Procreate vs ArtRage: Which One Is Better in 2024?

Procreate and ArtRage are essential tools for businesses and designers, offering robust features and extensive support. We'll compare Procreate and ArtRage to determine which is the best fit for your creative needs, focusing on aspects like pricing, platform compatibility, and user interface. This comparison will help you make an informed decision.

A Quick Overview of Procreate and ArtRage

What is Procreate?

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. Their clear stance on not incorporating generative AI into their apps sets them apart from competitors.

What is ArtRage?

Ambient Design, the company behind ArtRage, is a New Zealand-based software development company specializing in creative tools for artists. They focus on creating natural tools with intuitive interfaces that allow artists from both traditional and digital backgrounds to paint without needing to learn digital tricks to achieve realistic results.

ArtRage offers a range of tools that mimic real-world painting tools, such as thick oils, delicate watercolors, pencils, and wax crayons. The software's standout feature is its ability to provide a highly realistic painting experience with tools that behave like their real-world counterparts, setting it apart from other digital art software.

Features of Procreate and ArtRage

Similarities

Procreate and ArtRage share several key features that make them popular choices among digital artists. Both platforms are designed to provide a seamless and intuitive experience for users, whether they are beginners or professionals.

• Realistic Painting Tools: Both Procreate and ArtRage offer tools that mimic traditional art mediums like oils, watercolors, and pencils, providing a natural painting experience.
• Platform Availability: Both applications are available on multiple platforms, with Procreate for iPad and iPhone, and ArtRage on desktop and mobile devices.
• Intuitive Interface: Both companies emphasize user-friendly interfaces, allowing artists to focus on their creativity without needing to learn complex digital techniques.
• Educational Resources: Both Procreate and ArtRage provide extensive learning resources, including tutorials and community support, to help users maximize their software's potential.
• One-Time Purchase Model: Both companies offer their software for a one-time purchase fee, making it more accessible for users compared to subscription models.

Differences

While Procreate and ArtRage both offer robust tools for digital artists, their unique features set them apart. Here are the key differences:

• Animation Tools: Procreate includes animation assist features, allowing users to create frame-by-frame animations, a feature not available in ArtRage.
• Realistic Media: ArtRage excels in providing realistic painting tools like thick oils and delicate watercolors that mimic traditional media, which Procreate does not emphasize as strongly.
• Platform Compatibility: ArtRage is available on both desktop (Windows and macOS) and mobile (iOS and Android), whereas Procreate is exclusive to iPad and iPhone.
• Brush Customization: Procreate offers extensive brush customization options, allowing artists to create and modify brushes to suit their needs, a feature less developed in ArtRage.
• Natural Color Blending: ArtRage provides natural color blending capabilities, making it easier to achieve realistic color transitions, a feature not as prominent in Procreate.

User Interface and Usability

Procreate's user interface is streamlined and intuitive, designed to facilitate a smooth creative process. The app's layout is clean, with tools and features easily accessible, minimizing the learning curve for new users. ArtRage, on the other hand, offers a more traditional art studio feel, with a user interface that mimics real-world art tools. This can be appealing to artists familiar with traditional media but may require a bit more time to navigate for those new to digital art.

In terms of user experience, Procreate emphasizes efficiency and speed, allowing users to quickly switch between tools and features. ArtRage focuses on providing a realistic painting experience, which can be immersive but might slow down the workflow for some users. Overall, Procreate's user interface and usability are generally more streamlined and user-friendly compared to ArtRage.

Collaboration

Procreate does not offer built-in features for direct collaboration, focusing instead on individual creativity. The platform lacks tools for real-time co-editing or shared canvases, making it less suitable for teamwork. Users can share their work externally, but this requires additional steps and tools outside the app.

ArtRage also does not provide direct collaboration features within the software. While the platform includes forums and a member area for artists to share work and seek feedback, it lacks real-time co-editing capabilities. This indirect approach to collaboration may not meet the needs of teams working on the same project simultaneously.

Neither Procreate nor ArtRage is particularly strong in facilitating direct collaboration.

Procreate and ArtRage Pricing

Procreate offers a straightforward pricing model with a one-time fee of $12.99 for its iPad app. This price includes all features and updates, with no additional costs or subscriptions required. The simplicity and affordability make it an attractive option for digital artists looking for a powerful tool without ongoing expenses.

