PaintTool SAI vs Procreate

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.

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Where each one falls short

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

Pricing, plan by plan

Which should you pick?

Questions people ask

Is PaintTool SAI or Procreate better?

Neither clearly leads. PaintTool SAI starts at 5500/month 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, PaintTool SAI or Procreate?

PaintTool SAI starts at 5500/month and Procreate at $12.99/one-time.

Does PaintTool SAI or Procreate run on more platforms?

PaintTool SAI runs on windows. Procreate runs on iPad.

What is PaintTool SAI best used for?

PaintTool SAI is most often used for digital illustration and manga art, line art and inking with pressure-sensitive pens, lightweight painting on lower-spec computers, character and concept art sketching. Of those, digital illustration and manga art and line art and inking with pressure-sensitive pens are not what Procreate is typically brought in for.

What can PaintTool SAI do that Procreate cannot?

PaintTool SAI covers Pressure-Sensitive Tablet Support, Anti-Aliased Brushes, 16-bit ARGB Color Channels, Lightweight Performance. Procreate covers Digital painting, Brush library, Layer management, Selection tools.