Comparison

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.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Read full description

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.”

About

Paint by Code

Features
Read full description

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

Paint by Code1 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Embroidery Design Doodler versus Paint by Code: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEmbroidery Design DoodlerPaint by Code
PriceFree — better$3.99
Rating2.9 (36 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews35.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings36 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 10 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS16.0 — better26.2
Further details — not scored
Size102 MB17 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDress Crest Embroidery Company LimitedTom 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
Show 8 more
  • 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
Show 14 more
  • 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

None

Embroidery Design Doodler

No in-app purchases

None

Paint by Code

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Embroidery Design Doodler free?
Embroidery Design Doodler is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Paint by Code free?
Paint by Code costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Embroidery Design Doodler or Paint by Code have ads?
Neither Embroidery Design Doodler nor Paint by Code shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Embroidery Design Doodler or Paint by Code?
Embroidery Design Doodler ships an update every 2 months, and Paint by Code every 10 days. Most recently, Embroidery Design Doodler was updated on October 14, 2026 and Paint by Code on October 13, 2026.

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