Can you use Procreate on a MacBook? Learn why Procreate isn’t compatible with Macbooks and explore alternative options for digital artists. Discover video editing as a career and find out more about desktop-friendly alternatives.
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In the world of digital illustration and creative work, the availability of software and tools can significantly impact an artist’s workflow and productivity. One popular app among digital artists is Procreate, known for its powerful features and user-friendly interface. However, if you’re a Macbook user hoping to use Procreate on your laptop, you’ll be disappointed to learn that it’s not possible. In the following sections, we’ll explore the reasons behind Procreate’s limitations and suggest eight alternative apps for digital artists. So, if you’re eager to learn more about video editing careers and using Procreate on your MacBook, continue reading to find all the answers you seek.
What Is Procreate?
Procreate, an innovative software, is specifically developed for iPads, focusing on digital drawing and illustration. Originally brought to life in 2011 by Savage Interactive, it has swiftly gained immense popularity among both novice artists and seasoned professionals, as it caters to their creative needs on the iPad platform.
Is Procreate Available for Mac Desktops?
No, Procreate is exclusively compatible with iPads and iPhones. It is not supported on Mac desktops, Android devices, or Windows computers.
Top Drawing Apps for Mac
Below, we present a concise compilation of alternative choices to Procreate, enabling us to paint, draw, and unleash our creativity on a Macbook.
1. Adobe Express
Adobe Express is a convenient web-based application that enables the swift creation of flyers, posters, and social graphics. It serves as a suitable starting point for beginners. While the free version offers basic functionality, it lacks the comprehensive features of Procreate.
Key Features:
- User-friendly interface for easy graphic creation
- Free access with limited features
- Upgrade to the Premium plan ($9.99/month) for enhanced capabilities
2. ArtStudio Pro
ArtStudio Pro is an excellent alternative to Procreate for MacBook, iPad, and iPhone. It offers a wide range of tools for creating impressive drawings and paintings. With smooth brush functionality and eighty customizable settings, artists can achieve intricate details.
Key Features:
- Unlimited layering
- Screen recording feature
- Diverse selection of customized brushes
- Compatible with iOS and macOS
- available for a one-time purchase of $19.99 (Mac) and $14.99 (iOS).
3. Photoshop
Photoshop is a versatile software known for its photo-editing capabilities, offering a wide array of tools for various tasks. It excels in digital illustration, providing advantages for intricate and detailed projects.
Key Features:
- Extensive Project Scope
- iPad Compatibility
- Subscription Model
- Diverse Toolset
- Cross-Platform Compatibility
4. Krita
Krita is a powerful and free painting program loved by artists of all levels. With its extensive features and impressive performance, Krita has become a go-to choice for illustrators, concept designers, 3D artists, and visual effects creators. It has gained significant popularity in the film and video game development industry.
Key Features:
- Versatile Tools
- Krita provides two editions catering to different user needs.
- Customizable Brush Engines
- User-Friendly Interface
- Krita supports macOS, Windows, and Linux platforms, ensuring accessibility for a broad range of users.
5. Vectornator
Vectornator is a user-friendly designing app that lets you bring your imagination to life. With its powerful features and fast performance, this professional app allows you to create stunning illustrations, expressive lettering, and more. You can also edit PDF documents and convert them into different formats, making it a versatile tool for designers.
Key Features:
- Ideal for producing stunning vector paintings
- Edit and convert PDF documents seamlessly
- Create intricate illustrations and captivating lettering
- Fast and feature-rich professional design tool
6. MediBang
MediBang Paint is a free and versatile creative app specifically designed for comic book creators. Available for both Mac and PC, it offers various features that make it ideal for digital paintings and comic creation.
Key Features:
- Extensive collection of brushes and colors
- Layer function for added flexibility
- Convenient comic page management
7. Rebelle 4
Rebelle 4 is an exceptional drawing app that stands out for its remarkable performance and is highly favored by users. With Rebelle 4, you can effortlessly create lifelike paintings using a variety of wet and dry media, including oils and watercolors.
Key Features:
- Extensive collection of oil paints and watercolors.
- Exceptional performance and user-friendly interface.
- Realistic paintings with various wet and dry media.
- Techniques like color blending and wet diffusion.
- Ideal for artists of all levels seeking skill enhancement.
8. Fresco
Developed by Adobe, Fresco is a highly anticipated digital drawing and painting software. Known for its exceptional performance and abundant features, Fresco provides a user-friendly platform for artists to express their creativity.
It offers a free trial to help you determine if it meets your needs before considering the premium version. With a diverse range of tools and options, including brushes, design tools, and text manipulation, Fresco equips you with everything required to bring your artistic visions to life.
Key Features:
- Convenient digital drawing and painting space
- Wide range of tools, including watercolors, oils, brushes, and design tools
- Ability to incorporate texts and various font styles
Importance of a Windows 10 Alternative to Procreate
While Procreate’s authentic drawing experience has gained immense popularity, it remains limited to iOS and iPadOS. Unfortunately, Windows users are unable to enjoy this app, highlighting the necessity for a Procreate alternative designed specifically for Windows 10.
Why Procreate Isn’t Compatible with MacBook
Savage Interactive, the creators of Procreate, consistently emphasize their rationale behind the unavailability of Procreate on MacBook devices. Their stance revolves around the app’s design for iOS, which offers the optimal user experience.
In addition, Procreate’s developers have specifically stated that the app necessitates Apple Pencil compatibility and a touchscreen for optimal functionality, both of which are absent in Mac systems. CEO James Cuda succinctly expresses this limitation on Twitter.
Which devices support Procreate?
Procreate works on Apple iPads that are compatible. For those who prefer using their iPhones, there is a special app called Procreate Pocket designed specifically for them.
Bottom Line
Procreate is not compatible with MacBooks as it is exclusively designed for iPads and iPhones. However, Mac users have alternative drawing apps to explore, such as Adobe Express, ArtStudio Pro, Photoshop, Krita, Vectornator, MediBang, Rebelle 4, and Fresco. These apps offer diverse features and functionalities for digital artists. While Procreate is unavailable for Windows users as well, there is a need for a Windows 10 alternative. Artists can choose from these alternatives to find a suitable digital drawing tool for their creative needs.
