ProcreatevsVSCO

App

Mobile App

Score Comparison

Overall

Pricing

Usability

Performance

Support

Reliability

Onboarding

Mobile

Security

Integrations

ProcreateVSCO

Signals Comparison

Customization

Procreate

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

VSCO

No signals

Performance

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)

VSCO

App is laggy and slow to load photos(6/10)

Integrations

Procreate

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

VSCO

No signals

Usability

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)

VSCO

Confusing icons and non-intuitive interface(4/10)
No archive feature forces users to delete photos(6/10)
AI Labs features alienating core photography users(7/10)

Pricing

Procreate

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

VSCO

Previously purchased filters locked behind paywall(9/10)
Free trial charges immediately despite 7-day claim(8/10)
Cannot cancel subscription from within the app(5/10)
No refunds available from VSCO directly(5/10)

Reliability

Procreate

No signals

VSCO

Inconsistent server uptime and response times(5/10)
Photos disappear or fail to save properly(7/10)
Deleting app without backup permanently loses all photos(7/10)

Support

Procreate

No signals

VSCO

Customer support is unresponsive for weeks(8/10)
Account deletion is deliberately difficult(4/10)

Mobile

Procreate

No signals

VSCO

Android app is neglected compared to iOS(6/10)

Pricing Comparison

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).

VSCO

Starter

Free

Users: 1 user

Storage: Not specified

Limits: Only 15 presets vs 200+ on paid plans, no advanced editing tools like HSL or Dodge & Burn

Most presets locked, no video editing, limited editing tools, no desktop sync

Plus

Popular

$29.99/yr

Users: 1 user

Storage: Not specified

Limits: No desktop editing, no professional profile features, no paid opportunity access, limited AI Lab access

Monthly option costs $7.99/month ($96/year vs $30/year), no professional website, no client spaces, no Adobe Lightroom integration

Pro

$59.99/yr

Users: 1 user

Storage: Cloud sync included

Limits: Highest tier required for desktop access and Lightroom sync

Monthly option costs $12.99/month ($156/year vs $60/year), professional features may require additional setup time

Feature Comparison

Feature	Procreate	VSCO
Pricing
One-time purchase No subscription
Editing
Film emulation presets 200+ presets, 15 free
Advanced editing tools HSL, Dodge & Burn on paid tiers
Video editing Plus and Pro tiers only
Desktop editing Pro tier only ($60/year)
AI-powered editing AI Labs prompt-based editing, Pro only
RAW file support Limited compared to Lightroom
Platform
iPad app iPad only
iPhone app Separate purchase ($5.99)
Android app Not available
Desktop app 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
Export
CMYK export Emulation only, opens as RGB
PSD export Masks not preserved
Integrations
Adobe Lightroom integration Pro tier only
Social
Creative community No likes/follower counts, gallery sharing
Professional
Professional portfolio website Pro tier only
Usability
Offline editing Basic editing works offline
Photo archive feature Requested for 7+ years, not implemented
Mobile
Android feature parity Many iOS features unavailable on Android
Billing
In-app subscription cancellation Must cancel via device settings

Signals Comparison

Customization

Procreate

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

VSCO

No signals

Performance

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)

VSCO

App is laggy and slow to load photos(6/10)

Integrations

Procreate

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

VSCO

No signals

Usability

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)

VSCO

Confusing icons and non-intuitive interface(4/10)
No archive feature forces users to delete photos(6/10)
AI Labs features alienating core photography users(7/10)

Pricing

Procreate

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

VSCO

Previously purchased filters locked behind paywall(9/10)
Free trial charges immediately despite 7-day claim(8/10)
Cannot cancel subscription from within the app(5/10)
No refunds available from VSCO directly(5/10)

Reliability

Procreate

No signals

VSCO

Inconsistent server uptime and response times(5/10)
Photos disappear or fail to save properly(7/10)
Deleting app without backup permanently loses all photos(7/10)

Support

Procreate

No signals

VSCO

Customer support is unresponsive for weeks(8/10)
Account deletion is deliberately difficult(4/10)

Mobile

Procreate

No signals

VSCO

Android app is neglected compared to iOS(6/10)

Pricing Comparison

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).

VSCO

Starter

Free

Users: 1 user

Storage: Not specified

Limits: Only 15 presets vs 200+ on paid plans, no advanced editing tools like HSL or Dodge & Burn

Most presets locked, no video editing, limited editing tools, no desktop sync

Plus

Popular

$29.99/yr

Users: 1 user

Storage: Not specified

Limits: No desktop editing, no professional profile features, no paid opportunity access, limited AI Lab access

Monthly option costs $7.99/month ($96/year vs $30/year), no professional website, no client spaces, no Adobe Lightroom integration

Pro

$59.99/yr

Users: 1 user

Storage: Cloud sync included

Limits: Highest tier required for desktop access and Lightroom sync

Monthly option costs $12.99/month ($156/year vs $60/year), professional features may require additional setup time

Feature Comparison

Feature	Procreate	VSCO
Pricing
One-time purchase No subscription
Editing
Film emulation presets 200+ presets, 15 free
Advanced editing tools HSL, Dodge & Burn on paid tiers
Video editing Plus and Pro tiers only
Desktop editing Pro tier only ($60/year)
AI-powered editing AI Labs prompt-based editing, Pro only
RAW file support Limited compared to Lightroom
Platform
iPad app iPad only
iPhone app Separate purchase ($5.99)
Android app Not available
Desktop app 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
Export
CMYK export Emulation only, opens as RGB
PSD export Masks not preserved
Integrations
Adobe Lightroom integration Pro tier only
Social
Creative community No likes/follower counts, gallery sharing
Professional
Professional portfolio website Pro tier only
Usability
Offline editing Basic editing works offline
Photo archive feature Requested for 7+ years, not implemented
Mobile
Android feature parity Many iOS features unavailable on Android
Billing
In-app subscription cancellation Must cancel via device settings