Affinity DesignervsProcreate

App

Score Comparison

Overall

Pricing

Usability

Performance

Support

Reliability

Onboarding

Mobile

Security

Integrations

Affinity DesignerProcreate

Signals Comparison

Usability

Affinity Designer

No image trace / auto-trace feature(9/10)
Steep learning curve for beginners(6/10)
No plugin or extension support(6/10)
Vector brushes are actually pixel brushes(7/10)
Cannot merge vectors into one layer(5/10)
Artboard layer management is confusing(5/10)
No built-in templates or shape library(4/10)

Procreate

PSD export loses layer masks entirely(7/10)
No undo history after closing artwork(6/10)
No vector graphics support limits scalability(7/10)
Missing paint bucket tool surprises users(5/10)
Text tool requires rasterization for effects(5/10)

Reliability

Affinity Designer

SVG and PDF export bugs(8/10)
Frequent crashes on Windows(8/10)
Intermittent interface bugs and focus issues(5/10)

Procreate

No signals

Performance

Affinity Designer

Slow performance with large or complex files(7/10)

Procreate

Layer limits based on iPad RAM frustrate complex projects(8/10)
Apple Pencil lag on some iPad models(7/10)
App crashes and freezes lose unsaved work(8/10)

Integrations

Affinity Designer

Cannot export to Adobe Illustrator AI format(7/10)

Procreate

CMYK export is fake - files open as RGB in Photoshop(9/10)

Mobile

Affinity Designer

iPad version has gesture conflicts(6/10)

Procreate

No signals

Security

Affinity Designer

Concerns about Canva ownership and AI data usage(6/10)

Procreate

No signals

Onboarding

Affinity Designer

Updater requires manual download(3/10)

Procreate

No signals

Customization

Affinity Designer

No signals

Procreate

iPad-only app locks out Android and desktop users(9/10)
No adjustment layers like Photoshop(6/10)

Pricing

Affinity Designer

No signals

Procreate

Separate purchases required for iPad and iPhone versions(4/10)

Pricing Comparison

Affinity Designer

Free (Current)

Popular

Free

Users: Unlimited

Storage: Local storage only

Limits: Must have Canva account, V1/V2 perpetual licenses no longer receive updates, AI features locked behind Canva Pro

Canva AI features (like AI Studio) require Canva Pro subscription at $120/year

Canva Pro (for AI features)

$120/yr

Users: 1 user

Storage: 1TB cloud storage (Canva)

Limits: AI features require Canva ecosystem, data shared with Canva platform

Monthly billing is $15/month ($180/year), team plans cost more

Legacy V2 (No longer sold)

$69.99/mo

Users: 1 user per platform

Storage: Local storage only

Limits: No longer sold, existing licenses work but won't receive new features, V2 Universal was $169.99

Separate purchase required for each platform (Mac, Windows, iPad)

Procreate

Procreate for iPad

Popular

$12.99/mo

Users: 1 device per purchase

Storage: Unlimited (device storage)

Limits: Layer count limited by iPad RAM. No CMYK export that works with Photoshop. iPad-only, no Android or desktop version.

Separate purchase needed for iPhone version ($5.99). Premium brush packs from creators cost $2-$25 each. Requires iPad purchase ($449+).

Procreate Pocket (iPhone)

$5.99/mo

Users: 1 device per purchase

Storage: Unlimited (device storage)

Limits: Smaller screen limits precision. Fewer layers than iPad due to less RAM. Some advanced features unavailable.

Not included with iPad version - separate purchase required. Some features reduced compared to iPad version.

Procreate Dreams

$19.99/mo

Users: 1 device per purchase

Storage: Unlimited (device storage)

Limits: Frame rate can only be changed when creating new project. Large animations may cause performance issues on older iPads.

Separate from main Procreate app. Full animation workflow may require both apps ($32.98 total).

Feature Comparison

Feature	Affinity Designer	Procreate
Core Features
Vector editing Comprehensive vector tools
Raster/Pixel editing Via Pixel Persona
Image trace / Auto-trace Major missing feature
Pricing
One-time purchase No subscription
Platform
iPad app iPad only
iPhone app Separate purchase ($5.99)
Android app Not available
Desktop app Not available
Extensibility
Plugin/Extension support Not supported
File Formats
Adobe AI file export Can open but not save
SVG export Some reported issues
PDF export Including PDF/X
Features
Vector graphics Raster only
Animation Basic, Dreams app for advanced
3D painting 3D model texturing
Time-lapse recording Built-in
Brush customization Extensive options
AI features Committed to never adding
Export
CMYK export Emulation only, opens as RGB
PSD export Masks not preserved
Platforms
iPad version Full-featured
Windows version Some stability issues
Mac version Native Apple Silicon
Collaboration
Real-time collaboration Not available
Cloud Features
Cloud sync Local files only

