Sketchbook vs Procreate: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Sketchbook and Procreate side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Sketchbook leads on a free plan; Procreate leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Sketchbook
Capture ideas and create finished artwork with a natural drawing experience.
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
Procreate
Digital illustration app for iPad
Best for you if:
- • You want best iPad drawing app
| At a Glance | Sketchbook | Procreate |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan | Not published |
Category | UI/UX Design Graphic Design | UI/UX Design Graphic Design |
Rating | 4.4/5 G2 4.4 177 reviews | 4.8/5 Capterra 4.8 · G2 4.9 203 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Watch out for | n/a | Brush packs from third-party creators cost $5-50 each. |
Choose Sketchbook or Procreate?
Choose Sketchbook if
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want feels like drawing on paper
- You want professional-grade features
Choose Procreate if
- You want best iPad drawing app
- You want one-time purchase
In-Depth Analysis
Sketchbook
Capture ideas and create finished artwork with a natural drawing experience.
Strengths
- Pro: Feels like drawing on paper
- Pro: Professional-grade features
- Pro: Highly customizable tools
- Pro: Cross-platform availability
- Pro: Intuitive and focused interface
Weaknesses
- Con: No specific cons mentioned in the provided text.
Key features
Procreate
Digital illustration app for iPad
Procreate at $12.99 one-time is the best value proposition in digital illustration, bar none.
Watch out
Brush packs from third-party creators cost $5-50 each.
Strengths
- Pro: Best iPad drawing app
- Pro: One-time purchase
- Pro: Professional features
- Pro: Great brushes
- Pro: Good performance
Weaknesses
- Con: iPad only
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: No subscription perks
- Con: Limited animation
- Con: Single-page focus
Key features
Plans and prices: Sketchbook vs Procreate
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Sketchbook | No plan prices on file | sketchbook.com |
| Procreate |
| procreate.com read Oct 3, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Sketchbook pricing and Procreate pricing.
Key Takeaways
Sketchbook
- Has a free plan
Procreate
- Higher user rating: 4.8/5 vs 4.4/5
What the data shows
On the data below, Sketchbook leads on a free plan; Procreate leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Procreate has the higher user rating (4.4/5 from 177 reviews for Sketchbook, 4.8/5 from 203 reviews for Procreate).
- Only Sketchbook has a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Sketchbook and Procreate compare in 2026?
On the data below, Sketchbook leads on a free plan; Procreate leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Procreate has the higher user rating (4.4/5 from 177 reviews for Sketchbook, 4.8/5 from 203 reviews for Procreate). Only Sketchbook has a free plan.
What are Sketchbook and Procreate used for?
Sketchbook: Capture ideas and create finished artwork with a natural drawing experience. Procreate: Digital illustration app for iPad.
What does Sketchbook cost vs Procreate?
Sketchbook has no public paid-plan price on file. Procreate has no public paid-plan price on file. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 3, 2026.
What's the main difference between Sketchbook and Procreate?
Sketchbook's main strength: feels like drawing on paper. Procreate's main strength: best iPad drawing app.