Stitchmate vs Xstitchify
Xstitchify and Stitchmate are the closest tools in this space: both run in the browser, convert photos, and keep the chart editable. Xstitchify is cross stitch only, with 4 thread brands and a 600-stitch limit, on a subscription. Stitchmate covers five crafts, 70+ thread brands and 2000 × 2000 stitches, with every stitch type free and a one-time price for the Pattern Keeper-compatible PDF.
The short version
Short on time? Here's where each one wins.
Choose Xstitchify if you…
- Want 5 free PDF downloads to start, and don't mind Xstitchify branding on them
- Want to generate a pattern from a text prompt with AI
- Stitch only with DMC, Anchor, Madeira or Cosmo, and stay under 600 stitches on the longest side
- Make many charts every month and are happy to pay a subscription for unlimited PDFs
Choose Stitchmate if you…
- Also stitch needlepoint, diamond painting, C2C crochet or fuse beads, in the same editor
- Use hand-dyed or specialty threads, or need a brand beyond the big four
- Want a progress tracker and pattern file import without a subscription
- Want confetti cleanup and a FLOW score so the chart is pleasant to stitch as well as accurate on screen
- Prefer to pay once, $5.99 per pattern or a Pass that does not renew, instead of a monthly plan
Feature by feature
Platform & access
Both run in any modern browser with nothing to install, and in the browser both need a connection to open a pattern. The practical differences are how large a pattern can get and which crafts the editor understands.
| Feature | Stitchmate | Xstitchify |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Any browser (Windows, Mac, Linux, Chrome OS, iPad) | Any browser (iPad, iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux, Chromebook) |
| Account needed to convert | — No | — No (3 conversions a day without an account) |
| Crafts | Cross stitch, needlepoint, diamond painting, C2C crochet, fuse beads | Cross stitch |
| Max pattern size | 2000 × 2000 stitches | 600 stitches on the longest side |
| Open existing pattern files | ✓ (.PAT, .OXS, .XSD, .aseprite) | Standard and Pro only (.OXS, .XSD, PCStitch 7/8 .PAT) |
| Progress tracker | ✓ (free on every pattern, no account needed) | Standard and Pro only (synced across devices) |
| Share links | ✓ | ✓ (anyone with the link can view it and save a copy) |
Photo conversion
Both match colors perceptually rather than by nearest RGB, and both reduce confetti, the scattered single stitches that make photo conversions tedious. Xstitchify adds an AI generator that turns a text prompt into an image and then a chart.
| Feature | Stitchmate | Xstitchify |
|---|---|---|
| Photo input formats | PNG, JPEG, WebP, SVG, GIF (animated too), BMP, HEIC/HEIF | JPG, PNG, GIF, WebP, BMP, SVG, HEIC, AVIF, TIFF (up to 25 MB) |
| Where the photo is processed | On your device; the photo is not uploaded | In the browser, per Xstitchify; the smart background cutout runs on its server |
| Colors per pattern | Up to 256 in conversion | Up to 150 |
| Background removal | ✓ | ✓ (simple removal or smart cutout) |
| Confetti cleanup | ✓ (automatic, adjustable strength, global or brush-targeted) | ✓ (automatic reduction, a cleanup brush and Clean All; the Stitch Report's exact counts and one-click fixes are on paid plans) |
| FLOW score | ✓ (0–100 stitchability score) | — (the Stitch Report flags isolated stitches, speckle and low-use colors instead) |
| Pixel art mode | ✓ (1:1 pixel-to-stitch) | Illustration / drawing / logo mode |
| AI text-to-pattern | — | ✓ (Google Gemini; 30 a month on Standard, 100 on Pro, or credit packs) |
| QR code patterns | ✓ (free tool) | ✓ |
Thread support
This is the widest gap between the two. Xstitchify matches the four big floss brands. Stitchmate matches 70+, including the hand-dyed lines that many modern patterns call for.
| Feature | Stitchmate | Xstitchify |
|---|---|---|
| Thread brands | 70+ (DMC, Anchor, Cosmo, Madeira, Sullivans, and more) | 4 (DMC, Anchor, Madeira, Cosmo) |
| Hand-dyed threads | ✓ (Weeks Dye Works, Classic Colorworks, The Gentle Art, and more) | — Not among its four brands |
| Fuse beads and diamond painting drills | ✓ (Perler, Hama, Artkal and more; diamond painting drills) | — |
| Perceptual color matching | ✓ (CIEDE2000) | ✓ (Delta E in CIELAB) |
| Thread conversion | ✓ (1-click remap across all 70+ brands) | ✓ (across its 4 brands, plus a "Best Match" mode) |
| Blended threads | ✓ (multi-strand blends, auto-created during image import, in the legend too) | Not documented |
Editing tools
Both are real editors, which is what separates them from one-shot converters. Both brushes respond to stylus pressure. Stitchmate adds a lasso selection and a gradient tool.
