Comparison

Stitchwork vs Hello CrossStitch

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

Head to head
About

Stitchwork

This app helps cross-stitchers track their progress on PDF patterns. It allows users to import patterns, mark stitches, and sync progress across devices. The app offers features for various stitch types and provides tools to help find your place on the chart.

Highlights
  • Import PDF and photo patterns
  • Tappable stitch marking
  • Real-time completion tracking
  • Per-stitch iCloud sync
  • Support for fractional stitches
  • Finished size calculation
  • Progress journaling
Features
Read full description

The cross-stitch tracker for the PDF patterns you already own. Your first 3 patterns are free — then buy once. No subscription, ever. Stitchwork turns your pattern into a tappable, zoomable chart you mark off stitch by stitch, right through to the last one. And it never loses a stitch. Import a pattern PDF (or a photo of a chart) and Stitchwork lays a grid over it so every cell becomes tappable. Tap or drag to mark stitches done and watch your completion climb in real time. Your progress syncs across your iPhone and iPad through your own private iCloud — stitch on the couch with your iPad, check a color at the store on your phone, and pick up right where you left off. NEVER LOSE A STITCH • Per-stitch iCloud sync built to merge, not overwrite — edits from two devices combine, even offline • Handoff between iPhone and iPad — carry on at the exact spot in the chart you were looking at • Your patterns and progress live in your own private iCloud; we never see them • Export any pattern as a backup file you can re-import — your work is never locked in • No account to create, nothing to log into MADE FOR REAL CHARTS • Imports modern vector pattern PDFs — the grid snaps to your chart automatically • Scanned and printed charts too — photograph or scan a page and line the grid up • Opens .oxs pattern files as well as PDFs — WinStitch, MacStitch, FlossCross and Stitch Fiddle exports • Any pattern works: if auto-detect isn't perfect, just drag the grid to fit • Smooth on huge charts — 100,000+ stitches, fluid zoom and pan • Multi-page PDFs stitched into one continuous chart • See your finished size before you start — Stitchwork reads the fabric count from your chart and works out the inches and centimeters, on whatever fabric you're actually using EVERY KIND OF STITCH • Full stitches, plus half, quarter, and three-quarter fractional stitches • Back-stitch outlines you can tap to track • Block-fill and a quick-park mode for fast marking • Parking-method support for confident colorwork • Mark an area for frogging, then clear it in one step when you've unpicked it FIND YOUR PLACE • Row and column numbers down the edges, with a live position readout • A counting assistant — tap a landmark, tap where you're going, read off the count • Center marker and crosshair for lining up on fabric • Rotate the chart to match how you're holding your work TRACK EVERYTHING • Live completion percentage — always know exactly how far you've come • A finished-picture preview — your whole chart rendered in its thread colors, before you've stitched it • Per-symbol counts — see exactly how many of each symbol are left • Tap a symbol to highlight every cell that uses it • A Progress tab that rolls up every project with pace and time estimates • A home-screen widget with your current pattern's progress • A stitch journal with your daily history, and a Year in Stitches you can share • A library that stays tidy — in progress, finished and wishlist, with sorting and bulk actions YOUR FLOSS, ORGANIZED • Automatic floss list — every DMC color in your pattern • A full floss stash: what you own, what you still need, and a cross-project shopping list • Skein estimates and DMC-to-Anchor / Madeira conversions • A searchable catalog of 450+ DMC shades FAIR PRICING • A one-time purchase — no subscription, ever • Your first 3 patterns are free — then unlock unlimited with a single one-time purchase • Your patterns are always yours — nothing is ever deleted, upgrade or not Built by a stitcher who wanted a great cross-stitch tracker on iPhone and iPad — and decided to make one. Actively maintained, and shaped by what cross-stitchers actually ask for. Happy stitching!

About

Hello CrossStitch

Features
Read full description

Hello CrossStitch keeps your cross-stitch projects moving — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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

Stitchwork4 screens
Hello CrossStitch4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Stitchwork at none against Hello CrossStitch's shown. Stitchwork also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 6 days). On price, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement 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. Stitchwork 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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Stitchwork ships an update every 2 days, Hello CrossStitch every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Stitchwork versus Hello CrossStitch: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStitchworkHello CrossStitch
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (11 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings11 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterEvery 6 days
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size22 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCHRISTOPHER JAMES HINCKLEYMichael Pettersson Solutions AB

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Stitchwork

One-time1
  • Unlimited Patterns$12.99
2 purchases

Hello CrossStitch

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Monthly$1.991 Month
  • Premium Yearly$19.991 Year

Questions

Is Stitchwork free?
Stitchwork is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Hello CrossStitch free?
Hello CrossStitch is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Stitchwork or Hello CrossStitch have ads?
Hello CrossStitch shows ads; Stitchwork does not.
Which is updated more often, Stitchwork or Hello CrossStitch?
Stitchwork ships an update every 2 days, and Hello CrossStitch every 6 days. Most recently, Stitchwork was updated on November 11, 2026 and Hello CrossStitch on October 31, 2026.

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