Adobe Photoshop vs Procreate
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
The industry standard image editor.
The verdict
Both Adobe Photoshop and Procreate are credible graphic design tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Choose Adobe Photoshop if you want a lower starting price (from $9.99/mo), a longer free trial (7 days) and broader platform coverage. The industry standard image editor.
Choose Procreate if you'd rather have a higher overall rating (4.8/5). Powerful illustration for iPad.
Adobe Photoshop vs Procreate: side by side
| Dimension | Adobe Photoshop | Procreate |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | From $9.99/moWinner | From $12.99 once |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Free trial | 7 daysWinner | — |
| Pricing model | Subscription | One-time |
| Best for | Designers, Photographers, Professionals | Illustrators, Artists |
| Platforms | Mac, Windows, IosWinner | Ios |
| Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.8/5Winner |
Adobe Photoshop key facts
- Vendor
- Adobe
- Pricing
- Subscription — From $9.99/mo
- Free tier
- Free trial (7 days)
- Platforms
- Mac, Windows, Ios
- Best for
- Designers, Photographers, Professionals
- Editor rating
- 4.6 / 5
- Founded
- 1990
- Headquarters
- San Jose, CA, USA
Procreate key facts
- Vendor
- Savage Interactive
- Pricing
- One-time — From $12.99 once
- Free tier
- No
- Platforms
- Ios
- Best for
- Illustrators, Artists
- Editor rating
- 4.8 / 5
- Founded
- 2011
- Headquarters
- Hobart, Australia
Frequently asked questions
Is Adobe Photoshop better than Procreate?
Neither is universally better — Procreate edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Adobe Photoshop or Procreate cheaper?
Adobe Photoshop is the more affordable of the two to get started, at from $9.99/mo. Adobe Photoshop starts at from $9.99/mo; Procreate starts at from $12.99 once.
Can Adobe Photoshop replace Procreate?
Yes for most teams — both are graphic design tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.