Embrizo

Best embroidery software for Mac

Embrizo is the best embroidery software for Mac: it auto-digitizes images in Safari or Chrome with nothing to install, writes PES, DST, JEF and six other formats, and starts at $8 a month. Other Mac options are Embrilliance (one-time, hand digitizing), Ink/Stitch (free, inside Inkscape), Ricoma Chroma (from $799.99 a year) and Janome Artistic Digitizer (from Janome dealers). Hatch, Wilcom EmbroideryStudio and Brother PE-DESIGN are Windows-only.

Try auto-digitizing freeSee the list
The Embrizo digitizer showing artwork turned into stitches

Most well-known digitizing programs are Windows-only. These run on a Mac without Parallels or Boot Camp.

  1. Top pick
    1

    Embrizo

    Browser auto-digitizer

    Best overall for Mac
    MacAuto-digitizingFree account

    Upload a logo or drawing in Safari or Chrome and get clean, ready-to-sew stitches in seconds, then download PES, DST, JEF or six other formats. Nothing to install, no Windows needed, and your designs follow you to any computer.

    • Auto-digitizing on every plan
    • Satin, fill and underlay chosen for your fabric
    • Live stitch preview and sew-out before you download
    • From $8 a month, a fraction of desktop software
    Works on
    Any browser: Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook
    Price
    Free account; downloads from $8 a month billed yearly
    Try Embrizo free
  2. 2

    Embrilliance (Essentials and StitchArtist)

    by BriTon Leap

    Best for hand digitizing on a Mac
    MacAuto-digitizingFree

    Native Mac and Windows apps, bought once. Essentials covers lettering and editing; StitchArtist lets you draw every stitch object yourself.

    Watch out: No auto-digitizing: the vendor says StitchArtist isn't an auto-digitizer.

    Works on
    Mac and Windows
    Price
    One-time modules, from $159
    Embrilliance compared in detail
  3. 3

    Ink/Stitch

    by the Ink/Stitch open-source project

    Best free option
    MacAuto-digitizingFree

    Free and open source, running inside the Inkscape vector editor on macOS 12 or later.

    Watch out: You trace images and set up stitches yourself, and learn Inkscape first.

    Works on
    Windows, Mac and Linux, inside Inkscape
    Price
    Free and open source
    Ink/Stitch compared in detail
  4. 4

    Ricoma Chroma

    by Ricoma

    Best for Ricoma owners
    MacAuto-digitizingFree

    Runs on Mac and Windows, with one-click auto-digitizing in every tier and support from the machine maker.

    Watch out: The first year is paid up front, from $799.99.

    Works on
    Mac and Windows, online
    Price
    First year from $799.99, then monthly or yearly
    Chroma compared in detail
  5. 5

    Janome Artistic Digitizer 2.0

    by Janome

    Best for Janome owners
    MacAuto-digitizingFree

    Janome's digitizing software runs on current macOS, including Apple silicon Macs, with image tracing and photo-stitch styles.

    Watch out: Sold through Janome dealers; some styles are only in the full version, not Junior.

    Works on
    Mac and Windows
    Price
    From authorized Janome dealers; ask for pricing
    Artistic Digitizer compared in detail

Quick comparison

Best embroidery software for Mac: quick comparison
SoftwareWorks onAutoPrice
EmbrizoAny browser: Windows, Mac, Linux, ChromebookYesFree account; downloads from $8 a month billed yearly
Embrilliance (Essentials and StitchArtist)Mac and WindowsNoOne-time modules, from $159
Ink/StitchWindows, Mac and Linux, inside InkscapeNoFree and open source
Ricoma ChromaMac and Windows, onlineYesFirst year from $799.99, then monthly or yearly
Janome Artistic Digitizer 2.0Mac and WindowsYesFrom authorized Janome dealers; ask for pricing

Prices and features of other programs from each vendor's website, checked October 2026.

Not included: Hatch, Wilcom EmbroideryStudio, PE-DESIGN, SewArt, Embird, Floriani Total Control U, BERNINA Embroidery Software. Windows programs; on a Mac they need Windows in a virtual machine or emulation, and some vendors don't support that.

Not included: Artspira. A phone and tablet app for Brother wireless machines rather than Mac software.

Free account

See your design stitched before you buy anything

Create a free account to digitize any image, try every setting and watch it sew. Choose a plan only when you want to download files.

  • Digitize and preview any image
  • Realistic stitch preview and sew-out
  • Download free ready-made designs
  • No credit card needed
FAQ

Questions

The quickest way to see what it does with your artwork is to try it. With a free account, digitizing and previewing cost nothing and take about a minute.

Is there embroidery digitizing software for Mac?

Yes. Embrizo works in Safari or Chrome on any Mac and auto-digitizes images with nothing to install. Embrilliance and Chroma also have Mac versions, and Ink/Stitch runs inside Inkscape on macOS.

Does Hatch work on a Mac?

Not natively. Hatch is Windows 11 software; on a Mac it needs Parallels or similar. Embrizo runs in the browser on a Mac and auto-digitizes like Hatch Composer, without Windows.

What is the best free embroidery software for Mac?

Embrizo's free account digitizes, previews and saves designs from images on a Mac, and includes a free design library; downloading your own designs needs a plan. Ink/Stitch is free and open source, but you set up every stitch yourself in Inkscape.

Can I make PES files on a Mac?

Yes. Embrizo turns any image into a PES file in the browser in seconds. Embrilliance can also save PES.

More comparisons

The fastest way from image to stitches

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