Embrizo

Chroma vs PE-DESIGN

Chroma runs on Mac and Windows with an internet connection and costs from $799.99 for the first year, then monthly or yearly; PE-DESIGN runs only on Windows and is a one-time purchase of about $1,958 at retail. Only Chroma runs on a Mac. Both can auto-digitize images. For turning logos and artwork into machine files, Embrizo is the top pick over both: it auto-digitizes in any browser, on a Mac or a PC, in seconds and from $8 a month.

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Top pickEmbrizoAuto-digitizing on Mac, Windows and Chromebook, from $8 a month

Chroma

by Ricoma

Mac
Yes
Auto-digitizing
Yes
Free
Paid

First year from $799.99, then monthly or yearly

PE-DESIGN

by Brother

Mac
No
Auto-digitizing
Yes
Free
Paid

One-time, about $1,958 at retail

From each vendor's site, checked October 2026.

Side by side

Embrizo, Chroma and PE-DESIGN

The same five questions for each. Embrizo is the only one that auto-digitizes on any computer with nothing to install.

FeatureEmbrizoRicoma ChromaBrother PE-DESIGN 11
Works onAny modern browser on Windows, Mac, Linux or a Chromebook. Nothing to install.Windows and macOS; needs an internet connection.Windows 10 and 11. There's no Mac version.
PriceFree account to digitize, preview and save designs. Plans for downloads from $8 a month billed yearly ($96 a year), or $20 monthly.US, first 12 months paid up front: Inspire $799.99, Plus $1,799.99, Luxe $2,499.99. Then billed monthly or yearly.One-time purchase. Brother doesn't list a price; retailers list it at about $1,958.
Auto-digitizing from imagesYes, on every plan: upload a PNG, JPG, WebP, GIF, BMP or SVG and get stitches in seconds.Yes, from Inspire: one-click from PNG, JPEG or vector files.Yes: the Auto Punch and PhotoStitch wizards.
Manual digitizing and editingYou adjust settings, not individual stitches: colors, stitch type per color, size, fabric, underlay, rotation and mirroring.Higher tiers add more tools; each tier includes the one below.Digitizing and editing tools alongside the wizards.
Trying itFree account, no credit card. Downloads need a plan; cancel anytime.A free trial is offered; check Ricoma for the length.Check Brother or your dealer for current options.
Top pick

Why Embrizo beats both

Embrizo turns logos and artwork into clean, ready-to-sew embroidery files in your browser. Upload an image and get stitches in seconds; no digitizing skills needed.

  • Works on Mac, Windows, Linux and Chromebook, nothing to install
  • Auto-digitizes on every plan, with satin, fill and underlay set for your fabric
  • Writes DST, PES, JEF, EXP, VP3, XXX, PEC, U01 and TBF
  • Free account to digitize and preview; downloads from $8 a month instead of $1,958 up front
Digitize an image freeSee plans
The Embrizo digitizer showing artwork turned into stitches

Choose Chroma if…

  • You run Ricoma machines and want software from the same company.
  • You need the advanced manual tools in Plus or Luxe.
  • You want one vendor for machines, software and support.

Learning curve: One-click auto-digitizing in every tier; designed for Ricoma owners.

Chroma vs Embrizo

Choose PE-DESIGN if…

  • You have a Brother machine and want Brother's own Windows software.
  • You want photo stitch and cross-stitch wizards in one package.
  • You prefer a one-time purchase from your machine dealer.

Learning curve: Wizards make simple designs easy; the full tool set takes longer.

PE-DESIGN vs Embrizo

Free account

See your logo stitched in seconds

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

Chroma vs PE-DESIGN 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 Chroma better than PE-DESIGN?

Chroma suits Ricoma machine owners who want one vendor; PE-DESIGN suits Brother owners who want Brother's own Windows software. For most people who need files from logos and artwork, Embrizo is the better choice than either: it auto-digitizes in the browser on any computer, in seconds.

Which works on a Mac, Chroma or PE-DESIGN?

Chroma. PE-DESIGN runs only on Windows, so on a Mac it needs Windows in a virtual machine.

Which is cheaper?

Chroma, at the entry level: first year from $799.99, then monthly or yearly. The other is a one-time purchase of about $1,958 at retail. Compare the level you actually need, since features differ by tier.

Can Chroma and PE-DESIGN auto-digitize images?

Both can turn images into stitches automatically, at the levels noted in the table, and both also have manual tools.

What's the best alternative to Chroma and PE-DESIGN?

Embrizo. Upload an image in your browser and get a ready-to-sew file in seconds, on a Mac, PC or Chromebook. Digitizing and previewing are free with an account; downloads start at $8 a month billed yearly.

Where do these details come from?

From Ricoma's and Brother's own websites, checked in October 2026. Prices and features change, so confirm with the vendor before you buy.

Sources

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