In 2024, digital art has evolved, and so has the technology behind it. The iPad, with its powerful hardware and Apple Pencil support, has become one of the best tools for artists of all levels. Whether you’re a professional illustrator or a beginner exploring your creative side, there’s an app on the iPad designed to bring your artistic vision to life. Below, we’ll explore the top 10 best drawing apps for iPad in 2024 that can help you unleash your creativity.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Procreate 6 is the go-to app for digital artists of all skill levels, offering a robust feature set, lightning-fast performance, and seamless integration with the iPad ecosystem.
- Adobe Fresco is a revolutionary drawing and painting app that combines the best of digital and traditional media, making it a top choice for professional artists.
- Affinity Designer and Adobe Illustrator on the iPad are the best vector drawing apps, providing precision, flexibility, and advanced toolsets for creating scalable, high-quality illustrations.
- Nomad Sketch, Sketch Club, and Tayasui Sketches offer unique, natural media simulation experiences, catering to artists who prefer a more traditional, tactile approach to digital art.
- Medibang Paint is an exceptional value proposition, offering a comprehensive set of drawing tools and features at no cost, making it an excellent choice for beginners and budget-conscious artists.
1. Procreate
Procreate is often hailed as the gold standard for drawing apps on the iPad, and for good reason. This feature-packed app is known for its intuitive interface, extensive brush library, and powerful editing tools. Whether you’re sketching, painting, or doing digital illustrations, Procreate is a top choice.
Key Features:
- Over 200 customizable brushes
- Ultra-responsive Apple Pencil integration
- Layered file support
- Time-lapse recording of your work
Pricing: $12.99 (one-time purchase)
Why Choose Procreate?
With its endless brushes and customization, Procreate caters to all types of artists, from beginners to professionals. Its simplicity and depth make it one of the best drawing apps for the iPad.
Comparison Table Apps for Drawing on iPad
| App Name | Best For | Pricing | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Procreate | All-around digital art | $12.99 (one-time) | 200+ brushes, time-lapse recording, intuitive UI |
| Adobe Fresco | Vector & raster designs | Free/$9.99 per month | Dual vector/raster, live brushes, Adobe Creative Cloud integration |
| Clip Studio Paint | Manga and illustrations | $4.49/month or $219 | 10,000+ brushes, vector tools, frame-by-frame animation |
| Affinity Designer | Precision vector design | $21.99 (one-time) | Raster/vector switching, pen tool precision |
| Sketchbook | Quick sketching and drawing | Free | Customizable brushes, minimal interface, pressure-sensitive drawing |
| Concepts | Technical drawings | Free with in-app purchases | Infinite canvas, vector-based, PDF/CAD export |
| Tayasui Sketches | Simplicity & minimalism | Free/$5.99 | Watercolor effects, easy layer management |
| ArtRage Vitae | Traditional painting simulation | $4.99 | Realistic oils and watercolors, blending modes |
| MediBang Paint | Comic creation | Free with in-app purchases | Comic-specific tools, cloud storage, built-in font library |
| Infinite Painter | Natural, fluid drawing | Free/$9.99 | 160+ brushes, customizable interface, pattern creation tools |
2. Adobe Fresco
For artists who enjoy working with both vector and raster graphics, Adobe Fresco offers the perfect blend. The app provides a vast library of brushes, including pixel, vector, and even live brushes that replicate real-world paint styles like watercolors and oils.
Key Features:
- Dual environment for vector and raster work
- Realistic live brushes
- Integration with Adobe Creative Cloud
- Easy file export to Photoshop
Pricing: Free, with a premium version starting at $9.99/month.
Why Choose Adobe Fresco?
If you’re already invested in the Adobe ecosystem, Fresco makes it incredibly easy to transfer your work between different platforms. The real-world paint simulation is also a standout feature for artists who like to experiment with different mediums.
3. Clip Studio Paint
Clip Studio Paint is a professional-grade app that’s popular among manga artists, illustrators, and animators. It provides a full suite of tools for inking, painting, and animating, making it one of the most versatile apps for creative professionals.
Key Features:
- Over 10,000 free downloadable brushes
- Excellent vector tools for line art
- 3D models to assist with drawing poses
- Frame-by-frame animation capabilities
Pricing: $4.49/month or $219 for a one-time purchase.
