# XStitch Plus vs Silk

The clearest difference is monetization model: Silk at free with in-app purchases against XStitch Plus's subscription. Silk also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 6 weeks) and iOS requirement (12.4 vs 17.6). XStitch Plus's advantage is review sentiment (80% vs 54%). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. XStitch Plus sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $9.99 per year and Silk sells 11 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for XStitch Plus against 4.8 for Silk. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1K and 500 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 80% of XStitch Plus's written reviews are positive against 54% of Silk's.

XStitch Plus ships an update every 6 weeks, Silk every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 19, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | XStitch Plus | Silk |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xstitch-plus/id1281394467/reviews) | [4.8 (500 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/silk-cross-stitch-patterns/id1505362289/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1K** | 500 |
| Positive reviews | **79.6% of reviews** | 54.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 22 MB | 12 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **12.4** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [PerformTec Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/906882971) | [CSP Embroidery Digital UG haftungsbeschrankt](https://appshunter.io/developer/1522427767) |

## What reviewers say

### XStitch Plus

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xstitch-plus/id1281394467)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Annual Subscription | $9.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

- 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


### Silk

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/silk-cross-stitch-patterns/id1505362289)

Discover a vast collection of cross stitch patterns and designs to fuel your creativity. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, this app offers inspiration, resources, and tools to enhance your embroidery art. Explore new charts, view color palettes, and access material lists to bring your stitching projects to life.

**Highlights:** Huge collection of cross stitch charts, Multiple chart formats, View color palette while stitching, Zoom functionality for designs, Vertical and horizontal rulers, Material lists for stitching

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Alphabets | Free | one-time |
| Numbers | Free | one-time |
| Ancient Land HCH 1811 | Free | one-time |
| Black Swan | Free | one-time |
| A Secret Sky: Bonus Alphabet | Free | one-time |
| Frohe Ostern | Free | one-time |
| A Christmas Carol in Rose 1 | Free | one-time |
| A Christmas Carol in Rose 2 | $3.99 | one-time |
| A Christmas Carol in Rose 4 | $3.99 | one-time |
| My Flower Garden | $7.99 | one-time |
| Christmas SAL 2020 Shooting St | $8.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use interface
- ✨ Beautiful pattern designs from European designers
- 📊 Helpful stitch tracking and progress monitoring
- 🎨 Ability to mark stitches and highlight progress
- 💰 Reasonably priced patterns

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💳 Misleading free pattern pricing (charged unexpectedly)
- 🔗 No cross-device synchronization of purchases or progress
- 📱 iOS only (not available on Android or PC)
- 🌐 Requires internet connection to function
- 🔍 No search bar for browsing patterns

**Reported bugs**

- Free patterns charged $19.99 without clear notification
- Purchased patterns disappearing from library
- No synchronization between iPad and iPhone
- App requires internet connection to open
- Stitch timer continues even after erasing highlighted stitches

**Requested features**

- Search bar for pattern browsing
- Cross-device synchronization of purchases and progress
- Ability to import personal PDF patterns
- Create custom pattern layouts
- Expand to Android and PC platforms


## Frequently asked questions

### Is XStitch Plus free?

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

### Is Silk free?

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

### Which has better reviews, XStitch Plus or Silk?

XStitch Plus and Silk are both rated 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1K and 500 ratings respectively.

### Do XStitch Plus or Silk have ads?

Neither XStitch Plus nor Silk shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, XStitch Plus or Silk?

XStitch Plus ships an update every 6 weeks, and Silk every 5 days. Most recently, XStitch Plus was updated on October 17, 2026 and Silk on October 19, 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.*