Which Brother PE-Design version do you need?
The names don't make it obvious, and only one version can actually digitize from scratch. Here's the difference in plain terms.
Brother PE-Design comes in a few versions. Lite is the basic entry level. Plus2 is streamlined for editing existing designs, fonts and merging — but it has no manual digitizing. PE-Design 11 is the full professional version with the advanced manual Digitizing tools, PhotoStitch, Auto Punch and Cross Stitch wizards. If you want to create designs from your own artwork, you need the full 11. If you just want logos digitized without any version, StitchFast does it in the browser from £3.50.
The PE-Design versions
The key thing the names hide is that only the full version can digitize from scratch. Lite and Plus2 are about working with designs you already have; PE-Design 11 is the one that turns your own artwork into stitches.
| Version | What it does | Manual digitizing? |
|---|---|---|
| PE-Design Lite | Basic editing and lettering | No |
| PE-Design Plus2 | Edit existing designs, fonts, merging | No |
| PE-Design 11 | Full digitizing, PhotoStitch, Auto Punch, Cross Stitch | Yes |
Which version to digitize your own artwork?
If you want to create designs from images or draw them from scratch, you need PE-Design 11 — it has the manual Digitizing tools plus the Auto Punch and PhotoStitch wizards that convert images to stitches. Plus2 and Lite can't do full digitizing; they edit and arrange existing designs.
So for most people asking “which version,” the honest answer is: if you want to make your own designs, it's the full 11 or nothing.
Upgrades from older versions
If you already own a recent version like PE-Design 10 or NEXT, Brother sells cheaper Upgrade Kits rather than the full price. Check with an authorised dealer whether your version qualifies. See PE-Design pricing for more.
Or skip the versions entirely
If the reason you're comparing versions is simply that you want artwork digitized for a Brother machine, you can skip the decision. StitchFast is a single tool — upload an image, the AI digitizes it, download a PES file — for £3.50, with no version to choose and nothing to install.
See how it compares on the PE-Design alternative page.
FAQ
PE-Design versions — common questions
PE-Design 11 is the full version with advanced manual digitizing, PhotoStitch and Auto Punch. Plus2 is streamlined for editing existing designs, fonts and merging, without manual digitizing.
The full PE-Design 11. It's the only version with the manual Digitizing tools and the Auto Punch and PhotoStitch wizards that turn images into stitches.
Yes. PE-Design Lite is the basic entry level for simple editing and lettering, without digitizing.
Yes. Brother offers cheaper Upgrade Kits for owners of recent versions such as PE-Design 10 or NEXT.
More on PE-Design
Everything else worth knowing
Not sure which version? Skip the choice.
Upload your logo and download a ready-to-stitch PES file in under a minute — one tool, no versions, no install.
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