Procreate vs Stencil
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
The verdict
Both Procreate and Stencil are credible graphic design tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Choose Procreate if you want a higher overall rating (4.8/5). Powerful illustration for iPad.
Choose Stencil if you'd rather have a lower starting price (free – $9/mo) and a free plan to start on. Lightning-fast image creation for marketers.
Procreate vs Stencil: side by side
| Dimension | Procreate | Stencil |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | From $12.99 once | Free – $9/moWinner |
| Free plan | No | YesWinner |
| Pricing model | One-time | Freemium |
| Best for | Illustrators, Artists | Bloggers, Marketers |
| Platforms | Ios | Web |
| Rating | 4.8/5Winner | 4.4/5 |
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
Stencil key facts
- Vendor
- Stencil
- Pricing
- Freemium — Free – $9/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web
- Best for
- Bloggers, Marketers
- Editor rating
- 4.4 / 5
- Founded
- 2015
- Headquarters
- USA
Frequently asked questions
Is Procreate better than Stencil?
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 Procreate or Stencil cheaper?
Stencil is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free – $9/mo. Procreate starts at from $12.99 once; Stencil starts at free – $9/mo.
Can Procreate replace Stencil?
Yes for most teams — both are graphic design tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.