Comparison

XStitch Plus vs Magic Needle

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

Head to head
About

XStitch Plus

Manage your cross stitch projects and supplies with this comprehensive app. Track projects from start to finish, inventory threads and materials, and calculate fabric needs. Sync data across devices and share progress easily.

Highlights
  • Project Journal tracking
  • Stash inventory (threads, charts, linens)
  • Fabric calculator
  • Shopping list
  • Cloud data synchronization
  • Multi-device access
Features
Read full description

X-Stitch Plus is the best way to inventory and track all your cross stitch stash. This easy-to-use app was designed by cross stitchers for cross stitchers. Track all your projects from wish list to finished using the Journal feature. Load up to 5 photos per project. Use the inventory to track all your threads, charts, linens and embellishments. Tens of thousands of threads are pre-loaded so you don't have to type in details. Mill Hill beads are also pre-loaded so you can quickly add them to your inventory. Keep multiple photos for your charts and embellishments. Use the fabric calculator to easily determine fabric dimensions in inches and centimeters. The shopping cart helps ensure you remember exactly what you need when you're at the shop. And of course, these modules are interlinked so you can quickly share info between them, e.g., quickly create a Journal entry from one of your charts. Want to share? X-Stitch Plus supports sharing via Facebook, Twitter, E-Mail, Text and more. Another key benefit of X-Stitch Plus is all your data is stored in the cloud. View and update your data from any of your devices and they're all in sync. You can even access data from the original X-Stitch app. No need to reenter data. Check out the best cross stitch inventory app today with a 7-day free trial! Subscription Information Terms of Use: https://xstitchapp.com/?page_id=69 Privacy Policy: https://xstitchapp.com/?page_id=10 We offer one subscription: XStitch Plus Annual Subscription Subscription cost is $9.99 per year. It’s possible this will be shown in your local currency. Subscription provides full access to all app features with no restrictions. App features include Journal tracking with up to 5 photos per Journal item Inventory tracking for charts, threads, linens and embellishments Includes up to 5 photos per chart and 5 photos per embellishment Fabric calculator Shopping list Cloud storage Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. Cost is $9.99 per year. Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user’s iTunes Account Settings after purchase. Any unused portion of the free trial period will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription.

About

Magic Needle

Transform your photos into unique cross-stitch patterns with this mobile converter. It offers tools for pattern creation, embroidery tracking, and project management, making it ideal for both beginners and experienced crafters. Create personalized gifts or enjoy your hobby with ease.

Highlights
  • Create cross-stitch patterns from photos
  • Adjust scheme size and color count
  • Select fabric and floss brands
  • Track embroidery progress
  • Export patterns to PDF
  • Organize and track floss inventory
Features
Read full description

Create unique cross-stitch patterns from your favorite photos using the best mobile converter on the App Store. Perfect for both novice and expert cross-stitchers. Magic Needle is a great opportunity to make a memorable gift for your family, friends or yourself! UPLOAD PHOTO, ADJUST SETTINGS, START EMBROIDERING. That’s it, nothing to add. TOP FEATURES CREATE - Adjust scheme size and number of colors - Choose from global fabric and floss brands - Control advanced settings, like stitch type and number of strands to stitch with EMBROIDER - Select floss to focus on embroidering a particular color - Quick access to color palette with floss IDs - Mark stitched area and track your progress - Use color picker to find floss in the palette - Double-tap on color in the palette to find unmarked stitches - Tap and hold on color to see how many stitches left to embroider - Get summary with a list of flosses and number of skeins to buy EXTRA - Export pattern to PDF - Dark and light mode to help you embroidering with comfort for your eyes - Organize and track your floss in the catalog - Create patterns with your custom floss list - Stitches automatically deducted from the catalog when your mark them - Choose manually crafted cross-stitch patterns in our shop Magic Needle is designed for you to enjoy your favorite hobby. Terms of Use: https://magic-needle.io/terms Privacy Policy: https://magic-needle.io/privacy Search powered by Algolia

