Comparison

AcuSetter vs CREATIVATE

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

AcuSetter

Adjust embroidery designs on your iPad before stitching. Preview designs on fabric, account for shifts, and send them to your sewing machine wirelessly. Compatible with specific sewing machine models.

Highlights
  • Wireless design adjustment
  • Fabric condition preview
  • Hoop calibration
  • Design transfer to sewing machine
  • Theme customization
Read full description

The AcuSetter app allows you to adjust the position of designs using your iPad and Wireless LAN before embroidering. Even if the fabric shifts a little when it is inserted in the hoop, reinserting it isn't necessary. By taking a photo of the embroidery hoop with the fabric inserted in it, the design can be easily arranged while checking various fabric conditions (shifting of the fabric's position, fabric patterns, embroidery already sewn, cross lines etc.). AcuSetter is compatible with the following sewing machine models:  Please check the following web page :  https://www7.janome.co.jp/global/softupdate/acusetter/ Link with Sewing Machine ・After receiving embroidery designs from the sewing machine's Ready to Sew mode, you can arrange the position of the designs. ・By sending the arranged embroidery designs to the sewing machine , you can embroider wherever you want. Hoop calibration Calibrate the app to match your machine in particular hoops. Set the combination of sewing machine, hoop, carriage, and tablet. Compatible embroidery hoops  Please check the following web page :  https://www7.janome.co.jp/global/softupdate/acusetter/ Other features By changing themes, you can switch to a screen display of your choice. Conditions ・The iPad is connected to Wireless LAN ・The sewing machine is connected to the same wireless LAN access point as the iPad *For iOS 14 or above, please allow the app access to find and connect to devices on your local network.

About

CREATIVATE

This app provides comprehensive guidance and tools for sewing, embroidery, quilting, and craft cutting. It offers step-by-step instructions, design customization, and integration with cutting machines to simplify creative projects.

Highlights
  • Step-by-step guidance
  • Stitch database
  • Quilt block design and preview
  • Craft design and cutting
  • Sewing machine setup and operation
  • Embroidery design editing and placement
  • Photo to embroidery conversion
Read full description

The CREATIVATE™ App is your all-in-one creative companion for sewing, embroidery, quilting, and craft cutting - with everything you need to learn, create, and make your best work yet. Sewing Features (Mobile & Tablet) Whether you're setting up your machine for the first time or tackling an advanced project, CREATIVATE has you covered. - Step-by-Step Guidance: Get machine-specific setup and sewing support tailored to your machine. - Stitch Database: Browse and select stitches with recommended settings for your project. - Learning Tutorials: Build your skills with guided stitch and technique tutorials. - Troubleshooting Help: Find fast solutions to common sewing issues. Singer Smart Heavy Duty 9120 - App Control (Mobile) Control your Singer Smart Heavy Duty 9120 directly from your phone with dedicated sewing and embroidery controls - all from the CREATIVATE app. - Stitch Selector: Select stitches, adjust settings, and send them straight to your machine. - Embroidery Controller: Monitor stitch-out progress, step through stitches, manage color block changes, and control hoop positioning - all from your phone. Embroidery Features (Mobile & Tablet) - Embroidery Editor: Core design and editing tools built into the app - compatible with any connected embroidery machine. - Design Placement: Photograph your hoop and send it directly to your machine for precise placement. - PhotoStitch: Turn any photo into an embroidery design with a single shot. Quilting Features (Tablet only) Design, cut, and piece your quilts with a simple, intuitive digital tool - perfect for first-timers and experienced quilters alike. - Design your quilt blocks, choose fabrics, add borders and sashing, and preview your finished quilt. - Get easy-to-follow cutting charts and step-by-step piecing instructions. - Integrates exclusively with the SINGER® MOMENTO™ Craft Cutting Machine for faster, more precise fabric cuts. Craft Cutting Features (Tablet only) Create custom designs and bring them to life on the SINGER® MOMENTO™ 24" Craft Cutting Machine. - Design: Add text, shapes, images, and more to your canvas. - Customize: Use built-in tools to make every design uniquely yours. - Endless Possibilities: Works with fabric, vinyl, and much more. Download now and start making your best work yet. CREATIVATE-connected machines are premium sewing, embroidery, quilting, and craft cutting machines sold under the SINGER®, HUSQVARNA® VIKING®, and PFAFF® brands. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

CREATIVATE4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: AcuSetter at 75% against CREATIVATE's 18%. AcuSetter also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). CREATIVATE's advantage is rating (4.4 vs 3.0) and update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 16 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

CREATIVATE holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CREATIVATE has 404 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 75% of AcuSetter's written reviews are positive against 18% of CREATIVATE's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

AcuSetter ships an update every 16 months, CREATIVATE every 5 weeks. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
AcuSetter versus CREATIVATE: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAcuSetterCREATIVATE
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (4 ratings)4.4 (404 ratings) — better
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews — better17.6% of reviews
Number of ratings4404 — better
Update frequencyEvery 16 monthsEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS16.016.0
Further details — not scored
Size91 MB374 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJANOME CorporationVSM Group AB

Customer experience

AcuSetter

All ratings4 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

CREATIVATE

All ratings402 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral3.7%
Negative12.9%
Written reviews74 reviews
Positive17.6%
Neutral4.1%
Negative78.4%

Bugs and requests

AcuSetter

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

CREATIVATE

Reported bugs

18 issues
  • Measurement unit selection dialog box cut off/not fully visible
  • Unable to confirm measurement choice (mm/inches) - OK button unresponsive
  • App freezes when accessing embroidery, crafting, or quilting tabs
  • Login button missing or unresponsive
  • Sign-in credentials field present but no submit button
Show 13 more
  • Monitor function crashes immediately upon opening
  • App crashes when opening embroidery tab
  • File compatibility issues after app rebranding from SewNet
  • Cannot change file types
  • Thread change notifications broken for over 1 year
  • App hangs after selecting measurement units
  • Keyboard hides create account/subscribe button on smaller screens
  • QR box missing from home page
  • Continuous loading screens without syncing
  • Payment checkout freezes during processing
  • Server cannot be reached for login
  • Machine connection failures
  • Website frequently asks to re-login despite being logged in

Requested features

8 requests
  • Add missing sewing machine models to database
  • Implement working print functionality
  • Fix audible push notifications for monitor alerts
  • Improve mobile app design capabilities
  • Add support for older machine models (Epic 1, Designer Ruby 90, Topaz 50, etc.)
Show 3 more
  • Restore features from previous mySewnet version
  • Optimize app for smaller phone screens and older devices
  • Improve time estimation accuracy for monitor function

In-app purchases

None

AcuSetter

No in-app purchases

None

CREATIVATE

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is AcuSetter free?
AcuSetter is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is CREATIVATE free?
CREATIVATE is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, AcuSetter or CREATIVATE?
CREATIVATE is rated higher. AcuSetter averages 3.0 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while CREATIVATE averages 4.4 from 404 ratings.
Do AcuSetter or CREATIVATE have ads?
Neither AcuSetter nor CREATIVATE shows ads.
Which is updated more often, AcuSetter or CREATIVATE?
AcuSetter ships an update every 16 months, and CREATIVATE every 5 weeks. Most recently, AcuSetter was updated on October 24, 2026 and CREATIVATE on October 24, 2026.

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