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Developer Tools · head to head

PartyKit vs Procreate

P

PartyKit

Developer Tools

Platform for building and deploying realtime multiplayer servers on the edge

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Visit PartyKitFull 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.
  • PartyKit is free; Procreate starts at $12.99 one-off.
  • Only PartyKit lists stateful edge servers; only Procreate lists digital painting.
  • Where PartyKit falls short: documentation and FAQ material on the marketing site is sparse compared to larger realtime platforms.
  • 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 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which PartyKit and Procreate actually diverge.

Attributes where PartyKit and Procreate differ
AttributePartyKitProcreate
Starting priceFree$12.99/one-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, APIiOS
CategoryDeveloper ToolsDesign

Not yet recorded: pricing model for Procreate, founded for PartyKit.

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 PartyKit

  • Stateful edge servers
  • WebSocket-first API
  • CRDT library compatibility
  • Framework integrations
  • Global edge deployment
  • Custom domains

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.

PartyKit

  • Multiplayer collaborative appsnot Procreate
  • Realtime AI agent backendsnot Procreate
  • Live cursors and presencenot Procreate
  • Collaborative whiteboards and documentsnot Procreate

Procreate

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

Where each one falls short

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

PartyKit

  • Documentation and FAQ material on the marketing site is sparse compared to larger realtime platforms
  • Commercial free tier requires deploying to the user's own Cloudflare account, adding setup complexity
  • Storage on the free Individual plan clears every 24 hours, limiting it to prototyping rather than persistent production data
  • Smaller ecosystem and community than more established realtime infrastructure providers

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

PartyKit

Free
  • IndividualFree
    • Up to 10 live projects
    • Deploy to the global edge platform
    • Storage clears every 24 hours
  • CommercialFree
    • Unlimited projects
    • Custom domains
    • Runs on your own Cloudflare account; pay only Cloudflare usage

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 PartyKit if

  • You need stateful edge servers.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, API.
  • You also want websocket-first api.
PartyKit review

Choose Procreate if

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

Questions people ask

Is PartyKit or Procreate better?
Neither clearly leads. PartyKit 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, PartyKit or Procreate?
PartyKit has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for PartyKit and $12.99/one-time for Procreate.
Does PartyKit or Procreate run on more platforms?
PartyKit runs on Web, API. Procreate runs on iOS.
Can I use PartyKit for free?
Yes. PartyKit has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Procreate starts at $12.99/one-time.
What is PartyKit best used for?
PartyKit is most often used for multiplayer collaborative apps, realtime ai agent backends, live cursors and presence, collaborative whiteboards and documents. Of those, multiplayer collaborative apps and realtime ai agent backends are not what Procreate is typically brought in for.
What can PartyKit do that Procreate cannot?
PartyKit covers Stateful edge servers, WebSocket-first API, CRDT library compatibility, Framework integrations. Procreate covers Digital painting, Brush library, Layer management, Selection tools.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

PartyKit: How much does PartyKit cost?

PartyKit is completely free. Both the Individual and Commercial plans have no upfront costs.

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
PartyKit: What is PartyKit's Individual plan?

The Individual plan is free and includes deployment to a global edge platform, support for up to 10 live projects, and is suitable for small projects. Storage is cleared every 24 hours.

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
PartyKit: What is PartyKit's Commercial plan?

The Commercial plan is free but requires deploying to your own Cloudflare account. It includes custom domains, unlimited projects, and you pay only your Cloudflare usage costs.

Source
PartyKit: Can I upgrade from Individual to Commercial plan?

Yes, both plans are free but offer different feature sets. The Commercial plan removes project restrictions but requires managing your own Cloudflare infrastructure.

Source
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