Embroidery digitising software - a complete guide for Brother, Janome,

Digitising software lets you go beyond your machine's built-in designs - creating your own, editing existing ones and transferring them wirelessly. Here's a guide to what's available for each brand.

Brother

Janome

Bernina

Pfaff & Husqvarna

Brother offers three levels of digitising software, all producing PES files for use on Brother machines. All are Windows only and available at a reduced price when purchased alongside a machine.

PE Design Plus 2

Entry level

Convert pre-made images (JPEG, PNG) to PES format. Includes some built-in designs and fonts. No design creation from scratch or appliqué tools. Best suited to those working with ready-made artwork.

✓ Image to PES conversion
✓ Built-in designs and fonts
✗ No design creation tools
✗ No appliqué tools

View PE Design Plus 2 →

PE Design 11

Full package

Create designs from scratch, convert images to PES, use the appliqué tool, access 100+ fonts, connect multiple machines and export wirelessly. Best for creative control and bespoke design work.

✓ Design creation from scratch
✓ Photo stitch and cross stitch
✓ Appliqué wizard
✓ Wireless export to machine

View PE Design 11 →

BE EmbroideryStudio

Professional grade

The most powerful Brother software, designed for studios and businesses. Full creative control including stitch editing, density control, lettering and production management. Compatible with the PR680W and PR1060W only.

✓ Professional digitising tools
✓ Density and stitch editing
✓ Production management
⚠ PR680W and PR1060W only

View BE EmbroideryStudio →

Free app

Brother Artspira app

A free iOS and Android app for creating, editing and transferring embroidery designs directly to a compatible WIFI-enabled machine. Includes a built-in design library, image conversion, AR placement preview and an AI design tool. Best suited to hobbyists and creative makers rather than commercial production.

WiFi-enabled machines only - compatible with PR680W and PR1060W

Learn more about Artspira →

Janome's Artistic Digitizer Version 2 is available in two versions - both work on Windows and Mac, which makes it unique among embroidery software. Version 2 supersedes all previous versions.

Artistic Digitizer V2 Junior

Entry level — Windows & Mac

A great starting point for embroidery digitising. Covers the basics - editing, resizing, basic monogramming and connecting WiFi-enabled machines to your PC or Mac. Upgradeable to the full version at any time.

✓ Basic editing and resizing
✓ Basic monogramming fonts
✓ Basic built-in quilt motifs
✓ Connects Wi-Fi machines to PC/Mac
✓ Upgradeable to full version
✗ No advanced tools (photo-stitch, crystal work etc.)

View Artistic Digitizer Junior →

Artistic Digitizer V2 Full

Full version — Windows & Mac

The complete Artistic Digitizer package. Advanced digitising tools for creating complex designs from photos and graphics, alongside cutting, painting, quilting, crystal work and direct wireless transfer to your machine.

✓ Advanced auto-digitising from photos
✓ Cross-stitch, photo-stitch, paint-stitch
✓ Crystal/rhinestone design tools
✓ Cutting and quilting design tools
✓ Extensive font library with advanced kerning
✓ Direct wireless transfer to machine

View Artistic Digitizer Full →

Bernina Embroidery Software 9 is available in two main tiers - Creator (entry level) and DesignerPlus (full version). DesignerPlus is also available as an update for previous DesignerPlus owners and as an upgrade for Creator users. A 30-day free trial is available for all versions.

Bernina Embroidery Software 9 Creator

Entry level

The entry point into Bernina software. Includes auto and manual digitising, appliqué tools, 60 fonts, 384 built-in designs, Wi-Fi design transfer and the ability to export cutting files. Can be upgraded to DesignerPlus at any time.

✓ Auto and manual digitising
✓ 60 fonts and 384 built-in designs
✓ Appliqué tools and cutting file export
✓ Wi-Fi design transfer
✓ Upgradeable to DesignerPlus

View V9 Creator →

Bernina Embroidery Software 9 DesignerPlus

Full version

The complete Bernina software package. Includes everything in Creator plus 100+ fonts, 930 built-in designs, Keyboard Design Collection for custom fonts, 3D embroidery effects, photo stitch, CorelDraw SE and the Branching tool.

✓ 100+ fonts and 930 built-in designs
✓ Keyboard Design Collection — create your own fonts
✓ 3D effects, photo stitch, CutWork
✓ CorelDraw SE included
✓ Wi-Fi transfer and multi-computer use
✓ 30-day free trial available

View V9 DesignerPlus →

Already own DesignerPlus V6, 7 or 8?

DesignerPlus Update

Update to V9 DesignerPlus

If you already own a DesignerPlus V6, 7 or 8 licence, this update brings you to the full V9 DesignerPlus feature set — including all new tools, Wi-Fi functionality and improved interface.

View DesignerPlus Update →

Already own V9 Creator?

DesignerPlus Upgrade

Upgrade from V9 Creator to DesignerPlus

If you already own a V9 Creator licence and want to unlock the full DesignerPlus feature set, this upgrade gives you access to all additional tools, fonts, designs and the Keyboard Design Collection.

View DesignerPlus Upgrade →

Bernina V9 Wi-Fi Device

A separate hardware dongle that enables wireless design transfer from your computer to any USB-supported embroidery machine. Works with Bernina Embroidery Software 9 (sold separately) and can send designs from multiple PCs or to multiple machines.

View V9 WiFi Device →

Pfaff and Husqvarna Viking machines are compatible with Creativate - a cross-platform digital design toolkit that works across Windows, Mac, iOS and Android, making it the most platform-flexible option available.

Creativate

Creativate is a cross-platform digital toolkit for embroiderers, sewers and crafters - available on Windows, Mac, iOS and Android. It allows you to create, edit and transfer embroidery designs, and is compatible with Pfaff and Husqvarna Viking sewing & embroidery machines. A subscription gives access to design libraries, tools and regular new content.

Learn more about Creativate →

Common questions

A few things customers often ask about embroidery software.

Do I need software to use my embroidery machine?

No - your machine's built-in designs are a great starting point and most machines also accept designs via USB stick, so you can download designs and get stitching without any software at all. Software becomes valuable when you want to create your own designs from scratch, convert images or logos into embroidery files, or transfer designs wirelessly from your computer to the machine.

Which software works on a Mac?

Janome's Artistic Digitizer V2 (both Junior and Full) works on both Windows and Mac. Creativate for Pfaff and Husqvarna Viking also works on Mac, iOS and Android. Brother and Bernina software is Windows only.

Can I use one brand's software with another brand's machine?

Generally no, each brand's software produces its own proprietary file format (Brother uses PES, Bernina uses ART, Janome uses JEF). Most software can export to alternative formats, but for the best results and full machine integration, it's always best to use the software designed for your brand.

Is there a free trial available?

Yes - Bernina Embroidery Software 9 offers a fully functional 30-day free trial for both Creator and DesignerPlus. Brother's PE Design 11 also has a trial version available. We'd always recommend trying before you buy where possible.

What is the difference between a Bernina update and upgrade?

For Bernina software, an update moves you to a newer version of the same product (e.g. DesignerPlus V8 to V9), while an upgrade moves you to a higher tier of the same version (e.g. V9 Creator to V9 DesignerPlus). Both are available at a reduced cost compared to buying the full version new.

Not sure which software is right for you?

Give us a call on 01209 216 942 or send us a message and we'll help you find the right option for your machine and the way you want to use it.