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Design · head to head

Figma vs Procreate

Figma logo

Figma

Design

The collaborative interface design tool

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Visit FigmaFull review
Procreate logo

Procreate

Design

Digital illustration app made for iPad

From
$12.99/one-time
Free plan
No
Visit ProcreateFull review

The short version

  • Figma is a cloud-based design tool; Procreate is a raster graphics editor app for digital painting.
  • Figma has a free plan, then $12/mo; Procreate starts at $12.99 one-off.
  • Only Figma lists vector networks; only Procreate lists digital painting.
  • Where Figma falls short: no offline editing capability, can only view and create new files when disconnected.
  • Where Procreate falls short: iPad-only application with no desktop version for Windows or macOS.
  • Prices and features on this page were last checked on 13 November 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Figma and Procreate actually diverge.

Attributes where Figma and Procreate differ
AttributeFigmaProcreate
Starting priceFree$12.99/one-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, AndroidiOS
Founded20122010

Identical on both: category (Design).

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 Figma

  • Real-time collaboration
  • Vector networks
  • Auto-layout
  • Components & variants
  • Prototyping
  • Design systems
  • Developer handoff
  • Version control

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.

Figma

  • UI/UX designnot Procreate
  • Design systemsnot Procreate
  • Prototypingnot Procreate
  • Design collaborationnot Procreate
  • Developer handoffnot Procreate

Procreate

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

Where each one falls short

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

Figma

  • No offline editing capability, can only view and create new files when disconnected
  • Mobile apps are read-only, cannot edit designs on iOS or Android
  • No self-hosted option, requires cloud connectivity and internet access
  • Performance degradation with large files containing thousands of layers
  • Library components and unloaded pages not accessible offline

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

Figma

Free
  • StarterFree
    • Unlimited drafts
    • 3 Figma files
    • 3 FigJam boards
  • Professional$12/mo
    • Unlimited files and folders
    • Team libraries
    • Advanced prototyping
  • Organization$55/mo
    • Unlimited teams
    • Shared libraries
    • Design system theming
  • Enterprise$90/mo
    • Custom workspaces
    • API access
    • SCIM seat management

Procreate

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Figma if

  • You need real-time collaboration.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android.
  • You also want vector networks.
Figma review

Choose Procreate if

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

Questions people ask

Is Figma or Procreate better?
Neither clearly leads. Figma 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, Figma or Procreate?
Figma has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Figma and $12.99/one-time for Procreate.
Does Figma or Procreate run on more platforms?
Figma runs on Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android. Procreate runs on iOS.
Can I use Figma for free?
Yes. Figma has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Procreate starts at $12.99/one-time.
What is Figma best used for?
Figma is most often used for ui/ux design, design systems, prototyping, design collaboration. Of those, ui/ux design and design systems are not what Procreate is typically brought in for.
What can Figma do that Procreate cannot?
Figma covers Real-time collaboration, Vector networks, Auto-layout, Components & variants. Procreate covers Digital painting, Brush library, Layer management, Selection tools.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Figma: What's included in Figma's free tier?

Figma's Starter plan is free forever and includes unlimited drafts, up to 3 Figma files, 3 FigJam boards, core design features (vector editing, auto layout, components, prototyping), basic developer handoff (inspect), and 150 AI credits per day up to 500 per month. Maximum 2 editors per file.

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
Figma: Does Figma work offline?

Figma has very limited offline support. You can create one new file and edit currently loaded pages, but cannot open previously created files, access new pages, search for library components, or see real-time collaboration. Changes are cached locally for up to 30 days and sync when you reconnect.

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
Figma: Can you self-host Figma?

No. Figma is a closed, cloud-only platform with no option to self-host or run on your own servers.

Source
Figma: What export formats does Figma support?

Figma exports to PNG, JPEG, SVG (at 1x scale only), and PDF (at 1x scale only). Export settings allow customization of resolution, quality, and scale.

Source
Figma: What platforms does Figma support?

Figma is available as a web app (all platforms), desktop apps for macOS and Windows, and mobile apps for iOS and Android. Linux users can access Figma through the web browser only.

Source
Figma: What are Figma's integrations?

Figma integrates with Slack, Microsoft Teams, Jira, Asana, Linear, Notion, VS Code, Zapier, and hundreds of other tools. Integration categories include collaboration, project management, developer handoff, prototyping, and AI/code generation.

Source
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