Embird vs TurtleStitch
Embird
embird.netTurtleStitch
turtlestitch.orgSide by side
| Figure | Embird | TurtleStitch |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 14 | 1 |
| Spec score · Embroidery Design Software | 8.8 (#4) | 7.6 (#20) |
| Purpose | Embird is modular software for machine embroidery digitizing, quilting, and customization. | TurtleStitch lets users create, share, and remix embroidery patterns through code. |
| Security statement | The download page says copies downloaded from embird.net are safe to install and explains Windows Microsoft-verified-app warnings. | The privacy policy says the site follows industry standards for server security but cannot absolutely guarantee protection from malicious database access. |
| Support | The maker lists support and training resources, including text tutorials, video tutorials, and a contact page. | The site directs users to its community forum for questions and feedback and to GitHub for technical issues. |
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.
TurtleStitch
TurtleStitch lets people create embroidery patterns by writing programs with visual blocks, then share or remix those designs. It is built on Snap! and runs in a browser, connecting block-based programming with textile craft. Density Warning flags possible stitch-density problems, and X-Ray View helps locate overlaps. Designs can be exported for embroidery machines that use DST or EXP files; Ink/Stitch is identified as a possible way to convert designs for other machine formats.
Online work requires internet access and a modern browser such as Firefox, Chrome, or Safari. For offline work, users can download a release and open index.html in a browser; projects are saved as XML files on the computer and can be reopened, but cloud access is unavailable. Cloud saving requires an account and email, and saved projects are public by default, with an Unshare option. Programming does not require personally identifiable information. TurtleStitch is free, and its described settings include schools, workshops, maker spaces, art projects, and community use.