The Bottom Line
- Price
- From $12.99/mo. Compare plans
Key facts
- Procreate is a digital illustration app for iPad artists and designers
- It provides professional brushes, layers, and animation in a native app
- One-time purchase at $12.99 on the App Store
Pros
- Best iPad drawing app
- One-time purchase
- Professional features
- Great brushes
- Good performance
Cons
- iPad only
- Learning curve
- No subscription perks
- Limited animation
- Single-page focus
What is Procreate?
Available on: iOS
Ratings Across the Web
Procreate holds an aggregate rating of 4.8 out of 5 from 203 reviews across G2 and Capterra, last checked September 17, 2026.
Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more
Key Features
- Digital illustration
- iPad native
- Brushes
- Animation
- Time-lapse
- One-time purchase
Pricing Plans
Pricing checked Oct 3, 2026
| Plan | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Procreate (iPad) Popular | $12.99/one-time | Full version for iPad
+3 more Show less
|
| Procreate Pocket (iPhone) | $5.99/one-time | For iPhone
+1 more Show less
|
| Procreate Dreams | $12.99/one-time | Animation app
+1 more Show less
|
Is Procreate worth the price?
Procreate at $12.99 one-time is the best value proposition in digital illustration, bar none.
No subscription, no in-app purchases, no feature tiers. You pay once and get every feature, every update, forever.
The app that professional illustrators, concept artists, and hobbyists use daily costs less than a single month of Adobe Illustrator. But if you already own an iPad, $12.99 for a professional-grade illustration tool is absurd value.
Hidden Costs & Gotchas
iPad requirement
Procreate is iPad-exclusive. This is the real cost, not the $12.99 app
Procreate works with finger input but Apple Pencil is essential for serious illustration
Files sync via iCloud but each is a distinct app purchase
Brush packs from third-party creators cost $5-50 each.
No Windows, Android, or web version. If you switch from iPad to a Surface Pro or Android tablet, you lose access to Procreate. No cross-platform alternative exists with the same file format
Layer count is limited by iPad RAM
iPad 10th gen gets ~22 layers at 4K canvas, iPad Pro M4 gets 100+. For complex illustrations with many layers, you need a newer, more expensive iPad
iCloud storage for large Procreate files (500MB-2GB per complex illustration) can fill up quickly. Apple's free 5GB iCloud fills after 3-10 illustrations. Additional storage: $0.99-9.99/mo
No CMYK color mode for print work, Procreate works in RGB only. Print designers need to convert colors in another app, which can shift colors unpredictably
How Procreate's pricing compares
At $12.99/mo, billing unit not specified, Procreate is mid-range of its 2 comparable direct competitors ($4.99 to $169.99/mo across the set).
Entry paid plan, monthly. Pricing checked Oct 3, 2026.
Reviews
Review Procreate, get a free AI guide
Share your experience and we will send you Improve Your Thinking Patterns Using ChatGPT, free.
Across 203 verified user reviews on Capterra, G2
Add your hands-on experience using the offer above to help the next buyer.
Best Procreate Alternatives
Top alternatives based on features, pricing, and user needs.
Still deciding?
Most buyers shortlist 2 or 3 tools before committing. Pull a side-by-side comparison or browse the full alternatives shortlist below.
Explore More
Procreate FAQ
How does Procreate support professional illustration workflows?
Which teams would benefit most from using Procreate?
How is Procreate priced?
Can Procreate be used on devices other than an iPad?
What kind of limitations does Procreate have compared to other digital art software?
How does Procreate compare to Clip Studio Paint for digital artists?
Source: procreate.com