Comparison

dot Customizer vs CREATIVATE

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

Head to head
About

dot Customizer

Create and edit custom embroidery designs with a library of built-in patterns and fonts. Send designs wirelessly to compatible machines for stitching. Suitable for all skill levels, from beginners to experts.

Highlights
  • Create and edit embroidery designs
  • Wireless design transfer to machines
  • Combine designs with letters/words
  • 260 built-in embroidery designs
  • 13 different fonts
  • Beginner and advanced modes
  • Embroidery simulation and trace functions
Read full description

dot Customizer is a free application for using with compatible embroidery machines. With this app, you can create and edit embroidery designs and send them directly to the machine for embroidering. Great embroidery fun for everyone from beginners to experts!   What you can do: · Simply choose any of the built-in designs and send wirelessly to the embroidery machine for stitching out (no need for cords or USB sticks to transfer designs). · Combine embroidery designs with letters/words to create original designs. · Add embroidery to other projects. · Create original lettering designs with your favorite fonts. Main features: · 260 built-in embroidery designs from a range of categories · 12 different English fonts plus one Japanese font (incl. Kanji) · 2 different modes including easy-to-use "Beginner level" · A variety of editing functions: copy/paste/resize/stitch density adjustment/color selection/positioning etc. · Embroidery simulation and trace functions to check the position on the fabric before stitching out   Supported OS: iOS 12.0 or later   Supported screen size: 4.7 inches or larger

About

CREATIVATE

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
Read full description

The CREATIVATE™ App is your all-in-one creative companion for sewing, embroidery, quilting, and craft cutting - with everything you need to learn, create, and make your best work yet. Sewing Features (Mobile & Tablet) Whether you're setting up your machine for the first time or tackling an advanced project, CREATIVATE has you covered. - Step-by-Step Guidance: Get machine-specific setup and sewing support tailored to your machine. - Stitch Database: Browse and select stitches with recommended settings for your project. - Learning Tutorials: Build your skills with guided stitch and technique tutorials. - Troubleshooting Help: Find fast solutions to common sewing issues. Singer Smart Heavy Duty 9120 - App Control (Mobile) Control your Singer Smart Heavy Duty 9120 directly from your phone with dedicated sewing and embroidery controls - all from the CREATIVATE app. - Stitch Selector: Select stitches, adjust settings, and send them straight to your machine. - Embroidery Controller: Monitor stitch-out progress, step through stitches, manage color block changes, and control hoop positioning - all from your phone. Embroidery Features (Mobile & Tablet) - Embroidery Editor: Core design and editing tools built into the app - compatible with any connected embroidery machine. - Design Placement: Photograph your hoop and send it directly to your machine for precise placement. - PhotoStitch: Turn any photo into an embroidery design with a single shot. Quilting Features (Tablet only) Design, cut, and piece your quilts with a simple, intuitive digital tool - perfect for first-timers and experienced quilters alike. - Design your quilt blocks, choose fabrics, add borders and sashing, and preview your finished quilt. - Get easy-to-follow cutting charts and step-by-step piecing instructions. - Integrates exclusively with the SINGER® MOMENTO™ Craft Cutting Machine for faster, more precise fabric cuts. Craft Cutting Features (Tablet only) Create custom designs and bring them to life on the SINGER® MOMENTO™ 24" Craft Cutting Machine. - Design: Add text, shapes, images, and more to your canvas. - Customize: Use built-in tools to make every design uniquely yours. - Endless Possibilities: Works with fabric, vinyl, and much more. Download now and start making your best work yet. CREATIVATE-connected machines are premium sewing, embroidery, quilting, and craft cutting machines sold under the SINGER®, HUSQVARNA® VIKING®, and PFAFF® brands. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

dot Customizer2 screens
CREATIVATE4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: CREATIVATE at 4.4 against dot Customizer's 3.1. CREATIVATE also leads on ratings volume (384 vs 14). dot Customizer's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.0). On price, review sentiment, 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

CREATIVATE holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CREATIVATE has 384 ratings behind it against 14, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 23% of dot Customizer's written reviews are positive against 18% of CREATIVATE's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

dot Customizer ships an update every 2 months, CREATIVATE every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on June 1, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
dot Customizer versus CREATIVATE: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameterdot CustomizerCREATIVATE
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.1 (14 ratings)4.4 (384 ratings) — better
Positive reviews22.7% of reviews — better18.1% of reviews
Number of ratings14384 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS12.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size188 MB374 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDRAWstitch International Ltd.VSM Group AB

Customer experience

dot Customizer

All ratings14 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews22 reviews
Positive22.7%
Neutral18.2%
Negative59.1%

CREATIVATE

All ratings384 ratings
Positive84.6%
Neutral3.9%
Negative11.5%
Written reviews72 reviews
Positive18.1%
Neutral2.8%
Negative79.2%

Bugs and requests

dot Customizer

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

CREATIVATE

Reported bugs

18 issues
  • 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
Show 13 more
  • Monitor function crashes immediately upon opening
  • App crashes when opening embroidery tab
  • File compatibility issues after app rebranding from SewNet
  • Cannot change file types
  • Thread change notifications broken for over 1 year
  • App hangs after selecting measurement units
  • Keyboard hides create account/subscribe button on smaller screens
  • QR box missing from home page
  • Continuous loading screens without syncing
  • Payment checkout freezes during processing
  • Server cannot be reached for login
  • Machine connection failures
  • Website frequently asks to re-login despite being logged in

Requested features

8 requests
  • 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.)
Show 3 more
  • Restore features from previous mySewnet version
  • Optimize app for smaller phone screens and older devices
  • Improve time estimation accuracy for monitor function

In-app purchases

None

dot Customizer

No in-app purchases

None

CREATIVATE

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is dot Customizer free?
dot Customizer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is CREATIVATE free?
CREATIVATE is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, dot Customizer or CREATIVATE?
CREATIVATE is rated higher. dot Customizer averages 3.1 out of 5 from 14 ratings, while CREATIVATE averages 4.4 from 384 ratings.
Do dot Customizer or CREATIVATE have ads?
Neither dot Customizer nor CREATIVATE shows ads.
Which is updated more often, dot Customizer or CREATIVATE?
dot Customizer ships an update every 2 months, and CREATIVATE every 5 weeks. Most recently, dot Customizer was updated on June 1, 2026 and CREATIVATE on September 23, 2026.

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