GIMPvsProcreate

App

Score Comparison

Overall

100

Pricing

Usability

Performance

Support

Reliability

Onboarding

Mobile

Security

Integrations

GIMPProcreate

Signals Comparison

Usability

GIMP

Extremely steep learning curve(9/10)
Outdated and confusing user interface(8/10)
Non-destructive editing not supported(8/10)
No AI or content-aware features(7/10)
Keyboard shortcuts differ from industry standards(6/10)
Missing layer effects and styles(6/10)
Selection and resize tools are painful(5/10)

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)

Integrations

GIMP

No native CMYK color mode support(8/10)
No native RAW file support(6/10)
Limited third-party plugin ecosystem(5/10)
No native HEIC file support(4/10)

Procreate

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

Performance

GIMP

Slow startup and bloated installer(5/10)

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)

Reliability

GIMP

GIMP 3.0 early release bugs and crashes(7/10)

Procreate

No signals

Support

GIMP

No official customer support(5/10)

Procreate

No signals

Customization

GIMP

No signals

Procreate

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

Pricing

GIMP

No signals

Procreate

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

Pricing Comparison

GIMP

Free

Popular

Free

Users: Unlimited

Storage: Local storage only

Limits: No official support, community-driven help only, some features require plugins

None - completely free forever

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	GIMP	Procreate
Core Features
Layer-based editing Full layer support
Non-destructive editing Very limited
Layer effects/styles Must create manually
Pricing
One-time purchase No subscription
Print
CMYK color mode Plugin workarounds only
Platform
iPad app iPad only
iPhone app Separate purchase ($5.99)
Android app Not available
Desktop app Not available
Photography
RAW file support Requires external software
AI Features
AI/Content-aware tools Not available
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
Cloud sync Manual iCloud only
AI features Committed to never adding
Extensibility
Plugin support Limited ecosystem
Export
CMYK export Emulation only, opens as RGB
PSD export Masks not preserved
File Formats
PSD compatibility Partial support
Platforms
Cross-platform Linux, Mac, Windows
Mobile version Not available
Licensing
Open source GPL license
Workflow
Batch processing Scripting required

Signals Comparison

Usability

GIMP

Extremely steep learning curve(9/10)
Outdated and confusing user interface(8/10)
Non-destructive editing not supported(8/10)
No AI or content-aware features(7/10)
Keyboard shortcuts differ from industry standards(6/10)
Missing layer effects and styles(6/10)
Selection and resize tools are painful(5/10)

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)

Integrations

GIMP

No native CMYK color mode support(8/10)
No native RAW file support(6/10)
Limited third-party plugin ecosystem(5/10)
No native HEIC file support(4/10)

Procreate

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

Performance

GIMP

Slow startup and bloated installer(5/10)

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)

Reliability

GIMP

GIMP 3.0 early release bugs and crashes(7/10)

Procreate

No signals

Support

GIMP

No official customer support(5/10)

Procreate

No signals

Customization

GIMP

No signals

Procreate

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

Pricing

GIMP

No signals

Procreate

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

Pricing Comparison

GIMP

Free

Popular

Free

Users: Unlimited

Storage: Local storage only

Limits: No official support, community-driven help only, some features require plugins

None - completely free forever

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	GIMP	Procreate
Core Features
Layer-based editing Full layer support
Non-destructive editing Very limited
Layer effects/styles Must create manually
Pricing
One-time purchase No subscription
Print
CMYK color mode Plugin workarounds only
Platform
iPad app iPad only
iPhone app Separate purchase ($5.99)
Android app Not available
Desktop app Not available
Photography
RAW file support Requires external software
AI Features
AI/Content-aware tools Not available
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
Cloud sync Manual iCloud only
AI features Committed to never adding
Extensibility
Plugin support Limited ecosystem
Export
CMYK export Emulation only, opens as RGB
PSD export Masks not preserved
File Formats
PSD compatibility Partial support
Platforms
Cross-platform Linux, Mac, Windows
Mobile version Not available
Licensing
Open source GPL license
Workflow
Batch processing Scripting required