Best Apps Like Procreate for Android in 2022
If you haven’t yet come across Procreate, it would be apt to sort out a couple of fundamental questions upfront.
What is Procreate and Why You Need Procreate Alternatives for Android?
As I said above, Procreate is a popular app for sketching, painting, and drawing. Featuring hundreds of handmade brushes, artistic tools, and an advanced layer system, it’s a great asset for pros or those who have a penchant for creating stunning artworks. Boasting a fast Valkyrie graphics engine, it runs with buttery smoothness. So, you can craft paintings or illustrations with much-improved control. As to why you may need Procreate alternatives is primarily because it’s not available for Android, which is an absolute shame. Another reason lies in the proficiency that Procreate has to offer. If you are after an app that can offer a similar experience on your Android devices, the best apps like Procreate for Android need to be at your disposal.
1. Autodesk SketchBook
Both in terms of a wide range of creative tools and intuitive interface Autodesk SketchBook appears to be a highly proficient alternative to Procreate. So, if you are looking for an able Procreate substitute for your Android device, you shouldn’t fail to try it out. One of the reasons why Procreate is loved so much is the exceptionally intuitive interface that lets you sketch your imagination with complete peace of mind. And having given SketchBook a long spin on my Android device, I must say that its UI is equally impressive. Thus, you can craft pictures or sketch designs with the desired smoothness.
Another department where I have found SketchBook top-notch is the ability to handle even large canvas (up to 100 mpx) while still retaining the zoomed-in feeling of a traditional drawing. As a professional, this is exactly what you should pick to create amazing arts with high precision. Unlike Procreate, SketchBook is available on Android and Windows. So, even if you aren’t into the Apple ecosystem, you can use this app to create amazing designs. And that too without having to spend any bucks. Overall, SketchBook is easily one of the best free Procreate alternatives for Android. Pros:
Intuitive interface Designed to handle large canvas efficiently An impressive roster of pro tools
Cons:
Exporting large canvas feels a bit sluggish at times
Supported Platforms: Android, iOS, and Windows Install: Free, $85/year
2. Adobe Photoshop Sketch
To put it straight, Adobe Photoshop Sketch has long been a noted rival of Procreate. So, there is no question of giving it a miss, especially when we are hunting for a fully equipped substitute for creating pro-grade sketching. In terms of precision, Photoshop Sketch can go neck-to-neck with Procreate. Couple that with one of the largest libraries of professionally-created tools like pens, pencils, as well as erasers, and Adobe’s offering appears to be fully equipped to take on Procreate as far as versatility is concerned.
Though Procreate can still claim to have a better user-interface, Photoshop Sketch is a bit ahead in terms of customization. The freedom to create an infinite variety of sketch brushes is something that every pro would appreciate. And the flexibility to send the sketches to Photoshop or Illustrator with layers preserved makes it a better choice for those who prefer to unlock the vast set of Photoshop/Illustrator/Capture tools to adorn the artwork. What’s more, Photoshop Sketch also lets you add multiple drawing layers for a seamless merging, restacking, or renaming. Besides, you get quick access to 11 different tools to fine-tune pivotal things like size, color, opacity. If high-end efficiency and versatility are one of your top priorities, Photoshop Sketch can comfortably fill the void as the top Procreate alternative for your Android device. Pros:
Robust suite of pro tools Create an infinite variety of sketch brushes Add multiple drawing layers Works seamlessly with Photoshop/Illustrator/Capture
Cons:
The user interface isn’t super intuitive Warrants steep learning curve
Supported Platforms: Android, iOS, macOS Install: Free
3. ArtRage
For the folks hunting for an app like Procreate to draw watercolor and oil painting, ArtRage appears to be a better choice. While ProCreate has put more emphasis on the interface and a range of tools for crafting modern-looking designs, ArtRage has emphasized taking the classic route. And that’s exactly what makes it a better alternative for veteran artists for those who prefer the old-fashioned way of creating artworks.
