11 Best FREE Embroidery Software for Digitizing & Editing
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Free embroidery software is a good place to start when first learning to digitize or edit embroidery designs. For basic design customization, thumbnail viewing, or file conversion, free software might be all you need.
After a year of using free programs myself, though, I ultimately decided to purchase software after doing every trial available.
This is because premium software is much easier to use and produces better results for auto-digitizing and beginner manual design creation.
I don’t regret the time spent dabbling in free embroidery software, though, because I learned exactly what I did and did not want when purchasing!
If you’re new to embroidery, below are my picks for the best free embroidery software.
I’ll start with a quick description of the types of software available and then review the main features of each.
Types of Free Embroidery Software
It’s important to know the different types of software available to differentiate between the free options.
Some embroidery programs will only do one of these functions below, whereas more advanced software will do most or all of these functions.
1. Free File Converters
If you download an embroidery file in a format incompatible with your embroidery machine, you must convert it using a file converter. For example, I have to use a file converter to convert the .jef files that I use on our library’s Janome machine to .pes files for my home Brother embroidery machine.
Embroidery file conversion means only taking an embroidery design file of one machine’s format and converting it to another embroidery file format.
This does NOT mean uploading a .jpg, .svg, or .png image file and converting it to an embroidery design file.
2. Free Thumbnail Software
If you download machine embroidery designs on your computer, they display a generic icon rather than a design picture. I
f you want your computer to display pictures of designs, you need to download embroidery thumbnail software.
3. Free Editing Software
Embroidery editing, or customizing, software allows users to alter and enhance pre-digitized designs loaded into the program.
I use editing software the most to resize designs the right way, split large designs into smaller pieces, and add knockdown stitches and embroidery basting boxes to designs.
Editing software also allows for thread color changes, basic editing of stitch properties, merging two or more designs, and many more things!
4. Free Embroidery Digitizing Software
There are two broad types of embroidery digitizing: auto-digitizing and manual digitizing.
The first is done with the click of a button and a few parameter specifications, whereas the second takes time and expertise. Manual digitizing produces the best embroidery designs and is how professional, commercial digitizers produce images.
Regardless of the method, digitizing is the process of creating a new embroidery design either by using an image file (.svg, .png, .jpg, .bmp, for example) as a starting point or creating from scratch by hand.
Software for digitizing is the most advanced type of machine embroidery software. As such there are only a few free embroidery software for digitizing manually. There are no free auto-digitizing embroidery software options at the moment.
5. Free Font Software
While many editing and digitizing software have font capabilities, there is also software geared directly toward working with letters and fonts to form words, names, monograms, and more.
Depending on the program, you can use embroidery fonts that you’ve downloaded in .bx or design file formats, or you can convert .ttf or .otf font files from your computer to embroidery designs. .ttf file conversion is kind of like auto-digitizing, which means you get so-so results.
Best Free Embroidery Software
I’ll start with the programs that offer the most functionality but are more difficult to learn and move on to easier-to-use software that fulfills a smaller niche, such as thumbnails, basic editors, and embroidery file format converters.
After that, I’ve summarized programs with free trials, which is what I recommend if you seriously want to learn embroidery digitizing. (Or, if you want to digitize a few images and never digitize again.)
You also do not have to use the software brand that matches your machine’s brand. For instance, when I looked for free embroidery software for my Brother machine, I did not have to stick with just Brother embroidery software.
Lastly, if you don’t have a PC or Mac computer, there are many free embroidery editing and digitizing apps you can check out also.
1. Inkscape and Ink/Stitch
The most complex and best free embroidery digitizing software is the Ink/Stitch extension of Inkscape.
Inkscape itself is an open-source vector graphics program that rivals Adobe Illustrator, a premier program for graphic designers.
I own a Cricut Maker and enjoy creating SVG files to use when cutting. SVG files are “scalable vector graphics” files, which contain more information than a regular JPG file.
The awesome thing about Inkscape is there’s the Ink/Stitch extension to help you digitize SVG files and create embroidery designs from scratch.
Ink/Stitch doesn’t have many built-in fonts, and there is a limit to what you can do with the software. However, it is the best free digitizing software by far and is quite possibly the only free software to split embroidery designs as well as digitize that’s updated regularly.
It also is one of the best free embroidery software for mac, since mac software options are significantly more limited than free embroidery software for Windows 10.
