Softwr

Web Development · head to head

MySQL vs Procreate

MySQL logo

MySQL

Web Development

The world's most popular open source database

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 MySQL has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: MySQL hot online backup is not in the free Community Server; MySQL Enterprise Backup is a paid Enterprise Edition component; Procreate iPad-only application with no desktop version for Windows or macOS
  • They diverge on capability: MySQL covers ACID compliance, Procreate covers Digital painting.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which MySQL and Procreate actually diverge.

Attributes where MySQL and Procreate differ
AttributeMySQLProcreate
Starting priceFree$12.99/one-time
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, UnixiPad
CategoryWeb DevelopmentDesign
Founded19952010

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 MySQL

  • ACID compliance
  • SQL support
  • Multi-version concurrency control
  • Replication
  • Partitioning
  • Stored procedures
  • Triggers
  • Views

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.

MySQL

  • Web application backendnot Procreate
  • E-commerce platformsnot Procreate
  • Content management systemsnot Procreate
  • Data warehousingnot Procreate
  • Business applicationsnot Procreate

Procreate

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

Where each one falls short

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

MySQL

  • Hot online backup is not in the free Community Server; MySQL Enterprise Backup is a paid Enterprise Edition component
  • Transparent Data Encryption, data masking and de-identification are Enterprise Edition only
  • MySQL Enterprise Firewall, which guards against SQL injection, and MySQL Enterprise Audit are both paid components
  • External authentication against PAM or Windows Active Directory requires MySQL Enterprise Authentication
  • The thread pool ships as MySQL Enterprise Scalability rather than in the community build

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

MySQL

Free
  • Community EditionFree
    • Open source license
    • Full SQL support
    • InnoDB storage engine
  • Standard Edition$2000/year
    • Commercial license
    • Oracle Premier Support
    • MySQL Enterprise backup
  • Enterprise Edition$5000/year
    • Advanced security
    • MySQL Enterprise Monitor
    • High Availability

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 MySQL if

  • You need acid compliance.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Unix.
  • You also want sql support.
MySQL review

Choose Procreate if

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

Questions people ask

Is MySQL or Procreate better?
Neither clearly leads. MySQL 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, MySQL or Procreate?
MySQL has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for MySQL and $12.99/one-time for Procreate.
Does MySQL or Procreate run on more platforms?
MySQL runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Unix. Procreate runs on iPad.
Can I use MySQL for free?
Yes. MySQL has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Procreate starts at $12.99/one-time.
What is MySQL best used for?
MySQL is most often used for web application backend, e-commerce platforms, content management systems, data warehousing. Of those, web application backend and e-commerce platforms are not what Procreate is typically brought in for.
What can MySQL do that Procreate cannot?
MySQL covers ACID compliance, SQL support, Multi-version concurrency control, Replication. Procreate covers Digital painting, Brush library, Layer management, Selection tools.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

MySQL: Does MySQL cost money?

MySQL is primarily open-source and free to use. Commercial editions and support services are available but pricing is not published on the main website.

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
MySQL: How do I get MySQL pricing information?

For MySQL commercial editions and support pricing, customers can contact MySQL sales directly at +1-866-221-0634 or navigate to individual product pages.

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 MySQL

More on Procreate

Keep looking

Other head to heads