Embird vs Ink/Stitch
Embird
embird.netInk/Stitch
inkstitch.orgSide by side
| Figure | Embird | Ink/Stitch |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 14 | 2 |
| Spec score · Embroidery Design Software | 8.8 (#4) | 8.7 (#5) |
| Current release | The download page lists Embird 2026 build 14.02 dated June 9, 2026, in 32-bit and 64-bit Windows versions. | The installation pages identify Ink/Stitch 3.3.0, released July 31, 2026. |
| Extensibility | The documented extension mechanism is separate plug-in modules for alphabets, Cross Stitch, Digitizing Tools, Sfumato Stitch, Iconizer and Font Engine. | A documented Ink/Stitch XML namespace exposes embroidery attributes for fills, strokes, satin columns, underlay, stitch length and visual commands. |
| Lettering | Font Engine creates embroidery lettering from installed TrueType and OpenType fonts. | The lettering tool supports keyboard text entry, pre-digitized fonts, custom fonts and font filtering by category, size and glyph coverage. |
| Limit: learning curve | The Threads Magazine guide says Embird has a steep learning curve and can initially leave new owners confused. | Independent reviewers report that the embroidery-specific workflow can be unintuitive and that advanced features are harder to learn. |
| Purpose | Embird is modular software for machine embroidery digitizing, quilting, and customization. | Ink/Stitch is an open-source machine embroidery design platform based on Inkscape and SVG. |
| Support | The maker lists support and training resources, including text tutorials, video tutorials, and a contact page. | Support is provided through an Inkscape forum, chat channel, GitHub bug reports, videos and Facebook groups. |
| What it does | Embird is modular software for machine embroidery digitizing, quilting, customization, editing, conversion and design management. | Ink/Stitch is an Inkscape extension for designing machine-embroidery files from SVG artwork. |
Plans
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
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.
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.