7 free embroidery software programs
Choosing embroidery software can be confusing. There are so many choices out there. However, you do not need embroidery software in order to use your embroidery machine. Embroidery software is for your computer, so that you can view, change, or create embroidery designs. Embroidery software can be categorized as viewing, cataloging, editing, or digitizing. Some editing software may have a limited editing capacity, doing just one or two things (like re-sizing or using fonts). Digitizing software may or may not edit if it is modular (you would purchase modules with the features that you want, as the digitizing software is divided into levels). Just to make things even more confusing, some software does multiple tasks.
Viewing software is installed on your computers to translate your embroidery designs into thumbnail images that you can see on your computer. Without software, your computer doesn’t know how to handle embroidery designs, as it doesn’t ‘speak’ embroidery. Viewing software allows you to see unzipped embroidery designs as thumbnail images, making it easier to choose which embroidery design you want to embroider. Some viewing software only allows you to see the embroidery design thumbnail image when you are in that software program, while others operate in the background, allowing you to see embroidery thumbnail images without opening up an embroidery software program.
Cataloging software allows you to file embroidery designs by category. Some cataloging software uses tags while other software has pre-installed categories to save designs. Cataloging functionality may or may not be included in editing software and digitizing software.
Editing software is used to change a purchased embroidery design. It can change the size, add text, merge two designs, or add knockdown stitches underneath the design, and much more. Not all editing software is equal. Some software will only allow you to edit fonts, while other software is modular, where you purchase modules that have the features you want.
Digitizing software is used to create new embroidery designs from scratch. Using your own artwork or legally licensed artwork, the digitizer traces over the artwork and adds stitch direction, stitch type, and other stitch information to create an embroidery design. Digitizing is part computer savvy and part artistic choices. Digitizing can be done manually, where the digitizer makes all of the choices, or by using an auto digitizing program, where the software makes the choices. Simple designs can be auto digitized, but more complex artwork should be manually digitized for the best results.
Whether you only need to do one thing or you need additional software to use on other computers (as your expensive embroidery software has a limited number of installs), here is a list of useful and free embroidery software programs.
(Note– most of these programs are for Windows computers.)
List of Free Embroidery Software:
Free Sierra Software’s Embroidery Explorer Plug-In : This plug-in is for Windows computers. It works in the background, allowing the computer to ‘see’ un-zipped embroidery files as thumbnails images. Install the software, input the dealer code, choose the file types you want to see, and finish the installation. After installing, reboot your computer. When you next view unzipped files, choose “View” at the top of the screen, and then choose “Large” or “Extra Large” as the size. Download the Embroidery Explorer Plug-In here.
My Editor by WingsXP : My Editor is free editing software. It can change the size of a design, rotate the design, or merge designs. Register with WingsXP to receive the download link.
Premier+ 2 : Premier+ 2 Free is a basic editing and viewing software program for embroidery designs. Premier+ 2 allows you to view, rotate and flip embroidery designs on your computer. You can also merge and combine two embroidery designs together, change thread colors, and print paper templates. The software will let you save and export your changes into many different embroidery machine formats. There is both a Windows and a Mac version available. Register for an account to download Premier+ Free from Husqvarna.
InkStitch : InkStitch is a free digitizing program that allows users to create their own embroidery designs. It is an add-on to Inkscape, a graphics program for drawing. First download and install Inkscape before installing InkStitch. Before installing, watch the YouTube video on how to install InkStitch. Then also watch the InkStitch tutorials on YouTube at the same link.
Embrilliance Express : Embrilliance is a modular software program that has modules (smaller software programs that can be purchased one at a time) that range from editing to digitizing. Only one of the modules is free – Express. Embrilliance Express allows you to use BX format fonts to type purchased fonts, instead of treating each letter like an individual design. When you download Express, you also will see the rest of the software, although the other modules will be locked out. Embrilliance is one of the few software options that has a Mac version as well as a Windows version. When downloading the software, also download the manual at the Embrilliance Express web page.
