Boldbobbin
8.0#1 in embroidery design softwareFrom $21 a monthFree planiOSWebLinuxmacOS
VisitBoldbobbin vs Ink/Stitch
Ink/Stitch
7.5#3 in embroidery design softwareFree planFree planWebExtensionLinuxmacOS
VisitWhat both publish
| Fact | Boldbobbin | Ink/Stitch |
|---|---|---|
| Integrations | The documented machine compatibility list includes Brother, Bernina, Janome, Elna, Pfaff, Husqvarna Viking, Baby Lock, Tajima, Ricoma and BAI. | Ink/Stitch is an Inkscape extension and requires Inkscape version 1.0.2 or higher. |
| Lettering | Boldbobbin includes six digitized fonts, supports importing personal typefaces and provides a lettering editor. | The lettering tool supports keyboard text entry, pre-digitized fonts, custom fonts and font filtering by category, size and glyph coverage. |
| Licence | The terms identify Boldbobbin software code, interface design and technology as Boldbobbin GmbH property; no open-source licence is stated. | The project is free and open source under GNU GPL version 3.0 or later. |
| Notable news | Boldbobbin's site says ETH Zurich formally recognized it as a spin-off in September 2026. | The official homepage lists Ink/Stitch 3.3.0 as released July 31, 2026 and a user meeting held May 23, 2026 in Hamburg. |
| Platforms | Boldbobbin runs natively on Windows and Mac, in a browser, and on an iPad with a stylus. | The project provides releases for Linux, Windows, and macOS; its macOS download page supports Monterey (12) and later. |
Boldbobbin plans
- PersonalFree
- 500-credit pack$10, paid once
- Pro$21 a month
- 1,500-credit pack$25, paid once
- 3,500-credit pack$50, paid once
- Business$83.33 a month
Ink/Stitch plans
- FreeFree
- Ink/StitchFree
Pick Boldbobbin if…
Boldbobbin suits independent makers, Etsy sellers, and professional embroidery shops creating or editing designs. The free Personal plan is for non-commercial work; commercial users can consider the Pro licence.
Pick Ink/Stitch if…
Ink/Stitch suits hobbyists and professional digitizers who want embroidery design tools within Inkscape. It may also appeal to users who need lettering, stitch previews, thread palettes, and machine-file export options.