ArtRage mimics real paint with a natural flair, giving your creativity a classic look and feel. Besides, the option to keep a tab on the pivotal things like lighting direction, thickness, and wetness makes sure you stay in complete control. In terms of versatility, Procreate has a clear edge over ArtRage. However, the presence of special effect tools like glitter tube, gloop pen, and the option to store your favorite settings as custom presets are cool. Notably, it fully supports S-Pen to let you draw and doodle on your Samsung Galaxy Note. Long story short, ArtRage can be a great Procreate substitute if you are willing to embrace the classic style of drawing Pros:
Great for draw watercolor and oil painting Special effect tools Ability to store your favorite settings as custom presets Fully supports S-Pen
Cons:
The user interface doesn’t appeal
Supported Platforms: Android, iPad, iOS, macOS, and Windows Install: $4.99
4. Concepts
Whether you are after a Procreate alternative for drawing praiseworthy storyboards or sketching ideas with precision or doodle with tilt pressure using a digital pen, Concepts has got everything covered to be a notable replacement. The app has got a neat interface that feels snappier. And with a solid set of brushes, pencils, and pens, you also get the flexibility to create arts to your heart’s liking. Just like Procreate, Concepts offers a pretty good layering system that you can use to create your design with the needed control.
Another feature that makes Concepts a strong contender as a full-fledged Procreate substitute is the flexible vector-based sketching, which offers you the freedom to move and adjust your artwork. If you want to have even more control, you can also choose to customize things like canvas, tools, and gestures. Procreate takes full advantage of multitasking gestures like drag and drop to enhance productivity. Concepts also takes the same route to speed up your task through quick gestures like drag and drop. Another feature that has caught my eyes in this app is the flexibility to create an infinite canvas with different paper types and grids. Times when you want to get the most out of your pro drawing skills, this feature can have a decisive role to play. In a nutshell, Concepts is undoubtedly one of the best apps like Procreate for Android considering the neat user-interface and a fairly good collection of pro tools. Pros:
Flexibility to create an infinite canvas Offers a pretty good layering system Flexible vector-based sketching Supports drag and drop gesture
Cons:
Fonts collection lacks firepower
Supported Platforms: Android, iOS, and Windows Install: Free, offers in-app purchases
5. ArtFlow
If you prefer to use a stylus to draw, you should give serious consideration to ArtFlow. Yeah, you got that right! What sets Procreate apart from many other rivals is the ability to get the most out of Apple Pencil. The app fully supports Apple Pencil gestures, allowing you to sketch, draw, or design artwork with enhanced control.
To replicate the same experience on Android devices, ArtFlow offers stylus pressure support (NVIDIA DirectStylus support). Thus, you can use this app to create commendable artwork. Thanks to the palm rejection feature, it prevents accidental panning and zooming when drawing. Another feature that puts ArtFlow in a direct shootout with Procreate is the GPU accelerated paint engine. That means you can expect it to run smoothly on your Android device. Beyond smooth performance, the support for canvases up to 6144×6144 with 50 layers, over 100 brushes, and 10 layer filters make it an ideal asset for pros. That’s not all, it also allows you to export files in multiple formats including PNG, JPG and PSD (Photoshop Document). Pros:
Fully supports stylus Palm rejection feature GPU accelerated paint engine support for canvases up to 6144×6144 with 50 layers
Cons:
Layer filters need some refinements
Supported Platforms: Android Install: Free, offers in-app purchases
6. ibis Paint X
Yet another Procreate alternative that bets big on a ton of professionally-designed creative tools. Having given it a long spin, I can vouch for its tools to let you craft eye-catching graphics on your Android device. The solid library of more than 2500 materials, over 800 fonts, and around 380 brushes ensure that you have the luxury of a variety of tools to adorn your designs. When it comes to brushes quality, Procreate has long been my top pick. But after trying out ibis Paint X’s plethora of brushes, I won’t hesitate in putting it in the same league. Apart from being available in large numbers, they work with high-precision.
