What "free" means for each option
| Option | Free | Costs | Your effort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ink/Stitch | Everything | Nothing | High: you digitize by hand |
| Embify | Upload, auto-digitizing, sew-out preview, Sew Score | £5 per file, or a plan from £29 a month | Low: most logos take under a minute |
| WilcomWorkspace TrueSizer | 14-day trial | A subscription after that | Low, but it edits files, it does not digitize |
| Wilcom EmbroideryStudio | Nothing | £599 to £3,499 + VAT | High: weeks to learn |
Checked 23 Oct 2026.
Why we charge for the file and not the preview
Seeing your design stitched before you pay is the part that saves people money, so it is free and needs no card. The file is where the cost of running the engine sits. A free account never runs out, and a new size or format of a logo you paid for in the last 30 days costs nothing.
Steer clear of cracked Wilcom
Search results for free Wilcom downloads lead to cracked copies. They often carry malware, they get no updates or support, and using them breaks Wilcom's licence.
Common questions
Is Ink/Stitch any good?
Yes, for people who want to learn digitizing. It is free and open source and makes real machine files, but you draw and set up every stitch area yourself.
Is there a free online embroidery digitizer?
Several online tools have a free tier. At Embify the upload, the auto-digitizing and the sew-out preview are free; the file is £5 or part of a plan.
Can I try Wilcom for free?
WilcomWorkspace has a 14-day free trial. Check with Wilcom or a dealer about EmbroideryStudio trials.
Does a free Embify account expire?
No. Free accounts never expire. You only pay when you download a file.
Sources
- Ink/Stitch, free open-source embroidery software
- Wilcom: introducing WilcomWorkspace
- Wilcom EmbroideryStudio 2026 UK prices (Wilcom Software UK)
Every outside fact on this page was checked on 23 Oct 2026.