Brother PE-DESIGN 11 vs Embird
Brother PE-DESIGN 11
brother-usa.com
Embird
embird.netSide by side
| Figure | Brother PE-DESIGN 11 | Embird |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | — |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 14 |
| Spec score · Embroidery Design Software | 8.8 (#3) | 8.8 (#4) |
| Documentation | Brother supplies an extensive online and PDF manual with tutorials, application chapters, troubleshooting, stitch references and update instructions. | The maker publishes FAQ pages, task tutorials, module manuals and a 348-page Studio Next user guide. |
| Founded | 1908 | 1997 |
| Limit: dated interface | A Reddit discussion characterizes the interface as dated and says fine-detail control is limited, although basic settings are simpler. | StitchFast characterizes Embird's interface and workflow as dated compared with newer software. |
| Limit: learning curve | Independent reviewers say professional-quality digitizing requires substantial practice and dedication. | The Threads Magazine guide says Embird has a steep learning curve and can initially leave new owners confused. |
| Purpose | PE-DESIGN 11 is personal embroidery and sewing digitizing software for casual hobbyists and home-based business entrepreneurs. | Embird is modular software for machine embroidery digitizing, quilting, and customization. |
| Support | Brother's product page directs users to its Support Center for drivers, manuals, and troubleshooting and offers access to its Support Team. | The maker lists support and training resources, including text tutorials, video tutorials, and a contact page. |
| System requirements | Brother lists Windows 10/11, at least a 1 GHz processor, 1 GB RAM, 600 MB free disk space, XGA 1024x768 display, mouse and internet access for the trial. | The product page lists Windows compatibility, at least 2 GB RAM and 1920×1024 display resolution; Mac use requires Wine or Parallels. |
| Trial restrictions | The trial cannot save designs, transfer them to machines or media, export other formats, print, or use several modules including Font Creator and Stitch Design Factory. | Demo plug-ins restrict functions such as saving, stitch quantity and available characters depending on the module. |
| What it does | PE-DESIGN 11 is Brother software for designing, editing and digitizing embroidery and sewing patterns for hobbyists and home businesses. | Embird is modular software for machine embroidery digitizing, quilting, customization, editing, conversion and design management. |
Plans
Brother PE-DESIGN 11
- PE-DESIGN 11$1,450, paid once
- PE-DESIGN 11 official purchasePriced on request
Embird
- Pre-digitized Alphabets$15, paid once
- Pre-digitized Alphabets$15, paid once
- Iconizer$20, paid once
- Iconizer$20, paid once
- Cross Stitch$75, paid once
- Cross Stitch$75, paid once
- Sfumato Stitch$90, paid once
- Sfumato Stitch$90, paid once
- Font Engine$145, paid once
- Font Engine$145, paid once
In their own words
Brother PE-DESIGN 11
Brother PE-DESIGN 11 has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.
Embird
Embird is modular software for machine embroidery digitizing, quilting and customization. Its Basic program resizes, splits, edits, displays, prints and converts embroidery designs. The maker lists support for more than 70 embroidery file formats and 20 home and industrial machine brands. Optional plug-ins add digitizing, lettering, cross-stitch design and conversion of TrueType fonts into embroidery. Embird Basic costs $149, paid once, with plug-ins sold separately; listed plug-in prices range from $15, paid once for Pre-digitized Alphabets, billed per alphabet, to $150, paid once for Digitizing Tools. The demo runs for up to 30 days or 100 runs, and some plug-in demos restrict saving or available characters. Embird is a 32-bit and 64-bit Windows application; the download page lists Embird 2026 for Windows 11 and previous versions. For Mac OS X, the maker describes using the Windows software with Wine or Parallels Desktop. Support resources include text and video tutorials, training and a contact page. One license password may be used on two computers owned by the license holder if no one else uses the software on them.