2Sitch Organizer : 2Stitch is an embroidery design organizer software. It allows you to view embroidery designs and assign tags to embroidery files. The tags allow easier sorting of embroidery files. 2Stitch is available in a Mac version and Windows version. Download 2Stitch here.
Bernina Artlink : Bernina Artlink is a must-have software for any Bernina embroidery machine owner. Not every digitizer sells embroidery designs in ART formats. Bernina Artlink lets users convert other embroidery formats into an ART format. Artlink software also allows you to view unzipped embroidery designs, as well as view a simulated stitch out of the embroidery design. Download Artlink at the Bernina website.
Bonus Free Embroidery Software for Apple iPad Users:
AirStitch: Airstitch is an app for your Apple iPad that allows you to download embroidery designs and save them to Drop Box. It also lets you unzip, view, convert, and email your embroidery designs. You can find out more about AirStitch here.
Bonus Free Embroidery Software for Janome Users:
Janome Acu-Edit App : Janome Acu-Edit is an app for Apple iPads and other Apple iOS devices. Once downloaded, it allows you to edit Janome embroidery designs and send them via wifi to a Janome wifi enabled embroidery machine. You can find more information at the Janome Acu-Edit website, but the download file is found at the Apple app store.
Bonus Free Embroidery Software for Brother Embroidery Machine Users:
My Design Snap Mobile App : My Design Snap Mobile App is for Apple iOS devices, such as iPhones and iPads. This app allows embroidery designs to be sent wirelessly through your wifi network to your embroidery machine. You can read more about My Stitch Monitor App here. The app is available for download to iOS devices from the Apple app store.
My Stitch Monitor App : My Stich Monitor App is for Apple iOS devices, such as iPhones and iPads. It notifies the user’s mobile device when to change thread or when an embroidery design finishes stitching. You can read more about My Stitch Monitor App here. The app is available for download on iOS devices from the Apple app store.
Brother SupportCenter App : The Brother SupportCenter App can be installed on Apple iOS devices, such as iPhones and iPads. This app includes information on Brother sewing and embroidery machines, troubleshooting information, product videos and set-up guides, and product manuals. You can find more information about the Brother SupportCenter App here. It is available for download on iOS devices from the Apple app store.
Design Database Transfer : Design Database Transfer computer software allows embroidery designs to wirelessly transfer designs from your computer to a wifi enabled embroidery machine, such as the Brother PR680W, PR1055X, Luminaire 2 XPS, and Stellaire machines. The software is installed onto a computer, and Design Database Transfer can be downloaded here.
Bonus Free Embroidery Software for Baby Lock Embroidery Machine Users:
Baby Lock Design Data Base Transfer : Baby Lock wifi enabled embroidery machines can transfer embroidery designs from a computer to the embroidery machine using the Design Database Transfer software. Supported embroidery file formats include .pes, .phc, .phx. and .dst. Designs Database Transfer also shows thumbnail images of embroidery files, has design search capabilities, shows file size and stitch count, as well as additional embroidery design information. Wifi enabled machines include the Baby Lock Altair, Flare, Meridian, Solaris 2, Vesta, Array, and Venture (as of 2022). You can find the download link for Design Database Transfer here.
Key Features of Design Data Base Transfer software include:
- Easy transfer of embroidery designs via Wireless LAN to your machine. Transfer formats include .pes, .phc, .phx, and .dst.
- Organize your embroidery design library by creating new folders, moving and copying files to different folders, changing file names, or deleting files.
- Display embroidery designs as either large or small thumbnail images.
- Quickly search for an embroidery design by file name, format, stitch count, size and other searchable conditions.
- In Properties, review embroidery design information such as size, estimated sewing time, and number of colors.
Compatible machines: Altair, Flare, Meridian, Solaris 2, Vesta, Array, Venture