Procreate
Drawing software
Graphic design software
2D graphic design software
Clothing design software
Furniture modeling software
Furniture rendering software
Garment CAD software
Garment designer software
Infographic software
- Features
- Ease of use
- Ease of management
- Quality of support
- Affordability
- Market presence
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What is Procreate
Procreate is a digital drawing and painting application for iPadOS focused on illustration, sketching, and raster-based artwork creation with touch and Apple Pencil input. It targets illustrators, concept artists, and designers who want a tablet-first workflow for creating layered artwork, time-lapse replays, and export-ready images. The product emphasizes a streamlined interface optimized for iPad performance and gesture controls rather than desktop-style panels and toolbars.
Tablet-first drawing workflow
Procreate is designed specifically for iPad and Apple Pencil, with gesture-based controls and an interface optimized for touch. This can reduce setup overhead compared with desktop-first tools that adapt to tablets. The app supports high-resolution canvases, layered editing, and common raster workflows used in illustration and concept art.
Strong brush and inking tools
Procreate includes an extensive brush engine with customizable brushes and pressure/tilt behavior suited to sketching, inking, and painting. Users can create, import, and organize brush sets for different styles and projects. This makes it practical for artists who need consistent line quality and repeatable brush behavior across files.
Useful export and replay features
Procreate supports common export formats (e.g., PNG, JPEG, PSD) to move artwork into other design and production workflows. It also records time-lapse replays of the creation process, which is useful for review, training, or content publishing. These features help bridge a tablet-based creation workflow with downstream editing or delivery needs.
Limited to Apple platforms
Procreate runs on iPadOS (and a separate companion product exists for iPhone), which excludes Windows, macOS desktop, Android, and Linux workflows. Teams that standardize on cross-platform desktop tools may face device constraints. This can also complicate license management and hardware procurement in some organizations.
Raster-centric, not full CAD
Procreate is primarily a raster illustration tool and does not provide CAD-grade patternmaking, parametric modeling, or technical garment/furniture design functions. For apparel or furniture workflows, it typically serves as a concept sketching tool rather than a system of record for production specifications. Users often need additional specialized software for measurements, grading, BOMs, or manufacturing outputs.
Not a full infographic suite
While it can create infographic-style visuals, Procreate lacks dedicated data-binding, chart generation, and layout automation found in specialized infographic and publishing tools. Complex multi-page layouts, style libraries, and collaborative review workflows are limited compared with enterprise design platforms. As a result, infographic production may require manual construction and additional tools for final layout and distribution.
Plan & Pricing
| Plan | Price (from official site) | Key features & notes |
|---|---|---|
| Procreate (iPad) | Price not listed on procreate.com; purchase "Exclusively from the App Store" (site does not publish a USD price). | Full-featured iPad painting/illustration app. Official site states "No subscriptions. Exclusively from the App Store." (buy via App Store). |
| Procreate Dreams (animation) | Conflicting official-site statements: Product page(s) show "$12.99 USD once" while FAQ/Insight pages state a one-time purchase of "$19.99 USD". (Both prices appear on procreate.com in different pages/locales.) | Award-winning animation app for iPad. Official site states "No subscriptions. Pay once. Create forever." and instructs to buy from the App Store; regional pricing may differ. |
| Procreate Pocket (iPhone) | Price not listed on procreate.com; purchase "Exclusively from the App Store" (site does not publish a USD price). | Full Procreate experience on iPhone. Official site states "No subscriptions. Exclusively from the App Store." |
Notes: All Procreate apps on procreate.com are described as one-time purchases with no subscriptions; the site directs users to the Apple App Store for buying and regional pricing. Official-site pages do not show a consistent USD price for all apps; where procreate.com lists a USD amount there is a direct (but conflicting) statement for Procreate Dreams ($12.99 on some product pages and $19.99 on some FAQ/insight pages).
Seller details
Savage Interactive Pty Ltd
Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
2010
Private
https://procreate.com
https://x.com/Procreate
https://www.linkedin.com/company/savage-interactive/
