Adobe Lightroom vs Procreate
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
Photo editing and organization for photographers.
The verdict
Both Adobe Lightroom and Procreate are credible photo editing tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Choose Adobe Lightroom if you want a lower starting price (from $9.99/mo), a longer free trial (7 days) and broader platform coverage. Photo editing and organization for photographers.
Choose Procreate if you'd rather have a higher overall rating (4.8/5). Powerful illustration for iPad.
Adobe Lightroom vs Procreate: side by side
| Dimension | Adobe Lightroom | Procreate |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | From $9.99/moWinner | From $12.99 once |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Free trial | 7 daysWinner | — |
| Pricing model | Subscription | One-time |
| Best for | Photographers | Illustrators, Artists |
| Platforms | Windows, Mac, Ios, AndroidWinner | Ios |
| Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.8/5Winner |
Adobe Lightroom key facts
- Vendor
- Adobe
- Pricing
- Subscription — From $9.99/mo
- Free tier
- Free trial (7 days)
- Platforms
- Windows, Mac, Ios, Android
- Best for
- Photographers
- Editor rating
- 4.6 / 5
- Founded
- 2007
- Headquarters
- San Jose, CA, USA
Procreate key facts
- Vendor
- Savage Interactive
- Pricing
- One-time — From $12.99 once
- Free tier
- No
- Platforms
- Ios
- Best for
- Illustrators, Artists
- Editor rating
- 4.8 / 5
- Founded
- 2011
- Headquarters
- Hobart, Australia
Frequently asked questions
Is Adobe Lightroom better than Procreate?
Neither is universally better — Procreate edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Adobe Lightroom or Procreate cheaper?
Adobe Lightroom is the more affordable of the two to get started, at from $9.99/mo. Adobe Lightroom starts at from $9.99/mo; Procreate starts at from $12.99 once.
Can Adobe Lightroom replace Procreate?
Yes for most teams — both are photo editing tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.