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Free Procreate alternatives

Top Photo Editing like Procreate

The most popular alternative to Procreate is Krita, which has a free version. Other great alternatives to Procreate are Affinity and GIMP.

Most alternatives to Procreate are in the Photo Editing category, compared here by price, platform and features.

Procreate alternatives
AllFreeOpen source
3 apps

All Procreate alternatives

  1. Krita

    Krita is a free, open source digital painting program developed by the KDE community for illustrators, comic artists, concept artists and texture painters. It offers customizable brush engines, a brush stabilizer, layers and masks, a wrap-around mode for seamless textures and frame-by-frame 2D animation. It runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, with a version for Android tablets and Chromebooks.

    8 Krita alternatives

    Pros

    • Free, open source painting app with powerful brush engines
    • Brush stabilizer and wrap-around mode for seamless textures
    • Frame-by-frame 2D animation built in

    Cons

    • Not designed for photo editing
    • Can be demanding on hardware with large canvases
    • No version available for iPad
    Cost / License
    FreeOpen source
    Categories
    Photo EditingGraphic Design
    Platforms
    WindowsMacLinuxAndroid
    Features
    AnimationDigital paintingLayersPlugins & extensions
    Visit websiteMore about Krita

  2. Affinity

    Affinity is a professional creative app from Canva that merges the former Affinity Designer, Photo and Publisher into one program with vector, pixel and layout workspaces. It is free to download for Windows and macOS, while its optional Canva AI tools require a paid Canva plan. It suits designers who want an alternative to Adobe subscriptions and can import PSD, PDF and IDML files.

    12 Affinity alternatives

    Pros

    • Free download combining vector, pixel and layout workspaces in one app
    • Imports PSD, PDF and IDML files from Adobe workflows
    • Professional tools without a mandatory subscription

    Cons

    • Canva AI tools require a paid Canva plan
    • Smaller plugin and training ecosystem than Adobe’s
    • Imported Adobe files can need manual adjustments
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    Graphic DesignPhoto Editing
    Platforms
    WindowsMac
    Features
    Digital paintingLayersNon-destructive editingRAW photo editingVector editing
    Visit websiteMore about Affinity

  3. GIMP

    GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free, open source image editor used for photo retouching, image composition and digital artwork. It offers layers, masks, selection tools, a wide range of filters and scripts and plugins in Python or Script-Fu. GIMP 3.0 added non-destructive filters and a refreshed interface, and it is a common Photoshop alternative for people who want to avoid subscriptions.

    12 GIMP alternatives

    Pros

    • Free, open source and available on Windows, macOS and Linux
    • Layers, masks, filters and scripting in Python or Script-Fu
    • Non-destructive filters since version 3.0

    Cons

    • Interface and workflows differ from Photoshop, which slows switchers
    • Fewer AI and generative tools than commercial editors
    Cost / License
    FreeOpen source
    Categories
    Photo Editing
    Platforms
    WindowsMacLinux
    Features
    AI image editingDigital paintingLayersNon-destructive editingPlugins & extensions
    Visit websiteMore about GIMP

Procreate vs its alternatives at a glance

Pricing, platforms and the key features of Procreate, compared with its most popular alternatives.

Procreate vs its alternatives at a glance
AppPricingPlatformsAnimationDigital paintingLayersOffline mode
ProcreatePaidiPhone
KritaFreeOpen sourceWindows, Mac, Linux, Android
AffinityFreemiumWindows, Mac
GIMPFreeOpen sourceWindows, Mac, Linux

Procreate alternatives: frequently asked questions

What is the best alternative to Procreate?

The most popular alternative to Procreate is Krita: Free and open source painting app for illustrators and concept artists. Other great alternatives are Affinity and GIMP.

Is there a free alternative to Procreate?

Yes, 3 alternatives are free or have a free plan, including Krita, Affinity, and GIMP.

Is there an open source alternative to Procreate?

Yes, 2 open source alternatives are listed, including Krita and GIMP.

Is Procreate free?

No, Procreate is a paid app.

Compare Procreate with its alternatives

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