Comparison

Stitchly vs ThreadABead Pattern Reader

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

Head to head
About

Stitchly

Easily create custom cross-stitch patterns from photos or by drawing your own designs. Supports various stitch types and thread colors, with options to export as printable PDFs and track your progress. Perfect for both beginners and experienced crafters.

Highlights
  • Create patterns from photos
  • Draw custom designs
  • Supports DMC and Anchor threads
  • Includes advanced stitches
  • Export as printable PDF
  • Track stitching progress
Features
Read full description

Stitchly is the best cross stitch pattern maker app on iPhone and iPad. Easily create your own cross stitch patterns with this simple yet powerful app. • Perfect for beginners and professionals • Convert your photos or draw your own designs • Use DMC and Anchor thread, plus lots more • Use 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, backstitches, and French knots • Export your work as a printable PDF • Track your progress in the app • No subscriptions (pay once, enjoy forever) IT WORKS LIKE MAGIC When converting a photo, use our custom-built wizard tool to effortlessly choose the best settings for your image and see the results instantly. TRACE OVER IMAGES When drawing your own designs, you can show an image in the background. This can be super helpful as a reference to trace over. You can also show the original image after converting a photo, which makes tidying up your patterns even easier. MAKE YOUR MASTERPIECE Once your pattern is finished and you’re ready to get stitching, simply press play. You can view your pattern in the app, highlight symbols, and mark stitches as completed using the progress tracker. JOIN THOUSANDS OF HAPPY CUSTOMERS... "I can’t overstate my love for Stitchly. Every time I don’t see it on a top 10 softwares for cross stitch I’m shook. I‘ve been making and selling patterns for 5 years and have tried 3 other programs but Stitchly’s aesthetics, simplicity, and constant feature updates make it my number one favorite of all time." - By Nic806 on the App Store "This app is exactly what I’ve been looking for! I had been eyeing a few desktop apps but this app provides all the features I need in a cheaper, convenient, portable app- even better! I love how easy it is to make patterns and export them, even including the number of skeins needed in the export is so helpful." - By reydiant on the App Store "The best app for anyone that likes cross stitch. I’ve saved so much money on buying patterns and it’s also so much fun to be able to design my own. Love it. I never spend money on apps but this one was definitely worth it." - By TJ_172940 on the App Store BECOME AN AMAZING DESIGNER Our mission is to make it easier and more fun to create your own cross stitch designs. Why? Because being creative makes you happier and healthier. AS FEATURED BY APPLE Stitchly has been featured as App of the Day on the App Store. We are incredibly proud of this milestone and wish to thank all our wonderful customers for their continued support. FAQ Is the full version a one-time purchase? Yes. There are no subscriptions. You can create and export as many patterns as you like with the one-time purchase. Can I unlock my other devices using the same purchase? Yes. You can unlock the full version on your iPhone, iPad and Mac (M1 chip or later) with just one purchase. Can I share the purchase with my family? Yes. Family Sharing is enabled. Can I sell my patterns? Yes. You can also add your store details to your PDF exports. Do I have to buy the materials separately? Yes. The app is only for creating patterns. Can I use Stitchly for needlepoint? Yes. Many of our customers use the Stitchly app to create both cross stitch and needlepoint patterns. When using the app for needlepoint, just treat each square as one canvas intersection. Is Stitchly an alternative to Stitch Fiddle? Yes. Stitchly is an app, whereas Stitch Fiddle is an online platform. Stitchly is not affiliated with Stitch Fiddle. Where is my data stored? Your data is stored on your device. All processing is done locally on your device. Your data is never transmitted to third parties. TRY IT NOW Try Stitchly now on your iPhone, iPad or Mac. The full version is a one-time purchase. Find out more at stitchly.com Stitchly® is a registered trademark of Subtlabs Ltd

About

ThreadABead Pattern Reader

This app is a secure PDF reader designed for bead patterns. It offers tools to easily follow designs, including adjustable markers and navigation aids. A subscription allows importing and reading your own PDF patterns.

Highlights
  • Secure PDF viewing
  • Adjustable reading markers
  • Focus Mode
  • Per-pattern notes
  • Page thumbnails
  • Import personal PDF patterns
Features
Read full description

The ThreadABead Pattern Reader is a secure, purpose-built PDF reader designed specifically for viewing ThreadABead bead patterns and your own personal PDF patterns. View your purchased ThreadABead patterns with tools that make reading and following designs easier, including adjustable reading markers, Focus Mode, per-pattern notes, and page thumbnails for quick navigation. You can also subscribe to Personal Library to import and read your own non-ThreadABead PDF patterns in the same reading environment. Features: • Secure PDF viewing • Access your purchased ThreadABead patterns after sign-in • Personal Library subscription for your own imported PDF patterns • Horizontal and vertical reading markers • Compact arrow, full-width marker, and Focus Mode • Per-pattern notes • Page thumbnails for quick navigation • Reading progress and marker preferences can sync across devices with iCloud Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Stitchly4 screens
ThreadABead Pattern Reader4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Stitchly at 2.3K against ThreadABead Pattern Reader's 2. Stitchly also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.6). ThreadABead Pattern Reader's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.8) and monetization model (freemium vs paid). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. Stitchly sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and ThreadABead Pattern Reader sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $12.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ThreadABead Pattern Reader holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Stitchly has 2.3K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Stitchly ships an update fortnightly, ThreadABead Pattern Reader every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Stitchly versus ThreadABead Pattern Reader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStitchlyThreadABead Pattern Reader
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (2.3K ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews79.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings2.3K — better2
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 4 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationPaidFreemium — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size40 MB4 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperSubtlabsThreadABead Ltd

Customer experience

Stitchly

All ratings2,257 ratings
Positive95.5%
Neutral1.9%
Negative2.5%
Written reviews327 reviews
Positive79.2%
Neutral9.5%
Negative11.3%

ThreadABead Pattern Reader

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Stitchly

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Crashes when importing certain patterns
  • Issues with grid and stitch alignment
  • Inconsistent behavior when using undo/redo

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add support for more thread brands and colors
  • Implement layering and grouping functionality
  • Allow resizing and repositioning of the entire pattern
  • Improve PDF export options and customization
  • Add progress tracking and marking completed stitches

ThreadABead Pattern Reader

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Stitchly

One-time2
  • Special Offer$39.99
  • Full Version$75.00
1 purchases

ThreadABead Pattern Reader

Subscriptions1
  • Personal PDF Library7 Days trial$12.991 Year

Questions

Is Stitchly free?
Stitchly is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ThreadABead Pattern Reader free?
ThreadABead Pattern Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Stitchly or ThreadABead Pattern Reader?
ThreadABead Pattern Reader is rated higher. Stitchly averages 4.8 out of 5 from 2.3K ratings, while ThreadABead Pattern Reader averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Stitchly or ThreadABead Pattern Reader have ads?
Neither Stitchly nor ThreadABead Pattern Reader shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Stitchly or ThreadABead Pattern Reader?
Stitchly ships an update fortnightly, and ThreadABead Pattern Reader every 4 weeks. Most recently, Stitchly was updated on October 12, 2026 and ThreadABead Pattern Reader on October 1, 2026.

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