BeadApp › Comparisons › BeadTool 4
BeadApp vs BeadTool 4
BeadTool 4 is a long-running desktop program for Windows and Mac, sold as a one-time licence. BeadApp is a free bead pattern studio that runs in any browser, with 700+ free patterns in 1,500+ colorways, freeform design, 3D preview and Step-by-Step weaving.
A fair comparison from an interested party. We make BeadApp, so we're not neutral. We've checked every fact and named where BeadTool 4 has an edge. Last checked: beadtool.net, 9 October 2026. Features change — please try both and decide for yourself.
BeadApp vs BeadTool 4, side by side
| BeadApp | BeadTool 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free · Pro $9.99/mo ($79.99/yr) | $49.95 one-time |
| Stitches on the free plan | Almost all 20+ | No saving without licence |
| Free patterns & starters | 700+ patterns / 1,500+ colorways | None |
| Stitches supported | 20+ incl. peyote variants, herringbone, RAW, St. Petersburg, rope, kumihimo, knitting, fuse | 6 families (loom/square, brick, peyote 1-9 drop, tubular peyote, gourd, RAW) |
| Freeform (off-grid) design | Yes — Open Studio | Not offered |
| Realistic finish (matte, metallic, AB, lined) | Yes — in the chart and the 3D preview | Not stated |
| 3D preview | Yes, free | No |
| Step-by-step while beading | Yes, free | No |
| Photo → pattern | Yes, free | Yes |
| Printable pattern | Free (small watermark; Pro removes it) | Yes (licence) |
| Real bead product photos | Yes | No |
| Devices | Any browser; installs as an app | Windows; Mac is Intel-only, not macOS 26 |
| Ads | None | None |
| Order the exact beads | Yes — shopping list of real Delica codes | No |
Green = free or a strength · red = paid-only, missing or a weakness.
The details
Price
$49.95 one time, $19.95 to upgrade; the free download can't save. BeadApp's free plan saves, prints and syncs.
Devices
The Mac build is Intel-only and supports macOS 10.10 to 15 — the site warns in capitals not to upgrade a Mac to macOS 26 Tahoe. BeadApp runs in any current browser, including tablets and phones.
Stitches
BeadTool covers six families: loom and square, brick, peyote (1-9 drop), tubular peyote, gourd and right-angle weave. BeadApp covers 20+, plus freeform.
Colour and finish
BeadTool ships palettes for Delica, Miyuki rocailles, Preciosa, Toho and pony beads, but says nothing about rendering finish. BeadApp draws matte, metallic, AB, lined and transparent beads differently.
Patterns and follow-along
BeadTool has neither a pattern library nor a row-by-row mode. BeadApp has 700+ free patterns in 1,500+ colorways and Step-by-Step.
Why beaders choose BeadApp
- Start from 700+ free patterns in 1,500+ colorways — open one, change anything, print it.
- Freeform Open Studio: place beads anywhere, off the grid. None of the other apps here offer that.
- Finish is drawn, not flattened: matte, metallic, AB, silver-lined and transparent beads look different on the chart and in 3D.
- Real product photos of the beads, plus a 3D preview of the finished piece — both free.
- Step-by-Step mode shows one row at a time and keeps your screen awake, free.
- Photo to pattern, printable chart, word chart, colour key and finished size — all on the free plan.
- Every colour is a real, orderable Miyuki Delica code, with a one-tap shopping list.
- 20+ stitches and techniques, including circular and tubular peyote, St. Petersburg, kumihimo, bead crochet, bead knitting and fuse beads.
- Line, rectangle and gradient drawing tools; bead substitution; import an existing PDF pattern.
- No ads. Works on any device with a browser, installs like an app, syncs through the cloud.
Where BeadTool 4 has an edge
- One-time licence. Pay once.
- Works fully offline. Desktop software with no internet requirement.
Verdict
Choose BeadTool only if you design offline on a Windows PC. For everything else, choose BeadApp.
