Quick answer: Procreate vs Procreate Pocket comes down to device. Procreate is the iPad app, built around Apple Pencil and a large screen. Procreate Pocket is the iPhone version, with the same core brush engine, layers and file format but a compact interface designed for finger input, since iPhones do not support Apple Pencil. Both are separate one-time purchases with no subscription, and neither runs on Windows, Mac or Android.
Procreate’s reputation leads many people to search the App Store and find two apps with the same name and logo style. One is cheaper. One is for iPhone. Are they the same software in a different size, or is one a stripped-down version?
This guide compares Procreate and Procreate Pocket on features, input, interface, price, file compatibility and best use cases. It also answers the common follow-up: can you use either one on a PC or computer? Whichever you choose, our roundup of online Procreate classes for every level can shorten the learning curve.
The Short Version: Same Family, Different Devices
Both apps come from Savage Interactive and share the same DNA: the brush engine, many of the same tools and the .procreate file format. The differences come mainly from the hardware they run on.
| Feature | Procreate (iPad) | Procreate Pocket (iPhone) |
|---|---|---|
| Device | iPad | iPhone |
| Primary input | Apple Pencil (pressure and tilt), finger | Finger; some styluses work as basic touch input |
| Screen space | Large, room for canvas and panels | Small; interface condensed |
| Pricing | One-time purchase | One-time purchase (lower price) |
| Subscription | None | None |
| Brush engine | Full | Shares core engine |
| Layers, blend modes, masks | Yes | Yes |
| Animation tools | Animation Assist | Animation tools available |
| File format | .procreate, PSD, PNG, JPEG and more | Same core formats |
| Best for | Serious illustration, painting, professional work | Quick sketches, ideas, on-the-go practice |
Exact feature lists change with updates, so check the App Store descriptions for the latest details.
Input: The Biggest Difference
Procreate and Apple Pencil
The iPad app is built around Apple Pencil. Pressure changes line width and opacity; tilt allows shading with the side of the “pencil.” Palm rejection lets you rest your hand on the screen. This is what makes Procreate feel like a real drawing tool.
Procreate Pocket and finger input
iPhones do not support Apple Pencil, so Procreate Pocket is designed for finger drawing. Without pressure from a pencil, line variation relies more on brush settings, speed-based dynamics, and adjusting size and opacity manually. Rubber-tipped capacitive styluses can help with precision, but they act like a fingertip and generally do not provide true pressure.
That makes Pocket excellent for sketching, color studies and quick ideas, but less suited to detailed linework that depends on pressure.
Interface and Workflow
Procreate on iPad spreads tools across the top of the screen with a sidebar for size and opacity, leaving a large canvas. Pocket condenses the controls to fit a phone screen, so some tools sit behind an extra tap or menu. The gestures many users rely on, such as two-finger tap to undo and pinch to zoom, carry over.
On a small screen, expect more zooming and panning. Working at a higher zoom level helps with detail, and quick undo gestures become essential.
Features Shared by Both Apps
- Brush library and Brush Studio for custom brushes
- Importing brushes made by others
- Layers with blend modes, clipping masks, alpha lock and layer masks
- Adjustments like hue, saturation, brightness, curves and blur
- Selection and transform tools
- Time-lapse recording
- Export to common image formats, including layered PSD
- Drawing aids such as QuickShape and symmetry or perspective guides
Maximum canvas size and layer count depend on the device’s memory in both apps. Phones often allow fewer layers at large canvas sizes than iPads with more memory.
Price and Value
Both are one-time purchases with no subscription. Procreate Pocket costs less than the iPad version. Buying one does not unlock the other, so if you want both, you purchase them separately.
| Scenario | Best purchase |
|---|---|
| You own an iPad with Apple Pencil support | Procreate |
| You only own an iPhone | Procreate Pocket |
| You own both and want to sketch on the go | Both, moving files between them |
| You want to test digital art before buying an iPad | Pocket as a low-cost introduction |
| You need professional-quality, pressure-sensitive work | Procreate on iPad |
Moving Files Between Procreate and Pocket
Because both apps use the .procreate format, you can start a sketch on iPhone and finish it on iPad.
- In Pocket, open the Gallery, select the artwork and choose Share.
- Export as .procreate to preserve layers.
- Save it to iCloud Drive or the Files app, or send it by AirDrop.
- On the iPad, import the file into Procreate.
Large canvases created on iPad may exceed what an iPhone can open comfortably, so moving from iPad to iPhone can be more limited than the reverse.
Performance, Storage and Battery
Both apps are optimized for Apple hardware, but phone and tablet constraints differ:
- Memory: The amount of RAM determines how large a canvas you can create and how many layers it supports. iPads, especially higher-end models, typically allow bigger, more layered canvases than iPhones.
- Storage: Layered artworks and time-lapse recordings take up space. On a phone already full of photos, storage can fill quickly. Export and archive finished pieces.
- Battery: Long painting sessions with heavy brushes drain batteries on both devices. Keep a charger nearby for extended work.
- Heat: Very large canvases and complex brushes can make devices warm. Reducing canvas size or closing other apps helps.
Using Both Apps as a Workflow
Many artists who own both devices treat Pocket as a capture tool and Procreate as the studio. A common pattern:
- Capture: Sketch thumbnails and color ideas in Pocket while commuting or waiting.
- Select: Review sketches later and pick the strongest compositions.
- Transfer: Send the chosen files to the iPad as .procreate files.
- Develop: Enlarge, refine linework with Apple Pencil, and paint the final piece in Procreate.
- Export: Share PNG or JPEG files and archive the layered master.