| Feature | Stitchmate | Xstitchify |
|---|---|---|
| Drawing tools | ✓ (brush, fill, line, shape, gradient) | ✓ (brush, eraser, fill, shapes) |
| Pressure-sensitive brush | ✓ (any stylus your browser reports pressure for) | ✓ (Apple Pencil, S Pen, Surface Pen, Wacom) |
| Selection tools | Rect, lasso, magic wand, transform | Rectangle, magic wand, select by color, move |
| Layers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Symmetry modes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reusable motifs / stamps | ✓ (motif library) | ✓ (stamps) |
| Text tool | ✓ (cross stitch fonts + any system font, editable on the grid) | ✓ (70+ fonts, 50 of them premium; upload your own font on paid plans) |
| Realistic thread view | ✓ | ✓ (textured view) |
| Undo / redo | ✓ | ✓ |
Stitch types
Both support the full set of common stitches, and neither charges for them: Xstitchify includes every stitch type on all its plans, and in Stitchmate every stitch type is free in the editor and you pay only for the printable PDF. Stitchmate also has a specialty stitch library.
| Feature | Stitchmate | Xstitchify |
|---|---|---|
| Full cross stitch | ✓ | ✓ |
| Half stitch | ✓ (free) | ✓ (all plans) |
| Quarter and three-quarter stitch | ✓ (free) | ✓ (all plans) |
| Petite stitch | ✓ (free) | Not documented |
| Backstitching | ✓ (any angle, free) | ✓ (all plans) |
| French knots | ✓ (free) | ✓ (all plans) |
Export options
Both export a printable PDF that works with Pattern Keeper, plus PNG, SVG and OXS. What differs is which plan each format needs.
| Feature | Stitchmate | Xstitchify |
|---|---|---|
| PDF chart | ✓ (paid options) | ✓ (5 free on signup with Xstitchify branding; unlimited on Standard and Pro) |
| Pattern Keeper compatible | ✓ (all paid options) | ✓ (Xstitchify says all PDFs work) |
| PNG / image export | ✓ (free) | ✓ (free previews without symbols; symbol charts on paid plans) |
| SVG export | ✓ (paid options) | Pro only |
| Editable pattern file (.OXS) | ✓ | Standard and Pro |
| Color + B&W + Pattern Keeper bundle | ✓ (one ZIP download) | Not documented |
| Custom branding on PDF | ✓ (logo, QR code, socials; brandless on Plus Pass) | Pro (custom branding); Standard can remove Xstitchify branding |
| Commercial license | ✓ (Plus Pass) | ✓ (every plan, including Free, for your own designs) |
Pricing
Xstitchify sells subscriptions and prepaid Standard passes, plus credit packs for PDF downloads and AI generations. Stitchmate sells access to one thing, the printable PDF, and every option is a one-time payment that does not renew. Xstitchify prices are from its pricing page on 2026-11-01.
| Option | Stitchmate | Xstitchify |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier | ✓ (full editor, every stitch type, PNG export, progress tracker) | ✓ (unlimited conversion and saving, 5 branded PDF downloads on signup) |
| 1 pattern | $5.99 (PDF unlock forever, with edits) | — No single-pattern option |
| Packs | $12 for 5, $20 for 10 ($2 per pattern, never expire) | $9 for 30, $19 for 75, $39 for 200 PDF downloads, each with as many AI generations (never expire; no subscriber features) |
| Monthly | $14.99 Personal / $24.99 Plus for 30 days (one-time, does not renew) | Standard $9.99/mo, Pro $24.99/mo (auto-renews), or a prepaid Standard pass of 1, 3, 6 or 12 months (does not renew) |
| Yearly | — | Standard $69.99/yr, Pro $179.99/yr |
| Lifetime | $99 Personal / $149 Plus | — |
| Commercial license | Plus Pass (any duration) | Every plan, including Free, for your own designs |
How they compare in practice
Xstitchify is a real pattern editor, with layers, symmetry, stamps, backstitch and a textured preview, so the useful question is what each one is built around.
Xstitchify is built around making charts quickly in one craft. The free plan is generous where it counts for a first try: convert and save as much as you like, and download 5 PDFs when you sign up. The AI generator turns a text prompt into a chart. The limits are the scope: cross stitch only, four thread brands, 600 stitches on the longest side, and up to 150 colors.
Stitchmate is built around making the chart pleasant to stitch. The photo converter runs on your device with a live preview, then confetti cleanup removes the scattered single stitches, across the whole chart or with a brush, and the FLOW score rates how the pattern will feel in the hoop before you buy a skein. The same editor handles needlepoint, diamond painting, C2C crochet and fuse beads, and patterns can grow to 2000 × 2000 stitches.
Where the paywall sits is the difference you notice first. Xstitchify's free plan includes every stitch type and commercial use of your own designs, but unlimited PDFs, premium fonts, file import and the stitch tracker need Standard or Pro, and its credit packs buy PDF downloads and AI generations but not those features. Stitchmate charges for exactly one thing, the printable PDF; fractional stitches, file import and the progress tracker are free on every pattern.
The thread question decides it for many stitchers. If your stash is DMC, Anchor, Madeira or Cosmo, Xstitchify covers you. If a pattern calls for Weeks Dye Works, Classic Colorworks or The Gentle Art, or you want to remap a whole chart to a brand your shop stocks, Stitchmate's 70+ catalogs do it in one click; the thread conversion chart shows how the matches work.
