Boldbobbin vs Ink/Stitch
Boldbobbin
boldbobbin.comInk/Stitch
inkstitch.orgSide by side
| Figure | Boldbobbin | Ink/Stitch |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $21/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 13 | 2 |
| Spec score · Embroidery Design Software | 9.4 (#1) | 8.7 (#5) |
| Integrations | The documented machine compatibility list includes Brother, Bernina, Janome, Elna, Pfaff, Husqvarna Viking, Baby Lock, Tajima, Ricoma and BAI. | Ink/Stitch is an Inkscape extension and requires Inkscape version 1.0.2 or higher. |
| Lettering | Boldbobbin includes six digitized fonts, supports importing personal typefaces and provides a lettering editor. | The lettering tool supports keyboard text entry, pre-digitized fonts, custom fonts and font filtering by category, size and glyph coverage. |
| Licence | The terms identify Boldbobbin software code, interface design and technology as Boldbobbin GmbH property; no open-source licence is stated. | The project is free and open source under GNU GPL version 3.0 or later. |
| Notable news | Boldbobbin's site says ETH Zurich formally recognized it as a spin-off in September 2026. | The official homepage lists Ink/Stitch 3.3.0 as released July 31, 2026 and a user meeting held May 23, 2026 in Hamburg. |
| Platforms | Boldbobbin runs natively on Windows and Mac, in a browser, and on an iPad with a stylus. | The project provides releases for Linux, Windows, and macOS; its macOS download page supports Monterey (12) and later. |
| Security | The download page says the Windows app is code-signed by Boldbobbin GmbH and notes that SmartScreen may still show a prompt on a new release. | 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. |
| Stitch types | Core stitch types include running stitch, satin columns and tatami fills, with additional decorative fills on paid plans. | Available stitch options include running, bean, ripple, satin, E-stitch, S-stitch, zig-zag satin, fill, contour, guided, gradient, meander and tartan stitches. |
| Support | Personal users receive Discord community support, while Pro adds email support and Business/Max add priority support. | Support is provided through an Inkscape forum, chat channel, GitHub bug reports, videos and Facebook groups. |
| What it does | Boldbobbin converts artwork, lettering and imported designs into stitch files for embroidery machines. | Ink/Stitch is an Inkscape extension for designing machine-embroidery files from SVG artwork. |
Plans
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
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.
Ink/Stitch
Ink/Stitch is a machine embroidery design platform built around Inkscape and SVG, available as an extension for Linux, macOS, and Windows. It requires Inkscape 1.0.2 or higher and is free to use under GNU GPL version 3.0 or later. Designs can use running, bean, ripple, satin, fill, cutwork, redwork, and tartan stitches, with manual stitch placement also available. Lettering tools support typing with pre-digitized fonts or creating custom fonts. Users can preview an animated stitch-out or a stitch plan, then make a PDF with realistic rendering or line-drawing mode. Thread tools allow installation of palettes from more than 60 manufacturers, creation of custom palettes, and matching design colors to a selected palette. Ink/Stitch imports and exports embroidery formats including DST, EXP, JEF, PEC, PES, VP3, and XXX, and can export a detailed PDF view. It offers appliqué tools, vector import, and stitch simulation, but not auto-digitizing. Brother PEC and PES files cannot save more than 255 color changes.