If you're a digital artist working on an iPad, you've likely heard the two names that dominate the conversation: Procreate and Adobe Fresco. Both are powerhouse drawing apps, but they cater to different workflows, budgets, and artistic styles. In this 2026 comparison, we'll dissect every aspect—brush engines, vector vs raster, pricing, performance, and unique features—to help you decide which app deserves a spot on your home screen.
Whether you're a hobbyist, a professional illustrator, or a designer transitioning from desktop, this guide will give you the clarity you need to invest your time (and money) wisely.
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📋 Table of Contents
- 1. Procreate & Adobe Fresco: Quick Overview
- 2. Pricing: One-Time vs Subscription
- 3. Brush Engines & Realism
- 4. Vector vs Raster Workflows
- 5. Animation & Time‑Lapse
- 6. User Interface & Learning Curve
- 7. Performance & iPad Optimization
- 8. Export, File Formats & Compatibility
- 9. Community, Resources & Support
- 10. Final Verdict: Which One Should You Choose?
Procreate & Adobe Fresco: Quick Overview
Before diving into the details, let's establish what each app is known for.
Procreate
iPad ClassicProcreate has been the go‑to raster illustration app for iPad artists since 2011. It’s beloved for its intuitive interface, massive brush library, and one‑time purchase model. Procreate focuses entirely on raster (pixel‑based) art, offering an unparalleled natural drawing experience with high‑resolution canvases up to 16K x 8K.
Adobe Fresco
Adobe EcosystemAdobe Fresco is a newer player (launched 2019) that combines raster and vector workflows. It’s part of the Adobe Creative Cloud, meaning seamless integration with Photoshop, Illustrator, and cloud storage. Fresco shines with its “Live Brushes” that mimic watercolor and oil, and its vector capabilities allow for scalable, resolution‑independent art.
Pricing: One‑Time vs Subscription
For many artists, cost is a deciding factor. Here’s how the two apps compare financially in 2026.
| Pricing Model | Procreate | Adobe Fresco |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront Cost | $12.99 (one‑time) | Free (limited) / $9.99/month (Adobe CC subscription) |
| Long‑term (3 years) | $12.99 total | $359.64 total |
| Free Version Features | No free version (but inexpensive) | Basic brushes, 2 GB cloud, limited layers |
| Included with CC | Not included | Yes – Fresco is part of Creative Cloud All Apps plan |
💰 Which is more economical?
If you only need a drawing app and plan to use it for years, Procreate is dramatically cheaper. However, if you already subscribe to Adobe CC for Photoshop, Illustrator, or other tools, Fresco comes at no extra cost. For professionals who need vector capabilities or deep Adobe integration, the subscription may be justified.
Brush Engines & Realism
The heart of any drawing app is its brushes. Both Procreate and Fresco have invested heavily in brush technology.
Procreate’s Brush Studio
Procreate’s brush engine is legendary. You can customize nearly every parameter: grain, stroke path, taper, pressure sensitivity, and even create dual‑texture brushes. The brush library includes over 200 professionally designed brushes, and you can import thousands more from third‑party creators. Procreate’s brushes feel incredibly natural, especially with Apple Pencil tilt and pressure support.
Adobe Fresco’s Live Brushes & Vector Brushes
Fresco’s standout feature is “Live Brushes” – they simulate real‑world watercolor and oil paints, with pigment that pools, bleeds, and blends as you draw. This is powered by Adobe’s Sensei AI and is unlike anything in Procreate. Additionally, Fresco offers pixel brushes (raster) and vector brushes that create editable shapes and lines that can be scaled infinitely. The vector brushes are perfect for graphic designers and illustrators who need crisp, clean lines.
🎨 Brush Face‑Off
- Procreate: Best for natural media emulation (pencil, charcoal, ink) and total customization.
- Fresco: Unbeatable watercolor/oil simulation and vector versatility.
Vector vs Raster Workflows
This is where the two apps fundamentally differ.
Procreate is purely raster. Every stroke is a pixel. This is ideal for painterly illustrations, textures, and detailed artwork that doesn’t need resizing beyond the canvas size. However, if you need to scale a logo to billboard size later, raster art can become pixelated.
Fresco combines both. You can work on a single canvas with raster and vector layers side by side. Vector strokes remain editable and infinitely scalable. This hybrid approach is a dream for illustrators who also do graphic design, lettering, or need to export assets to Illustrator.
Animation & Time‑Lapse
Both apps offer animation features, but they target different needs.