Starting with a canvas size in Pocket that matches the final aspect ratio saves cropping later.
Accessories for Drawing on iPhone
- Capacitive stylus: Improves precision over a fingertip, though without true pressure.
- Matte screen protector: Adds a little friction and reduces glare and fingerprints.
- Phone stand: Holds the phone at a comfortable angle for longer sessions.
- Drawing glove: Can reduce accidental touches from the side of your hand.
Is Procreate Available on PC?
No. Neither Procreate nor Procreate Pocket is available for Windows PCs. There is no official Procreate for Mac, Android or Chromebook either. Searches for “how to download Procreate on PC” or “Procreate app for Windows tutorial” often lead to unofficial sites. Avoid these: anything claiming to install Procreate on Windows is not from the developer and may be unsafe.
Can you use Procreate on a computer at all?
Not directly. Some workarounds help you combine devices:
- Export PSD files from Procreate and open them on a computer in another program.
- Mirror your iPad screen to a computer or monitor for teaching or streaming. The app still runs on the iPad.
- Use a desktop alternative if you need to work on Windows or Mac, and keep Procreate for iPad work.
How much is Procreate software?
Procreate for iPad is a one-time purchase, listed around $12.99 in the US at the time of writing. Procreate Pocket is cheaper. Prices vary by country and can change, so check the App Store.
Learning Curve: Does One Teach the Other?
Skills transfer well. Brushes, layers, blend modes and gestures work the same way, so lessons for one app largely apply to the other. Most tutorials, books and courses focus on the iPad version because of Apple Pencil, but the concepts carry over to Pocket.
If you want structured lessons rather than piecing together random videos, our guide to the best Procreate courses online compares options for different skill levels and styles.
Who Should Choose Procreate Pocket?
- Artists who want a sketchbook in their pocket for ideas and studies
- iPhone users curious about digital art before buying an iPad
- Designers who want to capture quick thumbnails anywhere
- Procreate users who want to keep working away from the iPad
- People who enjoy finger painting styles and loose color studies
Who Should Choose Procreate (iPad)?
- Illustrators, comic artists and letterers who rely on pressure
- Anyone producing finished work for print or clients
- Students following courses designed around Apple Pencil
- Painters who want a portable digital studio with room to work
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Pocket
- Work zoomed in. Fingers are less precise; zooming makes them more accurate.
- Use StreamLine. Smoothing helps steady finger strokes.
- Rely on QuickShape. Hold at the end of a stroke to snap lines and circles.
- Choose forgiving brushes. Textured painting brushes hide small wobbles better than hard ink pens.
- Keep canvases modest. Smaller canvases allow more layers on a phone.
- Back up regularly. Export important artworks to iCloud Drive or Files.
Tips for Getting Started on iPad Procreate
- Adjust Apple Pencil pressure settings in Preferences to match your hand.
- Learn the core gestures in your first session.
- Start with a few brushes rather than the entire library.
- Use layers for sketch, line, color and shading.
- Follow a structured course or book to build fundamentals.
Does Procreate Work on a Computer Through an iPad Display?
Some people ask whether connecting an iPad to a Mac turns Procreate into a desktop app. It does not. Apple’s Sidecar feature lets an iPad act as a second display and pen input for Mac apps, but that means using Mac software on the iPad screen, not running Procreate on the Mac. Third-party tools can do something similar for Windows. In every case, Procreate itself only runs natively on the iPad.
Which Is Better for Learning Digital Art?
For most learners, the iPad version is the better classroom. Courses, books and tutorials overwhelmingly demonstrate techniques with Apple Pencil, and pressure sensitivity is central to brush control, line weight and shading. Pocket works as a supplement: practicing color, composition and layer management on the phone reinforces lessons learned on the iPad. If Pocket is your only option, focus on exercises that depend less on pressure, such as value studies, shape design and color harmony, which build skills that transfer to any tool.
Common Misconceptions
- “Pocket is a free version of Procreate.” It is a separate paid app, not a free trial.
- “Buying one gives you the other.” They are sold separately.
- “Procreate has a desktop version.” It does not; it is iPad-only.
- “Apple Pencil works with Pocket.” iPhones do not support Apple Pencil.
- “Pocket files are not compatible.” Both use the .procreate format.
FAQs
What is the difference between Procreate and Procreate Pocket?
Procreate is designed for iPad with Apple Pencil support and a full-size interface. Procreate Pocket is the iPhone version with a condensed interface built for finger input. They share the core brush engine and file format.
Can you use Procreate on a computer?
No. Procreate runs only on iPad, and Procreate Pocket runs only on iPhone. There is no official Windows, Mac or Android version.
Does Procreate Pocket support Apple Pencil?
No. iPhones do not support Apple Pencil, so Procreate Pocket is designed for finger input. Capacitive styluses can help with accuracy but usually do not provide pressure.
Do I need to buy Procreate and Procreate Pocket separately?
Yes. They are separate one-time purchases. Owning one does not unlock the other.
Can I transfer files from Procreate Pocket to Procreate?
Yes. Export as a .procreate file, save it to iCloud Drive or Files or send it by AirDrop, then import it into Procreate on iPad.
Is Procreate available on PC?
No. Procreate is not available for Windows PCs. Sites offering Procreate downloads for PC are not from the developer and should be avoided.
Next Step
If you have an iPad, Procreate is the clear choice for serious work; Pocket is a fun, affordable companion for sketching on the go. Whichever you pick, skills transfer between them, so investing in learning pays off on both.
To speed up that learning, compare structured options in our roundup of the top online Procreate courses for 2026, sorted by skill level and art style.
