No. 4 of 28 ·Embroidery Design Software

Ink/Stitch

Windows · Mac · Linux · Extension

Freedom report

Three barsScore 6.5

Free tierA free tier is on its own pricing page
Open codeNo open-source code on record
Runs widely3 of 6 device platforms
DocumentedPlans, terms and facts published

Ink/Stitch is ranked #4 of 28 in embroidery design software on Freedom251. It runs on Browser extension, Linux, macOS, Windows. There is a free plan.

Ink/Stitch plans and pricing

All plans

Ink/Stitch Free Free and open-source embroidery design software · runs as an Inkscape extension inkstitch.org · 30 Sept 2026

Compared on embroidery design software

Free plan: Yes
Auto-digitizing: No
Stitch simulation: Yes
Appliqué tools: Yes
Vector import: Yes
Machine file formats: DST, EXP, G-CODE, JEF, PEC, PES, TBF, U01, VP3, XXX, 100, 10o, BRO, DAT, DSB, DSZ, EMD, EXY, FXY, GT, HUS, INB, JPX, KSM, MAX, MIT, NEW, PCD, PCM, PCQ, PCS, PHB, PHC, SEW, SHV, SPX, STC, STX, TAP, ZHS
Supported platforms: both

Best Ink/Stitch alternatives

See all 12

Two bars Boldbobbin Free tier No. 1$1.75/mo6.7 Two bars mySewnet Embroidery Free tier No. 2$8.33/mo6.6 Two bars StitchConsole Free tier No. 3$19/mo6.6 One bar TurtleStitch Paid plans No. 5—5.4 No signal PEmbroider Paid plans No. 6—5.3 No signal Tajima DG Paid plans No. 7—5.3

The record

Purpose: Ink/Stitch is an open-source machine embroidery design platform based on Inkscape and SVG.
Audience: The project aims to be approachable for hobbyists while providing tools for professional digitizers.
License: Ink/Stitch is licensed under GNU GPL version 3.0 or later and the page says it will always be free to use, share, and contribute to.
Lettering: Its lettering tool supports typing text, choosing pre-digitized fonts, and creating custom fonts for use in the tool.
Stitch tools: Available stitch types include running, bean, ripple, satin, fill, cutwork, redwork, and tartan patterns, with manual stitch placement also supported.
Preview and output: It provides an animated stitch-out preview, a stitch plan preview, and customizable PDF output with realistic rendering or line-drawing mode.
Thread management: Users can install thread palettes from over 60 manufacturers, create palettes, and match design colors to selected palettes.
File formats: It imports and exports embroidery files in formats including DST, EXP, JEF, PEC, PES, VP3, and XXX, and can also export a detailed PDF view.
Integrations: Ink/Stitch is an Inkscape extension and requires Inkscape version 1.0.2 or higher.
Platforms: The project provides releases for Linux, Windows, and macOS; its macOS download page supports Monterey (12) and later.
Security: The Windows download page says free code signing is provided by SignPath.io with a certificate from SignPath Foundation and links to a code signing policy.
Support: The project offers help through a forum, chat, GitHub bug reports, video tutorials, and Facebook user groups.
Notable limit: The help page says Brother PEC and PES formats cannot save files with more than 255 color changes.
Community: Ink/Stitch is a community project that invites contributions such as bug reports, tutorials, documentation, translations, and programming.
Price from: Free

Where it ranks on Freedom251

Best Embroidery Design Software in 2026#4 of 28

Is Ink/Stitch yours?

Claim it for free: prove the domain, then correct facts, plans and screenshots. An editor reviews every change.

Claim it free Promote Ink/Stitch

Sources

inkstitch.org· checked 30 Sept 2026
inkstitch.org/features/· checked 30 Sept 2026
inkstitch.org/docs/file-formats/· checked 30 Sept 2026
inkstitch.org/docs/install-windows/· checked 30 Sept 2026
inkstitch.org/docs/install-macos/· checked 30 Sept 2026
inkstitch.org/docs/faq/· checked 30 Sept 2026