# Procreate

23 Hacker News commenters recommended Procreate and 0 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 6 of 13 months. It meets the Hacker Approved badge rule.

**Verdict:** Well-regarded iPad painting and drawing app that works well with Apple Pencil and suits novices; some people note its files can get heavy.

## Why people recommend it

- Good for drawing and illustration (5 comments): "It's great for drawing / painting using Apple Pencil and software like ProCreate." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47222608)) "Illustrating sucks on those platforms compared to using Procreate on iPad" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50168890)) "I didn't know Procreate could be so good at precise line art" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50005805))
- Popular with artists and iPad users (3 comments): "My killer apps for iPad: forScore, Korg Gadget, Procreate" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47802291)) "the only app they have installed is Procreate" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50244135)) "several artists I know love Procreate" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45892145))
- Better than other iPad image editors (3 comments): "I like being able to use Procreate or other image editing software on my iPad" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49805813)) "Illustrating sucks on those platforms compared to using Procreate on iPad" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50168890)) "Some things are much better today, like Procreate." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45808303))
- Feels natural with Apple Pencil (2 comments): "It's great for drawing / painting using Apple Pencil and software like ProCreate." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47222608)) "Procreate just dissolves under your fingers and pencil" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47874534))

## Alternatives hackers recommend

- [Krita](https://hackerapproved.com/p/krita.md): 77 recommend
- [Aseprite](https://hackerapproved.com/p/aseprite.md): 26 recommend
- [Inkwash](https://hackerapproved.com/p/inkwash.md): 16 recommend
- [LibreSprite](https://hackerapproved.com/p/libresprite.md): 11 recommend
- [Art symmetry drawing app](https://hackerapproved.com/p/art.md): 7 recommend

## Where to get it

- [Visit the official site](https://procreate.com/)

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "Procreate", https://hackerapproved.com/p/procreate/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).