Procreate
Linearity Curve
| Feature | Procreate | Linearity Curve |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | From $12.99/mo | Free / from $7.99/mo |
| Free Plan | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Rating | 4.8 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Best For | digital-artists, illustrators, concept-artists, hobbyists | illustrators, ui-designers, typography-designers, apple-users |
| Founded | 2011 | 2017 |
| Digital Painting | ✓ | ✗ |
| Brushes | ✓ | ✗ |
| Layers | ✓ | ✗ |
| Animation Assist | ✓ | ✗ |
| Time Lapse | ✓ | ✗ |
| Color Tools | ✓ | ✗ |
| Apple Pencil Support | ✓ | ✗ |
| Vector Editing | ✗ | ✓ |
| Auto Trace | ✗ | ✓ |
| Typography | ✗ | ✓ |
| Templates | ✗ | ✓ |
| Gesture Controls | ✗ | ✓ |
| Export Formats | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ Procreate Pros
- One-time purchase price (no subscription)
- Incredibly responsive and natural brush engine
- Massive brush library with custom brush creation
- Animation assist for frame-by-frame animation
✗ Procreate Cons
- iPad-only (no desktop or Android version)
- No vector support (raster only)
- Limited text and layout tools
✓ Linearity Curve Pros
- Free with full features
- Excellent Apple device support
- Intuitive pen tool
- Beautiful interface
✗ Linearity Curve Cons
- Apple ecosystem only
- Limited collaboration
- Fewer plugins than Illustrator
The Verdict
Procreate is built for digital artists and illustrators, with a focus on digital-painting and brushes. Linearity Curve targets illustrators and ui designers and leads with vector-editing and auto-trace.
On pricing, Linearity Curve is the clear winner for budget-conscious users — starting at $7.99/mo compared to $12.99/mo for Procreate. That $5/mo difference adds up quickly for growing teams.
Linearity Curve has a free plan, which gives it a meaningful edge for individuals and small teams exploring their options. Procreate requires a paid subscription from day one.
Procreate edges out on user ratings (4.8 vs 4.4). While both are well-regarded, that gap reflects real differences in user satisfaction worth considering.
Feature-wise, Procreate offers broader built-in capabilities (7 features vs 6), while Linearity Curve takes a more focused approach — which can mean a simpler, faster onboarding experience.
Both tools are a solid fit for illustrators — in those cases, the decision often comes down to workflow style and how your team prefers to organize work.
Bottom line: Procreate has a slight overall edge — but if free with full features matters most to you, Linearity Curve may still be the right call.