Procreate
Zeplin
| Feature | Procreate | Zeplin |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | From $12.99/mo | Free / from $12/mo |
| Free Plan | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Rating | 4.8 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
| Best For | digital-artists, illustrators, concept-artists, hobbyists | design-teams, developers, agencies, product-teams |
| Founded | 2011 | 2014 |
| Digital Painting | ✓ | ✗ |
| Brushes | ✓ | ✗ |
| Layers | ✓ | ✗ |
| Animation Assist | ✓ | ✗ |
| Time Lapse | ✓ | ✗ |
| Color Tools | ✓ | ✗ |
| Apple Pencil Support | ✓ | ✗ |
| Design Handoff | ✗ | ✓ |
| Style Guide | ✗ | ✓ |
| Components | ✗ | ✓ |
| Code Snippets | ✗ | ✓ |
| Measurements | ✗ | ✓ |
| Version History | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ 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
✓ Zeplin Pros
- Great handoff tool
- Developer-friendly
- Design system support
- Multi-platform
✗ Zeplin Cons
- Figma reducing need
- Limited design editing
- Fewer updates
The Verdict
Procreate is built for digital artists and illustrators, with a focus on digital-painting and brushes. Zeplin targets design teams and developers and leads with design-handoff and style-guide.
Both tools come in at similar price points ($12.99/mo for Procreate, $12/mo for Zeplin), so pricing won't make the decision for you.
Zeplin 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 4.2). 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 Zeplin takes a more focused approach — which can mean a simpler, faster onboarding experience.
Bottom line: Procreate has a slight overall edge — but if great handoff tool matters most to you, Zeplin may still be the right call.