Comparison

Threads Magazine vs AcuSpark

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

Head to head
About

Threads Magazine

Access comprehensive garment-sewing instruction on your iPad. This app offers digital delivery with enhanced features like searchable content, videos, and slideshows. It caters to all skill levels, from beginners to advanced sewers, covering all aspects of garment creation.

Highlights
  • Linkable and searchable content
  • Techniques videos
  • Slide shows
  • New trends
  • In-depth garment sewing instruction
  • Pattern adaptation and fitting advice
Read full description

Enjoy Threads – the best garment-sewing information anywhere – on your iPad. Convenient digital delivery includes unique bonus features and enhancements: linkable and searchable content, techniques videos, slide shows, new trends, and more. A FREE sample issue is included with the app. No other sewing brand delivers the caliber of garment-sewing instruction provided by Threads: in-depth information, tailored to suit beginners to advanced sewers. From learning sewing fundamentals to mastering advanced skills, Threads covers every aspect of garment sewing: inspiring ideas, patterns, fabrics, insider secrets and designer techniques for adapting patterns, fitting, tailoring, and embellishments. SUBSCRIPTION PLANS ARE AVAILABLE. Download the Threads Magazine app, then subscribe or buy issues individually. If you are currently a print subscriber or a paid Threads Insider, you can get access to digital editions FREE -- absolutely no extra cost. Simply sign in with your customer number or member email in the Settings tab. Auto-renewable Subscription plans: 1 year (6 issues) - $32.99(automatically renewed until canceled) 2 Months (1 issue) - $5.99 (automatically renewed until canceled) Single copies - $6.99 (not automatically renewed) Many of our other celebrated newsstand-only publications are available for individual purchase, including SewStylish and CraftStylish. - All purchases (inc. subscriptions) will be charged to your iTunes account at the confirmation of purchase. - Subscriptions will automatically renew within 24 hours of the end of the current subscription. - If you would like to cancel your subscription please do so before this 24 hour period by accessing your iTunes account settings. - Please be aware that subscriptions cannot be cancelled/refunded once purchased. - Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription. Terms of use: - All content in the Threads Magazine app is copyright Active Interest Media. All rights reserved. - Terms of use and privacy policy apply when accessing content via the Active Interest Media app. - Privacy Policy - https://www.aimmedia.com/privacy-policy/ - Terms of Use - https://www.aimmedia.com/terms-of-service/ // Credits Threads Magazine is published by Active Interest Media. iPhone/iPad application developed by Paperlit

About

AcuSpark

This app guides users on sewing machine operation and offers helpful tips. It can scan QR codes on compatible machines to provide instant answers and inspiration, or function independently as a sewing concierge.

Highlights
  • QR code scanning for machine-specific instructions
  • Step-by-step illustrative videos
  • Basic sewing machine knowledge
  • Presser foot descriptions
  • Stitch chart
  • Multilingual support
Read full description

AcuSpark is an app that explains how to use the sewing machine and provides useful tips. Read the QR code displayed on the sewing machine screen with AcuSpark and all your questions will be answered. AcuSpark can also be used without a sewing machine. The app acts as a concierge, offering support and inspiring new ideas. AcuSpark is compatible with the following sewing machine models: * Continental M7 Professional Reading QR codes (linking with sewing machine) * When the QR codes displayed on the sewing machine screen are read with AcuSpark, instructions and know-how related to the status of the sewing machine appear in the app. Features * Offers basic knowledge on how to use the sewing machine. * Step-by-step illustrative videos for learning special sewing methods are available. * Anyone of any generation can learn about sewing machine operation. Other functions * Easy-to-understand instructions using videos with illustrations * Presser foot descriptions (including optional items) * Includes a stitch chart containing the sewing machine's built-in stitches Supported languages are as follows: * English * French * Spanish * Changing language settings Language settings can be adjusted through device settings (Settings -> General -> Language & Region).

Screenshots

Threads Magazine4 screens
AcuSpark4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Threads Magazine at 4.6 against AcuSpark's 3.0. Threads Magazine also leads on review sentiment (41% vs 0%) and ratings volume (318 vs 11). AcuSpark's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 13) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 7 months). On price, ads 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

Both are free to download. Threads Magazine sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per 2 months. AcuSpark asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Threads Magazine holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Threads Magazine has 318 ratings behind it against 11, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 41% of Threads Magazine's written reviews are positive against 0% of AcuSpark's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Threads Magazine ships an update every 7 months, AcuSpark every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Threads Magazine versus AcuSpark: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterThreads MagazineAcuSpark
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (318 ratings) — better3.0 (11 ratings)
Positive reviews41.2% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings318 — better11
Update frequencyEvery 7 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.010.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size96 MB146 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperTaunton InteractiveJANOME Corporation

Customer experience

Threads Magazine

All ratings318 ratings
Positive90.9%
Neutral1.6%
Negative7.5%
Written reviews102 reviews
Positive41.2%
Neutral10.8%
Negative48.0%

AcuSpark

All ratings11 ratings
Positive45.5%
Neutral9.1%
Negative45.5%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

Bugs and requests

Threads Magazine

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App crashes on launch
  • Unable to download/access purchased issues
  • Login issues and lost subscription access

Requested features

4 requests
  • Update app to support latest iOS versions
  • Improve stability and reliability
  • Provide better access to past/archived issues
  • Clarify subscription options and entitlements

AcuSpark

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

13 purchases

Threads Magazine

Subscriptions3
  • Threads Subscription$5.992 Months
  • Threads Subscription$29.991 Year
  • 1 Year Subscription$29.991 Year
One-time10
  • Gifts to Make$2.99
  • December / January 2013$6.99
  • February / March 2013$6.99
Show 7 more
  • Fitting$6.99
  • Threads Classic Garment Sewing Skills$6.99
  • SewStylish Spring Fashion 2017$6.99
  • Threads October/November 2014$6.99
  • Make it Couture$8.99
  • SewStylish Fall Fashion 2014$8.99
  • Threads Handbags$8.99
None

AcuSpark

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Threads Magazine free?
Threads Magazine is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is AcuSpark free?
AcuSpark is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Threads Magazine or AcuSpark?
Threads Magazine is rated higher. Threads Magazine averages 4.6 out of 5 from 318 ratings, while AcuSpark averages 3.0 from 11 ratings.
Do Threads Magazine or AcuSpark have ads?
Neither Threads Magazine nor AcuSpark shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Threads Magazine or AcuSpark?
Threads Magazine ships an update every 7 months, and AcuSpark every 2 months. Most recently, Threads Magazine was updated on October 18, 2026 and AcuSpark on October 1, 2026.

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