Sketchbook vs Procreate
Sketchbook and Procreate are both capable digital art applications, but serve different needs primarily due to platform access. Sketchbook offers flexibility across Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices and includes a free version, making it widely accessible. Procreate provides a highly optimized, feature-rich experience exclusively for iPad and iPhone users, known for its powerful brush engine and smooth performance, available as a single purchase. Sketchbook is better for you if... you need software that works on various operating systems (Windows, macOS, Android, iOS) and devices (desktop, tablet, phone), or if you want to start with a free application. Procreate is better for you if... you primarily use an iPad for digital art, value a highly refined touch interface and powerful brush engine, and prefer a one-time purchase model within the Apple ecosystem. What sets those products apart? The primary difference is platform availability: Sketchbook works across multiple operating systems and devices, while Procreate is exclusive to Apple's iPad and iPhone. This fundamentally shapes their accessibility, integration, and user base, with Sketchbook offering broad compatibility and Procreate delivering a deeply integrated iPad experience.
At Gralio.ai we help to simplify your decision-making process by offering detailed, side-by-side software comparisons like this one, to help you confidently choose the tool that aligns with your business goals.
This comparison was created by analysing 390 reviews and 60 websites, saving 2 hours, 40 minutes of reading.
About
About
Summary
Summary
Relative strengths of Sketchbook (compared to Procreate)
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Multi-Platform Flexibility: Sketchbook's availability on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS allows teams to use it regardless of their operating system or device type, unlike the Apple-only Procreate.
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Cost-Effective Entry: Offering a capable free version allows users and businesses to start creating without upfront investment, aligning with value-for-money considerations. Procreate requires an initial purchase.
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Versatile Device Usage: It functions well on desktops with mice or graphics tablets, as well as on mobile tablets and phones, catering to diverse workflows beyond the tablet-centric Procreate.
Relative weaknesses of Sketchbook (compared to Procreate)
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Potential Performance Issues: Compared to Procreate's optimized iPad performance, Sketchbook users report more instances of lag or instability, particularly with complex files, which could impact productivity.
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Less Streamlined User Interface: While functional, Sketchbook's interface is sometimes described as less intuitive or polished than Procreate's highly acclaimed touch-based UI designed specifically for the iPad user experience.
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Inconsistent Feature Set: Users note limitations in certain tools (like blending or text) and differences between free/paid or mobile/desktop versions, potentially leading to a less cohesive experience than Procreate's unified feature set (within its platform).
Who should use Sketchbook VS. Procreate
Who should use Sketchbook VS. Procreate
Sketchbook is a digital drawing app that's great for anyone from doodlers to professional artists. We see it used a lot by designers, students, and educators. Users really like its intuitive feel and pro tools like customizable brushes and perspective guides. It works on computers, tablets, and phones, making it easy to sketch ideas or create detailed illustrations wherever you are. It's versatile for quick concepts or finished artwork
Procreate is a favorite among digital artists, both pros and beginners, who use iPads. We find it's especially popular for its really intuitive design and massive brush library, making sketching, painting, and illustration feel natural. Users often praise the smooth experience with the Apple Pencil and the one-time purchase model. It's a powerful digital studio packed into an app, perfect for bringing creative ideas to life on the go.
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We find Sketchbook works exceptionally well for individuals, small teams, and mid-sized companies looking for a versatile digital drawing tool.
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In our experience, Sketchbook isn't tied to one specific industry; it's broadly adopted by creatives across many sectors for digital art tasks.
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We observe that Procreate works exceptionally well for individual artists and small creative teams, typically up to 100 employees.
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In our experience, Procreate isn't tied to one specific industry; it's a versatile tool used widely across creative fields and beyond.
Sketchbook and Procreate features
Supported Partially supported Not supported Type in the name of the feature or in your own words tell us what you need
Sketchbook and Procreate features
- Digital art studioSupported
Sketchbook offers comprehensive tools for sketching, painting, and illustration.
SupportedProcreate is a comprehensive digital art studio for sketching, painting, and illustration.
- 2D and 3D CADNot supported
Sketchbook is for sketching and illustration, not for creating or editing CAD models.
Not supportedProcreate is a 2D and 3D art and texturing tool, not a CAD software.
- Integrated CAD, CAM, CAE, PCB, and PDMNot supported
Sketchbook is a drawing tool and doesn't include CAD, CAM, CAE, PCB, or PDM.
Not supportedProcreate is not designed for CAD, CAM, CAE, PCB, or PDM.
- Pen toolsSupported
Sketchbook simulates pens with its brush library and stylus support.
SupportedProcreate offers customizable brushes that simulate various pen styles, including technical, calligraphy, and inking pens.
- Airbrush toolSupported
Sketchbook has an airbrush tool for gradients and soft shadows.
SupportedProcreate has a built-in airbrush tool for gradients and smooth transitions.
- Charcoal SimulationSupported
Sketchbook mimics charcoal drawing by blending and shading, but might need brush adjustments for texture.
SupportedProcreate supports charcoal drawing through its brushes, blending tools, and textures.