Screenshots

XStitch Plus1 screens
Magic Needle4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Magic Needle at free with in-app purchases against XStitch Plus's subscription. Magic Needle also leads on iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.6). XStitch Plus's advantage is rating (4.8 vs 4.4) and review sentiment (80% vs 55%). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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. XStitch Plus sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $9.99 per year and Magic Needle sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

XStitch Plus holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1K and 1.1K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 80% of XStitch Plus's written reviews are positive against 55% of Magic Needle's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

XStitch Plus ships an update every 6 weeks, Magic Needle monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
XStitch Plus versus Magic Needle: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterXStitch PlusMagic Needle
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (1K ratings) — better4.4 (1.1K ratings)
Positive reviews79.6% of reviews — better54.9% of reviews
Number of ratings1K1.1K — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.615.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size22 MB40 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPerformTec Ltd.Artem Shal

Customer experience

XStitch Plus

All ratings1,021 ratings
Positive95.3%
Neutral1.7%
Negative3.0%
Written reviews93 reviews
Positive79.6%
Neutral6.5%
Negative14.0%

Magic Needle

All ratings1,120 ratings
Positive83.5%
Neutral4.8%
Negative11.7%
Written reviews164 reviews
Positive54.9%
Neutral9.8%
Negative35.4%

User reviews

XStitch Plus

From 1K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 💻 Excellent organizational tool
  • 📊 Helpful inventory tracking
  • 🛒 Useful shopping list feature
  • 📸 Ability to add photos of projects
  • 🔍 Comprehensive thread/fabric database

Room to improve

  • 🔒 No option to add custom designers
  • 🔍 Difficult to search/add threads
  • 🗂️ Lack of project management features
  • 🔄 Inconsistent sync/login issues
  • 💰 Expensive subscription model

Magic Needle

From 1.1K App Store ratings

What we love

  • ✨ Excellent for creating cross-stitch patterns
  • 📐 Accurate grid and color matching
  • 🎨 Customizable color palette
  • 💻 Convenient digital tracking of stitches

Room to improve

  • 🔒 Limited free features, requires subscription
  • 🎨 Restricted color selection
  • 🔧 Lack of editing tools for patterns
  • 💾 Issues with data/project loss after updates

Bugs and requests

XStitch Plus

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Inventory data disappearing after subscription renewal
  • Login/access problems after updates
  • Inability to add certain thread types/brands

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add ability to mark projects as completed
  • Integrate shopping list with inventory
  • Allow custom designer/fabric entries
  • Improve search and data entry workflows
  • Provide more project tracking capabilities

Magic Needle

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App crashes when trying to upload photos
  • Stitching progress markers disappear unexpectedly
  • Difficulty setting desired number of colors

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add ability to edit/modify generated patterns
  • Implement a PDF export option
  • Improve syncing across devices
  • Introduce more advanced color management tools

In-app purchases

1 purchases

XStitch Plus

Subscriptions1
  • Annual Subscription$9.991 Year
10 purchases

Magic Needle

Subscriptions3
  • Premium3 Days trial$6.991 Month
  • Premium3 Days trial$29.496 Months
  • Premium3 Days trial$41.991 Year
One-time7
  • Simple pattern$0.99
  • Export to PDF$1.99
  • Medium pattern$1.99
Show 4 more
  • 1 pattern$2.99
  • Advanced pattern$2.99
  • 3 patterns$5.99
  • 7 patterns$9.99

Questions

Is XStitch Plus free?
XStitch Plus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Magic Needle free?
Magic Needle is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, XStitch Plus or Magic Needle?
XStitch Plus is rated higher. XStitch Plus averages 4.8 out of 5 from 1K ratings, while Magic Needle averages 4.4 from 1.1K ratings.
Do XStitch Plus or Magic Needle have ads?
Neither XStitch Plus nor Magic Needle shows ads.
Which is updated more often, XStitch Plus or Magic Needle?
XStitch Plus ships an update every 6 weeks, and Magic Needle monthly. Most recently, XStitch Plus was updated on November 3, 2026 and Magic Needle on November 2, 2026.

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