What is the best embroidery software to buy and what to skip in 2024

In short, Embrilliance Essentials Software is our top pick.

For those of you looking for digitizing software, you can find the best digitizing programs here.

We’ll do the embroidery software reviews, comparisons, and then conclude with the best embroidery software. More on this later!

Now let’s look at what the best embroidery software is for specific needs.

Best Machine Embroidery Software For Those On A Budget?

If you only want to do lettering; and have Windows, then Amazing Designs LETTER IT! is a great option.

If you want to create and edit designs and lettering, you will want Embrilliance.

Best Design Software For Brother Embroidery Machines?

While Brother does have its own software, many people have difficulties getting it to work well. And it’s unclear if it gets updated regularly.

So your best path to success is Embrilliance which will allow you to purchase files from iBroidery, make adjustments, and then save them out to your Brother embroidery machine.

Best Program To Work With Embroidery On Janome Machines?

Janome has Acudesign, which allows you to import embroidery designs from other sources and modify them. Then you can save it out to your Janome embroidery machine.

They also offer the Digitizer V5, which is a design program where you can create your own embroidery designs and monograms.

What’s unique about V5 is that you can import .BMP and .JPG files to use with your designs. It automatically converts pictures to embroidered designs.

And it supports split design. That’s when the embroidery design is larger than your hoops, so you need to split the design over a few hoops.

They also have a software app called Acusetter to ensure that you’re lining up the embroidery design correctly on your project.

V5 is based on CorelDraw. It’s compatible with Windows and Mac. And you can use a pen and tablet to freehand a design.

The downside is that it is expensive.

So if you’re on a budget, the Embrilliance will do everything that the Acudesign can do and some of the things the Digitizer v5 can do.

However, you can't do the digitizing and freehand drawing with Essentials. Which I have to admit is pretty cool. It’s up to you if you think it’s worth the extra cost.

Best Embroidery Software for Everything?

Embrilliance software is the most flexible. It can open and manipulate just about any embroidery design format and save it out. It can then be read into your embroidery machine.

When looking at the functionalities of the best embroidery program, you will notice that most of them have a basic program that does some basic things well.

Then if you want to do more advanced things like embroidering text in a circle around a graphic image, you would need to purchase add-ons.

It does have an advanced add-on called Enthusiast. It is very sophisticated such as multi-hoop designs and the ability to save your design out as a PNG. That can be handy if you want to run a business and publish your designs online.

Best Embroidery Design Software For The Windows

It does depend upon what you intend to embroider. If you’re not sure, then you want Embrilliance. If you just are interested in lettering, you would want to consider Amazing Designs LETTER IT!.

Best Embroidery Program for Beginners

BuzzXplore v2 is a very easy-to-use program that is great for beginners. The next in line would be Embrilliance because of its wizards and the support.

Best Embellishment Program For The Advanced Designer?

Embrilliance. What? Again? Yes, because it has all the capabilities of image resizing, making circular text, and creating split-hoop designs.

Then you can purchase add-ons like Enthusiast, which will allow you to expand your capabilities.

Bernina Embroidery Software

Bernina has excellent beginner and more advanced software options. The Bernina applications are compatible with a Mac, PC, and tablet.

You also get a 30-day free trial. It allows you to edit designs and create unique lettering.

The downside is that the beginner's level is expensive. I should mention that you can purchase the modules separately.

To give you an idea, DesignerPlus Full Version for advanced users (model 8.2) would cost you more than USD 2400.

The Winner In This Machine Embroidery Software Comparison

The winner for best embroidery design software is the Embrilliance Essentials Embroidery Machine Software.

I can hear you saying, “Wait, is it really that good?”

I was digging around, trying to find some problems with it. After doing long hours of research and reading a ton of Embrilliance software reviews on different forums, I can say that it's the best all-round embroidery program. 

From beginners to advance people just loves it. 

For the price point, you can’t beat it. It works on all machines. You can import from any machine format and make adjustments, and then save it out as your machine’s format.

They're always looking for ways to keep the software updated. And they have great support. You can find many videos on how to use the software if you run into problems.

Also, there’s a demo option to try before you buy. And there're some large forums out there with people who want to help you. And it runs on Mac and Windows. 

If you want an embroidery machine as well? Then check our comparisons, guides, and the full reviews of the machines below.

Read Brother SE400 vs. Brother SE425 comparison here.

Click here for the comparison between the Brother PE770 and DZ820E.

Here is the in-depth review of the Brother LB6800PRW.

Here you can read the full review of the Brother Designio DZ820e.

Read our full Brother PE525 embroidery machine review here.

Looking for the hat embroidery machine, here are our best picks and guide to choose the right hat machine.

Here are the tips for picking the right monogramming machine.