# AcuSketch vs CREATIVATE

The clearest difference is rating: CREATIVATE at 4.4 against AcuSketch's 2.6. CREATIVATE also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ratings volume (402 vs 10). AcuSketch's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). On price, review sentiment, ads and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. AcuSketch sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. CREATIVATE asks for nothing beyond the download.

CREATIVATE holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 2.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CREATIVATE has 402 ratings behind it against 10, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 17% and 18% positive.

AcuSketch ships an update every 4 months, CREATIVATE every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | AcuSketch | CREATIVATE |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.6 (10 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/acusketch/id1230334381/reviews) | **[4.4 (402 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/creativate/id1548312728/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 10 | **402** |
| Positive reviews | 16.7% of reviews | **17.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 5 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 27 MB | 374 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, Mac** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [JANOME Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/663694195) | [VSM Group AB](https://appshunter.io/developer/444087287) |

## What reviewers say

### AcuSketch

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/acusketch/id1230334381)

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Line stitch pack | $3.99 | one-time |


### CREATIVATE

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/creativate/id1548312728)

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- ✨ PhotoStitch feature praised
- 📍 Design Positioning functionality works well
- 👁️ Visual preview before stitching saves time and materials
- 📱 Monitor function tracks embroidery progress
- 🎨 Useful for design creation and embroidery work

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent app crashes and freezing
- ⚠️ Measurement unit selection screen broken/unresponsive
- 🔐 Login functionality severely broken
- ⏱️ Extremely slow performance
- 📱 Poor mobile optimization for smaller screens

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- 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.)


## Frequently asked questions

### Is AcuSketch free?

AcuSketch is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is CREATIVATE free?

CREATIVATE is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, AcuSketch or CREATIVATE?

CREATIVATE is rated higher. AcuSketch averages 2.6 out of 5 from 10 ratings, while CREATIVATE averages 4.4 from 402 ratings.

### Do AcuSketch or CREATIVATE have ads?

Neither AcuSketch nor CREATIVATE shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, AcuSketch or CREATIVATE?

AcuSketch ships an update every 4 months, and CREATIVATE every 5 weeks. Most recently, AcuSketch was updated on October 1, 2026 and CREATIVATE on October 20, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*