The pen is good for binding, y piecing, decorative stitches and positioning your laser and needle. The Aria does not have the laser or the pen. Also you have to buy the muvit foot separately, so are you saving in the long run. I love the laser and the pen IMHO I would choose the crescendo. Also price the brotherdreamweaver(same machine as crescendo), might be cheaper than the crescendo in your area. The pen is not used for FMQ however they do sell a stitch regulator for the crescendo