Comparison

Purl vs Stitch Reader

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

About

Stitch Reader

Read full description

Stitch Reader turns a supported cross-stitch pattern into a clear interactive chart and keeps your progress on your device. Import a PDF, scan, or clear photo. Review the detected grid and thread legend before confirming anything. Once confirmed, choose a symbol, see remaining stitches, pan and zoom, mark progress, and undo mistakes without a network connection. What it supports: - Full-cross stitches - Clear PDF, JPEG, and PNG patterns - Validated multipage charts - Charts up to 100 x 100 cells Built for careful review: - Uncertain cells and page joins are blocked until checked - Source-page coordinates help you compare the chart with the original - Your confirmed library works offline - Portable backup and restore keep your charts and progress under your control Plan terms: Your first successfully processed pattern is free. Stitch Reader offers one auto-renewing yearly plan for processing additional patterns. The localized price is shown before purchase. Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation. The plan renews unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the current period ends. Manage or cancel in App Store account settings. Saved local patterns remain available after expiry. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://omshejul.com/app/stitch-reader/privacy/ Try the included practice chart and process one pattern free. Additional processing requires the yearly plan shown in the app. Saved patterns, progress, backup, export, and deletion remain available if the plan ends. No account, ads, or tracking. Only process patterns you are allowed to use. Partial stitches, backstitch, beads, knots, blends, cropped grids, and unreadable legends are not supported in this release.

Screenshots

Purl4 screens
Stitch Reader3 screens

Verdict

The call

Purl and Stitch Reader are too close to call on the numbers: across 5 compared parameters — price, ads, in-app purchases and device support among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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

CostPrice Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Ads Ā· Monetization

Both are free to download. Purl sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Stitch Reader sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $9.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Purl versus Stitch Reader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPurlStitch Reader
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews—
Update frequencyEvery 5 days—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size121 MB64 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKADIR KARAKASOm Shejul

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Purl

One-time1
  • Purl Lifetime$9.99
1 purchases

Stitch Reader

Subscriptions1
  • Stitch Reader Pro$9.991 Year

Questions

Is Purl free?
Purl is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Stitch Reader free?
Stitch Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Purl or Stitch Reader have ads?
Neither Purl nor Stitch Reader shows ads.

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