Adobe Photoshop vs Procreate2026
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, and ratings to help you choose.
The industry standard for photo editing and digital art.
The most powerful sketching and painting app for iPad.
Our verdict
Photoshop vs Procreate for digital illustration and photo editing. Photoshop is the professional desktop standard for photo editing and compositing. Procreate is the premier iPad illustration tool. Both are used by professionals, but for different primary tasks.
Bottom line
Photoshop wins for photo retouching, compositing, and complex multi-layer design work on desktop. Procreate wins for sketching, illustration, and painting on iPad — nothing matches its natural drawing feel on Apple Pencil. Many professional artists use Procreate for creation and Photoshop for finishing.
Side-by-side comparison
Green highlight = advantage on that metric.
| Feature | A | P |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Pricing model | Subscription | One-time |
| Free tier | — | — |
| Ratings | ||
| User rating | 4.7 | 4.9 |
| Features & Capabilities | ||
| Tracked features | 3 | 2 |
| AI-powered | — | |
| Offline Mode | ||
| Version History | ||
| Listing | ||
| Verified listing | ||
Key differences
Best for
Pricing comparison
Adobe Photoshop
Subscription
The industry standard for photo editing and digital art.
Procreate
One-time
The most powerful sketching and painting app for iPad.
Pricing information is verified periodically. Visit each vendor's pricing page for current rates.
Feature comparison
Both tools
Only in Adobe Photoshop
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between Adobe Photoshop and Procreate?
Photoshop wins for photo retouching, compositing, and complex multi-layer design work on desktop. Procreate wins for sketching, illustration, and painting on iPad — nothing matches its natural drawing feel on Apple Pencil. Many professional artists use Procreate for creation and Photoshop for finishing.
Is Adobe Photoshop cheaper than Procreate?
Both Adobe Photoshop and Procreate are Subscription tools. Check each vendor's current pricing page for exact figures.
Can I switch from Adobe Photoshop to Procreate?
Yes — most teams can migrate from Adobe Photoshop to Procreate. Check whether your key files and integrations are supported before switching.
Does Adobe Photoshop or Procreate offer a free tier?
Neither Adobe Photoshop nor Procreate currently offer a free tier — both require a paid plan.