- Procreate’s Animation Assist is a simple frame‑by‑frame animation tool. It’s great for rough sketches, GIFs, and short loops. You can see onion skins and adjust frame rates. It’s not a full animation suite, but perfect for quick, expressive motion.
- Fresco’s animation is more robust, with timeline‑based controls, keyframes, and the ability to combine vector and raster in motion. It’s closer to a simplified After Effects or Photoshop timeline, making it suitable for more complex animations.
Both apps record your entire drawing process as a time‑lapse video, which is great for sharing on social media.
User Interface & Learning Curve
Procreate is famous for its minimalist, gesture‑driven interface. You can access almost everything with swipes and taps – no menus cluttering the screen. This makes it incredibly fast once you learn the gestures, but there is a slight learning curve for newcomers.
Fresco’s interface is more traditional, reminiscent of Photoshop. It has panels, toolbars, and menus that may feel familiar to desktop users. It’s less gesture‑dependent, which can be easier for beginners, but the screen can feel crowded. However, you can customize the workspace.
Performance & iPad Optimization
Both apps are optimized for iPad and take full advantage of the M‑series chips. Procreate supports ultra‑high resolution canvases (up to 16K x 8K) and handles hundreds of layers smoothly. Fresco is also performant, but its vector and Live Brushes can be more CPU‑intensive; you may experience slight lag on very large canvases with complex Live Brushes.
Procreate’s engine is highly optimized for raster, making it feel buttery smooth even on older iPads. Fresco’s hybrid nature means it’s a bit heavier, but on M1/M2 iPads it runs excellently.
Export, File Formats & Compatibility
| Feature | Procreate | Adobe Fresco |
|---|---|---|
| Native format | .procreate | .fresco (includes vector/raster layers) |
| Export raster | PSD, PNG, JPG, TIFF, PDF | PSD, PNG, JPG, PDF |
| Export vector | No (raster only) | SVG, PDF (vector layers retained) |
| Cloud sync | iCloud, Files app | Adobe Creative Cloud, Lightroom |
| Photoshop integration | Limited (PSD export, but layers may rasterize) | Deep integration – open in Photoshop with live vector layers |
If you work extensively in Photoshop, Fresco’s ability to send files directly to Photoshop while preserving vector paths is a massive advantage. Procreate exports PSDs, but some layer effects and brushes may not translate perfectly.
Community, Resources & Support
Procreate has a massive, passionate community. There are thousands of brush packs, tutorials on YouTube, and an active subreddit. The developers regularly release updates with new features (all free).
Fresco, being part of Adobe, benefits from Adobe’s vast tutorial network and integration with Behance. The Live Brushes are continually improved via Creative Cloud updates. However, because Fresco is newer, the third‑party resource ecosystem is smaller but growing.
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Choose?
Your choice ultimately depends on your art style, budget, and workflow needs.
✅ Choose Procreate if:
- You want a one‑time purchase with no recurring fees.
- Your work is primarily raster‑based (illustration, painting, sketching).
- You love deep brush customization and a gesture‑driven interface.
- You don’t need vector capabilities or tight Adobe integration.
🎯 Choose Adobe Fresco if:
- You already subscribe to Adobe Creative Cloud.
- You need watercolor/oil simulation (Live Brushes).
- You work with both raster and vector and want seamless Photoshop/Illustrator integration.
- You create assets that require infinite scaling (logos, graphics).
For many artists, having both might be the answer. Procreate for its unmatched sketching and painting feel, Fresco for vector and live media. But if you can only pick one, weigh the factors above.
💰 5‑Year Cost Comparison
Frequently Asked Questions
Procreate is iPad‑only. There’s a separate app called Procreate Pocket for iPhone, but it’s a scaled‑down version. For Mac, there is no native Procreate, but you can mirror your iPad with Sidecar.
Fresco has a free tier with limited brushes, 2 GB cloud storage, and restricted layer count. To unlock all features (including Live Brushes and vector tools), you need a Creative Cloud subscription ($9.99/month for the Photography plan or included in All Apps).
Both have excellent Apple Pencil support with tilt, pressure, and palm rejection. Procreate’s responsiveness is slightly faster because of its raster‑only engine, but Fresco is also very refined. It’s a matter of preference.
No, Procreate cannot open .fresco files directly. You can export from Fresco as PSD, but vector layers will rasterize. For maximum compatibility, export as PSD with rasterized layers or use the Adobe ecosystem.
Both are beginner‑friendly. Procreate’s gesture‑based system can take a day to learn, but then becomes incredibly fast. Fresco’s traditional interface is more familiar to those who’ve used desktop software. Many beginners start with Procreate due to its low cost and vast tutorials.