# Magic Needle vs CREATIVATE

Magic Needle and CREATIVATE both sit at 4.4 stars, but that hides the real split: 55% of Magic Needle's written reviews are positive against 18% of CREATIVATE's. On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Magic Needle sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month and CREATIVATE sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.4 for Magic Needle against 4.4 for CREATIVATE. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.1K and 405 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 55% of Magic Needle's written reviews are positive against 18% of CREATIVATE's.

Magic Needle ships an update monthly, CREATIVATE every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Magic Needle | CREATIVATE |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (1.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/magic-needle-cross-stitch/id1323730066/reviews) | **[4.4 (405 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/creativate/id1548312728/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **1.1K** | 405 |
| Positive reviews | **54.9% of reviews** | 17.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 6 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 40 MB | 376 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 16.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Artem Shal](https://appshunter.io/developer/1323730065) | [VSM Group AB](https://appshunter.io/developer/444087287) |

## What reviewers say

### Magic Needle

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/magic-needle-cross-stitch/id1323730066)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium | $6.99 | per month |
| Premium | $29.49 | per 6 months |
| Premium | $41.99 | per year |
| Simple pattern | $0.99 | one-time |
| Export to PDF | $1.99 | one-time |
| Medium pattern | $1.99 | one-time |
| 1 pattern | $2.99 | one-time |
| Advanced pattern | $2.99 | one-time |
| 3 patterns | $5.99 | one-time |
| 7 patterns | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

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


### CREATIVATE

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

This app is a comprehensive creative companion for sewing, embroidery, quilting, and craft cutting. It offers step-by-step guidance, tutorials, and editing tools to help users learn and create. It also allows direct control of compatible smart machines for enhanced crafting.

**Highlights:** Step-by-step machine guidance, Stitch database and tutorials, Embroidery editor and design placement, Quilt design and cutting charts, Craft cutting design tools, Direct machine control

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| CREATIVATE Essential | $9.99 | per month |
| CREATIVATE Extra | $19.99 | per month |
| CREATIVATE Elite Membership | $39.99 | per month |

**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 Magic Needle free?

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

### Is CREATIVATE free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Magic Needle or CREATIVATE?

CREATIVATE is rated higher. Magic Needle averages 4.4 out of 5 from 1.1K ratings, while CREATIVATE averages 4.4 from 405 ratings.

### Do Magic Needle or CREATIVATE have ads?

Neither Magic Needle nor CREATIVATE shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Magic Needle or CREATIVATE?

Magic Needle ships an update monthly, and CREATIVATE every 6 weeks. Most recently, Magic Needle was updated on October 26, 2026 and CREATIVATE on October 30, 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.*