Just like Procreate, ibis Paint X also lets you add as many layers as you need. And with the stroke stabilization feature at the disposal, you also get the precision to control each aspect of your design. Furthermore, the inclusion of filters like tone curve, gradation map, and clouds also play a vital role in enhancing the appearance of designs. Oh yes, it also lets you record your artwork so that you can share it with your friends and loved ones. Everything considered; ibis Paint X is one of the best apps similar to Procreate for Android, keeping in mind a plethora of tools that make drawing a pleasing experience for both kids and adults. Pros:
Over 2500 materials, over 800 fonts, and around 380 brushes Stroke stabilization feature Tone curve filter Option to add as many layers as you need
Cons:
Doesn’t have too many pro-grade filters
Supported Platforms: Android and iOS Install: Free, offers in-app purchases
7. MediBang Paint – Make Art!
If you are on the lookout for an incredibly easy to use Procreate alternative for Android to create appreciable arts, MediBang Paint could be worth having a look. Though it lacks an intuitive interface, you wouldn’t have much to complain about it if you prefer to have a simplified experience. As for tools, MediBang Paint has looked up to the task to me. While it can’t make a match with a wide range of creative tools that Procreate offers, it has got enough variety in the forms of brushes, fonts, and an ever-growing library of backgrounds to let you adorn your designs.
Just like Procreate, MediBang Paint also saves your entire data to the cloud so that you can seamlessly move from one device to the other without having to worry about your creativity. One of my favorite features of this Procreate alternative is the ability to add dialog with speech to text feature. Times when you find it a bit inconvenient to type on the software keyboard, this feature can come in super handy. Besides, MediBang Paint is also up to the mark when it collaboration, allowing you to collaborate with your friends on a project. Taking everything into account, MediBang Paint is a deserving Procreate substitute for a simplified drawing experience not only for adults but also for kids who have a penchant for doodling. Pros:
A great library of backgrounds Add dialog with speech to text feature A large number of fonts Reliable collaboration feature
Cons:
Brushes need improvement in terms of precision Lacks an intuitive interface
Supported Platforms: Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows Install: Free, offers in-app purchases
8. PaperColor
Should you wish to go for a Procreate alternative for Android to enhance your painting skill, PaperColor could be a safe bet. Featuring a variety of paint styles and a decent color library, you can use this app to draw and doodle to your heart’s liking.
By imitating the paintbrush, the app offers a realistic experience of drawing. Thus, you will feel like drawing on a piece of paper. As for the user-interface, PaperColor has kept everything simple, thereby minimizing the learning curve. In terms of simplicity and ease-of-use, it has a slight edge over Procreate. Though PaperColor can’t make a match with Procreate’s elegant UI and a vast suite of tools. One of my favorite features of PaperColor is the base map that comes in handy for learning drawing. Besides, the option to select a photo as the base map is also cool as it makes painting fun. To sum up, PaperColor is one of the best Procreate alternatives for Android for learning how to doodle. Pros:
Simple user-interface A variety of paint styles A decent color library Offers realistic drawing and doodling experience
Cons:
Lacks high-end drawing tools
Supported Platforms: Android Install: Free, offers in-app purchases
9. Tayasui Sketches
If you are willing to have an Android app like Procreate minus all the bells and whistles for a plain sailing doodling and sketching, I would recommend you to give a shot to Tayasui Sketches. With a sole focus on a clutter-free interface with easy-to-handle tools, Tayasui Sketches makes you feel like drawing on paper. Being quite lightweight, the app feels smooth. So, even if you have a budget Android device, you can trust this app to run without any sluggishness. That’s probably the biggest plus point of this app.
Instead of offering a large suite of tools, Tayasui Sketches has emphasized providing precision tools that work effectively. So, if you are charmed by Procreate’s ability to offer a proficient drawing experience, chances are you would be glad about what it has to offer. What has called for my attention in this app is the handy brush editor that offers a straightforward way to change the opacity and size of brushes. And with the blending mode, Tayasui Sketches makes the process of swapping between opaque and transparent hassle-free. Pros:
Clutter-free interface with easy-to-handle tools Simplified doodling and sketching experience Super handy brush editor Useful blending mode
Cons:
Doesn’t have pro-grade drawing tools
Supported Platforms: Android, iOS, and macOS Install: Free, offers in-app purchases
10. Drawing Desk
Last but not least, Drawing Desk is a pretty good app for drawing, sketching, and doodling. Due mainly to the easy to use tools and simple interface, both kids and adults would love to use this app to create nice designs. There are three notable features that make it a handy alternative to Procreate. First and foremost, Drawing Desk offers more than 1000 colorful pages to let you color. So, you can enhance coloring or create an eye-catching design without having to worry about color pages.
