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Procreate is widely considered the gold standard when it comes to digital illustration apps. Its powerful, intuitive tools and sleek interface have made it a favorite of professional artists and hobbyists alike. But there‘s just one problem – Procreate is only available on Apple devices like the iPad and iPhone.
So what if you‘re a Windows user longing to experience the magic of Procreate? Is there any way to run Procreate on your Windows PC? I‘m Jen, a digital artist and art teacher with over a decade of experience. I‘ve explored every possibility for using Procreate on a variety of devices and operating systems. In this in-depth guide, I‘ll share what I‘ve learned about whether you can use Procreate on Windows, potential workarounds, and the best alternative apps to consider.
Why is Procreate Only Available on iOS?
First, let‘s clarify that Procreate is indeed only available on Apple‘s iOS and iPadOS operating systems. You can download it exclusively through the Apple App Store for use on an iPad or iPhone. Procreate is not available for Android tablets, Windows PCs, Macs, or any other device.
According to Savage Interactive, the company behind Procreate, they have chosen to focus solely on Apple‘s platforms and have no plans to develop Procreate for other operating systems. They state that this allows them to take full advantage of the power and features of iOS/iPadOS and optimize Procreate‘s performance.
While this may be disappointing news for Windows users, it‘s not unusual for apps (especially those focused on creative fields) to be exclusive to certain platforms. Many developers choose to specialize in order to provide the best user experience on their chosen operating system.
Can You Run Procreate on a Windows PC Through an Emulator?
If Procreate isn‘t available for Windows, you may be wondering if there‘s a way to run it on your PC through an emulator or virtual machine. An emulator is a program that allows one computer system (the "host") to imitate another (the "guest"). In theory, you could use an iOS emulator on your Windows PC to run Procreate.
However, in practice, this is not a viable solution. There are a few key reasons why:
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Performance issues: Emulators often struggle to run resource-intensive apps like Procreate smoothly. You would likely experience lag, glitches, and crashes that would severely impact your ability to draw and paint effectively in the app.
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Lack of touch/stylus support: A fundamental part of what makes Procreate so great is its highly responsive touch and Apple Pencil support. Most emulators do not allow you to use a stylus, so you would be limited to a mouse or touchpad, which is far from ideal for digital art.
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Legal gray area: While emulators themselves may be legal, using them to run copyrighted software like Procreate without permission operates in a legal gray area. There‘s a risk of intellectual property violations.
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Malware risks: Many websites claiming to offer iOS emulators for PC are actually scams that may install malware or viruses on your computer. Attempting to download them is risky.
For these reasons, I do not recommend attempting to use an emulator to run Procreate on a Windows PC. The performance and usability issues, along with the legal and security risks, make it impractical. You‘re better off seeking out a Windows-compatible alternative, which I‘ll discuss in-depth later on.
What About Sidecar or Duet Display?
You may have heard about apps like Sidecar or Duet Display that allow you to use an iPad as a second screen for a Mac. While this is a handy option for Mac users who want to extend their desktop with touch/stylus input, it unfortunately doesn‘t help Windows users access Procreate. These apps only work to mirror or extend a Mac desktop, not a Windows PC. And since Procreate isn‘t available for Mac in the first place, this isn‘t a solution.
The Best Procreate Alternatives for Windows
So if you‘re a Windows user, what are your options for a powerful, full-featured digital art app? Fortunately, there are several excellent Procreate alternatives that are fully compatible with Windows. Here are my top recommendations:
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Clip Studio Paint: Clip Studio Paint is a professional-grade painting and illustration app that‘s available for both Windows and Mac. It offers a wide range of natural-looking brushes, layer effects, perspective tools, and more. It‘s a top choice among comic and manga artists, as well as illustrators and concept artists. Prices start at $50 for a Pro license.
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Krita: Krita is a free and open-source painting app that‘s a great choice for artists on a budget. Despite being free, it‘s surprisingly powerful, with a customizable brush engine, HDR painting support, PSD compatibility, and more. It‘s a solid choice for illustration, concept art, matte painting, and textures.
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Corel Painter: Corel Painter is another powerful natural media painting app for Windows and Mac. It‘s known for its realistic brush engine that mimics traditional media like oils, watercolors, and pastels. It also has features like thick paint and particle brushes for unique effects. A full license starts at $429, but a 30-day trial is available.
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Adobe Fresco: Adobe Fresco is a newer addition to Adobe‘s lineup of creative apps, built especially for drawing and painting. It combines raster and vector brushes and includes Adobe Sensei AI for features like Live Brushes that mimic real oils and watercolors. A freemium version is available, or you can access the premium features for $10/month.
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Sketchable: Sketchable is a Windows 10 app designed for artists using a Surface Pro or other Windows tablet. It takes full advantage of the Surface Pen and touch capabilities to provide a natural drawing experience. While not as full-featured as some other options, its simplicity can be an advantage. A Pro license costs $20.
These are just a few of the many great digital art apps available for Windows. While none are an exact 1:1 replacement for Procreate, they each offer a robust set of tools for drawing, painting, and illustration. I recommend trying out the free/trial versions of a few to find the one that best suits your needs and workflow.
Conclusion
To recap, Procreate is not available for Windows PCs and there‘s no reliable way to run it through an emulator or virtual machine. However, that doesn‘t mean Windows users are out of luck when it comes to digital art software. There are plenty of powerful, Windows-compatible alternatives like Clip Studio Paint, Krita, Corel Painter, Adobe Fresco, and Sketchable that can provide a similar creative experience.
Ultimately, the "best" digital art app is the one that feels most intuitive to you and fits your budget and artistic needs. Don‘t get too caught up in trying to emulate a particular app like Procreate. Instead, embrace the unique features and workflows offered by Windows-compatible software. With practice and exploration, you can create amazing art with any of these tools.
I hope this guide has provided some clarity and helpful recommendations for any Windows users looking to dive into digital art. Remember, the most important thing is to choose a tool that inspires you to create and keep on honing your skills. Happy drawing!