StitchBuddy HD vs PatternGenius
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
StitchBuddy HD
Manage, edit, and preview machine embroidery designs on your mobile device. Modify designs at the stitch level, change thread colors, and sync across devices. Supports various file formats and printing options.
- Rotate, flip, move, resize designs
- Modify designs without changing stitch count
- Copy, paste, and combine designs
- Change thread colors and palettes
- 3D stitch display and zoom options
- File management with previews
- Convert between embroidery formats
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Have your machine embroidery designs always at hand, wherever you are! Enjoy beautiful previews on your iPhone and iPad, manage and modify designs down to stitch level, and stay in sync with your computer. Features: • Rotate, flip, move, resize, or delete selected parts or the entire design. • Resize selected parts or the entire design (without adjusting the stitch count). • Copy and paste to duplicate parts, or to combine different designs. • Center a design in the hoop. • Add basting stitches to fix the underlay. • Change individual thread colors, or replace the entire palette. • Select from several different manufacturer thread charts. • Reorder threads and delete color changes. • Display options incl. zooming, 3D stitch display, or stitch structure. • File management with folders and design previews. • Print detail sheets via AirPrint. • Share design files, detail sheets, or real-size templates (PDF). • Multiple levels of Undo while editing. • Convert designs to other embroidery file formats. • Synchronization between different devices via iCloud. • Supports various storage locations including USB sticks. • Open designs in other applications or share by AirDrop. Supported import formats (read): • Janome JEF, JEF+, JPX, SEW • Brother PES, PEC • Melco EXP • Bernina EXP+ (not supported by Preview / Thumbnail) • Tajima DST • Pfaff VP3, KSM, PCS, PCQ, PCD Supported export formats (write): • Janome JEF • Brother PES v1.0 (130 x 180 mm), PEC • Melco EXP • Bernina EXP+ • Tajima DST • Pfaff PCS You can test StitchBuddy HD with all functions for free (saving designs is limited to 1,000 stitches). Unlock this limitation via In-App purchase if you like StitchBuddy HD and want to support its development ... and please share your experience with others by leaving a rating or review! Additional information, FAQs and video tutorials can be found at StitchBuddy's website. NOTE: StitchBuddy HD does not digitize embroidery designs.
PatternGenius
Design intricate knit patterns with a comprehensive vector symbol set. Easily create charts, add custom images, and notes. Publish your designs as PDFs or to your camera roll. Unlock advanced features like color integration, larger chart sizes, and auto-generated written instructions through in-app purchases or a subscription.
- Vector-based symbol set
- Tap and Paint modes
- Undo/Redo functionality
- Row/stitch numbering
- Export to PDF and Camera Roll
- Color integration
- Auto-generated written instructions
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Create knit patterns using a beautiful vector based symbol set that includes a large number of increases, decreases, texture, cables, variable symbols, and more. Publish to your camera roll or as a PDF. Generated patterns include the chart, key, custom images, notes and written instructions (in-app purchase). Free Basics: * Access all symbols including our unique variable symbols. * Tap and Paint modes, Undo/Redo, and row/stitch numbering. * Share charts and keys to Camera Roll and PDF. * Archive and sync with Dropbox. * Add your own picture and notes. * Unlimited number of projects. * 25x25 charts (larger charts available with in-app purchase). * Remove ads with any in-app purchase. AllGenius Subscription adds: * ColorGenius: Add color to your charts including colorwork, symbol color and fill. * ChartGenius: Change number of rows/stitches (up to 150x150), hide/show rows, Favorites Bar & more. * SelectGenius: Cut/Copy/Mirror/Fill/Replace a selection (region, row, column, entire chart) and mark repeat sections. * KeyGenius: Customize the abbreviation, short, and long descriptions for all symbols. * TextGenius: Auto-generated written instructions for any chart. * Privacy: https://www.patterngenius.com/about/privacy-policy/ * Terms of Use: https://www.patterngenius.com/about/terms-of-service/
Screenshots
Verdict
StitchBuddy HD and PatternGenius both sit at 4.1 stars, but that hides the real split: 63% of StitchBuddy HD's written reviews are positive against 43% of PatternGenius's. StitchBuddy HD also leads on ratings volume (292 vs 45). PatternGenius's advantage is iOS requirement (13.6 vs 16.0). On price, rating, update cadence and ads 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
Both are free to download. StitchBuddy HD sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and PatternGenius sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.1 for StitchBuddy HD against 4.2 for PatternGenius. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: StitchBuddy HD has 292 ratings behind it against 45, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 63% of StitchBuddy HD's written reviews are positive against 43% of PatternGenius's.
StitchBuddy HD ships an update every 3 months, PatternGenius every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 7, 2026 and July 9, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | StitchBuddy HD | PatternGenius |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.1 (292 ratings) | 4.2 (45 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 63.3% of reviews — better | 42.6% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 292 — better | 45 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPad, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 13.6 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 6 MB | 38 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Matthias Arndt | Create2Thrive Inc. |
Customer experience
StitchBuddy HD
PatternGenius
Bugs and requests
StitchBuddy HD
Reported bugs
3 issues- Cannot open certain file formats (e.g., HUS)
- Inconsistent performance across devices
- Unexpected behavior when importing designs
Requested features
4 requests- Add ability to create designs from scratch
- Improve file transfer options (e.g., AirDrop)
- Enhance color editing capabilities
- Provide more comprehensive tutorials and documentation
PatternGenius
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
StitchBuddy HD
- StitchBuddy Go$19.99
PatternGenius
- All Genius7 Days trial$2.991 Month
- All Genius7 Days trial$24.991 Year
Questions
Is StitchBuddy HD free?
Is PatternGenius free?
Which has better reviews, StitchBuddy HD or PatternGenius?
Do StitchBuddy HD or PatternGenius have ads?
Which is updated more often, StitchBuddy HD or PatternGenius?
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