# StitchBuddy HD — Editor for Machine Embroidery

> Mobile editor for machine embroidery designs with stitch-level modification and file management. (iPhone/iPad app by Matthias Arndt.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stitchbuddy-hd/id522499369 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Matthias Arndt](https://appshunter.io/developer/522499372)
- Category: Productivity, Business
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.10/5 from 292 App Store ratings · 128 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 16.0 · 6 MB
- Languages: American English, German (Germany)
- Released: 2012-05-11
- Data updated: 2026-08-23
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stitchbuddy-hd/id522499369/reviews.md

## What is StitchBuddy HD?

Have your machine embroidery designs always at hand, wherever you are! Enjoy beautiful previews on your iPhone and iPad, manage and modify designs down to stitch level, and stay in sync with your computer. 

Features:

• Rotate, flip, move, resize, or delete selected parts or the entire design.
• Resize selected parts or the entire design (without adjusting the stitch count).
• Copy and paste to duplicate parts, or to combine different designs.
• Center a design in the hoop.
• Add basting stitches to fix the underlay.
• Change individual thread colors, or replace the entire palette.
• Select from several different manufacturer thread charts.
• Reorder threads and delete color changes.
• Display options incl. zooming, 3D stitch display, or stitch structure.
• File management with folders and design previews. 
• Print detail sheets via AirPrint.
• Share design files, detail sheets, or real-size templates (PDF).
• Multiple levels of Undo while editing.
• Convert designs to other embroidery file formats.
• Synchronization between different devices via iCloud.
• Supports various storage locations including USB sticks.
• Open designs in other applications or share by AirDrop.

Supported import formats (read):

• Janome JEF, JEF+, JPX, SEW
• Brother PES, PEC
• Melco EXP
• Bernina EXP+ (not supported by Preview / Thumbnail)
• Tajima DST
• Pfaff VP3, KSM, PCS, PCQ, PCD

Supported export formats (write):

• Janome JEF
• Brother PES v1.0 (130 x 180 mm), PEC
• Melco EXP
• Bernina EXP+
• Tajima DST
• Pfaff PCS
  
You can test StitchBuddy HD with all functions for free (saving designs is limited to 1,000 stitches). Unlock this limitation via In-App purchase if you like StitchBuddy HD and want to support its development ... and please share your experience with others by leaving a rating or review!

Additional information, FAQs and video tutorials can be found at StitchBuddy's website.

NOTE: StitchBuddy HD does not digitize embroidery designs.

## Key features

- Rotate, flip, move, resize designs
- Modify designs without changing stitch count
- Copy, paste, and combine designs
- Change thread colors and palettes
- 3D stitch display and zoom options
- File management with previews
- Convert between embroidery formats

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| StitchBuddy Go | $19.99 | one-time |


## What do users think of StitchBuddy HD?

Overall sentiment: neutral

**Pros**

- 👍 Great app for beginners
- 💡 Excellent storage management
- 👍 User-friendly and intuitive
- 👍 Syncs between devices
- 👍 Affordable pricing
- 🚀 Prompt customer support

**Cons**

- 🐛 Difficult to use
- 🐛 Doesn't work as described
- 🐛 Crashes frequently
- 🐛 Limited functionality
- 🐛 Cannot create designs
- 🐛 Cannot transfer designs to USB

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Cannot open certain file formats (e.g., HUS)
- Inconsistent performance across devices
- Unexpected behavior when importing designs

**Most requested features**

- Add ability to create designs from scratch
- Improve file transfer options (e.g., AirDrop)
- Enhance color editing capabilities
- Provide more comprehensive tutorials and documentation

## Recent user reviews (10 of 128)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stitchbuddy-hd/id522499369/reviews.md

### 4/5 — Great design editor

*2026-06-23, version 3.8.0*

This is my go to app for editing embroidery designs. I took one star off for lack of continuity. The iPad version lacks the features contained in iMac version.

### 3/5 — Very difficult to use

*2026-03-28, version 3.7.0*

The old version was easy to use, but since the made the changes some years ago I find this almost impossible to use

### 5/5 — App funktioniert nicht

*2026-03-04*

Ich habe die Pro-Version für mein iPad gekauft gekauft, aber bin sehr enttäuscht. Ich kann nur den Lesemodus öffnen, aber Dateien können dort nicht bearbeitet werden. Ich kann sie aber nicht in der Galerie öffnen. Für mich ein sehr ärgerlicher Fehlkauf. Schade !!!

**Developer response:** Handelt es sich vielleicht um ein Dateiformat, dass StitchBuddy HD zwar lesen, nicht aber schreiben kann (siehe App-Beschreibung)? Dann kann das Stickmuster in der Galerie umgewandelt werden.

Auf jeden Fall könnte ich bei einer detaillierten Problembeschreibung an info@stitchbuddy.de schneller und besser helfen...