Qualities
Qualities
- Value and Pricing TransparencyNo data+0.33Rather positive sentiment
- Ease of Use+0.67Rather positive sentiment+1Strongly positive sentiment
Sketchbook and Procreate Pricing
User sentiment
Sketchbook and Procreate review insights
389 reviews analysed from and
Sketchbook and Procreate review insights
Users love
- Intuitive and user-friendly interface for sketching.
- Wide variety of brushes, pencils, and other tools.
- Professional-grade tools, including perspective guides and customizable brushes.
- Predictive stroke smoothing for enhanced drawing accuracy.
- Copic color palettes (in older versions).
- Multiple layer support for complex drawings.
- Available on various platforms (desktop, tablet, mobile).
- Easy import and export options.
- Time-lapse recording feature.
- Symmetry tools for creating balanced designs.
- Rulers and guides for precise drawing.
- Customizable workspace and toolbars.
- Pressure sensitivity for realistic drawing experience.
- Ability to add text and images to drawings.
- Affordable pricing.
- Free version offers a good range of features.
- Easy to switch between tools.
- Clean and minimalist interface.
- Good customer support.
- Helpful online tutorials and resources.
- Fast and efficient performance.
- Realistic pencil and brush simulation.
- Good color mixing and blending options.
- Convenient for quick sketches and note-taking.
- Helpful for creating presentations and visualizations.
- Suitable for both beginners and professionals.
- Great for concept art and design ideation.
- Supports various drawing styles and techniques.
- Easy to use on the go.
- Good for architectural drawings and fashion design.
- Helpful for creating digital art and illustrations.
- Integrates well with drawing tablets and styluses.
- Enables creativity and artistic expression.
- Good for editing and enhancing images.
- Excellent for character design and comic book art.
- Helps improve drawing skills.
- Fun and enjoyable to use.
- Intuitive and user-friendly interface, praised for ease of use.
- Extensive brush library and customization options.
- One-time purchase, affordable pricing.
- Smooth drawing experience with Apple Pencil.
- Excellent for sketching, drawing, painting, and illustration, versatile for various art styles.
Users dislike
- Fill tool struggles to fully fill solid shapes, requiring multiple attempts.
- Text input is cumbersome, with difficulties in formatting paragraphs and maintaining consistent font sizes.
- Latest version removed the Copic Marker color palette and brush sets.
- Limited blending features and lack of watercolor effects.
- No clipping mask layer feature.
- Limited vector support, hindering scalability and large-scale printing.
- UI can be confusing and difficult to navigate, especially for beginners.
- Limited advanced features compared to other software.
- No layer support in the free version.
- Performance issues and lag, especially with large files or high-resolution images.
- Lacks advanced features like rotational symmetry for mandalas or timeline frames for animation.
- Requires an Autodesk account, even for offline use.
- No information available for 3D modeling.
- Mobile app has limited functionality compared to the desktop version.
- Paid features limit access to some tools and functionalities.
- Difficult to add external images or integrate with other software.
- Limited canvas size and customization options in the free version.
- Lack of tutorials or guidance within the app.
- Occasional freezing and crashing issues.
- Automatic drawing tool lacks accuracy.
- Limited color mixing and blending options for the palettes.
- Canvas rotation can be slow and cumbersome.
- Limited file management tools.
- Limited support for other file format exports.
- Paid version lacks value for the cost of upgrades or subscription.
- Some useful features, like perspective grids, are hard to find or understand without tutorials.
- The free version is not easily accessible in some app stores.
- Brush settings and canvas manipulation are difficult to customize.
- Some essential features are locked behind the paid version.
- Color tool can be unintuitive.
- Frequent updates can be disruptive to workflow.
- Text tool features are sometimes limited.
- Touch input can be overly sensitive causing unintentional zooming or rotation.
- Zoom function can cause image rotation.
- Eraser tool is difficult to use.
- Navigating the tools and features can be confusing.
- Brushes and tools sometimes have unexpected behavior.
- Limited options for scaling objects and grids.
- Some basic tools are missing.
- The interface is outdated.
- Difficult to manage layers effectively.
- Mobile and desktop features are not synced effectively.
- Not supported on every OS platform.
- Switching between pens and tools is not seamless.
- Difficult to use on smaller screens.
- Some features are hard to find without consulting external resources.
- Features like blending modes and gradients are limited
- Limited layer availability, especially for larger canvases.
- Only available for iPad, limiting accessibility and requiring specific hardware.
- Lack of vector graphics support.
- Text editing capabilities could be improved.
- Occasional bugs and crashes, especially with larger files.
Sketchbook and Procreate Ratings
Sketchbook and Procreate Ratings
G24.4/5(172)
Capterra4.6/5(36)
- G25.0/5(65)
- Capterra4.8/5(116)
Company health
Company health
Employee growth
Web traffic
Financing
How important is platform flexibility beyond iOS devices?
Which product offers better text manipulation features?
What are the advantages of Sketchbook?
What are the disadvantages of Sketchbook?
Alternatives to Sketchbook and Procreate
Michal has worked at startups for many years and writes about topics relating to software selection and IT management. As a former consultant for Bain, a business advisory company, he also knows how to understand needs of any business and find solutions to its problems.
Tymon is a seasoned CTO who loves finding the perfect tools for any task. He recently headed up the tech department at Batmaid, a well-known Swiss company, where he managed about 60 software purchases, including CX, HR, Payroll, Marketing automation and various developer tools.
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