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Design · head to head

Lunacy vs Procreate

Lunacy logo

Lunacy

Design

Free design software that keeps your flow

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 Lunacy has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Lunacy desktop application only, not cloud-based like Figma, limiting accessibility across different computers; Procreate iPad-only application with no desktop version for Windows or macOS
  • They diverge on capability: Lunacy covers Vector editing, Procreate covers Digital painting.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Lunacy and Procreate actually diverge.

Attributes where Lunacy and Procreate differ
AttributeLunacyProcreate
Starting priceFree$12.99/one-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, macOS, LinuxiPad
Founded20162010

Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), user rating (Not yet rated), 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 Lunacy

  • Vector editing
  • Auto layouts
  • Components
  • Real-time collaboration
  • Built-in photos & icons
  • AI background remover
  • AI upscaler
  • Sketch file support

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.

Lunacy

  • UI/UX designnot Procreate
  • Web designnot Procreate
  • Mobile app designnot Procreate
  • Icon designnot Procreate
  • Marketing graphicsnot Procreate

Procreate

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

Where each one falls short

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

Lunacy

  • Desktop application only, not cloud-based like Figma, limiting accessibility across different computers
  • Animation capabilities are basic, lacking timeline-based animation editing or spring physics available in modern design tools
  • Paid collaboration features, unlike Figma's free cloud-based team collaboration

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

Lunacy

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Lunacy review.

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 Lunacy if

  • You need vector editing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want auto layouts.
Lunacy review

Choose Procreate if

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

Questions people ask

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

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Lunacy: Is Lunacy free to use?

Yes. Lunacy is absolutely free for personal and commercial use. There is no subscription required or trial period limitation.

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
Lunacy: Can Lunacy open and work with Sketch files?

Yes. Lunacy has smooth integration with Sketch files, allowing designers to import and collaborate on Sketch projects without requiring a Sketch subscription.

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
Lunacy: Does Lunacy require internet connection to work?

No. Lunacy can work offline, allowing designers to work without an internet connection. It is a desktop application that runs locally on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Source
Lunacy: What are Lunacy's hardware requirements?

Lunacy is not demanding on hardware and runs smoothly even on moderate laptops. It has minimal system requirements compared to resource-intensive design tools.

Source
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