Now, the bad part about Ink/Stitch is that if you have no idea what an object, path, or node is, you’ll have a tough time learning to use this program.
I still create SVG files in Inkscape, but I no longer use Ink/Stitch. It turned out things that are easily done with a click of a button in paid embroidery software required an hour of research into how to do them on Ink/Stitch. Ultimately, time is money!
Ink/Stitch Pros
- By far the most extensive free digitizing software
- Ability to create SVG files and embroidery files in the same program
Ink/Stitch Cons
- VERY big learning curve for novices with no vector graphic experience. There are some good YouTube videos to help and an active Facebook group, though!
- No dedicated support staff. You will have to use a forum for troubleshooting or rely on the Facebook group.
- Simple tasks in other software are much less intuitive since the interface is geared toward vector graphics design creation rather than embroidery design creation.
2. SophieSew Embroidery Digitizing Software
SophieSew used to be one of the best free embroidery digitizing software, but development was stopped in 2013 when the creator reported health problems.
It is a manual digitizing software that allows you to create your own embroidery designs and edit existing designs.
If you’re willing to overlook its buggy behavior and limitations compared to more updated embroidery software, give SophieSew a try! A few times, when I tried to design in SophieSew, I ended up with fatal errors (see above.)
There are several YouTube videos you’ll find to give you a tutorial of use, but if you’re not graphics-savvy, this won’t be easy to learn.
It is sad that development stopped and tutorials are sparse. This program had so much potential as a user-friendly alternative to Ink/Stitch. That being said, this is the only other always-free digitizing software. So, it’s worth a try if you don’t like Ink/Stitch.
3. dime Embroidery Toolshed
Dime Embroidery Toolshed is a recent find that I’ve been excited to use!
It performs basic editing abilities like design resizing, template printing, file format conversion, and thread color changes. You can also cut and paste, mirror designs, and preview design stitch sequences.
What’s fun is if you end up liking the free customization software, you can purchase compatible add-ons like Perfect Embroidery Pro, their professional embroidery digitizing software, and various modules like My Quilt Planner, My Emoji Stitches, etc.
This software is made for PC, but it also runs on MAC using their downloadable dime MAC translator.
4. 2Stitch Organizer
2Stitch Organizer is an embroidery program that allows you to view designs and their properties on your Windows or macOS computer.
You add your embroidery design folders into the program and then easily organize them. I tag mine by digitizer and theme.
There is a GREAT search function if you spend the time tagging and giving your designs extra information in the Notes section.
My favorite part, though, of this free embroidery design software is you can also search by maximum hoop size. This filters out large designs and is helpful for those of us with small embroidery machines!
If you also click “Reveal in Explorer” when you right-click on a design, this will take you to the location on your computer where the file is saved. This helps me find designs that I want to delete or move to different folders on my computer.
5. Embrilliance Express
Embrilliance embroidery software is arguably the most popular embroidery software. It comes in different modules and allows you to purchase as you go.
The most basic paid module is Embrilliance Essentials for basic editing and customization, while their most complex module is Stitch Artist 3, a top-tier digitizing program.
One good thing about Embrilliance is they have free demo software to try before you buy. However, the downfall is you can’t save any of your work until you purchase the program.
If you want to save work and are interested in using fonts, Embrilliance Express is a free software download that helps you work with .bx fonts.
With .bx fonts and Embrilliance Express, you use your keyboard to type the letters rather than importing them one by one using embroidery software that lets you merge designs. This is a great option if you use lettering regularly. (Here are some places with free .bx embroidery fonts!)
6. My Editor
My Editor is another free embroidery editing software. It has very basic abilities but is a good place to start, especially if you really only want to merge or resize designs.
You can convert files from one format to another, change colors, and also rotate the design. It even will print a template of your design. This helps with lining up and centering the design on your embroidery blank.
The one weird thing about My Editor was it converted several files on my computer to .ngs format. It turns out I had selected one of the wrong stipulations about how it would handle .ngs formats when I downloaded it. So, be on the lookout!
7. Bernina Artlink 8
Bernina Artlink 8 is another basic editing software with similar capabilities to the other free embroidery programs on this list. It’s just the teaser for Bernina’s full embroidery software package.
Artlink allows for basic design resizing, rotation, and even mirroring. You can combine embroidery designs, change thread colors, convert designs from one file format to another, and simulate a stitch out of the design.
