPad, iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows and Chromebook

Things to consider:

• It requires an internet connection for the main workflow
• The free tier has usage and download limits; unlimited downloads and some professional features require a paid plan
• Designers who need a deeply established offline desktop ecosystem or very specialised stitch libraries may still prefer PCStitch or WinStitch/MacStitch

Best for: Stitchers who want a modern cross stitch pattern maker across devices, need to move beyond automatic photo conversion into detailed editing, or want several pattern-creation tools in one account.

Xstitchify is free to start. Paid plans are currently available from £7.99/month in the UK or $9.99/month in the US, with annual options also available.

Which cross stitch pattern maker should you choose?

Choose FlossCross if your priority is a capable free browser editor with manual drawing, advanced stitch types and printable exports.

Choose Pic2Pat if you only want a quick free conversion from a photo to a PDF and do not need to edit individual stitches.

Choose PCStitch if you use Windows, prefer offline software and want a mature traditional desktop feature set.

Choose WinStitch or MacStitch if you want advanced desktop controls for serious pattern design and are comfortable with the upfront price and learning curve.

Choose Stitch Fiddle if you want a straightforward web grid editor that can also cover other charted crafts.

Choose KG-Chart if you use Windows and want an inexpensive offline editor for drawing charts by hand.

Choose Xstitchify if you want photo, text, QR, AI and blank-canvas creation in the same browser workspace, followed by detailed editing with layers and advanced stitches. It is also the strongest fit here if Apple Pencil drawing, multi-brand thread tools, cloud saves, file interchange and an integrated stitch tracker matter to you.

There is no single winner for every stitcher. FlossCross and Pic2Pat are particularly worth trying because they are free, while desktop trials or free editions can help you judge whether an installed program suits you. Test the same small image or design idea in two or three tools and compare not just the preview, but the symbol chart, colour list, confetti and ease of making corrections.

Try Xstitchify’s cross stitch pattern maker free — upload a photo with no account required, then edit the chart before deciding whether to download it.