ArtRage provides multiple pricing options depending on the version. ArtRage Vitae Desktop is priced at $80, ArtRage Vitae Mobile at $4.99, and ArtRage Lite at $29.90. Each version is a one-time purchase, catering to different needs and budgets. While Procreate is more affordable overall, ArtRage offers more flexibility in its pricing structure.

Procreate's pricing is generally more accessible, especially for those seeking a comprehensive tool at a lower cost.

Comparing Procreate and ArtRage to Piktochart

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

• Customizable Text Properties: Piktochart allows users to adjust text properties, including font, size, and color, making it easy to create visually appealing content that aligns with your brand.
• AI-Powered Design Generator: The AI design generator helps users create stunning visuals quickly and efficiently, saving time and effort while ensuring high-quality results.
• Comprehensive Suite of Tools: Piktochart offers a wide range of visual and video tools, including an Infographic Maker, Banner Maker, and Video to Text Converter, catering to various creative needs.
• Wide Range of Templates: With numerous templates available for different purposes and industries, Piktochart makes it easy to start any project, whether it's for marketing, education, or nonprofit work.
• Accessibility and Affordability: Piktochart provides discounted plans for students, teachers, and registered nonprofits, making professional-quality design tools accessible to a broader audience.

Piktochart's Pricing

• Free: $0 (Free forever)
• Pro: $29 per member/month (billed monthly) or $14 per member/month (billed annually, save 52%)
• Business: $49 per member/month (billed monthly) or $24 per member/month (billed annually, save 52%)
• Enterprise: Custom Pricing (Contact for details)

What Are Others Saying?

Procreate Reviews

Overall, users have given Procreate a rating of 5.0 out of 5. While many appreciate its intuitive interface and variety of illustration styles, some find it daunting for first-time users and experience occasional crashes with heavier illustrations.

"The app can be overwhelming for beginners and lacks a proper manual." - John D., 3.5 out of 5

"Procreate crashes sometimes when working on large files, which is frustrating." - Emily R., 3.8 out of 5

"Scaling art can lead to pixelation, which limits its use for certain projects." - Alex P., 3.9 out of 5

Find more of Procreate reviews on G2!

ArtRage Reviews

ArtRage has an overall rating of 4.4 out of 5. Users appreciate its realistic painting tools but find issues with pixelation and a lack of significant updates frustrating.

"Some brushes/mediums need improvement, not significant improvements over the years." - Verified User in Arts and Crafts, 3.5 out of 5

"Some images not as sharp, challenging to get the drawing exactly right." - Mike M., 3.5 out of 5

"Some brushes give a strange pixelation." - Bruno A., 3.5 out of 5

Find more of ArtRage 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, customizable templates, and the ability to create professional-quality visuals without design experience.

• "Easy to create content even if you're not a designer" - Jessica D.
• "My Go-To for ALL Professional Presentations!" - Jennifer K.
• "Incredibly intuitive design app" - Katie S.

Find more of our reviews on G2!

Why choose one over the other?

Why Choose Procreate Over ArtRage:

• Procreate is ideal for creative professionals and aspiring artists who need a powerful, comprehensive toolset for digital art. Its intuitive interface and affordability make it a go-to choice for those seeking efficiency and versatility.

Why Choose ArtRage Over Procreate:

• ArtRage is perfect for traditional artists and hobbyists who want a digital tool that closely mimics real-life painting techniques. Its realistic painting tools and natural color blending make it a favorite among those who prefer a more authentic art experience.

Why Choose Piktochart Over ArtRage and Procreate:

• Piktochart is best suited for educators, marketing professionals, and small businesses needing an all-in-one visual communication tool. Its ease of use, variety of templates, and AI-powered features make it ideal for creating professional-quality visuals quickly and efficiently.

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

Whether you're a professional artist, a traditional painter, or someone looking to create stunning visuals without design experience, there's a tool for you. While Procreate and ArtRage offer fantastic features for digital art, we believe Piktochart stands out for its versatility and ease of use. With Piktochart, you can transform complex ideas into captivating visuals effortlessly, making it the perfect choice for educators, marketers, and small businesses alike.