Signals Comparison

Usability

Affinity Designer

No image trace / auto-trace feature(9/10)
Steep learning curve for beginners(6/10)
No plugin or extension support(6/10)
Vector brushes are actually pixel brushes(7/10)
Cannot merge vectors into one layer(5/10)
Artboard layer management is confusing(5/10)
No built-in templates or shape library(4/10)

Procreate

PSD export loses layer masks entirely(7/10)
No undo history after closing artwork(6/10)
No vector graphics support limits scalability(7/10)
Missing paint bucket tool surprises users(5/10)
Text tool requires rasterization for effects(5/10)

Reliability

Affinity Designer

SVG and PDF export bugs(8/10)
Frequent crashes on Windows(8/10)
Intermittent interface bugs and focus issues(5/10)

Procreate

No signals

Performance

Affinity Designer

Slow performance with large or complex files(7/10)

Procreate

Layer limits based on iPad RAM frustrate complex projects(8/10)
Apple Pencil lag on some iPad models(7/10)
App crashes and freezes lose unsaved work(8/10)

Integrations

Affinity Designer

Cannot export to Adobe Illustrator AI format(7/10)

Procreate

CMYK export is fake - files open as RGB in Photoshop(9/10)

Mobile

Affinity Designer

iPad version has gesture conflicts(6/10)

Procreate

No signals

Security

Affinity Designer

Concerns about Canva ownership and AI data usage(6/10)

Procreate

No signals

Onboarding

Affinity Designer

Updater requires manual download(3/10)

Procreate

No signals

Customization

Affinity Designer

No signals

Procreate

iPad-only app locks out Android and desktop users(9/10)
No adjustment layers like Photoshop(6/10)

Pricing

Affinity Designer

No signals

Procreate

Separate purchases required for iPad and iPhone versions(4/10)

Pricing Comparison

Affinity Designer

Free (Current)

Popular

Free

Users: Unlimited

Storage: Local storage only

Limits: Must have Canva account, V1/V2 perpetual licenses no longer receive updates, AI features locked behind Canva Pro

Canva AI features (like AI Studio) require Canva Pro subscription at $120/year

Canva Pro (for AI features)

$120/yr

Users: 1 user

Storage: 1TB cloud storage (Canva)

Limits: AI features require Canva ecosystem, data shared with Canva platform

Monthly billing is $15/month ($180/year), team plans cost more

Legacy V2 (No longer sold)

$69.99/mo

Users: 1 user per platform

Storage: Local storage only

Limits: No longer sold, existing licenses work but won't receive new features, V2 Universal was $169.99

Separate purchase required for each platform (Mac, Windows, iPad)

Procreate

Procreate for iPad

Popular

$12.99/mo

Users: 1 device per purchase

Storage: Unlimited (device storage)

Limits: Layer count limited by iPad RAM. No CMYK export that works with Photoshop. iPad-only, no Android or desktop version.

Separate purchase needed for iPhone version ($5.99). Premium brush packs from creators cost $2-$25 each. Requires iPad purchase ($449+).

Procreate Pocket (iPhone)

$5.99/mo

Users: 1 device per purchase

Storage: Unlimited (device storage)

Limits: Smaller screen limits precision. Fewer layers than iPad due to less RAM. Some advanced features unavailable.

Not included with iPad version - separate purchase required. Some features reduced compared to iPad version.

Procreate Dreams

$19.99/mo

Users: 1 device per purchase

Storage: Unlimited (device storage)

Limits: Frame rate can only be changed when creating new project. Large animations may cause performance issues on older iPads.

Separate from main Procreate app. Full animation workflow may require both apps ($32.98 total).

Feature Comparison

Feature	Affinity Designer	Procreate
Core Features
Vector editing Comprehensive vector tools
Raster/Pixel editing Via Pixel Persona
Image trace / Auto-trace Major missing feature
Pricing
One-time purchase No subscription
Platform
iPad app iPad only
iPhone app Separate purchase ($5.99)
Android app Not available
Desktop app Not available
Extensibility
Plugin/Extension support Not supported
File Formats
Adobe AI file export Can open but not save
SVG export Some reported issues
PDF export Including PDF/X
Features
Vector graphics Raster only
Animation Basic, Dreams app for advanced
3D painting 3D model texturing
Time-lapse recording Built-in
Brush customization Extensive options
AI features Committed to never adding
Export
CMYK export Emulation only, opens as RGB
PSD export Masks not preserved
Platforms
iPad version Full-featured
Windows version Some stability issues
Mac version Native Apple Silicon
Collaboration
Real-time collaboration Not available
Cloud Features
Cloud sync Local files only