Softwr

Design · head to head

Procreate vs Softr

Procreate logo

Procreate

Design

Digital illustration app made for iPad

From
$12.99/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Softr logo

Softr

No-Code

No-code platform for building web apps, client portals and directories from data

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Softr has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Procreate iPad-only application with no desktop version for Windows or macOS; Softr pricing scales with the number of app users, which can get expensive for consumer-facing apps.
  • They diverge on capability: Procreate covers Digital painting, Softr covers Data source connectors.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Procreate and Softr actually diverge.

Attributes where Procreate and Softr differ
AttributeProcreateSoftr
Starting price$12.99/one-timeFree
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsiPadweb
CategoryDesignNo-Code
Founded20102020

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 Procreate

  • Digital painting
  • Brush library
  • Layer management
  • Selection tools
  • Time-lapse recording
  • Apple Pencil
  • iPad Pro
  • Cloud services

Only in Softr

  • Data source connectors
  • Pre-built blocks
  • User authentication & permissions
  • Client portals
  • Payments
  • Custom domains

What people use each for

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

Procreate

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

Softr

  • Client and partner portalsnot Procreate
  • Internal tools on top of Airtablenot Procreate
  • Directory and marketplace websitesnot Procreate
  • MVP prototypes for startupsnot Procreate

Where each one falls short

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

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

Softr

  • Pricing scales with the number of app users, which can get expensive for consumer-facing apps.
  • Complex custom logic requires workarounds since it lacks a full scripting layer.
  • Deep customization of UI beyond provided blocks is limited compared to code-based builders.
  • Performance depends heavily on the connected data source, e.g. Airtable API limits.

Pricing, plan by plan

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

Softr

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Up to 3 app builders
    • 5 combined app users
    • No custom domain
  • Basic$25/month
    • 1 app builder
    • 5 Team + 5 Client users
    • 1 custom domain
  • Pro$119/month
    • 2 app builders
    • Up to 50 Team + 250 Client users
    • 1 custom domain
  • Business$395/month
    • 3 app builders
    • Up to 100 Team + 500 Client users
    • 1 custom domain

Which should you pick?

Choose Procreate if

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

Choose Softr if

  • You need data source connectors.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on web.
  • You also want pre-built blocks.
Softr review

Questions people ask

Is Procreate or Softr better?
Neither clearly leads. Procreate starts at $12.99/one-time and Softr at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Procreate or Softr?
Softr has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $12.99/one-time for Procreate and Free for Softr.
Does Procreate or Softr run on more platforms?
Procreate runs on iPad. Softr runs on web.
Can I use Softr for free?
Yes. Softr has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Procreate starts at $12.99/one-time.
What is Procreate best used for?
Procreate is most often used for digital illustration, concept art, character design, educational art. Of those, digital illustration and concept art are not what Softr is typically brought in for.
What can Procreate do that Softr cannot?
Procreate covers Digital painting, Brush library, Layer management, Selection tools. Softr covers Data source connectors, Pre-built blocks, User authentication & permissions, Client portals.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
Softr: What does Softr cost?

Softr offers Free, Basic ($25/mo), Pro ($119/mo), Business ($395/mo), and custom Enterprise plans, with annual billing giving roughly two months free.

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
Softr: Is there a free plan, and what are its limits?

The Free plan allows up to 3 app builders and 5 combined app users, with no custom domain included.

Source
Softr: How is usage metered?

Softr charges based on the number of app builders and app users (Team and Client), not on the number of apps published; extra users and domains cost additional monthly fees.

Source
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