BeadApp › Comparisons › JBead
BeadApp vs JBead
JBead is free, open-source desktop software for one technique: bead crochet ropes. 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 JBead has an edge. Last checked: jbead.ch, 9 October 2026. Features change — please try both and decide for yourself.
BeadApp vs JBead, side by side
| BeadApp | JBead | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free · Pro $9.99/mo ($79.99/yr) | Free, open source |
| Stitches on the free plan | Almost all 20+ | 1 |
| Free patterns & starters | 700+ patterns / 1,500+ colorways | None |
| Stitches supported | 20+ incl. peyote variants, herringbone, RAW, St. Petersburg, rope, kumihimo, knitting, fuse | 1 (bead crochet rope) |
| Freeform (off-grid) design | Yes — Open Studio | Not offered |
| Realistic finish (matte, metallic, AB, lined) | Yes — in the chart and the 3D preview | Flat colour and symbols |
| 3D preview | Yes, free | Rope simulation |
| Step-by-step while beading | Yes, free | No |
| Photo → pattern | Yes, free | No |
| Printable pattern | Free (small watermark; Pro removes it) | Yes |
| Real bead product photos | Yes | No |
| Devices | Any browser; installs as an app | Windows, Mac (Apple silicon), Linux |
| 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
Scope
JBead does bead crochet ropes only, with draft, simulation and finished-rope views. BeadApp charts rope alongside 20+ other stitches and freeform.
Colour and finish
JBead uses an arbitrary palette of flat colours and symbols. BeadApp uses real Delica codes, draws each bead's finish, and gives you a shopping list.
Patterns
JBead has no library. BeadApp has 700+ free patterns in 1,500+ colorways.
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 JBead has an edge
- Free and open source. GPLv3, and it runs on Linux.
- Rope-specific views. Draft, simulation and finished-rope views.
Verdict
Choose JBead if you only make crochet ropes and want open-source software. Otherwise choose BeadApp.
Try BeadApp freeBrowse 700+ free patterns in 1,500+ colorwaysVisit JBead
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 JBead?
Choose JBead if you only make crochet ropes and want open-source software. Otherwise 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 JBead cost?
Free, open source.
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 JBead 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. JBead is a trademark of its owner; BeadApp is not affiliated with it. All comparisons.