Procreate is the powerhouse pick for serious digital artists on iPad, while Sketchbook is the cross-platform underdog that's genuinely free and surprisingly capable.
Procreate processes every brush stroke using Metal GPU acceleration — your iPad is technically flexing harder than some gaming PCs when you're just doodling a cat.
You want the best illustration tool money can buy and own an iPad
Procreate's brush engine, performance, and feature depth are unmatched at any price point in the tablet space.
→ Pick ProcreateYou want a free, no-strings app across multiple devices
Sketchbook is genuinely fully free with no paywalls — rare in 2024 — and works on almost every device you own.
→ Pick SketchbookYou're a student or casual sketcher on a budget
Zero cost of entry and a clean UI make Sketchbook the easiest way to start digital art without commitment.
→ Pick SketchbookYou need CMYK output or professional print workflows
Procreate supports CMYK color profiles and rich export options; Sketchbook simply doesn't go there.
→ Pick Procreate