Side by side
Ink/Stitch vs PEmbroider
Both stand on embroidery design software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan Open source ExtensionLinuxMac+3
Ink/Stitch brings embroidery lettering, stitch tools, previews, and file export to an Inkscape-based workflow. Check the Inkscape requirement and PEC/PES color-change limit before starting a design.
Visit Ink/Stitch Free plan Open source APIMacWindows
Choose PEmbroider if you want a free Processing library for generating embroidery designs and exporting machine files or other 2D outputs. Look elsewhere if you need to open or preview embroidery files created outside the library.
Visit PEmbroiderThe facts
| Ink/Stitch | PEmbroider | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Runs on | Extension, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows | API, Mac, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 2 | 2 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | inkstitch.org | github.com |
| On embroidery design software | #1 of 31 | #2 of 31 |
Ink/Stitch: what it does well
- Free and open source under GNU GPL v3.0 or later.
- Offers lettering with pre-digitized or custom fonts.
- Includes animated stitch-out and stitch plan previews.
- Supports palettes from more than 60 manufacturers.
- Imports and exports many embroidery formats.
What to know first
- Requires Inkscape version 1.0.2 or higher.
- Brother PEC and PES files cannot save over 255 color changes.
- Does not provide auto-digitizing.
PEmbroider: what it does well
- Draws lines, shapes and typography with Processing-compatible functions.
- Imports SVG, black-and-white PNG and GIF images.
- Generates seven listed consumer embroidery machine formats.
- Exports PDF, SVG, TSV and GCODE.
- Optimizes paths to target lower time and material use.
What to know first
- Cannot load or preview pre-existing embroidery files.
- Requires Processing 4.0a6 or later, or a separate Processing 3 library.
- Listed platforms are macOS and Windows.
Alternatives to Ink/Stitch Alternatives to PEmbroider The whole list