Introduction

Procreate has become one of the most popular digital drawing and painting apps, especially among iPad users. With its sleek interface, powerful brush system, and real-time performance, it’s a favorite among illustrators, concept artists, and designers. However, Procreate is iPad-exclusive, which means artists using Windows, macOS, or Android need viable alternatives.

Additionally, some users prefer a free or more affordable option with features that cater to their specific workflow. Whether you need a cross-platform solution, vector-based design tools, or advanced painting software, there are several powerful alternatives to Procreate.

In this guide, we explore the 10 best Procreate alternatives, covering their features, pros, cons, and platform support to help you find the best option for your digital art needs.

What to Look for in a Procreate Alternative

Before switching to an alternative, consider the following factors:

  • Compatibility: Windows, macOS, iPad, or Android support.
  • Brush Engine: Customizable brushes and pressure-sensitive support.
  • Vector or Raster: Do you need pixel-based or scalable vector drawings?
  • Layer Management: Advanced layers, blending modes, and adjustment tools.
  • Pricing: Free, one-time purchase, or subscription model.

Best Free Procreate Alternatives

1 Krita

Best for: Professional digital painting and concept art.

  • Pros: Free and open-source, powerful brush engine, supports PSD files.
  • Cons: UI can feel cluttered for beginners.
  • Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • Why Choose It? Krita is one of the best free painting programs, offering Procreate-like brushes, advanced blending, and full customization.

2 MediBang Paint

Best for: Comic and manga artists.

  • Pros: Free, lightweight, cloud storage for mobile users.
  • Cons: UI can be complex for beginners.
  • Platforms: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS.
  • Why Choose It? If you need a Procreate alternative for comics and manga, MediBang Paint is an excellent free choice.

3 Infinite Painter

Best for: Mobile artists seeking a Procreate alternative.

  • Pros: Extensive brush customization, clean UI, great for sketching.
  • Cons: Free version has limited features.
  • Platforms: Android, iOS.
  • Why Choose It? Infinite Painter offers one of the most advanced brush engines for Android users.

Best Paid Procreate Alternatives

4 Clip Studio Paint

Best for: Professional digital painting and animation.

  • Pros: Extensive brush options, animation tools, vector support.
  • Cons: Subscription model can be expensive.
  • Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
  • Why Choose It? Clip Studio Paint is perfect for serious illustrators and comic artists who need advanced tools and high customization.

5 Corel Painter

Best for: Traditional art simulation.

  • Pros: Realistic brushes, extensive texture options.
  • Cons: Expensive, requires a powerful PC.
  • Platforms: Windows, macOS.
  • Why Choose It? If you want hyper-realistic digital painting with oil, watercolor, and acrylic effects, Corel Painter is unbeatable.

6 Adobe Fresco

Best for: Adobe users looking for a painting tool.

  • Pros: Seamless integration with Photoshop and Illustrator, vector & raster brushes.
  • Cons: Requires an Adobe subscription.
  • Platforms: Windows, iOS.
  • Why Choose It? If you already use Adobe Creative Cloud, Fresco is a fantastic Procreate alternative with a strong brush engine.

Best Cross-Platform Procreate Alternatives

7 Affinity Designer

Best for: Vector-based digital illustration.

  • Pros: One-time purchase, precision vector tools, real-time performance.
  • Cons: Lacks some raster-based features.
  • Platforms: Windows, macOS, iPad.
  • Why Choose It? If you need vector-based drawing for logos, UI design, or illustration, Affinity Designer is a perfect alternative to Procreate.

8 Rebelle

Best for: Digital watercolor and oil painting.

  • Pros: Ultra-realistic watercolor blending, intuitive interface.
  • Cons: Pricey, requires a powerful PC.
  • Platforms: Windows, macOS.
  • Why Choose It? Rebelle is ideal for artists who want digital paintings that mimic real-life brushes and textures.

Best Online Procreate Alternatives

9 ArtRage

Best for: Realistic painting with a natural feel.

  • Pros: Affordable, great blending tools, easy for beginners.
  • Cons: Not as many features as Corel Painter.
  • Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
  • Why Choose It? ArtRage is a budget-friendly alternative for traditional-style painting.

10 Vectornator

Best for: Vector illustration and UI design.

  • Pros: Free, intuitive UI, perfect for vector-based work.
  • Cons: Lacks advanced raster brushes.
  • Platforms: macOS, iOS.
  • Why Choose It? If you need a free, vector-based alternative to Procreate on Mac/iPad, Vectornator is an excellent choice.

FAQs

Q: What is the best free alternative to Procreate?

A: Krita is the best free alternative for digital painting, while MediBang Paint is great for manga artists.

Q: Which Procreate alternative works on Android?

A: Infinite Painter, MediBang Paint, and ArtRage are great options for Android users.

Q: Can I use Procreate on Windows?

A: No, Procreate is iPad-exclusive. However, Clip Studio Paint, Krita, and Corel Painter are great Windows alternatives.

Conclusion

While Procreate remains one of the best digital art apps, many alternatives cater to different needs, whether you require cross-platform support, vector-based tools, or a free option.

  • For a free alternative, try Krita or MediBang Paint.
  • For professionals, Clip Studio Paint and Corel Painter offer advanced tools.
  • For mobile users, Infinite Painter is a great choice.
  • For vector art, Affinity Designer is a powerful option.

🎨 Which Procreate alternative do you prefer? Let us know in the comments!