Comparison

AcuSketch vs ThreadBook

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

Head to head
About

AcuSketch

Easily create embroidery designs by tracing on your iPad. Transform freehand drawings into stitches for handmade-looking crafts. Compatible with select sewing machines or export designs as jef+ files.

Highlights
  • Trace drawings to create stitch patterns
  • Freehand drawing for unique designs
  • Export designs as jef+ files
  • Connect to Wireless LAN sewing machines
  • Insert images for tracing
  • Stitch simulator
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The AcuSketch app allows you to create an embroidery design by tracing on the canvas displayed on the iPad screen with your finger or a stylus. You can send the embroidery design that you have created to Wireless LAN capable JANOME sewing machines or export the design to other applications as a jef+ file. AcuSketch Features: * Make handmade-looking work using stitches created from lines drawn freehand. * Make free-motion-quilting-like patterns and enjoy machine quilting. * As the lines drawn with your finger or a stylus become stitches, even people who are not good with computers or digitizing software can create designs and make embroidery data. * Simple to use and fun. Stitches: * Various stitch types. Basic stitch Single run stitches Line stitch pack (In-App Purchase) Triple stitch Zigzag stitch Stem stitch * Choose whether to add Locking stitches. * Adjust the length of the stitches. * Set the width of the stitches (only stitches with adjustable width). * Flip the stitches over (only stitches with adjustable width). * The stitches are sewn in order of drawing. Other Features: * Additional functionality when drawing lines. By starting to draw from the end of an existing line, you can extend lines. When you finish drawing a line, you can connect the end of the line with another one. * A function to insert images for tracing. * Save function for drawings. * Export function for embroidery designs. * Stitch simulator. Send embroidery design: * AcuSketch is compatible with the following sewing machine models: Please check the following web page: https://www7.janome.co.jp/global/softupdate/acusketch/ * Conditions: The iPad is connected to Wi-Fi. 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

ThreadBook

Manage your sewing, needlework, and embroidery threads with a comprehensive digital library. Track your existing threads, create shopping lists, and find perfect color matches using advanced search or your device's camera. Instantly convert thread colors between brands and types.

Highlights
  • Extensive thread library (50,000+ threads)
  • Track 'My Threads' and 'Shopping List'
  • Search by thread number or color
  • Color matching via camera or photo
  • Instant cross-brand thread conversion
  • Automatic library updates
  • Cross-device synchronization
Features
Currently charting
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Description ThreadBook is the ideal tool for managing the threads you use for sewing, needlework, or embroidery. It contains a library of more than 50,000 threads from over 600 different manufacturers, available with a touch of your finger. Using ThreadBook you can: * Set your favorite brands to narrow matching choices * Track the threads you have in the “My Threads” collection * Track the threads you need in the “Shopping List” collection * Find threads with a particular thread number, including partial numbers * Find threads that match your chosen color * Find threads that match any color using the camera on your device or a previously made photo * Instantly create a chart to convert any brand and type of thread to a matching color in any other brand and type * Create your own charts for converting any brand to the best match in one or more other brands * Convert a list of thread colors, such as that often provided with embroidery designs, to any brand and type Additional features include: * One tap instant match for any thread * Automatic updating of the library as new threads are added * Your “My Threads” and “Shopping List” collections are synchronized between all your devices

Screenshots

ThreadBook4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: ThreadBook at 66% against AcuSketch's 17%. ThreadBook also leads on rating (4.2 vs 2.6) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). AcuSketch's advantage is price (Free vs $14.99) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.1). On ads and device support 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

AcuSketch is free to download; ThreadBook costs $14.99 up front. AcuSketch sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. ThreadBook asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ThreadBook holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 2.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ThreadBook has 52 ratings behind it against 10, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 17% of AcuSketch's written reviews are positive against 66% of ThreadBook's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

AcuSketch ships an update every 4 months, ThreadBook monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard9 real differences · 2 level
AcuSketch versus ThreadBook: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAcuSketchThreadBook
PriceFree — better$14.99
Rating2.6 (10 ratings)4.2 (52 ratings) — better
Positive reviews16.7% of reviews65.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1052 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank—#189 — better
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS13.0 — better17.1
Further details — not scored
Size27 MB138 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJANOME CorporationSoftware Miracles

Customer experience

AcuSketch

All ratings10 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews12 reviews
Positive16.7%
Neutral8.3%
Negative75.0%

ThreadBook

All ratings52 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral7.7%
Negative17.3%
Written reviews41 reviews
Positive65.9%
Neutral7.3%
Negative26.8%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

AcuSketch

One-time1
  • Line stitch pack$3.99
None

ThreadBook

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is AcuSketch free?
AcuSketch is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ThreadBook free?
ThreadBook costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, AcuSketch or ThreadBook?
ThreadBook is rated higher. AcuSketch averages 2.6 out of 5 from 10 ratings, while ThreadBook averages 4.2 from 52 ratings.
Do AcuSketch or ThreadBook have ads?
Neither AcuSketch nor ThreadBook shows ads.
Which is updated more often, AcuSketch or ThreadBook?
AcuSketch ships an update every 4 months, and ThreadBook monthly. Most recently, AcuSketch was updated on October 1, 2026 and ThreadBook on September 28, 2026.

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