Procreate is exclusively available on iPad, leaving Android users and those who prefer desktop workflows completely stranded. Artists who want to work across multiple platforms or cannot afford an iPad have no option to use Procreate, forcing them to learn entirely different software.

Procreate lacks non-destructive adjustment layers. Users must apply color corrections and level adjustments directly to painted layers, reducing flexibility. Professional workflows that rely on tweaking adjustments throughout a project suffer without this standard feature.

Procreate's layer count is directly tied to your iPad's RAM and canvas size. On a 3000x3000 pixel canvas, artists with 1GB RAM get only 7 layers, while 8GB gets 112 layers. Professional illustrators working on detailed pieces frequently hit these limits, forcing workarounds like merging layers prematurely.

Users report Procreate crashing or freezing unexpectedly, which can interrupt workflow and lead to lost progress. While auto-save exists, crashes during active drawing can still result in lost strokes and frustrating interruptions.

Users report Apple Pencil lag when drawing on certain iPad models, particularly the iPad Air compared to iPad Pro. Initial touch lag causes drawing to appear after the stroke is finished, disrupting the natural drawing experience. Scribbling fast can make the system jerky and unresponsive.

Despite having a CMYK mode, Procreate's implementation is only an emulation. When users export PSD files in CMYK, they open as RGB in Photoshop. This is a known bug that Savage Interactive cannot fix in the current iteration, causing major issues for print-focused professionals.

Users cannot export PSD files with masks intact. When working on complex illustrations with masks for non-destructive editing, exporting to Photoshop format results in flattened or broken masks, requiring artists to redo masking work in desktop applications.

Procreate cannot render or export SVG vector graphics. All brushes are raster/pixel-based, meaning artwork cannot be scaled infinitely without quality loss. Logo designers and those creating assets for multiple sizes must use other software for vector work.

When you close a Procreate file, the undo history is completely lost. Drawings from previous sessions cannot use the undo button at all. Artists who want to revisit and modify old work are stuck using only the eraser tool, with no way to step back through changes.

Procreate lacks a traditional paint bucket fill tool, which is standard in most digital art programs. While ColorDrop exists as an alternative, it works differently and frustrates users expecting conventional fill functionality for coloring flat areas quickly.

To apply many Procreate effects to text, you must rasterize it first, which converts text to pixels and makes it no longer editable. Users cannot change text content after applying warp, liquify, or other transformations, requiring careful planning or redoing work.

Procreate for iPad ($12.99) and Procreate Pocket for iPhone ($5.99) are separate purchases. Users expecting a universal license must pay twice to use Procreate across their Apple devices, adding unexpected cost for those wanting mobile flexibility.