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Design · head to head

Lucidchart vs Procreate

Lucidchart logo

Lucidchart

Design

Intelligent diagramming for every team

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Visit LucidchartFull 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

  • Lucidchart is a visual workspace; Procreate is a raster graphics editor app for digital painting.
  • Lucidchart has a free plan, then $7.95/mo; Procreate starts at $12.99 one-off.
  • Only Lucidchart lists flowcharts & diagrams; only Procreate lists digital painting.
  • Where Lucidchart falls short: interface can overwhelm new users due to extensive features and customization options.
  • 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 Lucidchart and Procreate actually diverge.

Attributes where Lucidchart and Procreate differ
AttributeLucidchartProcreate
Starting priceFree$12.99/one-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Windows, macOSiOS

Identical on both: category (Design), founded (2010).

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 Lucidchart

  • Flowcharts & diagrams
  • Process mapping
  • Mind maps
  • Wireframes & mockups
  • Network diagrams
  • Data visualization
  • Real-time collaboration
  • Presentation mode

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.

Lucidchart

  • Process documentationnot Procreate
  • System architecturenot Procreate
  • Workflow designnot Procreate
  • Brainstormingnot Procreate
  • Technical documentationnot Procreate

Procreate

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

Where each one falls short

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

Lucidchart

  • Interface can overwhelm new users due to extensive features and customization options
  • Drag-and-drop canvas can feel clunky compared to modern whiteboard tools like Miro

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

Lucidchart

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 3 documents
    • 60 shapes
    • Basic templates
  • Individual$7.95/mo
    • Unlimited documents
    • Advanced templates
    • Cloud storage
  • Team$9/user/mo
    • Real-time collaboration
    • Team management
    • All integrations
  • EnterpriseOn request
    • Advanced security
    • SSO
    • Dedicated support

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 Lucidchart if

  • You need flowcharts & diagrams.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Windows, macOS.
  • You also want process mapping.
Lucidchart review

Choose Procreate if

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

Questions people ask

Is Lucidchart or Procreate better?
Neither clearly leads. Lucidchart 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, Lucidchart or Procreate?
Lucidchart has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Lucidchart and $12.99/one-time for Procreate.
Does Lucidchart or Procreate run on more platforms?
Lucidchart runs on Web, Windows, macOS. Procreate runs on iOS.
Can I use Lucidchart for free?
Yes. Lucidchart has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Procreate starts at $12.99/one-time.
What is Lucidchart best used for?
Lucidchart is most often used for process documentation, system architecture, workflow design, brainstorming. Of those, process documentation and system architecture are not what Procreate is typically brought in for.
What can Lucidchart do that Procreate cannot?
Lucidchart covers Flowcharts & diagrams, Process mapping, Mind maps, Wireframes & mockups. Procreate covers Digital painting, Brush library, Layer management, Selection tools.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Lucidchart: What pricing plans does Lucidchart offer?

Lucidchart has a free plan (3 documents, 60 shapes), Individual plan ($7.95/month), Team plan ($9/editor/month), and Enterprise with custom pricing.

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
Lucidchart: Can I use Lucidchart offline?

Lucidchart is a cloud-based platform, but offers an offline desktop option for users who need to work without internet access.

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
Lucidchart: What compliance certifications does Lucidchart have?

Lucidchart provides SOC 2 Type II, FedRAMP, HIPAA BAA, and GDPR compliance, making it suitable for regulated industries.

Source
Lucidchart: Does Lucidchart have AI diagram generation?

Yes, Lucidchart uses AI to auto-generate flowcharts, UML diagrams, ER diagrams, and org charts from text prompts, Excel data, CSV files, code snippets, or database schemas.

Source
Lucidchart: What integrations does Lucidchart support?

Lucidchart integrates with Microsoft Teams, Slack, Jira, Confluence, Google Workspace, and Salesforce for seamless workflow integration.

Source
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