# Exactly vs CrossStitcher

The clearest difference is rating: CrossStitcher at 4.6 against Exactly's 2.2. CrossStitcher also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 months) and ratings volume (258 vs 14). Exactly's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 43). On price, review sentiment, ads and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. CrossStitcher sells 43 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Exactly asks for nothing beyond the download.

CrossStitcher holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 2.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CrossStitcher has 258 ratings behind it against 14, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 27% of Exactly's written reviews are positive against 19% of CrossStitcher's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Exactly ships an update every 5 months, CrossStitcher fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Exactly | CrossStitcher |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.2 (14 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/exactly/id315268140/reviews) | **[4.6 (258 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crossstitcher/id996699120/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 14 | **258** |
| Positive reviews | **26.5% of reviews** | 19.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 3 MB | 20 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Exact Editions Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/315268143) | [Warners Group Publications PLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/586192010) |

## What reviewers say

### Exactly

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/exactly/id315268140)

Access magazines and newspapers on your iPad and iPhone in their original full-color format. Enjoy interactive features like live web links and zoom capabilities. Explore free content from numerous publications or use your subscription for the latest issues.

**Highlights:** Full-color digital editions, Live web links, Zoom and swipe navigation, Thumbnail page view, Bookmark pages, Offline reading sync

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### CrossStitcher

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crossstitcher/id996699120)

Explore contemporary cross stitching with fresh designs and lifestyle inspiration. Learn new techniques and create unique gifts, accessories, and homestyle items. Perfect for all skill levels, from beginner to advanced.

**Highlights:** Contemporary designs, Lifestyle inspiration, Creative techniques, Trend-led projects, Technical advice, Gift and homestyle ideas, Expert-led technique demonstrations

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (43)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| CrossStitcher 1M Auto Sub | $3.99 | per month |
| 3 Month Subscription | $9.99 | per 3 months |
| 6 Month Subscription | $16.49 | per 6 months |
| 12 Month Subscription | $59.99 | per year |
| July 2019 (id:785570) | $5.99 | one-time |
| February 2020 (id:785563) | $5.99 | one-time |
| November 2020 (id:785458) | $5.99 | one-time |
| October 2020 (id:785459) | $5.99 | one-time |
| June 2020 (id:785464) | $5.99 | one-time |
| April 2020 (id:785466) | $5.99 | one-time |
| March 2020 (id:785467) | $5.99 | one-time |
| December 2021 (id:784474) | $5.99 | one-time |
| September 2019 (id:785568) | $5.99 | one-time |
| February 2026 (pp:1116162) | $5.99 | one-time |
| August 2025 (pp:1116152) | $5.99 | one-time |
| October 2016 (id:785532) | $5.99 | one-time |
| Summer 2020 (id:785463) | $5.99 | one-time |
| June 2025 (pp:1116156) | $5.99 | one-time |
| Summer 2015 (id:795822) | $5.99 | one-time |
| May 2025 (pp:1116158) | $5.99 | one-time |
| October 2021 (id:784478) | $5.99 | one-time |
| April 2025 (pp:1116142) | $5.99 | one-time |
| February 2025 (pp:1116138) | $5.99 | one-time |
| November 2015 (id:785500) | $5.99 | one-time |
| December 2020 (id:784500) | $5.99 | one-time |
| July 2020 (id:785462) | $5.99 | one-time |
| January 2025 (pp:1115995) | $5.99 | one-time |
| January 2019 (id:785551) | $5.99 | one-time |
| January 2017 (id:785535) | $5.99 | one-time |
| December 2024 (pp:1039974) | $5.99 | one-time |
| October 2015 (id:795747) | $5.99 | one-time |
| November 2024 (pp:1039979) | $5.99 | one-time |
| July 2016 (id:785529) | $5.99 | one-time |
| October 2024 (pp:1039984) | $5.99 | one-time |
| October 2017 (id:785545) | $5.99 | one-time |
| September 2020 (id:785460) | $5.99 | one-time |
| September 2024 (pp:1039989) | $5.99 | one-time |
| December 2017 (id:785547) | $5.99 | one-time |
| October 2019 (id:785567) | $5.99 | one-time |
| May 2020 (id:785465) | $5.99 | one-time |
| July 2024 (pp:1039999) | $5.99 | one-time |
| August 2020 (id:785461) | $5.99 | one-time |
| Complete Your C... (id:817685) | $229.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- ✨ Inspires new projects
- 👍 Access to past copies
- 🔄 Company resolved glitch quickly
- 📱 Can enlarge charts
- 💻 View subscription online

**What reviewers complain about**

- 😞 App won't open
- 🗑️ Purchased magazines gone after update
- 💥 App crashes frequently
- 💸 Money wasted on subscriptions
- 🚫 Cannot access past issues

**Reported bugs**

- App won't open
- Purchases lost after update
- App crashes
- Restore purchases not working
- Unable to purchase new issues

**Requested features**

- Option for printing pages
- Show two pages side by side on iPad horizontal
- Automatically download latest issue
- Make features mentioned in app tour available


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Exactly free?

Exactly is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is CrossStitcher free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Exactly or CrossStitcher?

CrossStitcher is rated higher. Exactly averages 2.2 out of 5 from 14 ratings, while CrossStitcher averages 4.6 from 258 ratings.

### Do Exactly or CrossStitcher have ads?

Neither Exactly nor CrossStitcher shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Exactly or CrossStitcher?

Exactly ships an update every 5 months, and CrossStitcher fortnightly. Most recently, Exactly was updated on September 24, 2026 and CrossStitcher on September 25, 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.*