I'd probably go for the EQ7 software. I don't have much interest in the Accuquilt since I've cut my quilts for years and for the money, I can buy fabric. The software though is something I'm thinking about seriously. I am thinking that I might get into the Dear Jane/Civil War Love Letter/etc...quilts and the software, I understand, allows you to print out blocks for paper piecing. I do alot of designing in my head so I would really need the software for the blocks I would have had to draw out by hand. I read in Quilter's Home that the strip machine has a steep learning curve. Don't know if this helps but good luck.