If you have a Bernina embroidery machine, this is a good place to start if you want very basic editing software.
8. Premier+ 2 Embroidery Software
Premier+ 2 Embroidery is part of an impressive suite of embroidery software.
While you can’t access very much of the software for free, you can use basic features.
It is fairly easy to use, but your options are indeed minimal. In my opinion, this one is not worth the download unless you are considering purchasing the entire software later. In which case, try it out!
9. StitchBuddy
If you’re looking for free embroidery software for an iPad, check out StitchBuddy’s free machine embroidery editing software, which works on Apple computers, iPhones, and iPads.
This program allows viewing, editing, and embroidery file conversion. Merging designs, changing thread colors, performing minor edits on existing designs, and even printing designs and templates are also among its functions. It is NOT a digitizing software, though.
Using StitchBuddy HD is free until you want to save designs over 1,000 stitches, in which case you do have to make an in-app purchase.
10. Embroidery Explorer
Embroidery explorer is essentially a free embroidery thumbnail software. As I mentioned earlier, this means your computer displays an image of the embroidery design either as a drawing or a stitch simulation rather than its default icon.
You can also view information about your embroidery files, such as stitch count, design size, thread colors, and a slow stitch out of the design with this program.
11. Embroidermodder 2
Embroidermodder 1 emerged onto the scene in the mid-2010s but then was not updated after 2014. (So, don’t download that version.)
However, in December 2021, two of the developers picked Embroidermodder back up and released a timetable for the release of Embroidermodder 2 in late summer 2022. It’s not currently available when I’m updating this list, but I’m leaving the link here in case it comes out before I check back.
The Embroidermodder Team actually has a great embroidery app called Embroidery Viewer in the Google Play Store, which allows you to view embroidery files on your phone. (I do recommend that app!)
Embroidery Digitizing Software Free Trial Options
If you’ve found free digitizing software too difficult to learn or think it doesn’t do what you want, below are embroidery software options that offer free trials with the ability to save. (I also have another post detailing what I feel are the best embroidery software choices to investigate if looking to purchase.)
While these software aren’t technically free, you can use them for no cost during their trial period.
To note, Embird and Embrilliance have free trials also, but you cannot save files. Brother has free embroidery software for Brother embroidery machines (and others, for that matter) available as a trial, too. You don’t have any saving abilities until you purchase. Here’s the free embroidery software download for Brother PE-Design 11 if you want to try it out.
1. SewWhat-Pro and SewArt
SewWhat-Pro is an embroidery editing and customization software that is very affordable.
It offers a 30-day free trial with saves up to 3 colors. I’ve written a quick Sew What Pro review + tutorial if you want to get a sneak peek of its offerings. I also have a tutorial on how to make monograms from .ttf fonts using Sew What Pro. This is what I started with before upgrading later.
SewArt is the companion embroidery digitizing software to SewWhat-Pro. It is an auto-digitizing software, so you are limited in what you can digitize and how effective it will be.
For simple, clip-art images and simple logos, results are fairly good! It’s not a program that lets you create your own designs from scratch, though. Meaning, you will have to input an image into the program to start the digitizing process. I think this is a great option for beginners without aspirations of ever selling designs.
2. Hatch 3 Embroidery Software
Don’t forget to check out the Hatch free 30-day trial. Hatch has 4 different modules that build upon one another and can be purchased separately.
I have Hatch Digitizer, which lets me do pretty much everything I want. (It’s not cheap digitizing software, though!)
In my opinion, it’s the best embroidery digitizing software for non-commercial digitizers. There is also Hatch Organizer, Hatch Personalizer, and Hatch Embroidery Composer. Composer allows for auto-digitizing, so if you do not want to do much manual creation, this is all you need.
3. mySewnet
SVP’s mySewnet works wirelessly with compatible machines (select Husqvarna Viking and Pfaff, for example) and has a free option, but with very limited functions.
However, their higher-tier embroidery digitizing programs includes a 30-day free trial. And, sporadic digitizers can save money by taking advantage of its monthly subscription option.
You can also use mySewnet’s Quick Font lettering software (only free with Sewnet-enabled machines), which converts computer fonts into embroidery designs.
4. EmbroideryWare
EmbroideryWare is a full-featured embroidery digitizing program that offers a 30-day free trial. I found it up there with Ink/Stitch with the difficulty of use, although it has many more features.
