Penpot vs Procreate

Detailed side-by-side comparison

Penpot

Free

Penpot is the first open-source design and prototyping platform built for cross-domain teams who need browser-based collaboration without vendor lock-in. It uses open web standards like SVG and CSS, making it ideal for designer-developer workflows and teams that value data ownership through self-hosting options.

Visit Penpot

Procreate

From $12.99/mo

Procreate is a professional-grade digital illustration app exclusively for iPad, designed for artists and illustrators who need powerful drawing and painting tools. With over 200 customizable brushes and Apple Pencil optimization, it delivers studio-quality artwork creation in a mobile-optimized package.

Visit Procreate

Feature Comparison

Feature	Penpot	Procreate
Platform & Accessibility	Fully browser-based with no installation required, works on any device with a web browser	iPad-exclusive native app, requires iPad hardware and one-time app purchase
Collaboration	Built-in real-time collaboration for teams with simultaneous editing capabilities	No collaboration features; designed for individual artists working solo
Primary Use Case	UI/UX design, prototyping, and design systems for web and app projects	Digital illustration, painting, concept art, and frame-by-frame animation
File Standards	Uses open SVG format compatible with web standards and developer workflows	Proprietary format with exports to standard image formats (PNG, JPEG, PSD)
Creative Tools	Vector design tools, component libraries, prototyping, and interactive animations	200+ brushes with full customization, advanced layer system, and time-lapse recording
Hosting & Data Control	Can be self-hosted for complete data ownership and privacy control	Local file storage on iPad with manual cloud backup via iCloud or other services

Pricing Comparison

Penpot is completely free and open-source with no ongoing costs, while Procreate requires a one-time purchase of $12.99 (note: the pricing listed appears incorrect as Procreate is typically a one-time purchase, not monthly). Both offer exceptional value with no subscription lock-in, though they serve entirely different creative purposes.

Verdict

Choose Penpot if...

Choose Penpot if you need a collaborative design and prototyping tool for UI/UX work, want to avoid vendor lock-in with open standards, or require team-based workflows for web and app design projects.

Choose Procreate if...

Choose Procreate if you're a digital artist or illustrator working primarily on iPad, need professional painting and drawing tools with extensive brush customization, or want to create illustrations, concept art, or frame-by-frame animations.

Get Your Free Software Recommendation

Answer a few quick questions and we'll match you with the perfect tools

1/4

What type of software are you looking for?

Select the category that best fits your needs

Design Tools

Pros & Cons

Penpot

Pros

+ Completely free and open-source with no paywalls
+ Works directly with web standards (SVG, CSS)
+ No vendor lock-in with exportable files
+ Can be self-hosted for complete data control

Cons

- Smaller plugin ecosystem compared to established competitors
- Fewer third-party integrations than Figma or Sketch
- Learning curve for users accustomed to other design tools

Procreate

Pros

+ One-time purchase with no subscription fees
+ Incredibly responsive and optimized for Apple Pencil
+ Professional-quality results with extensive brush customization
+ Regular updates with new features at no additional cost

Cons

- iPad-only availability limits cross-platform workflow
- No cloud sync or collaboration features built-in
- Steeper learning curve for beginners compared to simpler drawing apps