Quick answer: No, Procreate does not have a subscription. It is a one-time purchase from the Apple App Store, listed at around $12.99 in the US at the time of writing, and you keep the app plus its regular updates without monthly fees. Its iPhone sibling, Procreate Pocket, and its animation app, Procreate Dreams, are also separate one-time purchases. Optional extra costs come only from third-party brushes, courses or books you choose to buy.
Subscription fatigue is real. Many creative tools now charge every month, and the costs pile up quickly for hobbyists and students. So it is fair to ask, before spending anything, does Procreate have a subscription, a trial that converts to a plan, or hidden in-app charges?
The short version is reassuring. The longer version, below, explains exactly what you pay for, what is free afterward, which devices it works on, and where extra spending can creep in if you are not careful. And if you want to learn without signing up for anything recurring, our list of Procreate books worth owning as a beginner is a one-time alternative to subscription courses.
How Procreate Pricing Works
Procreate is sold on the Apple App Store as a paid app. You pay once, it is tied to your Apple ID, and you can download it on any compatible iPad signed into that account. There is no monthly or yearly plan to keep the app working.
Prices on the App Store vary by country and can change, so always check the current listing. In the US, Procreate has long sat around the $12.99 mark, which makes it one of the lowest-cost professional drawing apps available.
What the one-time price includes
- The full app with every feature unlocked
- A large built-in brush library
- Layers, blend modes, selection and transform tools
- Animation Assist for simple frame-by-frame animation
- Text, perspective guides, drawing assist and QuickShape
- Time-lapse recording of your drawing process
- Export to PSD, PNG, JPEG, PDF, TIFF and animated formats
- Updates released for that app, which have historically been free
That last point matters. Major feature updates to Procreate, such as the jump to Procreate 5 and its later revisions, were delivered to existing owners at no extra charge. There is no guarantee about the future, but the pattern so far has been consistent.
Procreate Family of Apps and What Each Costs
The Procreate name now covers several apps. Each is a separate purchase, and none require a subscription.
| App | Device | Pricing model | Main purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Procreate | iPad | One-time purchase (around $12.99 US) | Illustration, painting, sketching, light animation |
| Procreate Pocket | iPhone | One-time purchase (lower price than iPad version) | Drawing and painting on a phone |
| Procreate Dreams | iPad | One-time purchase | Full animation and motion work |
Buying Procreate for iPad does not unlock Procreate Pocket on iPhone, and the reverse is also true. They are separate products, even though files can move between them.
Are There Any In-App Purchases?
Procreate itself does not lock features behind in-app purchases. Everything shown in the app is available once you have bought it.
Where you may spend extra money:
- Third-party brush packs sold by artists on their own sites and marketplaces
- Color palettes, stamps and templates from independent creators
- Courses and books that teach Procreate techniques
- Hardware, mainly a compatible iPad and Apple Pencil
None of these are required. The built-in brushes cover sketching, inking, painting, texture and lettering well enough to learn on for months.
The Real Cost of Getting Started With Procreate
Because the app is inexpensive, the hardware is the major cost. A realistic budget looks like this:
| Item | Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Compatible iPad | Yes | Check Procreate’s current system requirements for supported models and iPadOS version |
| Apple Pencil | Strongly recommended | Needed for pressure sensitivity; confirm which Pencil works with your iPad |
| Procreate app | Yes | One-time payment |
| Matte screen protector | Optional | Adds paper-like friction some artists prefer |
| Learning resources | Optional | Free tutorials exist; books and courses add structure |
If you want a structured way to learn without buying a recurring course, a good beginner book can be a smart one-time spend. Our list of the best Procreate books for beginners compares titles by skill level and teaching style.
Can You Use Procreate on a PC, Laptop or Computer?
This is the most common follow-up question, and the answer often surprises people. Procreate is built for iPad, and Procreate Pocket is built for iPhone. There is no official Windows version, no Android version, and no standard desktop version for laptops.
Can you use Procreate on a MacBook?
Not officially. Although some Apple silicon Macs can run certain iPad apps, Procreate is not offered for Mac through the App Store at the time of writing. If you need to work on a MacBook, you will need a different desktop drawing program.
Can you use Procreate on a laptop or PC?
No. Windows laptops and desktop PCs cannot run Procreate. Be cautious of websites offering “Procreate for PC” downloads, since these are not from the developer and may be unsafe. If you need something similar on Windows, look at desktop painting apps that support pen tablets.
How to use Procreate on PC indirectly
Some artists draw in Procreate on iPad, then export PSD files and continue editing on a computer in another program. Others mirror the iPad screen to a larger monitor for teaching or streaming. Neither approach runs Procreate on the computer itself, but both let you combine devices in a workflow.
Why Procreate Does Not Use a Subscription
The developer, Savage Interactive, has kept Procreate as a one-time purchase since the app launched, and has publicly positioned that as a deliberate choice. The company has also stated it does not plan to add generative AI features to Procreate, which many artists see as part of the same artist-first stance.
Business plans can change, so it is sensible to check the App Store listing before buying. Still, the long history of one-time pricing makes Procreate one of the more predictable creative tools to budget for.