EmbroideryWare also does not offer auto-digitizing, so only look into it if you’re serious about manually creating your own images. It does have a helpful Facebook group and a slew of YouTube videos, though.
Final Notes
I hope you’ve now been able to find a free embroidery software option to fit your needs!
Just remember, learning to digitize embroidery designs takes substantial time. So, don’t give up if it seems confusing at first!
Also, for beginners to machine embroidery, here are other helpful posts: choosing the best computer for embroidery software, where to find free embroidery designs, and how to use an embroidery machine.
Thank you so very much for this information very much needed I have absolutely no idea of what I’m doing I am 62 years old and will be retiring next month that is my plan I purchase the ricoma EM 1010 embroidery machine in January 2021 as well as lots of threads bobbins needles etc and barely started training but got stuck can’t seem to get it out of one mode but anyway I’m waiting for support to reach out to me but I appreciate your input and given this information because I know absolutely nothing about this and this is what I want to do during retirement thank you so very much you are truly appreciated thank you and have a wonderful wonderful day
Thanks! Hope you have a wonderful day as well!
Thank you…this has been a great help. I need to practice so I need all the help I can get to become familiar and competent with the various software available.
This information was incredible and I appreciate the time and energy it took for you to review these different programs. I will never be a commercial embroiderer, but do have big plans to do lots of monogramming.
Monograms and Greek letters for the sororities! Yay, so it looks like there probably are too options that will work the best for me and thanks to your information you probably have saved me hours of needless running around. Thanks so much again, Sandy
Thanks, I’m glad it was helpful 🙂 Best wishes on your monogramming!
Hello Aly,
I have a 9700 MC Janome that I bought years ago when pregnant with my son. I don’t want to get rid of it but can’t find a version of customiser software anywhere. I love this article but wondered if any of the software you mentioned I could use on this fabulous old machine.
Thank you, Katie (really appreciate any advice)
All the software that I mentioned in the post are software for a computer, tablet, or phone. So, with them, you would be able to create and edit designs using a device, and then you could save them in a Janome-compatible file format.
As for then getting the designs to your embroidery machine, that’s something I’d chat with Janome or your dealer about. Newer machines use USB or WiFi design transfer, which is simple, thanks to current technology. However, if your machine only has a card reader or a transfer method older than that, none of the software I mention will install on your machine and thus can’t help with the transfer.
Great information. I am 100% new to embroidery and not quite familiar with all the terms, but cannot understand if Stitch Buddy for Mac is capable of splitting designs so I can use the larger repositional 4 x 6 on my Brother SE625 4×4 embroidery machine. Am I misunderstanding due to terminology? Thanks for your help!
I’m not as familiar with that program since I’m a PC/Android user, but I don’t *think* it has a function to easily split designs for you at this point.
That being said, it’s free to download the software and play with it, so you can test it out to confirm.
(Also, maybe someone else with more familiar with Mac OS and this program may chime in on this question to help you more)
Thank you so much for your post. I recently purchased a Brother PE 525 and having serious problems converting my files from jpg to either day or pes format.
Thank you again
Do you have compatible software for RCM-0601PT? Please?
I think most of these software should export in a file format compatible with Ricoma machines.
Thank you so much for your valuable information. I am s newbie to Embroidery with a Baby lock Flourish ll and can’t wait to get started but just in the process of taking the classes that are available with the machine. Very overwhelming.
Best wishes with your embroidery journey! There is a steep learning curve at the beginning, but once you get over it, it’s usually smooth sailing from there 🙂
Hi, can you tell me which auto digitizing software is best for outline images(photo sketch).
thank you so much for the info.
I would like to know what
I can use Embird with. I have a Singer Futura CE200 but I’m having a few issues. Had the machine for 16 years. Since I already bought Embird for $350. What other machine can i use it on please. Or I need a CD to download Futura as I lost mine.
Embird works for almost any embroidery machine as it goes on your computer. Simply save designs in the file format your machine requires. Then transfer the design to your machine (however this is done: cd, USB, cord, etc)
Thank you for showing the 2stitch organizer. I have so many embroidery patterns but I organized by creator, now I forget who I bought from and it is hard to find what I want to make.
What software did you end up purchasing? I just purchased a 10 needle Brother machine, I have to say that I have some buyers remorse. I work a full-time job and am overwhelmed by the steep learning curve you talked about. My goal is to embroider and sell tea towels when I retire…keeping positive that I can learn to embroider on this machine!
