ArtPatt vs WinStitch
WinStitch and MacStitch are full desktop designers for Windows and Mac — charts up to 999 × 999, layers, specialty stitches, crochet and knitting output, one-click Pattern Keeper PDFs — for £46. ArtPatt is a browser tool that starts from your photo, places backstitch for you, runs on iPad and phone, and covers 16 crafts with the PDF at $2.99.
Updated
Side by side
- Price
- WinStitch: Premium edition £46 or local equivalent, one-time; Mac + Windows bundle and lifetime upgrades optional
- ArtPatt: Free to make and preview one pattern a week, no sign-up. Printable PDF $2.99 per pattern, or Pro $6.99/month or $39.99/year
- Free version
- WinStitch: Demo with almost all features; cannot print or export your own charts
- ArtPatt: One new pattern a week, full chart preview free
- Runs on
- WinStitch: Windows 10/11 (WinStitch), macOS 10.14+ (MacStitch); not iPad
- ArtPatt: Any browser: Mac, Windows, iPad, Android, iPhone, Chromebook
- Photo to chart
- WinStitch: Image import with colour choice, petit point detail option
- ArtPatt: Photo to chart with DMC matching, confetti control and automatic backstitch
- Largest chart
- WinStitch: 999 × 999 stitches, 254 colours
- ArtPatt: 2,000 × 2,000 stitches
- Stitches
- WinStitch: Full, half, quarter, backstitch, knots, beads, chain stitch, bugle beads
- ArtPatt: Full, three-quarter, half and quarter stitches, backstitch, French knots
- Files
- WinStitch: Print, PDF (one-click Pattern Keeper), PNG; opens PCStitch .pat v4–7
- ArtPatt: PDF, PNG, Pattern Keeper-compatible PDF; PES, DST, JEF and EXP for machine embroidery
- Crafts
- WinStitch: Cross stitch, plus crochet (incl. C2C, Tunisian), knitting, canvas and diamond painting output
- ArtPatt: 16, including tapestry and mosaic crochet, Perler beads, latch hook and punch needle
| Feature | WinStitch | ArtPatt |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Premium edition £46 or local equivalent, one-time; Mac + Windows bundle and lifetime upgrades optional | Free to make and preview one pattern a week, no sign-up. Printable PDF $2.99 per pattern, or Pro $6.99/month or $39.99/year |
| Free version | Demo with almost all features; cannot print or export your own charts | One new pattern a week, full chart preview free |
| Runs on | Windows 10/11 (WinStitch), macOS 10.14+ (MacStitch); not iPad | Any browser: Mac, Windows, iPad, Android, iPhone, Chromebook |
| Photo to chart | Image import with colour choice, petit point detail option | Photo to chart with DMC matching, confetti control and automatic backstitch |
| Largest chart | 999 × 999 stitches, 254 colours | 2,000 × 2,000 stitches |
| Stitches | Full, half, quarter, backstitch, knots, beads, chain stitch, bugle beads | Full, three-quarter, half and quarter stitches, backstitch, French knots |
| Files | Print, PDF (one-click Pattern Keeper), PNG; opens PCStitch .pat v4–7 | PDF, PNG, Pattern Keeper-compatible PDF; PES, DST, JEF and EXP for machine embroidery |
| Crafts | Cross stitch, plus crochet (incl. C2C, Tunisian), knitting, canvas and diamond painting output | 16, including tapestry and mosaic crochet, Perler beads, latch hook and punch needle |
WinStitch details checked on ursasoftware.com on 29 October 2026. See the ArtPatt pricing for what each plan includes.
Which one to pick
WinStitch suits you when you design and sell original charts on a Mac or Windows computer and want layers, motifs, colourways, specialty stitches, a skein stock list and chart import from PCStitch .pat files.
ArtPatt suits you when you work on an iPad or phone, mainly turn photos into charts, want backstitch placed automatically, or make diamond painting, crochet or knitting patterns from photos — preview free, PDF $2.99.
ArtPatt vs WinStitch FAQ
Which is cheaper, WinStitch or ArtPatt?
For occasional patterns, ArtPatt: the preview is free and the PDF $2.99. WinStitch Premium is £46 once (price varies with exchange rate and local tax), which suits frequent designers.
What is the difference between WinStitch and MacStitch?
They are the same program from Ursa Software: WinStitch for Windows 10/11 and MacStitch for macOS 10.14 and later, including Apple silicon. A Mac and Windows bundle is sold at a discount.
Which handles bigger charts?
WinStitch and MacStitch allow charts up to 999 × 999 stitches with up to 254 colours. ArtPatt charts go up to 2,000 × 2,000 stitches.