Second, Drawing Desk also offers a full-color palette with a touch color picker and themes. So, you can choose from a variety of colors and different themes to adorn your art. In this aspect, I find it on par with Procreate. So, if you find Procreate’s color palette and themes quite appreciable, I would recommend you to try it out. What’s more, Drawing Desk has also got a good set of touch effects with magic and live brushes for the times where you may want to deck up your creativity. Putting everything into the right perspective, Drawing Desk is one of the finest apps like Procreate for Android, especially for those who prefer to have a full-color palette with a touch color picker and plenty of cool themes. Pros:
Offers more than 1000 colorful pages Offers a full-color palette with a touch color picker and themes A good set of touch effects with magic and live brushes
Cons:
Limited fonts Filters aren’t top-notch
Supported Platforms: Android and iOS Install: Free, offers in-app purchases
11. Adobe Illustrator Draw
Another offering from Adobe capable of taking on the likes of Procreate is Illustrator Draw. Adobe Illustrator Draw is beneficial if you’re someone who creates vector artworks. Unlike its desktop counterpart, Illustrator Draw is built with smartphones and tablets in mind. You can use the app on your Android phone, tablet, or even iPhone and iPad.
With Illustrator Draw, you get five different pen tips with adjustable opacity, size, and color. You also get the flexibility to use multiple images and drawing layers. Moreover, you can rename, duplicate, or merge each individual layer to suit your workflow. One key advantage when using Illustrator Draw is that you can send an editable file to Illustrator or Photoshop to pick up right where you left off from your desktop. Pros:
Use multiple images and drawing layers Integration with Photoshop, Illustrator, Capture, Photoshop Sketch
Cons:
Limited collection of brushes
Supported Platforms: Android, iOS Install: Free, offers in-app purchases
12. Infinite Painter
If you’re looking for a feature-rich alternative to Procreate, you should check out Infinite Painter. You get over 160 natural brush presets with Infinite Painter. Also, you can create new brushes and change brush settings to suit your needs in this app. Like other drawing apps, you get support for layers here for efficient management.
Apart from these, Infinite Painter also includes many other convenient features, including selection and clipping masks, line guides, perspective guides, paint and clone tools, transform tool, gradient tool, and more. You can also import and export PSD layers and export images as JPEG, PNG, PSD, or ZIP. However, unlocking all features will require a subscription. Pros:
Wide collection of brushes Intuitive controls
Cons:
Many features require a paid subscription
Supported Platforms: Android, iOS Install: Free, offers in-app purchases
Frequently Asked Question
What app is similar to Procreate for Android?
Autodesk SketchBook is quite similar to Procreate in terms of intuitive user-interface and a wide range of tools.
What app is like Procreate but free?
Autodesk SketchBook and Adobe Photoshop Sketch are like Procreate. Moreover, they are also available for free.
Is there an app like Procreate for Android?
Yes, there are quite a few apps like Autodesk SketchBook, Adobe Photoshop Sketch, and Concepts that are pretty similar to Procreate.
Do you need Apple Pencil for Procreate?
No, you don’t need Apple Pencil for Procreate. However, Apple Pencil can come in super handy in getting the most out of this app.
Why is Procreate not on the App Store?
It may be because Procreate is yet to be rolled out in your country/region.
Top Apps Like Procreate Lined Up for You
There you go! So, these are the best Procreate alternatives for Android which you can use to create awesome paintings, drawings, or illustrations. Whether you are a pro or someone who has just started to take a keen interest in drawing/doodling, these apps can fit your needs. By the way, which one of these drawing apps has caught your attention? It would be nice to know your top choice. Besides, do not forget to tell the names of some of the deserving contenders that are worth including in the above roundup.
