# XStitch Plus vs Needleply

The clearest difference is monetization model: Needleply at free with in-app purchases against XStitch Plus's subscription. Needleply also leads on update cadence (every 9 days vs every 6 weeks). XStitch Plus's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and rating (4.8 vs 4.4). On price, review sentiment, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. XStitch Plus sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $9.99 per year and Needleply sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

XStitch Plus holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: XStitch Plus has 1K ratings behind it against 41, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 80% of XStitch Plus's written reviews are positive against 82% of Needleply's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

XStitch Plus ships an update every 6 weeks, Needleply every 9 days. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | XStitch Plus | Needleply |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xstitch-plus/id1281394467/reviews)** | [4.4 (41 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/needleply/id1523300974/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1K** | 41 |
| Positive reviews | 79.6% of reviews | **82.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Every 9 days** |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 22 MB | 232 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.6** | 18.2 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [PerformTec Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/906882971) | [Diana Białogrzywa](https://appshunter.io/developer/1101210882) |

## 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


### Needleply

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/needleply/id1523300974)

Browse, search, and organize embroidery materials like threads, beads, and fabrics. Find color matches across different brands and export your selections for inventory tracking or printable tables.

**Highlights:** Thread, bead, and fabric palettes, Search materials reference, Find close color matches, Export to Needlentory, Create printable PDF tables, Organize embroidery materials

**Features:** iPhone Duo support

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Threads | $0.99 | one-time |
| Premium for 1 month | $0.99 | one-time |
| Premium for 6 months | $4.99 | one-time |
| Premium for 1 year | $9.99 | one-time |
| Canvas | $12.99 | one-time |
| Premium Lifetime | $29.99 | one-time |
| Kit | $49.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is XStitch Plus free?

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

### Is Needleply free?

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

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

XStitch Plus is rated higher. XStitch Plus averages 4.8 out of 5 from 1K ratings, while Needleply averages 4.4 from 41 ratings.

### Do XStitch Plus or Needleply have ads?

Needleply shows ads; XStitch Plus does not.

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

XStitch Plus ships an update every 6 weeks, and Needleply every 9 days. Most recently, XStitch Plus was updated on November 3, 2026 and Needleply on November 3, 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.*