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Web Development · head to head

Django vs Procreate

Django logo

Django

Web Development

The web framework for perfectionists with deadlines

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Procreate logo

Procreate

Design

Digital illustration app made for iPad

From
$12.99/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Django has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Django does not fully support asynchronous database access; Procreate iPad-only application with no desktop version for Windows or macOS
  • They diverge on capability: Django covers Model-View-Template (MVT), Procreate covers Digital painting.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Django and Procreate actually diverge.

Attributes where Django and Procreate differ
AttributeDjangoProcreate
Starting priceFree$12.99/one-time
Pricing modelfreeUnknown
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsLinux, macOS, WindowsiPad
CategoryWeb DevelopmentDesign
Founded20052010

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Django

  • Model-View-Template (MVT)
  • Object-relational mapping
  • Automatic admin interface
  • URL routing
  • Template engine
  • Form handling
  • Authentication system
  • Internationalization

Only in Procreate

  • Digital painting
  • Brush library
  • Layer management
  • Selection tools
  • Time-lapse recording
  • Apple Pencil
  • iPad Pro
  • Cloud services

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Django

  • Web application developmentnot Procreate
  • Content management systemsnot Procreate
  • E-commerce platformsnot Procreate
  • API developmentnot Procreate
  • News websitesnot Procreate
  • Social networksnot Procreate

Procreate

  • Digital illustrationnot Django
  • Concept artnot Django
  • Character designnot Django
  • Educational artnot Django
  • Hobby drawingnot Django

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Django

  • Does not fully support asynchronous database access
  • Monolithic design can feel restrictive for small-scale or lightweight applications
  • Batteries-included approach adds overhead if features are not needed
  • Slower framework evolution due to backward compatibility requirements

Procreate

  • iPad-only application with no desktop version for Windows or macOS
  • Requires Apple hardware investment (iPad and Apple Pencil)
  • Cannot export to cloud storage natively, limiting cross-device workflows
  • High upfront cost when accounting for required iPad hardware

Pricing, plan by plan

Django

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Full web framework
    • Admin interface
    • ORM system

Procreate

$12.99/one-time
  • Procreate$12.99/one-time
    • 200+ brushes
    • Unlimited layers
    • Advanced blending modes
  • Procreate Pocket$5.99/one-time
    • iPhone version
    • Touch-optimized interface
  • Procreate Dreams$19.99/one-time
    • Animation tool
    • Frame-by-frame animation

Which should you pick?

Choose Django if

  • You need model-view-template (mvt).
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, macOS, Windows.
  • You also want object-relational mapping.
Django review

Choose Procreate if

  • You need digital painting.
  • You work on iPad.
  • You also want brush library.
Procreate review

Questions people ask

Is Django or Procreate better?
Neither clearly leads. Django starts at Free and Procreate at $12.99/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Django or Procreate?
Django has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Django and $12.99/one-time for Procreate.
Does Django or Procreate run on more platforms?
Django runs on Linux, macOS, Windows. Procreate runs on iPad.
Can I use Django for free?
Yes. Django has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Procreate starts at $12.99/one-time.
What is Django best used for?
Django is most often used for web application development, content management systems, e-commerce platforms, api development. Of those, web application development and content management systems are not what Procreate is typically brought in for.
What can Django do that Procreate cannot?
Django covers Model-View-Template (MVT), Object-relational mapping, Automatic admin interface, URL routing. Procreate covers Digital painting, Brush library, Layer management, Selection tools.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Django: What databases does Django support?

Django natively supports PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite3, and Oracle databases through its ORM, allowing developers to switch databases without rewriting code.

Source
Procreate: Does Procreate work on desktop or only iPad?

Procreate is iPad-only. There is no desktop version for Windows or macOS, requiring users to purchase iPad hardware and Apple Pencil for use.

Source
Django: How does Django handle database schema changes?

Django includes a built-in migration system. Developers use makemigrations to create migration files and migrate to apply changes to the database schema.

Source
Procreate: What companion apps are available for Procreate?

Procreate Pocket is an iPhone version at $5.99, and Procreate Dreams is an animation tool at $19.99, both one-time purchases.

Source
Django: Does Django support asynchronous programming?

Django added basic async/await support, but full asynchronous database access remains limited. The framework does not fully support asynchronous programming, which can be a limitation for real-time applications.

Source
Django: Is Django free and open source?

Yes, Django is free and open-source software maintained by the Django Software Foundation, founded in June 2008.

Source
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