Best Apps for Digital Drawing (Procreate Alternatives)
Looking for powerful drawing apps beyond Procreate? This guide reviews the best digital drawing and painting applications that offer robust creative tools, layering, brush systems, and versatility across devices. Whether you’re returning to digital art after a break or exploring art on Windows, Android, or iPad, we’ve hand-picked apps that balance performance, usability, and artistic flexibility. You’ll learn what matters in terms of platform compatibility, brush options, interface, and price — plus tips for choosing the right app for your workflow and goals. Expand your creative toolkit with great Procreate alternatives worth trying in 2026.
Our Picks
PICK #1 — Best All-Around Drawing App
Product: Krita Digital Painting Software
If Procreate had a worldly cousin who shows up to family gatherings with both charm and depth, it would be Krita. This free, open-source painting software punches well above its weight, offering a full suite of digital art tools — from customizable brushes to advanced layer controls — on Windows, macOS, Linux, and even tablets with stylus support.
Best for: Artists who want professional-grade tools without spending a dime
What we like: Completely free, highly customizable, powerful brush engine
What to know: Interface takes a bit of getting used to if you’re coming from Procreate
PICK #3 — Best Mobile-Friendly Procreate Alternative
Product: IbisPaint X Drawing App
This app shines on mobile devices — both iOS and Android — with a huge brush library, customizable tools, and a lively online community. You get features like blending, layer control, and even recording your drawing process. It’s approachable for beginners but has depth to grow into as your skills return.
Best for: Artists who want a feature-rich mobile drawing experience
What we like: Massive brush selection, flexible tools, social features
What to know: Performance can vary on older devices
PICK #2 — Best Cloud-Enabled Drawing App
Product: Adobe Fresco
Adobe Fresco blends the best of raster and vector painting — so you can sketch with natural brushes and scale or adjust without fear of pixelation. It supports stylus and touch devices across iPad, Windows, and iPhone, and cloud sync means your art travels with you. It’s become a strong alternative that’s welcoming to beginners and powerful enough for seasoned creators.
Best for: Artists who want flexible brush types and cross-device workflows
What we like: Vector + raster tools, cloud storage, broad platform support
What to know: Some advanced features may require an Adobe subscription
PICK #4 — Best Feature-Rich Paid Alternative
Product: Clip Studio Paint
If you want something that scales from doodles to comics, animation, and illustration with full professional chops, Clip Studio Paint is the contender you’ll want to explore. Available on iPad, Windows, macOS, and Android, it boasts brush customization, frame-by-frame animation tools, vector support, and a massive asset library. It feels like a pro toolkit that’s usable at beginner prices and grows with you.
Best for: Artists seeking advanced features and multi-platform compatibility
What we like: Comprehensive toolset, excellent brush engine, animation support
What to know: Steeper learning curve — but worth mastering for robust workflows
Your Questions, Answered
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We evaluated apps based on tool depth, platform support, brush systems, layer control, ease of use, and overall value for digital artists at different skill levels. The goal was to include options that span free/open-source tools to paid apps with advanced features, so returning artists can find what fits their workflow.
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Some apps like Krita and Clip Studio Paint run on desktop and tablets, while Adobe Fresco and Autodesk Sketchbook work well on iPad and Windows devices. This variety lets you choose based on your device ecosystem and how you prefer to work.
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Yes. Autodesk Sketchbook is especially beginner-friendly thanks to its intuitive interface and free access, while others like Krita and Fresco offer deeper features that grow with your skills.
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Absolutely. Most alternatives here support brush customization, multiple layers, blending modes, and advanced toolsets — in many cases extending beyond Procreate’s capabilities with vector tools or animation features.