Comparison

Knit Row Counter vs Spool

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

Head to head
About

Knit Row Counter

This app helps knitters track their progress with a simple row counter. It offers basic counting functions in its free version, with advanced features like multiple projects, pattern attachments, and yarn management available through a Pro subscription.

Highlights
  • Tap to increment row count
  • Swipe down to decrement
  • Lock against accidental touches
  • Undo last action
  • Apple Watch integration
  • Home and Lock Screen widgets
  • Unlimited projects (Pro)
Features
Read full description

The simple row counter for knitters – around since 2009, now completely rebuilt. COUNTING, THE WAY YOU KNOW IT • Tap the counter: +1 • Swipe down: −1 • Long press: reset (now asks first) • Or use the new, clearly visible −/+ buttons • Lock against accidental touches • Undo, in case something still goes wrong • Portrait and landscape, dark mode ALWAYS WITH YOU • Apple Watch: count right on your wrist, Digital Crown included • Complications and widgets for your Home and Lock Screen • Shortcuts and Siri: "Count a row" • iPad and iPhone Duo: counter and pattern side by side PRO – WHEN ONE PROJECT BECOMES MANY The free version stays fully usable – one counter, just like always. Pro (subscription or one-time purchase) adds: • Unlimited projects with names and notes • Multiple counters per project: rows, repeats, decreases • Targets and repeat counters that roll over automatically • Pattern documents attached to projects: PDF, photo or scan – with a movable reading ruler • Yarn stash: weight, yardage, needle size, color, dye lot, fiber and photo No ads. No account. All data stays on your device. Pro is available as a yearly or monthly subscription, or as a one-time lifetime purchase. The yearly plan starts with a free trial week. Subscriptions renew automatically and can be cancelled anytime in your App Store settings. Questions and ideas: support@lbergelt.de Privacy Policy: https://lbergelt.com/apps/knitrow_privacy.php#en Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Spool

This app helps knitters manage their projects with interactive patterns, row counters, and stash organization. It supports custom charts, size recommendations, and time tracking to streamline the creative process from start to finish.

Highlights
  • Interactive step-by-step patterns
  • Built-in row counters
  • Colorwork and cable chart support
  • Knitworthy size recommendations
  • Yarn and materials stash organizer
  • Time tracking for projects
  • Widgets and Live Activities
Read full description

Made to support the creative process from cast on to cast off. Spool was built by a knitter who was tired of scribbling row counts on PDFs, circling sizes in every step, and constantly losing track of progress within patterns. Upload your knitting pattern, create a project, and work through it step-by-step, section-by-section — just hit 'Next Row' and keep knitting. Anywhere there's a repeat, there's a built-in row counter integrated with the full project. Size-specific instructions, stitch counts, and repeat tracking are all handled. See all your WIPs in one place, track your knitting hours, and finally put that yarn stash to work. FEATURES Step-by-step interactive patterns — work through your project row by row, with built-in row counters & repeat tracking and your size pulled through to every step Colorwork & cable charts — your pattern charts directly in the app. Customize colorwork with your actual yarn colors, and track your place with automatic highlighting on your current row Knitworthy: add your measurements (and those of the people you knit for), all that data in one place — plus we'll recommend a size based on the project's recommended ease Standalone row counter — for quick projects and one-off needs Materials: Needles and Yarn Stash — catalog your yarn and materials so you can finally utilize that stash Yarn substitutions: want to use a different yarn than the recommended? We'll give you a starting point for your needle size, based on Ravelry data Time tracking — find out exactly how long your sweater actually took Ruler — measure your ribbing without hunting for a tape measure Widgets and Live Activities: work your project from your home screen or lock screen Glossary — definitions and tutorials linked directly to terms in your pattern SUBSCRIPTION: Free: one pattern upload per month, full interactive project experience, Knitworthy fit profiles, yarn stash tracker, knitting stats Maker: 3 pattern imports per month, Ravelry integration, Widgets & lock screen counter, yarn substitutions, plus everything in Free Founding Member (limited time, $8.99): 10 pattern imports that never expire, 60 days of full Maker access, founding member badge, then free tier — or subscribe to keep Maker at $3.99/month. Spool was created by a serial knitter and a software developer with 8 years of experience. We hope you love it! Download the app today and spool around with us. Terms of Use: https://spoolhq.co/terms

Screenshots

Knit Row Counter4 screens
Spool3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Spool at 4.7 against Knit Row Counter's 3.5. Spool also leads on review sentiment (86% vs 55%) and update cadence (every 2 days vs every 15 months). Knit Row Counter's advantage is ratings volume (139 vs 9). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Knit Row Counter sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and Spool sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Spool holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Knit Row Counter has 139 ratings behind it against 9, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 55% of Knit Row Counter's written reviews are positive against 86% of Spool's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Knit Row Counter ships an update every 15 months, Spool every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Knit Row Counter versus Spool: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKnit Row CounterSpool
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.5 (139 ratings)4.7 (9 ratings) — better
Positive reviews55.4% of reviews85.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings139 — better9
Update frequencyEvery 15 monthsEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.0 — better18.2
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB22 MB
Age rating+44+
DeveloperLars BergeltSpool App LLC

Customer experience

Knit Row Counter

All ratings139 ratings
Positive56.1%
Neutral17.3%
Negative26.6%
Written reviews175 reviews
Positive55.4%
Neutral16.6%
Negative28.0%

Spool

All ratings9 ratings
Positive88.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative11.1%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive85.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative14.3%

Bugs and requests

Knit Row Counter

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Inconsistent row counting
  • Difficulty closing the app
  • Syncing issues between watch and phone

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add reset button
  • Implement portrait mode
  • Allow multiple project tracking
  • Add watch complications

Spool

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Knit Row Counter

Subscriptions2
  • Pro – monthly$0.991 Month
  • Pro – yearly7 Days trial$6.991 Year
One-time1
  • Pro – lifetime$14.99
3 purchases

Spool

Subscriptions2
  • Spool Maker14 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • Spool Maker14 Days trial$35.991 Year
One-time1
  • Founding Member$8.99

Questions

Is Knit Row Counter free?
Knit Row Counter is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Spool free?
Spool is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Knit Row Counter or Spool?
Spool is rated higher. Knit Row Counter averages 3.5 out of 5 from 139 ratings, while Spool averages 4.7 from 9 ratings.
Do Knit Row Counter or Spool have ads?
Neither Knit Row Counter nor Spool shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Knit Row Counter or Spool?
Knit Row Counter ships an update every 15 months, and Spool every 2 days. Most recently, Knit Row Counter was updated on November 1, 2026 and Spool on October 31, 2026.

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