Purl vs Hello CrossStitch
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side ā with what reviewers say about each.
Purl
Mark your PDF cross-stitch patterns directly on your device. Track your progress with stitch counts, a calendar, and photos. Plan your projects with fabric and skein calculators, and manage your thread stash.
- PDF pattern import and marking
- Thread key reading (DMC, Anchor)
- Stitch progress tracking
- Project planning tools
- Fabric and skein calculators
- Thread stash management
- Row/round counter for knitting/crochet
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Mark your cross-stitch chart right on your iPhone and never lose your place again. Purl opens your PDF pattern, reads its thread key and lets you mark stitches as you go: tap one stitch, swipe across a row or box-select a whole area. Your marks are saved to your account, so they are still there on your iPad or after you reinstall. MADE FOR PDF CHARTS ⢠Import a PDF from Files or a link, or scan a paper pattern ⢠Purl reads the thread key for you: DMC, Anchor and more ⢠Find a symbol: every stitch of one colour lights up ⢠Full stitches, backstitch, French knots and fractionals ⢠Apple Pencil support, and the screen stays awake while you stitch SEE HOW FAR YOU HAVE COME ⢠Stitches left for every thread, sorted the way you like ⢠A stitch calendar, an optional timer and an estimated finish date ⢠Projects in progress, paused, finished or planned, with start and finish dates ⢠Progress photos with the date and percentage PLAN BEFORE YOU START ⢠Fabric calculator: design size and cut size for any count ⢠Skein estimate for every thread ⢠Your DMC and Anchor stash with a barcode scanner, and a shopping list for what is missing KNITTING AND CROCHET TOO ⢠Row counter for knitting, round counter for crochet ⢠Pieces and parts, imported from your PDF pattern YOUR WORK IS BACKED UP Sign in with Apple or Google and your projects, marks and PDFs are backed up to your Purl account. ONE PRICE Try everything free for 14 days. Then one purchase unlocks Purl for good. No subscription. Works in English, Turkish, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Swedish, Polish, Russian and Japanese. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://qubillc.com/purl/privacy
Hello CrossStitch
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Hello CrossStitch keeps your cross-stitch projects moving ā one stitch at a time. Follow your chart right on your iPhone/iPad, mark cells as you stitch, and watch your finished piece slowly appear. STITCH FROM YOUR OWN PDF CHARTS ⢠Import PDF charts purchased from Heaven And Earth Designs (HAED), Artecy Cross Stitch, Golden Kite or Zanna Cross Stitch, and see the exact symbols from the printed chart ⢠Multi-page charts join into one seamless pattern ⢠More chart publishers are being added ā write to us with the ones you use TURN PHOTOS INTO PATTERNS ⢠Create a cross-stitch pattern from any photo in seconds ⢠Every color is a real DMC floss you can buy ⢠Choose the size (up to 900 stitches wide) and number of colors ⢠Blend two flosses in one needle to reach the shades in between ā more colors without buying more thread. Dithering and vivid color get you closer still WATCH YOUR PROGRESS BLOOM ⢠Your picture emerges on the progress screen as you stitch ⢠Progress %, stitches today, weekly stats and personal records ⢠An estimated finish date that updates as you go ⢠Timelapse: replay your project stitch by stitch and watch the picture appear MADE FOR SERIOUS STITCHING ⢠Symbol highlight: light up every cell of the color you're working on ⢠Jump to the next unstitched square of that color ā work one thread from start to finish without hunting for what's left ⢠Parking: mark the cells where you parked your thread, so you always know where to pick up ⢠Zoom from a single cell all the way out to the whole design AND MORE ⢠Back up your progress and restore it on a new device ā backup files hold your progress only, never the chart itself ⢠Diagonal and zigzag guide grids help you keep your place ⢠Thread list shows remaining stitches for every DMC color ⢠Thread usage: how many stitches each DMC color needs and how many skeins to buy, from your fabric count and strands ⢠Started your project before getting the app? Mark the finished areas in one sweep FREE TRIAL, THEN FREE OR PREMIUM Every feature is free for your first 30 days ā no purchase needed. After the trial, the essentials for following your chart and recording your stitches stay free (with ads), while the Premium subscription (monthly or yearly) unlocks all features and removes ads. Available in English, Japanese, Spanish and French. Terms of Use: https://hellocrossstitch.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://hellocrossstitch.com/privacy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: Purl at none against Hello CrossStitch's shown. On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price Ā· Rating Ā· Positive reviews Ā· Number of ratings Ā· Update frequency Ā· Ads Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Monetization Ā· Best chart rank Ā· Devices Ā· Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Purl sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Hello CrossStitch sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Purl ships an update every 5 days, Hello CrossStitch every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Purl | Hello CrossStitch |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | ā |
| Update frequency | Every 5 days ā better | Every 6 days |
| Ads | No ā better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | ā |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 ā better | 17.0 |
| Further details ā not scored | ||
| Size | 121 MB | 12 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | KADIR KARAKAS | Michael Pettersson Solutions AB |
In-app purchases
Purl
- Purl Lifetime$9.99
Hello CrossStitch
- Premium Monthly$1.991 Month
- Premium Yearly$19.991 Year
Questions
Is Purl free?
Is Hello CrossStitch free?
Do Purl or Hello CrossStitch have ads?
Which is updated more often, Purl or Hello CrossStitch?
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