I first purchased SewWhat-Pro and SewArt, which were great, but I wanted more digitizing capabilities. I ended up later purchasing Hatch Digitizer, and I love it! It was much more intuitive to me than most of the other programs available, so the learning curve was slightly less steep…but it still took a significant effort on my part to become proficient at digitizing!
Hi Aly,
Great article full of much need information. I purchased SewWhat Pro and SewArt. They work great for my needs. I have a favor. I noticed when talking about 2Stitch Organizer you have a picture of 4 swirl Christmas trees (10500 pes); can you please tell me where to purchase this design. I inherited a partially completed project with this design on it. Would love to complete the projects. Thank you for all your help and inspiration.
julie
Hi! I purchased the Christmas trees from Creative Fabrica. Hope that helps!
Hi Aly,
Thank you so much for all this helpful information.
Could you please tell me which free editing program could help me split a design? And how your experience was in putting it together, while embroidering it on a piece of fabric?
Since my max hoop is 4×4 and I would love making bigger designs sometimes.
I use my editor for taking pieces of a design out, but I have only had succes in the designs which weren’t continues. So far it works with flowers and such. But not yet with a redwork design.
Thanks you for your answer and all the good work and it is very inspiring to see these tutorials and information on your website,
Greetings Harmanna
Hi Harmanna, have you tried using InkStitch to split a design? There are several YouTube videos out there showing the process, and once you’ve done it a few times, it’s pretty easy to do for most designs. (Applique, in-the-hoop, etc., not so much!)
Once you learn how to split the design, one easy way to embroider a split design is to use a repositionable or multipositional hoop. There is a 6.75″x4″ hoop for Brother 4×4 machines that makes it where you don’t have to rehoop fabric but rather just move the position of the hoop on the embroidery arm. This was always my go-to option when embroidering a design this size on my 4×4 machine! (So much more accurate and easier than rehooping the fabric.)
Thank you for all your time explaining about these programs. I’m a newbie to machine embroidery, but it all seems so fascinating, it makes me want to do it all. I recently purchased a ITH designs without paying attention to its size. My largest hoop size is 6×10. I have a NQ3600D. Is it possible to split the design, it is a crossbody bag that calls for a 9×12 hoop. I have searched online for an answer but so far no results. I did email the company but they said it wouldn’t be possible to resize to a smaller hoop. Thank you for your knowledge, I really enjoy your column.
In-the-hoop projects are notoriously difficult (and most often impossible) to split, unfortunately. You can always try contacting the company also to see if they have any specific suggestions for the design you purchased. Sorry you’re having this issue!
Try stitchmagical.com if you have a Brother or BabyLock embroidery machine. It’s an autodigitizer website that will easily convert your jpeg and png images into .pes files. While it remains in Open Beta it is free to use and I think you’ll enjoy making your own embroidery patterns with this website. Hope you like it as much as I do. Happy making!
Thank you Ally for providing this information. I have an Elna 830L and just started reading the manual of the brother P-E DESIGN 11. There is so much to learn. Have a wonderful day!
I think one is missing. Floriani Creative Express. It has a bit of a learning curve, but it has some nice features, for free.
Thanks for mentioning that software!
Bernina Artscape is just a trial.
Hi there, I’ve never heard of Bernina Artscape before, but Artlink is a free Bernina software. You can trial their more fully-fledged digitizing software if you want, but Artlink should remain free even after any other trial periods are exhausted.
I am new to Embroidery have Elna 820 which came with lots of images … I bought a load and Digitizer Jnr Janome Software … and stock USB stick with lots of designs … I want to put some designs on USB Stick in my Elna to Embroider but what File format does machine need ? is it Jan or EMB OR ??? My brains getting scrambled HELP ? 🙂 interesting reading above
Most Elna machines I’ve encountered use JEF files, but check your user manual to be sure.
JAN and EMB are native file formats for your software. You will need to export any JAN or EMB designs in the correct machine file format for your Elna (which is likely JEF, but again, check the manual.)
I see that my message left. I am wondering, you talk about trying different free software, do you have to put it in multiple times. the software are different companies. do you have to enter (the design)
multiple times.
Each software that you want to try, you have to entire the design into each one. You will have to download each software and try each one out independently.