Procreate Reviews

Pros

Six months in, I am enjoying Procreate even more than when I first bought it. It's a one-time purchase and all the updates have been included for free which makes it feel like an even better value over time.

Cons

One thing I still wish it handled better is layer selection while drawing. It takes too many taps to open the layer list, choose the correct folder, pick the right layer and get back to the canvas. I'd also love to see pen size and color settings saved per layer and right now grouped layers still cannot have a mask.

Pros

For the price, this software offers me excellent value. It's very affordable, runs quickly and is just as capable as Photoshop when it comes to speed and overall usability.

Cons

Its feature set is a little more limited than some competing tools and I am not a fan of the fact that PSD exports don't keep masks intact.

Pros

With the huge variety of tools available, I can create pretty much anything I imagine. Being able to download extra brushes and other add-ons for my artwork is something I really enjoy. Since the software is so widely used, there are tons of tutorials online which makes it much easier to build my skills. It has turned digital art into a really enjoyable new hobby.

Cons

At times the learning curve feels a bit steep especially when it comes to layers and masks. If I go a while without opening�the program, I sometimes forget how to do certain things. There are so many features and options that it can occasionally feel a little overwhelming.

Pros

Right from the start, Procreate looks very user friendly and simple to navigate. The interface is clean and most tools and sub-tools stay tucked away until I need them which keeps my workspace from feeling crowded. A lot of features especially things like selection, color fill and brush smoothing, actually perform better than some much more expensive PC software.

Cons

My biggest complaint is still the layer cap. I get that it comes from hardware limitations but I would honestly prefer the option to add more layers even if that means�the app�might slow down, since the kind of projects I work on usually need a lot of layers.

Pros

It is simple, user friendly and easy to use. Plus pretty much everything I could imagine wanting in a graphics program is included.

Cons

The only real downside is the limited background customization. It would be nice to have graphic presets that could be used as a starting base.

Pros

There is a lot to enjoy here especially with how many features Procreate includes and how customizable everything is. The variety of brushes makes it possible to create all kinds of textures and being able to make my own brushes adds even more creative freedom.

Cons

Getting around�the app�can feel a little overwhelming and confusing at first. Once you spend some time with it and learn where everything is, the layout starts to make more sense and becomes much easier to use.

Pros

Drawing in Procreate is way too easy for me. Plus the wide selection of brushes and tools makes it simple to turn my ideas into finished artwork. Working directly on my iPad also is very natural, almost like putting pencil to paper.

Cons

The only downside is that it's exclusive to iPads, so some users cannot access it.

Pros

As a casual or beginner artist, this program is like a really great choice. Also the interface is thoughtfully designed and while it can be a bit confusing to move around in during the first few hours, it becomes much more user friendly pretty quickly. Compared with other art software, it is more easy once I get used to it. The lower price compared to programs like Photoshop is also a big plus.

Cons

A few basic tools you would normally expect are missing. For instance, not having a paint bucket tool is pretty surprising for a digital art app. Aside from that, though, there is very little for me to complain about.

Pros

Getting started with Procreate felt really natural because the interface is so easy. Even with absolutely no background in digital art apps, I was able to figure out how it worked without needing long, detailed tutorials.

Cons

That simplicity does come with a trade-off, though. It leaves out some features that are common in a lot of other digital art programs which can make the jump to industry-standard software harder when�this app�never exposed you to those tools.

Pros

Working in Procreate is so easy and genuinely fun especially for 2D drawing and illustration.

Cons

The 3D tools don't really add much to a practical workflow and it's still missing some features that would help with manga and comic creation.

Pros

Procreate is very user friendly and simple to use for illustration. It is really comfortable to work with overall.

Cons

There are still a few features I miss in�this app, mostly when it comes to editing tools.

Pros

This app is very good and reliable. Also it is simple enough as a beginner to learn quickly, while still offering the core tools any digital artist would want.

Cons

At times remembering where all the hidden features are can be a bit challenging.

Pros

One thing I appreciated most about Procreate was how many features it offered me.

Cons

The part I liked least about�this app�was the learning curve.

Pros

Trying not to turn this into a huge review is difficult because just about every part of Procreate delivers. The tools, the features, the custom pencils and the ability to import and export assets all work beautifully., it is like an industry-leading product and it even got me to completely stop using Adobe Suite tools.

Cons

My only real issue is that it's still heavily tied to the Apple ecosystem which can make sharing files and integrating with non-Apple devices frustrating at times.

Pros

Creating graphic designs and sketches in Procreate is very easy and being able to present my work through AirPlay is a really useful bonus.

Cons

It may not matter to most artists but I do wish it included a collaboration feature so people could work on designs together.

Pros

Getting started with Procreate is easy, whether I am a beginner or already working at a professional level. It comes with a wide range of brushes and tools which makes it useful for all kinds of creative work.

Cons

The price feels a bit high especially since there are free alternatives out there that offer fewer tools but can still be just as useful depending on what you need.

Pros

It is much more like a dedicated drawing and illustration app than a true Photoshop substitute. If I am hoping to restore an old damaged family photo, it probably isn't the right fit. But when it comes to creating digital artwork, Procreate really shines. It offers me plenty of brushes, layers, effects and all the tools I need to produce high-quality digital drawings especially at such a good price. Definitely worth me trying.

Cons

Its limitations show up more when working with photos especially for things like recoloring, image masking and similar edits. For that kind of work, there are stronger apps available.

Pros

Procreate is incredibly user friendly and easy to use, while also being very versatile. It comes with a large library of beautiful brushes and the app also lets me build timelines for creating impressive animations and GIFs. The brush textures recreate different traditional art techniques in a very realistic way, whether it's thick paint, watercolor, pencil or charcoal.

Cons

I notice that it is missing some features that can be found in other painting or drawing software.

Pros

Being able to make my own brushes and fonts opens up so many design possibilities and the features are user friendly enough to keep my creative process flowing.

Cons

There is definitely a steep learning curve because�the app�offers so many options and that can feel pretty overwhelming at first.

Pros

There are tons of features available to create design assets which makes the app really capable and versatile.

Cons

The large number of features can feel a bit overwhelming at first especially for someone just getting started and still learning the workflow.