Try BeadApp freeBrowse 700+ free patterns in 1,500+ colorwaysVisit BeadTool 4
Every bead app we compared
| BeadApp | PlanBead | Beadographer | Loomerly | BeadTool 4 | BeadBrush | MakeBead | Loomet | JBead | Beadifier | Pixel-Beads | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free · Pro $9.99/mo ($79.99/yr) | Free · $9.99/mo or $49.99/yr | Free · $14.99/yr | One-time $75 (offer $29.99) | $49.95 one-time | Free · $5/mo ($45/yr) | Free | Free · Maker $49/yr or $5.99/mo | Free, open source | Free, browser-based | Free |
| Stitches on the free plan | Almost all 20+ | Basic grids | ~17 (no saving on free) | Trial only | No saving without licence | 7 layouts, last 3 files reopenable | Peyote, brick, loom, RAW + fuse | Square/loom; peyote, brick beta | 1 | Fuse only | Fuse only |
| Free patterns & starters | 700+ patterns / 1,500+ colorways | 100+, many locked | None | None | None | None | Community gallery | None | None | None | None |
| Stitches supported | 20+ incl. peyote variants, herringbone, RAW, St. Petersburg, rope, kumihimo, knitting, fuse | Loom, peyote, brick, herringbone, leaf, fringe, triangle, star, tubular peyote, rope, more | 17 layouts incl. Huichol, medallion, warped square, RAW | 3 (loom, peyote, brick) | 6 families (loom/square, brick, peyote 1-9 drop, tubular peyote, gourd, RAW) | 7 (loom, peyote, brick, warped square, triangle, star, kaleidocycle) | Peyote, brick, loom, RAW; fuse, kandi, other crafts | Square, loom; peyote, brick, double brick in beta | 1 (bead crochet rope) | Fuse beads only | Fuse beads only |
| Freeform (off-grid) design | Yes — Open Studio | Not offered | Layout editor in Beadographer 5, in development | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered |
| Realistic finish (matte, metallic, AB, lined) | Yes — in the chart and the 3D preview | Real Miyuki bead images (MatchBead) | Yes — matte/gloss, transparent, inside-colour, metallic tint | Not stated | Not stated | Yes — matte, metallic, AB, transparent, glossy, lined | Flat averaged colour (its site says lined and AB differ in person) | Finish names only | Flat colour and symbols | Flat palette colours | Flat palette colours |
| 3D preview | Yes, free | Premium (unlimited 3D previews) | No | No | No | No | No | No | Rope simulation | No | No |
| Step-by-step while beading | Yes, free | Yes — Weaving Mode | Yes, free | Progress tracking | No | Paid | Numbered rows + tracker | Yes (Build Mode, beta) | No | No | No |
| Photo → pattern | Yes, free | Yes; some modes premium | Yes, free | Yes | Yes | Yes, free | Yes, free | Square/loom; others beta | No | Yes | Yes |
| Printable pattern | Free (small watermark; Pro removes it) | Premium only | Membership only | Yes (full version) | Yes (licence) | Paid | Free, watermarked | Free with watermark | Yes | PDF, SVG, PNG, XLSX | PDF, Excel |
| Real bead product photos | Yes | Yes (MatchBead) | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Devices | Any browser; installs as an app | iOS, Android, Windows apps | Browser: Windows, Mac, iPad | Apple only (Mac needs M1+) | Windows; Mac is Intel-only, not macOS 26 | Browser | Browser | Browser | Windows, Mac (Apple silicon), Linux | Browser | Browser |
| Ads | None | None seen | None | None | None | None | Yes | None | None | None | None |
| Order the exact beads | Yes — shopping list of real Delica codes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
Green = free or a strength · red = paid-only, missing or a weakness. Every app rechecked on 9 October 2026.
Questions
Is BeadApp better than BeadTool 4?
Choose BeadTool only if you design offline on a Windows PC. For everything else, choose BeadApp.
How many free patterns does BeadApp have?
700+ free patterns in 1,500+ colorways in the marketplace, free to open, edit and print. The current exact count is on our FAQ.
Which bead apps support freeform design?
BeadApp's Open Studio lets you place beads anywhere, off the grid. None of the other apps we compared offer freeform design today.
How much does BeadTool 4 cost?
$49.95 one-time.
Can I try BeadApp without an account?
Yes. Open a pattern, a blank grid or a photo and start designing in your browser.
Who wrote this comparison?
The BeadApp team. We're not neutral, so we name where BeadTool 4 has an edge and link to it so you can try both.
Spotted something wrong or out of date? Email support@beadapp.io and we'll fix it. BeadTool 4 is a trademark of its owner; BeadApp is not affiliated with it. All comparisons.