ApS-Ethos vs Boldbobbin
ApS-Ethos
aps-ethos.comBoldbobbin
boldbobbin.comSide by side
| Figure | ApS-Ethos | Boldbobbin |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | $21/mo |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 6 | 13 |
| Spec score · Embroidery Design Software | 7.8 (#13) | 9.4 (#1) |
| Machine formats | Organiser can import and export embroidery designs using major industrial machine formats and supports networking to embroidery machines. | Exports include DST, PES, PEC, JEF, EXP, VP3, XXX and U01 machine formats plus SVG and PNG previews. |
| Product | CadCam Technology says its product range includes ApS-Ethos embroidery software, Cutting Composer, and Laser Marker Software. | Boldbobbin is an embroidery digitizing workspace for professional shops, Etsy sellers and independent makers. |
| What it does | ApS-Ethos is a suite of embroidery software with levels for design storage, lettering and editing, and digitising artwork into embroidery designs. | Boldbobbin converts artwork, lettering and imported designs into stitch files for embroidery machines. |
Plans
ApS-Ethos
- Artisan PlusPriced on request
- Creative WriterPriced on request
- InnovatorPriced on request
- OrganiserPriced on request
- Virtuoso PlusPriced on request
- WriterPriced on request
Boldbobbin
- PersonalFree
- PersonalFree
- 500-credit pack$10, paid once
- Pro$21 a month
- 1,500-credit pack$25, paid once
- 3,500-credit pack$50, paid once
- Business$83.33 a month
- 8,000-credit pack$100, paid once
- Max$166.67 a month
- Pro subscription$252 a year
In their own words
ApS-Ethos
ApS-Ethos is a Windows embroidery software suite from CadCam Technology, divided into Organiser, Writer, Creative Writer, Innovator, Artisan Plus, and Virtuoso Plus levels. Digitising tools can load or scan image and vector artwork and convert it into embroidery designs automatically. AutoStitch handles image, AI, EPS, and DXF files, and designs can be sent from Corel Draw or Adobe Illustrator for conversion. Smart Text adjusts lettering for its selected size, including openings, underlay, and stitch density. The suite includes more than 150 lettering styles; Innovator adds over 90 emblem shapes and 180 fill, satin, and running-stitch patterns. Organiser stores, transfers, and monitors designs in a network-shareable MS Access-compatible database, imports and exports major industrial machine formats, and connects with embroidery machines. Virtuoso Plus is aimed at high-volume production, design departments, and colleges. Prices are available through main dealers. Registered users can download updates. Laser software development has stopped.
Boldbobbin
Boldbobbin is an embroidery digitizing workspace for creating and editing machine-ready designs. Its auto-digitizing tool turns images into editable embroidery designs, and the software also offers photostitch and a pixel art editor. The editor supports parametric modeling, running stitch, satin columns, tatami fill, and special fills. Users can import their own fonts and adjust how each letter stitches. Exports include machine formats such as PES, PEC, DST, JEF, EXP, VP3, XXX, and U01, as well as SVG and PNG. The site lists compatibility references including Brother, Bernina, Janome, Elna, Pfaff, Husqvarna Viking, BAI, Tajima, Ricoma, and Baby Lock. Designs can be stored in the cloud and shared by URL for browser viewing. The free Personal plan is for non-commercial use, with six fonts and cloud storage for ten designs; image and video exports have a watermark, but machine files do not. Pro permits commercial sales of embroidered goods and exported machine files, but native.vemb project files cannot be resold standalone. Pro is $21 per month, billed yearly at $252.