Procreate vs Subscription Drawing Apps
How does a one-time purchase compare over time? Here is a general look at the trade-offs, without specific competitor prices, since those change often.
| Factor | Procreate (one-time) | Typical subscription apps |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Low, single payment | Low monthly entry, sometimes free trial |
| Long-term cost | Stays the same | Grows every month you use it |
| Access if you stop paying | Keep using the app | Features or app access may stop |
| Cross-platform use | iPad and iPhone only (separate apps) | Often desktop plus mobile |
| Cloud storage | Uses your own iCloud or device storage | Sometimes bundled cloud storage |
If you only draw on iPad, Procreate’s pricing is hard to beat. If you need the same app on Windows, Mac and iPad, a cross-platform subscription tool may be more practical despite the ongoing cost.
Does Procreate Dreams Have a Subscription?
Procreate Dreams, the developer’s dedicated animation app for iPad, follows the same model: a single purchase on the App Store with no recurring plan. It is a separate app from Procreate, so owning one does not unlock the other. If you only need short loops or simple GIFs, the Animation Assist feature built into Procreate may be enough, and you can skip Dreams entirely.
Spotting Fake “Procreate Subscription” Offers
Because Procreate is popular, some websites and ads advertise subscriptions, “premium unlocks” or downloads for Windows and Android. These are not from the developer. Warning signs include:
- Any offer to install Procreate on a PC, Chromebook or Android device
- Requests for card details outside the Apple App Store
- “Free Procreate” downloads that require extra installers
- Monthly plans promising access to “Procreate Pro” features
The only legitimate place to buy the app is Apple’s App Store on a compatible iPad or iPhone.
Things to Know Before You Buy
- There is no free trial. You cannot test the full app before paying, so watch a few tutorials first to see if it suits you.
- Refunds go through Apple. If you buy by mistake, refund requests are handled through Apple’s purchase support, not the developer.
- Back up your files. Procreate stores artwork locally on the iPad. Export important .procreate files to iCloud Drive or another storage location regularly.
- Check device compatibility. Older iPads may not support the latest version.
- Family accounts. If your household uses Apple Family Sharing, check whether the app is eligible before buying on multiple accounts.
What Happens When You Get a New iPad?
Because Procreate is tied to your Apple ID, you do not pay again when you upgrade your iPad. Sign in with the same Apple ID, open the App Store, find Procreate in your purchase history, and download it at no cost. The same applies if you delete the app and reinstall it later.
Your artwork does not move automatically, though. Procreate stores files inside the app on the device. Before switching iPads, use one of these approaches:
- Restore the new iPad from an iCloud or computer backup of the old one, which usually brings app data along.
- Select artworks in the Gallery, tap Share, choose the .procreate format and save them to iCloud Drive or the Files app, then import them on the new iPad.
- For large libraries, export stacks in batches to avoid running out of temporary storage during transfer.
Is Procreate Worth the One-Time Price?
For most people with a compatible iPad, the answer is yes. The cost is roughly the price of a couple of tubes of artist-grade paint, and it replaces a sketchbook, inks and a whole set of brushes for practice purposes. Consider it a strong fit if you:
- Already own a supported iPad and an Apple Pencil
- Want to sketch, illustrate or plan paintings digitally
- Prefer owning software outright rather than renting it
- Do not need the same app on a Windows or Mac computer
It may be less ideal if your main work happens on a desktop computer, if you need vector output for logos, or if you require multi-page layout tools for comics or publishing. In those cases, Procreate can still serve as a sketching companion while another program handles final production.
Procreate vs Procreate Pocket: which should you buy?
If you own an iPad, buy Procreate. The larger screen and Apple Pencil support make a huge difference. Procreate Pocket is designed for iPhone and is best for quick sketches on the go or for people who only have a phone. Some artists own both and move files between them.
Free Ways to Learn After You Buy
Since the app is a one-time purchase, many beginners want to keep learning costs low too. Some free starting points:
- Procreate’s official Handbook, which explains every tool
- Free beginner tutorials on video platforms
- Free brush and palette packs shared by artists
- Coloring-book-style practice: import line art, set the layer to Reference, and fill on a layer below
That coloring technique is worth highlighting. To use Procreate like a coloring book, import a line drawing, set that layer as the Reference layer, then use ColorDrop on a new layer underneath. Color fills stay inside the lines without painting on the line art itself.
FAQs
Does Procreate have a subscription?
No. Procreate is a one-time purchase on the App Store. You pay once and keep using the app without monthly or yearly fees.
How much does Procreate cost?
Procreate for iPad has been listed at around $12.99 in the US. Prices vary by country and can change, so check the current App Store listing before buying.
Is Procreate free on iPad?
No. It is a paid app with no free version or full free trial. Some schools and organizations may provide it through education programs.
Can you use Procreate on a computer?
No. Procreate runs only on iPad, and Procreate Pocket runs on iPhone. There is no official Windows, Mac or Android version.
Do I have to pay for Procreate updates?
Historically, updates to Procreate, including major versions, have been free for existing owners. Separate apps like Procreate Dreams are sold individually.
How do you print from Procreate?
Set up your canvas at print size and around 300 DPI, then use Actions > Share to export a PDF, PNG or high-quality JPEG. Print from the exported file using the iPad’s print option or a computer.
Next Step
Procreate’s one-time price removes the biggest barrier, so the real investment becomes your time. A structured learning path helps you get through the early stages faster than random tutorials.
If you prefer learning from a book you own rather than another subscription, browse our picks for beginner-friendly Procreate guidebooks, sorted by experience level and art style.
