Procreate
Whimsical
| Feature | Procreate | Whimsical |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | From $12.99/mo | Free / from $10/mo |
| Free Plan | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Rating | 4.8 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 |
| Best For | digital-artists, illustrators, concept-artists, hobbyists | product-managers, designers, startups, remote-teams |
| Founded | 2011 | 2017 |
| Digital Painting | ✓ | ✗ |
| Brushes | ✓ | ✗ |
| Layers | ✓ | ✗ |
| Animation Assist | ✓ | ✗ |
| Time Lapse | ✓ | ✗ |
| Color Tools | ✓ | ✗ |
| Apple Pencil Support | ✓ | ✗ |
| Flowcharts | ✗ | ✓ |
| Wireframes | ✗ | ✓ |
| Mind Maps | ✗ | ✓ |
| Sticky Notes | ✗ | ✓ |
| Ai Suggestions | ✗ | ✓ |
| Docs | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ 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
✓ Whimsical Pros
- Fast and intuitive
- Great for wireframes
- Clean interface
- AI features
✗ Whimsical Cons
- Limited free boards
- No real-time video
- Fewer templates than Miro
The Verdict
Procreate is built for digital artists and illustrators, with a focus on digital-painting and brushes. Whimsical targets product managers and designers and leads with flowcharts and wireframes.
Pricing is close: Whimsical starts at $10/mo versus $12.99/mo for Procreate — not a deciding factor on its own.
Whimsical 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.
Feature-wise, Procreate offers broader built-in capabilities (7 features vs 6), while Whimsical takes a more focused approach — which can mean a simpler, faster onboarding experience.
Bottom line: Procreate has a slight overall edge — but if fast and intuitive matters most to you, Whimsical may still be the right call.