On price, the answer depends on volume and on which features you need. For a first pattern, Xstitchify's 5 free PDFs cost nothing if its branding on the page is fine. Its credit packs are the cheapest way to buy PDF downloads in bulk, at $9 for 30, but they don't unlock the stitch tracker or file import. For a busy month, Stitchmate's Personal Pass ($14.99 for 30 days, unlimited PDFs) and Xstitchify Standard ($9.99 a month, unlimited PDFs) are close, and Xstitchify also sells a one-month Standard pass that ends instead of renewing. For one or two patterns a year, Stitchmate's $5.99 unlock is less than a month of Standard, and there is nothing to cancel.
For pattern sellers
Xstitchify allows commercial use of your own designs on every plan, including Free. Stitchmate includes a commercial license with its Plus Pass ($24.99 for 30 days or $149 lifetime), which adds your logo and QR code on the PDF, a fully brandless option, custom instructions pages and skein estimates, without a recurring charge. See what Stitchmate has for sellers.
Looking for an Xstitchify alternative?
If you want the same browser-based editing with more thread brands, more crafts, larger patterns and no subscription, Stitchmate covers it. If you already have Xstitchify patterns on a paid plan, export them as OXS and open them in Stitchmate.
The best way to compare? Try both.
Both are free to start in the browser. Convert the same photo in each, compare the confetti, and see which chart you'd rather stitch.
Works on any device: phone, tablet, or computer. No desktop software required.
Frequently asked questions
What is Xstitchify?
Xstitchify (xstitchify.com) is a browser-based cross stitch pattern maker run by a solo founder. It converts photos into charts, has a full editor with layers and a pressure-sensitive brush, and adds an AI text-to-pattern generator, a text tool and a QR code tool. It launched publicly in early 2026.
Does Stitchmate support Apple Pencil pressure?
Yes. Pressure varies the brush size between a minimum you set and the brush size itself, so a light touch lays a thin line and pressing harder widens it. It works with any stylus your browser reports pressure for, including Apple Pencil on iPad and the S Pen on Android tablets, and it switches off in the brush's Size panel if you would rather the brush stayed one width. A mouse or trackpad always paints the full size.
What's the main difference between Stitchmate and Xstitchify?
Breadth and pricing model. Xstitchify is cross stitch only, matches 4 thread brands, and caps patterns at 600 stitches on the longest side; its paid features come with a monthly or yearly subscription or a prepaid Standard pass. Stitchmate covers cross stitch, needlepoint, diamond painting, C2C crochet and fuse beads, matches 70+ thread brands, goes up to 2000 × 2000 stitches, and charges once per pattern or per non-renewing pass.
Is Xstitchify free?
Partly. Xstitchify's free plan gives unlimited conversion and saving, every stitch type and commercial use of your own designs, plus 5 PDF downloads when you sign up; those free PDFs carry Xstitchify branding. Without an account you get 3 conversions a day. Unlimited PDFs, premium fonts, file import and the stitch tracker need Standard ($9.99/month), a prepaid Standard pass or Pro ($24.99/month).
Is Xstitchify a subscription?
Its paid plans are: Standard is $9.99 a month or $69.99 a year, and Pro is $24.99 a month or $179.99 a year. It also sells prepaid Standard passes of 1, 3, 6 or 12 months that do not renew, and one-off credit packs ($9 for 30 PDF downloads and 30 AI generations, $19 for 75 of each, $39 for 200 of each) that never expire, but packs do not unlock subscriber features. Stitchmate has no subscriptions: $5.99 per pattern, 5 for $12 or 10 for $20, or a Personal ($14.99) or Plus ($24.99) Pass for 30 days that does not renew.
Which thread brands does Xstitchify support?
Four: DMC, Anchor, Madeira and Cosmo, with conversion between them. Stitchmate ships 70+ thread brands, including hand-dyed lines such as Weeks Dye Works, Classic Colorworks and The Gentle Art, 6+ wool brands including Appleton and 5+ silk brands for needlepoint, plus fuse-bead and diamond painting palettes.
Does Xstitchify have half stitches and French knots?
Yes, on every Xstitchify plan, including Free, along with backstitch and three-quarter stitches. In Stitchmate every stitch type, including half, quarter, three-quarter and petite stitches, backstitch and French knots, is available for free in the editor; you pay only for the printable PDF.
Do Xstitchify PDFs work with Pattern Keeper?
Xstitchify says all of its PDF pattern downloads work with Pattern Keeper and other tracking apps. Stitchmate's PDFs are Pattern Keeper compatible in every paid option, and Stitchmate also has its own free progress tracker.
Can I move an Xstitchify pattern into Stitchmate?
Yes, if you are on an Xstitchify Standard or Pro plan: export the pattern as OXS and open that file in Stitchmate, which reads OXS, Pattern Maker XSD and PCStitch PAT files.
Published by Stitchmate, one of the tools compared. Last updated Nov 1, 2026; competitor details are checked against each vendor's own site.
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