### 5/5 — Great App!

*2026-02-23, version 3.7.0*

I’ve been using this app for a few years now and love it!  I mainly use it to view my file designs on my iPhone or iPad before saving to a usb to stitch out.

### 1/5 — Beware

*2026-02-03, version 3.7.0*

I can’t upload my designs

### 1/5 — DO NOT BUY

*2025-12-21, version 3.7.0*

This is a complete scam. It does not work and the tutorials tell you nothing

### 2/5 — No free trial $20 to try app pretty much

*2025-12-18*

So I downloaded stitch buddy and I can’t practice with the design that they offer to see if I like the app because it’s over 1,000 stitches. I don’t know where to go to try a free trial because I’m not spending $20 for an app before I can even try it out. I am new to embroidery and have been looking  for a app to resize my files as I can only do 4x4 designs but I think you should be able to test the app out before you pay $20 for it.

**Developer response:** Try the app either with any of your own designs with less then 1,000 stitches or delete parts of the sample file to make it smaller.

It's not easy to find a balance between some meaningful trial version, and encouraging people to pay for a software - especially as this is no subscription, but a lifetime license.

### 1/5 — Buyer beware (downloads are nonrefundable)

*2025-10-16*

Before you purchase, make sure this program will open your files and you can change the size if needed. I have files that it will work with, but I also have files that this program will not open due to the creator putting in the size that reads 550inches. Way too big. Must be a typo but I have 2 files written this way. 😟

A better alternative is Embrilliance Essentials. Very intuitive and works with ALL my files just fine. It cost more, but it is sure worth it!

**Developer response:** You‘re reviewing an iOS app based on experiences with a macOS program - and you are recommending a macOS app … strange.

As I answered to your mail and the macOS review: StitchBuddy can only save PES designs in the mentioned format version, which has a size limitation - well documented in the app's description, website etc. Giving a 1-star rating for a documented restriction is harsh, especially after I mentioned a bypass solution and the option of a refund by mail...

### 1/5 — Doesn’t work for IPad

*2025-05-01, version 3.4.4*

I’ve watched several videos and none of the features show up in my app. Very frustrated really wanted this to work.

### 5/5 — Excellent App for IPad

*2025-03-30*

I got excellent customer service quickly! It is a great app for those of us without a computer to import, export and be able to do some editing of designs. I would highly recommend!

**Developer response:** Thanks & enjoy ☺️

## Frequently asked questions about StitchBuddy HD

### What can I do with StitchBuddy HD?

StitchBuddy HD allows you to manage, edit, and preview machine embroidery designs directly on your iPhone or iPad. You can rotate, resize, move, flip, and delete parts of designs, as well as change thread colors and even combine multiple designs. It also offers features like adding basting stitches and centering designs in the hoop.

### What file formats does StitchBuddy HD support?

The app supports importing designs in various formats including Janome JEF, JEF+, JPX, SEW; Brother PES, PEC; Melco EXP; Tajima DST; and Pfaff VP3, KSM, PCS, PCQ, PCD. It can export designs in Janome JEF, Brother PES v1.0, PEC, Melco EXP, Tajima DST, and Pfaff PCS formats.

### Is StitchBuddy HD free to use?

You can test StitchBuddy HD with all its functions for free. However, saving designs is limited to 1,000 stitches in the free version. To remove this limitation and unlock full saving capabilities, an in-app purchase is available.

### Can I use StitchBuddy HD on my computer?

StitchBuddy HD is designed for iPhone and iPad, providing mobile access to your embroidery designs. It offers synchronization between different devices via iCloud, allowing you to stay in sync with your computer. You can also open designs in other applications or share them via AirDrop.

### Does StitchBuddy HD help with digitizing embroidery designs?

No, StitchBuddy HD does not digitize embroidery designs. Its primary function is to edit, manage, and preview existing machine embroidery files. Digitizing is a separate process that creates the initial embroidery pattern from artwork.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3.8.1 — 2026-07-12

• Missing Pfaff PCS conversion fixed

### 3.8.0 — 2026-06-09

• Candle thread chart
• Thread lists consistently ordered
• Searchable thread lists
• Colors preserved when saving EXP / DST
• Bernina EXP+ (not supported by Preview / Thumbnail)
• Template print (experimental)
• In-App purchase renamed to „StitchBuddy Go“

### 3.7.0 — 2025-12-01

• Enlarged canvas with floating design details
• Harmonized menu icons
• Updated app icon

### 3.6.0 — 2025-08-27

• Janome AQ hoop size corrected

### 3.5.0 — 2025-05-30

• News presented at app launch
• Help is supporting Dark Mode
• Smart Thread Multitalent thread chart added

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## More apps by Matthias Arndt

- [SchoolRoom](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/schoolroom/id1039883032)
- [CraftSale](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/craftsale/id1526994951)

All apps by Matthias Arndt: https://appshunter.io/developer/522499372

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-23.*