Adobe Illustrator and Procreate are essential tools for businesses and designers, offering powerful features for creating stunning visuals. We'll compare Adobe Illustrator and Procreate to determine which one best meets the needs of professionals and creatives.

A Quick Overview of Adobe Illustrator and Procreate

What is Adobe Illustrator?

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Adobe is a software company known for its creative and multimedia software products. Adobe Illustrator is part of Adobe's Creative Cloud suite, which includes a range of applications for design, photography, video, and more.

Adobe Illustrator offers features like the Pen Tool for precise drawing and the Scale Tool for resizing designs without losing quality. A unique feature is the Generative Shape Fill, which allows users to quickly fill vector outlines with detailed and colorful patterns, providing a high level of customization.

What is Procreate?

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Procreate is focused on amplifying human creativity through powerful and intuitive digital art tools. The company offers a range of products designed for both professional artists and beginners.

Procreate for iPad is a complete art studio available for a one-time purchase price. A unique feature is Procreate's commitment to not incorporating generative AI into their apps, emphasizing the value of human creativity.

Features of Adobe Illustrator and Procreate

Similarities

Adobe Illustrator and Procreate share several key features that make them both powerful tools for digital artists. Despite their differences, they offer similar functionalities that cater to the needs of creatives.

  • Both applications allow for the creation of detailed and custom illustrations.
  • They support a variety of tools for drawing, painting, and editing shapes, lines, and colors.
  • Users can add text to their designs, enhancing their creative projects.
  • Both platforms offer scalable design options, ensuring artwork can be resized without losing quality.
  • Extensive support and learning resources are available to help users maximize their creative potential.

Differences

Adobe Illustrator and Procreate cater to different creative needs, with each offering unique features that set them apart.

  • Vector vs. Raster: Adobe Illustrator excels in creating vector graphics that can be infinitely scaled without losing quality, while Procreate is primarily a raster-based drawing app.
  • Generative Shape Fill: Adobe Illustrator offers a Generative Shape Fill feature for quickly filling vector outlines with various options, a feature not available in Procreate.
  • 3D Capabilities: Adobe Illustrator includes a 3D and Materials Panel for adding realistic effects, lighting, and textures to turn 2D art into 3D designs. Procreate does not offer this functionality.
  • Animation Tools: Procreate Dreams focuses on animation, providing tools specifically designed for creating animated content, a feature not found in Adobe Illustrator.
  • Plug-ins: Adobe Illustrator supports a wide range of plug-ins to extend its functionality, whereas Procreate does not mention any specific plug-ins available.

User Interface and Usability

Adobe Illustrator's user interface is feature-rich but can be overwhelming for new users. The software offers a range of tools like the Pen and Curvature tools, which require a learning curve. The user experience is efficient for professionals, with features like Generative Shape Fill and Text to Pattern enhancing productivity. However, the complexity of the interface may hinder usability for beginners.

Procreate's user interface is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, focusing on simplicity and ease of use. The app offers customizable brushes and layers, making it accessible for both beginners and professionals. The user experience is seamless, with responsive tools and a smooth workflow. Overall, Procreate's usability is enhanced by its straightforward design and comprehensive support resources.

Procreate has a better user interface and usability compared to Adobe Illustrator.

Collaboration

Adobe Illustrator, part of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite, offers cloud storage and sharing capabilities, enabling team members to access and work on the same files from different locations. However, the software itself lacks direct collaboration tools like real-time co-editing or in-app commenting, making it reliant on the broader Creative Cloud ecosystem for collaborative efforts.

Procreate, on the other hand, focuses on individual creativity and does not highlight any specific features for collaboration. The app is designed primarily for solo use, with no mention of tools that facilitate teamwork or shared workspaces. This makes it less suitable for collaborative projects compared to Adobe Illustrator.

Overall, Adobe Illustrator is better for collaboration than Procreate.

Adobe Illustrator and Procreate Pricing

Adobe Illustrator operates on a subscription model, with plans starting at £21.98 per month for individuals and £16.24 per month for students and teachers. Business plans are priced at £27.99 per month per license. Discounts are available, such as 50% off for the first three months on the Creative Cloud All Apps plan.

