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Marketed as the most powerful and intuitive digital illustration app, Procreate is packed with features that are perfect for creative artists and imaginative professionals.
Unfortunately, Procreate is made exclusively for the iPad. Read on to find out how to get Procreate on Windows and PC.
Can You Use Procreate on Mac or Windows?
Procreate is not available on Mac or Windows. It is available only on the iPad, according to Procreate’s official website. There is no direct way to install and use Procreate on Mac, Windows, or PC. You can, however, run Procreate using an iOS emulator.
An iOS emulator is a program that replicates the hardware of an iOS device, in this case, an iPad, so that you can run iOS apps on other operating systems.
App developers often use emulators to test iPhone software on Windows or Mac computers they use for programming.
How to Install and Use Procreate on Windows and PC
Before you try to install and use Procreate on a Windows or PC, make sure that you have at least 2 GB of RAM. Also, make sure that the graphic driver on your PC is updated to the latest version to prevent graphical glitches.
For the best results, install Adobe Air, .Net framework, and Visual C++.
As long as your operating system is Windows 7, 8, 10, or 11, both 32-bit and 64-bit PCs are compatible with iOS emulators that run Procreate.
Last but not least, make sure that your Windows or PC have at least 20 GB (preferably 40 GB) of empty hard disk space so that the emulator can run smoothly without a hitch.
Once you have your Windows or PC ready, you have two choices:
1. Use BlueStacks or NoxPlayer Emulator
The BlueStacks app interface.
The NoxPlayer app interface.
Here are the steps for using Procreate on Windows using BlueStacks or NoxPlayer Emulator:
- Download and install BlueStacks or NoxPlayer on your Windows or PC from a trusted source. We recommend downloading either of them from the official website.
- Open the app and sign in using your Google credentials.
- Find the search box and type in “Procreate.”
- Install Procreate and wait until the installation is complete.
- Once installed, open Procreate from your desktop and get creative!
2. Use iPadian Simulator
iPadian is a simple, hassle-free, and useful iOS simulator designed for Windows operating systems. With this program, you can replicate the latest version of iOS on your computer.
Basically, it mimics the general appearance and basic features of an Apple interface.
Unfortunately, an iPadian Simulator doesn’t let you access the app store directly, but it helps you experience iOS applications like Procreate.
7 Best Procreate Alternatives for Windows
As great as Procreate is, it is only available on the iPad. If you are a Windows or PC user, you can only use Procreate by running it on an iOS emulator.
If you don’t want the hassle, why not try a Procreate alternative for Windows? Here are the 7 best alternatives:
1. Krita
Krita is an open-source application for Windows, macOS, Linux, and iOS users. It is widely regarded as one of the best alternatives to Procreate for Windows and PC.
Unlike Procreate which costs $9.99, Krita is completely free.
The Krita app interface.
You can create conceptual art, comics, and complex illustrations using many of Krita’s powerful tools. It also supports a variety of color spaces like RGB and CMYK at 8 and 16 bits integer channels, as well as 16 and 32 bits floating point channels.
Recently, Krita got a huge update and the user interface has been significantly improved. As a bonus, Krita supports vector illustrations, which Procreate doesn’t.
Though not common, the only downside is that some users experience brush lags on some devices.
2. Adobe Illustrator
If you are an Adobe User, the best Procreate alternative for Windows would be Adobe Illustrator. Boasting a clean UI and a huge library of assets, Adobe Illustrator allows you to turn simple shapes and colors into sophisticated logos, icons, and graphics.
You can also play around with rasterization similar to Procreate, although Adobe Illustrator mainly deals with vector graphics.
Adobe Illustrator also has some of the best typography and free-hand drawing tools. No doubt, it has one of the best UI and packs intuitive controls for touchscreen devices.
You can get a free trial for 7 days right here. Subscription starts at $239.88 annually.
3. Autodesk Sketchbook
Previously known as AutoCAD Solutions, Autodesk Sketchbook is a popular software for both creative beginners and imaginative professionals.
Since the software is completely free, all you need to do is sign up for a free account and you can use the fully-featured version of Sketchbook on Windows or PC without any limitations.
With a pen-friendly interface, you can get the most out of the many brushes, layers, and color libraries with gradients. The software also runs brilliantly in full-screen mode with a huge canvas.
You could also export into PSD format while choosing the image resolution.
4. ArtRage
ArtRage might not be as popular as Procreate or other programs mentioned on this list, but is certainly the most beginner-friendly.
It is a digital painting software that aims to mimic real brushes, colors, and paint as naturally as possible. You can even mix colors like actual paint on a realistic canvas.
With the easy-to-navigate user interface, along with simple UI and controls, ArtRage offers you the ability to craft amazing paintings and artworks, while keeping everything simple for beginners.
5. Corel Painter
If you are an advanced digital painter, you may want to use Corel Painter as a Procreate alternative for Windows and PC.
Boasting more than 900 brush selections, Corel touts Painter’s selection of Natural-Media brushes and canvas textures as the largest you’ll find anywhere.
It is also supported by its huge library of video tutorials which is great for beginners to get started. Unfortunately, Corel Painter is expensive since it costs $429.
6. Clip Studio Paint
Clip Studio Paint is an advanced digital painting software that lets you create amazing images and drawings from scratch.
What is unique about Clip Studio Paint is that the software comes with a robust brush engine that allows you to craft stunning artworks with pinpoint precision.
Clip Studio Paint is a great Procreate alternative and is suitable for a wide range of specialties, such as comics, animation, illustration, and manga. You can also create simple designs by arranging images and text.
7. MediBang Paint
If you are a manga or comics creator, then MediBang Paint is another great Procreate alternative for Windows.
Boasting over 800 tones/backgrounds, brushes, over 50 brushes, and 20 font styles, MediBang Paint is a simple and powerful software for manga and comic artists.
Digital artists, graphic designers, and even calligraphers can enjoy this app too.
What Devices Can Procreate Be Used On?
The current version of Procreate for iPad is 5.2. It requires iPadOS 14.4 or newer to install. The current version of Procreate is supported on the following iPad models:
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th generation)
- 11-inch iPad Pro (1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation)
- 10.5-inch iPad Pro
- 9.7-inch iPad Pro
- iPad (9th generation)
- iPad (8th generation)
- iPad (7th generation)
- iPad (6th generation)
- iPad (5th generation)
- iPad mini (6th generation)
- iPad mini (5th generation)
- iPad mini 4
- iPad Air (4th generation)
- iPad Air (3rd generation)
- iPad Air 2
Final Words
Now you know how to install and use Procreate on Windows and PC. You can also try using one of the Procreate alternatives for Windows if you are feeling adventurous.
