Quick comparison: 5 free alternatives to Procreate
| Alternative | Price | Platforms | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adobe Fresco Top pick | 100% Free | WindowsiOS | Offline |
| Krita | Open Source | WindowsmacOSLinux | Offline |
| ibis Paint X | Freemium | AndroidiOS | Offline |
| MediBang Paint | Freemium | WindowsmacOSAndroidiOS | Offline |
| Sketchbook | Freemium | AndroidiOS | Offline |
A closer look at each alternative
-
Adobe Fresco
Top pick100% FreeOfflineWindowsiOS- Price
- Free, no paid plans.
- Download
- Download the installer from the official site; works offline.
- Why it stands out
- Adobe’s drawing app, now free: realistic watercolour and oil brushes on iPad, iPhone and Windows.
-
Krita
Open SourceOfflineWindowsmacOSLinux- Price
- Free and open source.
- Download
- Download the installer from the official site; works offline.
- Why it stands out
- Professional digital painting on computers, with brushes, layers and frame-by-frame animation.
-
ibis Paint X
FreemiumOfflineAndroidiOS- Price
- Free, with optional paid extras.
- Download
- Download the installer from the official site; works offline.
- Why it stands out
- Very popular for drawing on phones and tablets: a huge brush catalogue, layers and process videos; the free version has ads.
-
MediBang Paint
FreemiumOfflineWindowsmacOSAndroidiOS- Price
- Free, with optional paid extras.
- Download
- Download the installer from the official site; works offline.
- Why it stands out
- Designed for comics and manga: panels, screentones and fonts, on computers, tablets and phones.
-
Sketchbook
FreemiumOfflineAndroidiOS- Price
- Free, with optional paid extras.
- Download
- Download the installer from the official site; works offline.
- Why it stands out
- A clean interface for quick sketches, free on phones and tablets; the Pro version for computers is paid.
Tip for students: Krita is free on computers and Adobe Fresco on iPad: two good options for practising illustration without paying.
Independent: we have no commercial relationship, sponsorship or affiliation with Procreate or with these alternatives, and nobody pays us to recommend them. Links go to their official websites and are not affiliate links; the site is funded only by Google AdSense ads, which don't influence the selection. Learn more.
Frequently asked questions about alternatives to Procreate
What is the best free alternative to Procreate?
Our first pick is Adobe Fresco. Adobe’s drawing app, now free: realistic watercolour and oil brushes on iPad, iPhone and Windows. Krita and ibis Paint X are also worth trying. The best one for you depends on the features you use most.
Are there open source alternatives to Procreate?
Yes: Krita is open source: free, licence-free and with code anyone can inspect.
Which alternatives to Procreate work offline?
Adobe Fresco, Krita, ibis Paint X, MediBang Paint and Sketchbook install on your computer and work without a connection.
Which alternatives to Procreate are there for Mac and Linux?
Krita runs on both macOS and Linux.
Can I use an alternative to Procreate on my phone?
Yes: Adobe Fresco, ibis Paint X, MediBang Paint and Sketchbook have an app for Android or iOS.