Comparison

StitchBuddy HD vs PatternGenius

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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.

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

StitchBuddy HD4 screens

Verdict

The call

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 42% of PatternGenius's. StitchBuddy HD also leads on ratings volume (297 vs 44). PatternGenius's advantage is iOS requirement (13.6 vs 17.0). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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 297 ratings behind it against 44, 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 42% of PatternGenius's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

StitchBuddy HD ships an update every 3 months, PatternGenius every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 13, 2026 and November 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
StitchBuddy HD versus PatternGenius: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStitchBuddy HDPatternGenius
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.1 (297 ratings)4.2 (44 ratings) — better
Positive reviews63.3% of reviews — better41.7% of reviews
Number of ratings297 — better44
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPad, Mac
Requires iOS17.013.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB38 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMatthias ArndtCreate2Thrive Inc.

Customer experience

StitchBuddy HD

All ratings296 ratings
Positive77.0%
Neutral3.0%
Negative19.9%
Written reviews128 reviews
Positive63.3%
Neutral6.3%
Negative30.5%

PatternGenius

All ratings42 ratings
Positive76.2%
Neutral9.5%
Negative14.3%
Written reviews48 reviews
Positive41.7%
Neutral20.8%
Negative37.5%

User reviews

StitchBuddy HD

From 297 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Great app for beginners
  • 💡 Excellent storage management
  • 👍 User-friendly and intuitive
  • 👍 Syncs between devices
  • 👍 Affordable pricing

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Difficult to use
  • 🐛 Doesn't work as described
  • 🐛 Crashes frequently
  • 🐛 Limited functionality
  • 🐛 Cannot create designs

PatternGenius

From 44 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Great for designing knitting patterns
  • 👍 Intuitive and easy to use
  • 👍 Seamless integration with KnitCompanion
  • 👍 Customizable symbols and instructions
  • 👍 Powerful charting capabilities

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Constant crashing
  • 🐛 Many features behind paywall
  • 🐛 Expensive subscription/in-app purchases
  • 🐛 No free trial for full features
  • 🐛 Confusing interface

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

Reported bugs

21 issues
  • App crashes when opening after iOS update
  • App crashes when using paintbrush
  • App crashes when trying to undo
  • App crashes on near everything after update
  • Chart takes a long time to save
Show 16 more
  • Error message: chart unable to sync
  • Charts do not sync between devices
  • Program no longer allows copying patterns
  • Program crashes frequently, losing work
  • Backing up isn't working
  • Crashes delete work
  • Update ruined the app, crashes on everything
  • App crashes every time undo is hit
  • Tools not always doing what they are supposed to
  • App doesn't recognize paid add-ons after re-installing
  • No restore purchase option
  • Customer service unresponsive
  • Show/hide rulers changes magnification
  • Free version restricted to a handful of stitch symbols
  • Cannot use color function or multiselect tool in free version
  • Grid size limited to 30x30 stitches

Requested features

26 requests
  • Ability to copy patterns/sections between projects
  • Ability to flip patterns horizontally
  • Ability to make multiple charts in one project
  • Ability to duplicate charts/projects and rename
  • Ability to select a range and delete stitches
Show 21 more
  • Ability to specify square or rectangular grid boxes
  • Ability to change chart colours
  • Ability to change the name of a creation
  • Ability to print out designs
  • Ability to change grid to reflect stitch shape (not just square)
  • Ability to change ratios for fields to adapt to stitch shape/size
  • Ability to replicate a design by copying/pasting or renaming
  • Ability to make the grid larger than 30x30 stitches
  • More basic colors in the free version
  • Add module for crochet
  • Add a 'yarn over' symbol
  • Make symbols more universal
  • Get rid of ads or charge a one-time fee for the basic app
  • Add a save button for chart work
  • Improve manual/instructions
  • Allow adding custom stitches from knitting books
  • Add Apple Pencil support for drawing and selection
  • Rulers should not change magnification
  • True stitch/key customization
  • Ability to convert from text to chart and back
  • Ability to change the color of lines to demarcate pattern repeats

In-app purchases

1 purchases

StitchBuddy HD

One-time1
  • StitchBuddy Go$19.99
2 purchases

PatternGenius

Subscriptions2
  • All Genius7 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • All Genius7 Days trial$24.991 Year

Questions

Is StitchBuddy HD free?
StitchBuddy HD is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PatternGenius free?
PatternGenius is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, StitchBuddy HD or PatternGenius?
PatternGenius is rated higher. StitchBuddy HD averages 4.1 out of 5 from 297 ratings, while PatternGenius averages 4.2 from 44 ratings.
Do StitchBuddy HD or PatternGenius have ads?
Neither StitchBuddy HD nor PatternGenius shows ads.
Which is updated more often, StitchBuddy HD or PatternGenius?
StitchBuddy HD ships an update every 3 months, and PatternGenius every 2 months. Most recently, StitchBuddy HD was updated on November 13, 2026 and PatternGenius on November 1, 2026.

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