Softwr

Developer Tools · head to head

Keil MDK vs Procreate

Keil MDK logo

Keil MDK

Developer Tools

Microcontroller Development Kit for Arm-based devices

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Visit Keil MDKFull 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

  • Procreate is a raster graphics editor app for digital painting.
  • Keil MDK is free; Procreate starts at $12.99 one-off.
  • Where Keil MDK falls short: pricing for Essential and Professional subscriptions not disclosed on primary site.
  • 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 Keil MDK and Procreate actually diverge.

Attributes where Keil MDK and Procreate differ
AttributeKeil MDKProcreate
Starting priceFree$12.99/one-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWebiOS
CategoryDeveloper ToolsDesign

Not yet recorded: pricing model for Procreate, founded for Keil MDK.

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 Keil MDK

Nothing recorded that Procreate does not also cover.

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.

Keil MDK

  • Embedded software developmentnot Procreate
  • ARM microcontroller programmingnot Procreate
  • Professional development environmentsnot Procreate

Procreate

  • Digital illustrationnot Keil MDK
  • Concept artnot Keil MDK
  • Character designnot Keil MDK
  • Educational artnot Keil MDK
  • Hobby drawingnot Keil MDK

Where each one falls short

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

Keil MDK

  • Pricing for Essential and Professional subscriptions not disclosed on primary site
  • Customers must contact Arm Developer Tools store for subscription rates

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

Keil MDK

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Keil MDK review.

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 Keil MDK if

  • You want to start without paying.
Keil MDK review

Choose Procreate if

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

Questions people ask

Is Keil MDK or Procreate better?
Neither clearly leads. Keil MDK 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, Keil MDK or Procreate?
Keil MDK has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Keil MDK and $12.99/one-time for Procreate.
Does Keil MDK or Procreate run on more platforms?
Keil MDK runs on Web. Procreate runs on iOS.
Can I use Keil MDK for free?
Yes. Keil MDK has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Procreate starts at $12.99/one-time.
What is Keil MDK best used for?
Keil MDK is most often used for embedded software development, arm microcontroller programming, professional development environments. Of those, embedded software development and arm microcontroller programming are not what Procreate is typically brought in for.
What can Keil MDK do that Procreate cannot?
Procreate covers Digital painting, Brush library, Layer management, Selection tools.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Keil MDK: Does Keil MDK have a free version?

Yes, Keil MDK Community Edition is free for non-commercial projects. Essential and Professional editions are available as monthly or annual subscriptions.

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
Keil MDK: How much do Keil MDK paid editions cost?

Specific pricing for Essential and Professional editions is not published on the main site. Rates are available from the Arm Developer Tools store or by contacting Arm sales.

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
Share

Related pages

More on Keil MDK

More on Procreate

Keep looking

Other head to heads