Procreate offers a straightforward pricing model with a one-time purchase cost of $12.99 USD. There are no additional subscription fees or in-app purchases, making it a cost-effective option for digital artists. Given the simplicity and affordability of Procreate's pricing, it is generally more budget-friendly than Adobe Illustrator.

Comparing Adobe Illustrator and Procreate to Piktochart

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Piktochart transforms complex ideas into captivating visuals that inform and engage your audience. With Piktochart AI, you can create stunning infographics, reports, and presentations in seconds, perfectly aligned with your brand. No design experience required.

Pros of Piktochart

  • Ease of Use: Piktochart's intuitive interface makes it accessible for users of all skill levels, ensuring a smooth design experience.
  • Variety of Templates: The platform offers a wide range of templates for infographics, presentations, flyers, posters, and reports, catering to diverse design needs.
  • AI-Powered Design Generator: Piktochart's AI-powered tools allow users to create stunning visuals quickly, saving time and effort.
  • Comprehensive Visual Communication Tools: From video editing to infographic creation, Piktochart provides a full suite of tools for all your visual communication needs.
  • Continuous Improvement: Piktochart actively incorporates user feedback to enhance its features, ensuring the platform evolves to meet user demands.

Piktochart's Pricing

  • Free Plan: $0 (Free forever)
  • Pro Plan: $14 per member/month (billed annually) or $29 per member/month (billed monthly)
  • Business Plan: $24 per member/month (billed annually) or $49 per member/month (billed monthly)
  • Enterprise Plan: Custom Pricing
  • Campus Plan: Custom Pricing (Minimum 3000 seats)

What Are Others Saying?

Adobe Illustrator Reviews

Overall, users have given Adobe Illustrator a rating of 4.6 out of 5. While they appreciate its precision and versatility, they find the steep learning curve and resource-intensive nature frustrating.

"The learning curve is steep, and it can be overwhelming for beginners." - John D., 3.5/5

"It crashes occasionally, which can be frustrating during important projects." - Sarah K., 3.8/5

"The subscription model is expensive, especially for freelancers." - Alex M., 3.9/5

Find more of Adobe Illustrator reviews on G2!

Procreate Reviews

Procreate has received an overall rating of 5.0 out of 5 from users. While many appreciate its intuitive interface, some find it frustrating due to occasional crashes and limitations with file size. Here are a few reviews:

"The app crashes sometimes, especially with larger files." - Hadiza I., 3.5/5

"It can be slow with prolonged use or a large number of files." - Adelaide R., 3.8/5

"Pixelation issues when scaling art can be annoying." - Krittika M., 3.9/5

Find more of Procreate reviews on G2!

Piktochart Reviews

Our users have given Piktochart an overall rating of 4.4 out of 5. They appreciate its ease of use, variety of templates, and AI-powered design tools.

  • "Easy to create content even if you're not a designer." - Jessica D.
  • "Piktochart is very easy and simple to use online graphics creation tool." - ASHESHWAR Y.
  • "Piktochart has top-notch templates for your needs." - Megan B.

Find more of our reviews on G2!

Why choose one over the other?

Why choose Adobe Illustrator:

  • Consumers who need to create scalable vector graphics for professional use, such as graphic designers and illustrators, might prefer Adobe Illustrator. Its advanced features like Generative Shape Fill and 3D artwork creation make it ideal for detailed and high-quality designs.

Why choose Procreate:

  • Artists and beginners who want an intuitive and powerful tool for digital painting and drawing might opt for Procreate. Its one-time purchase model and user-friendly interface make it accessible for those looking to create art on the go.

Why choose Piktochart:

  • Individuals and businesses needing to create engaging visual content quickly and without design experience might find Piktochart the best option. Its AI-powered tools and variety of templates cater to users looking for an easy and efficient way to produce infographics, reports, and presentations.

Adobe Illustrator, Procreate, or Piktochart: Which is the best platform for you?

Whether you're a professional designer, a digital artist, or someone looking to create stunning visuals without any design experience, there's a tool for you. Adobe Illustrator and Procreate offer powerful features tailored to specific creative needs. However, for those seeking an easy-to-use platform with AI-powered tools and a variety of templates, we recommend giving Piktochart a try. It’s the perfect solution for transforming complex ideas into captivating visuals effortlessly.