Embroidery Design Doodler vs Paint by Code
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Embroidery Design Doodler
Easily create custom machine embroidery designs by doodling, sketching, or tracing. This app offers drawing tools for various stitch types and intelligent pathing for seamless stitching. Output designs compatible with all embroidery machine brands.
- Doodle, sketch, or trace designs
- Create running, satin, and fill stitches
- Applique creation
- Easy-to-use pathing for uninterrupted stitches
- Automatic branching for cleaner results
- Machine-friendly embroidery output
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Design Doodler- Machine Embroidery Fun for Everyone Looking for an easy way to create your own custom embroidery designs – without digitizing? The “Design Doodler” will allow you to doodle, sketch, or trace your own machine-friendly embroidery designs! This fun, feature-packed program incorporates a drawing tool allowing you to create running, satin, fill stitches, appliques, and more. This is a companion iPad app for The Deer’s Embroidery Legacy “Design Doodler” software. Visit us to find out more about it at https://www.digitizingmadeeasy.com/embroidery-software-design-doodler/ Creating embroidery designs has never been easier by implementing our “easy-to-use pathing” for connecting multiple objects as one uninterrupted stitch. We’ve also incorporated an intelligent “Automatic Branching” feature to help reduce unnecessary trims and produce cleaner, faster results on your embroidery machine. The Deer’s Embroidery Legacy “Design Doodler” will allow you to Doodle any artwork into machine-friendly embroidery designs. This fun, feature-packed program incorporates a drawing tool allowing you to create running, satin, fill stitches, appliques, and more. Creating embroidery designs has never been easier by implementing our “easy-to-use pathing” for connecting multiple objects as one uninterrupted stitch. We’ve also incorporated an intelligent “Automatic Branching” feature to help reduce unnecessary trims and produce cleaner, faster results on your machine. Then with Design Doodler desktop software you can output your designs in embroidery formats that will run on all brands of home and commercial embroidery machines making this software “Embroidery Fun for Everyone.”
Paint by Code
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Paint by Code turns your favorite photos into beautiful paint-by-numbers canvases — ready to color in the app or print at home. HOW IT WORKS 1. Add a photo from your library or camera 2. Choose your style — 8 to 24 colors, detail level, and canvas format 3. Generate your numbered canvas with a matching color legend 4. Paint in the app with Apple Pencil, or export to print FEATURES • Smart region detection — clear, paintable areas • Numbered canvas with color legend matched to your palette • Paint mode with Apple Pencil support • Colored pencil matching — see which real pencil matches each color • Export & print — A4, Letter, or square format • Save canvases locally on your device PERFECT FOR • Creative relaxation and mindfulness • Personalized gifts from your own photos • Family projects and rainy-day activities • Artists who love paint-by-numbers Everything runs on your device. Your photos stay private — no account needed, no cloud required. Start with any photo. Finish with something you made.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Embroidery Design Doodler at Free against Paint by Code's $3.99. Embroidery Design Doodler also leads on iOS requirement (16.0 vs 26.2). Paint by Code's advantage is update cadence (every 10 days vs every 2 months). On ads, in-app purchases and device support 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
Embroidery Design Doodler is free to download; Paint by Code costs $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Embroidery Design Doodler ships an update every 2 months, Paint by Code every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Embroidery Design Doodler | Paint by Code |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $3.99 |
| Rating | 2.9 (36 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 35.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 36 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 10 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 — better | 26.2 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 102 MB | 17 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Dress Crest Embroidery Company Limited | Tom Paape |
Bugs and requests
Embroidery Design Doodler
Reported bugs
13 issues- App won't launch or open
- Crashes frequently, especially at the end of projects
- Background images erase or don't save
- Cannot zoom out past 1x1
- License key issues
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- Constant freeze-ups and shut downs
- Reshaping and tapering tools cause crashes
- App uninstalls and reinstalls make it worse
- App force closes when loading content
- Cannot save files without a license number
- Application does not open
- Recognizes hand resting on iPad as drawing input
- Color palettes not working or registering changes
Requested features
19 requests- Pinch and zoom functionality
- Palm rejection for Apple Pencil
- Stitch settings pop up on double click
- Color picker for thread
- Different hoop options
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- Export to embroidery format directly from iPad
- Auto-save feature
- Smaller icon option on iPad
- Improved iPad-specific design and gestures
- Support for Apple Pencil Pro squeeze gesture
- Better integration with iPad gestures like three-finger undo
- Ability to zoom out past 1x1
- Saving background images with projects
- More intuitive controls and resizing
- More precise measurements for resizing
- Clearer explanation of licensing and costs
- More frequent updates for the iPad app
- Improved color palette functionality
- Ability to type text directly
Paint by Code
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Embroidery Design Doodler
No in-app purchases
Paint by Code
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Embroidery Design Doodler free?
Is Paint by Code free?
Do Embroidery Design Doodler or Paint by Code have ads?
Which is updated more often, Embroidery Design Doodler or Paint by Code?
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