iPad Pro has typically been hailed as a laptop alternative, and while I do question this claim, the iPad Pro does offer outstanding possibilities. Procreate is maybe the most powerful and overall finest drawing app for the iPad. It provides an exhaustive set of brushes, advanced layer blending, unique filters, 100 undo/redo strokes, auto-saving while you draw, and far more. Why do you need to Procreate alternatives?
There are two issues proCreate is a paid app (onetime expense of $9.99) with no free trial to test drive it. Although the company does provide the less powerful Procreate Pocket for the iPhone, what if you wish to Procreate on Windows or Android? Here are some Procreate alternatives for not only Windows and Android but also iPad Pro.
Procreate Alternatives
1. Autodesk SketchBook
Best for – Professionals who want advanced tools
Autodesk is a well-known name when it comes to designing and modeling software staff. They are also known for AutoCAD solutions, a forum that changed the face of many industries.
Like Procreate, Sketchbook likewise features a pen-friendly user interface. You can use colors, brushes, mirror images, and draw other type factors. Other noteworthy options consist of the ability to keep images and progress automatically. Procreate has 128 brushes, each with 50 adjustable settings for every brush, but SketchBook does not have that many brushes, and the maximum size of brushes is likewise small.
Interoperability is outstanding as users can export images into numerous formats, consisting of PSD. Adding to that, users can also select the resolution of the images, and they also get a pen option. The software is capable of discovering incorrect hand pressure allowing you to sketch quickly.
Pros:
A fully-featured version of SketchBook is now free.
An extensive collection of professional tools available.
Cons:
The learning curve is high as compared with Procreate.
Needs users to be well known with the desktop version of the Autodesk Sketchbook
Availability: Windows, Android, iPad, iOS
Price: Free
Download Autodesk Sketchbook: iPad
2. ArtRage
Best for – Artists who would prefer to draw oil painting and watercolor
As I discussed with an artist, a good friend of mine, he casually said how difficult it was to move to a digital platform to create art forms. If you choose the old fashioned drawing style, you will like ArtRage as a Procreate alternative.
The best part about ArtRage is that it tries to mimic real paint as naturally as possible. You can also mix colors as you do with real paint. Other important features include tools to keep track of thickness, wetness, and light direction.
Pros:
The most real experience of using the digital medium to create art
Intuitive interface
Cons:
Lack of advanced tools
Sluggish occasionally
Upgrading costs money
Availability: iOS, Android, iPad, Windows, and macOS
Price: $79
Download ArtRage: Windows and macOS
3. Adobe Photoshop Sketch
Best for – artist who needs to use Photoshop’s brush features
I like the reality that Photoshop Sketch was created to develop digital art, unlike Photoshop, which is more of a do it all tool. If you like to use Photoshop’s brush functions, you will like using Sketch even more. You do not need to know Photoshop to use it.
The best part about the app is the smooth Adobe product combination. For example, you can import all the brushes you have used in Photoshop or export your artwork to Photoshop and Lightroom. It is also a vector-based program, so the resulting files are smaller in size, making it easier to share social media and emails.
It is among one of the best Procreate alternatives on the market right now.
Pros:
A Focussed app with accurate tools
UI and UX are well-designed
14+ different brushes to choose from
Cons:
Not available on Windows
Scarce third-party app/plugin
Lack of image editing tools
Availability: macOS, Android, and iOS
Price: Free
Download: Adobe Photoshop Sketch
4. Krita
Best for – artist searching for a free, open-source Procreate alternative for digital painting
Krita focusses on providing the most natural sketching experience in a digital medium. It offers comics and textures, and the default brushes should be more than enough for creating any arts. Krita also permits users to customize the brushes if needed. It has a vast color wheel and an integrated reference panel. Being free and open-source, Krita’s developers have always lent an ear to the community and been very swift when adding new features.
Availability: macOS, Windows, Linux, and iOS
Pros:
Tailor-made for artists
Focus on quintessential
Open-source
PSD editing supported
Cons:
Interface lacks intuitiveness
Lags occasionally
No Android support
Price Free/Open Source
Download Krita: Windows
5. Tayasui Sketches
Best for – people searching to draw small doodles and simple sketches
Tayasui Sketches is an essential Procreate alternative that will help the artists draw on tablets and macOS. The tool’s cornerstone is an array of artist tools, including a pencil, pens, erasers, and brushes. The layout of the tool also rates a special mention. Other advanced features contain the Fill Transfer function that will allow you to fill based on the created pattern. Moreover, the Fill Transfer function will also help you create overlapping effects without distinct colors.
I want to mention that the Sketches free version feels inadequate for all the sketching needs, and if you are a professional, it is better to chip in for the Pro Version. You can also try the Premium Version free for an hour, which should help you make up your mind.
Availability: macOS, iOS, and Android
Pros:
Functional and clutter-free
Inexpensive
Cons:
Limited brushes
Unable to change the size of the canvas
Layers are provided only on the Pro version.
Price: Free/$1.99
Download: Tayasui Sketches
6. Concepts
Concepts is a vector drawing app that is more fit for accuracy measurement drawing than freehand sketches. Like procreate, you have the to brushes, layers, etc. What makes it unique from the rest is a variety of payment choices, which lets you acquire different tools as upgrades. The free variation gets you a handful of brushes and layers. You can get the Fundamentals pack for an onetime price of $9.99 or $4.99 per month.
Availability: Windows 10, iOS, and Android
Pros:
Infinite canvas
Flexible add-ons
Cons:
Steep learning curve
Price: Free/$9.99 one time or $4.99 per month
Download: Concepts
7. PaintTool Sai
Not everyone wishes to draw and sketch. However, some likewise need to fill our creations with colors. It is a drawing and painting tool that includes a bland and easy to use UI, but many helpful tools. The fact that Japanese developers developed it should be enough to tell you it supports manga and anime.
It is suitable for beginners who are just getting started to learn.
Availability: Windows
Pros:
Beginner-friendly
Easy to use
Pressure support
Cons:
Limited tools and scope
Download PaintTool Sai: Windows
8. Corel Painter
Corel Painter is the best drawing and painting tool and a perfect Procreate alternative used to reproduce the effects that we see in the real world in digital form. There are several brushes, tools, and textures to choose from. There are color options like water paints, oil paint, and more to give you various options to choose from.
The UI is customizable, which is cool because you can now remove options you don’t need or want to be bothered with.
Availability: Windows, macOS
Pros:
Hundreds of brushes
Multiple tools
Customize UI
Different types of paint
Cons:
None
Download Corel Painter: Windows | macOS
9. Adobe Illustrator Draw
Although it is the best Procreate alternative, Adobe Illustrator Draw is one of the less popular apps from the same group that gave us Photoshop and Lightroom. Built from the ground up for smart devices and tablets, it is a drawing tool that makes natural paper or canvas drawing a breeze. You will require an Apple Pencil or a stylus to get the most out of Illustrator Draw.
Pros:
Vector brushes
Customizable toolbar
Layers
Creative cloud
Connect with Photoshop, Lightroom, Behance
Cons:
None
Download Adobe Illustrator Draw: Android | iOS
Wrapping Up: Procreate Alternatives
We have curated a few of the best Procreate alternatives to help you get on board with digital sketching. That being stated, we realize that it is the artists’ personal choice at the end of the day. The features’ utility is subjective, and we hope that this list will assist you to zero in on the very best sketching app.