Why Choose Clip Studio Paint?
If you’re looking for an app that offers more than just drawing, Clip Studio Paint is perfect for illustrations, comics, and even short animations.
4. Affinity Designer
Affinity Designer is a powerful vector-based app that also allows raster editing, making it perfect for illustrations, UI design, and even web graphics. The app is known for its smooth performance and precision, thanks to its advanced Apple Pencil support.
Key Features:
- Seamless switching between raster and vector workspaces
- Unlimited layers
- Pen tool precision for creating complex designs
- Wide variety of vector brushes
Pricing: $21.99 (one-time purchase)
Why Choose Affinity Designer?
For users who need a design tool that’s both affordable and capable, Affinity Designer is one of the best alternatives to Adobe Illustrator on iPad.
5. Sketchbook by Autodesk
Sketchbook has long been a favorite of both professionals and hobbyists. Its clean interface and natural drawing experience make it a go-to app for illustrators. Best of all, it’s completely free!
Key Features:
- A vast range of customizable brushes
- Pressure-sensitive drawing with Apple Pencil
- Easy-to-use, minimal interface
- Fully unlocked version for free
Pricing: Free
Why Choose Sketchbook?
For a completely free app that doesn’t skimp on professional-level tools, Sketchbook is an excellent choice for artists on a budget.
6. Concepts
Concepts is an innovative drawing app designed for professionals who need precision. It’s great for architects, product designers, and technical illustrators, offering a flexible, vector-based sketching environment.
Key Features:
- Infinite canvas
- Vector-based for precise control
- High-res PDFs and CAD exports
- Adjustable drawing tools for fine-tuning lines
Pricing: Free, with in-app purchases for advanced tools.
Why Choose Concepts?
If you’re working on technical drawings or need precise lines for architectural designs, Concepts provides unmatched control with its vector-based system.
7. Tayasui Sketches
Tayasui Sketches offers a simpler, more beginner-friendly experience while still providing professional-level tools. This app is perfect for those who want to sketch quickly and easily.
Key Features:
- Realistic brush and pen tools
- Watercolor brush effects
- Layer support
- Simple and intuitive user interface
Pricing: Free, with a premium version starting at $5.99.
Why Choose Tayasui Sketches?
For artists who prefer a minimalist and distraction-free environment, Tayasui Sketches offers a clean interface while still delivering on essential features.
8. ArtRage Vitae
ArtRage Vitae mimics traditional painting mediums, making it perfect for artists who love working with oil paints, watercolors, and other natural media.
Key Features:
- Realistic oil paints, watercolors, and pencil tools
- Intuitive blending options
- Layer support with easy blending modes
- Pressure-sensitive brush options for Apple Pencil
Pricing: $4.99
Why Choose ArtRage Vitae?
ArtRage Vitae is one of the best apps for artists who love traditional painting but want the flexibility of digital tools.
9. MediBang Paint
MediBang Paint is ideal for comic artists, offering a variety of tools to create detailed and vibrant comics. It’s a cloud-based app, allowing you to work from any device.
Key Features:
- Large selection of comic-specific tools
- Cloud storage for easy file management
- Built-in font library for text work
- Easy collaboration with other artists
Pricing: Free, with in-app purchases.
Why Choose MediBang Paint?
For comic artists who need both flexibility and power, MediBang Paint is a solid option with a comprehensive set of tools.
10. Infinite Painter
Infinite Painter offers a combination of powerful brushes and intuitive gesture controls, making it one of the best drawing apps for iPad users who want a fluid, natural drawing experience.
Key Features:
- Over 160 built-in brushes
- Powerful layer and mask controls
- Simple and customizable interface
- Unique pattern and texture creation tools
Pricing: Free, with in-app purchases starting at $9.99.
Why Choose Infinite Painter?
For artists looking for a natural, paper-like drawing experience, Infinite Painter’s brushes and intuitive controls make it a favorite.
Conclusion
Choosing the right drawing app for your iPad largely depends on your personal needs as an artist. Procreate remains a favorite for its all-around flexibility, while Adobe Fresco is great for those already embedded in the Adobe ecosystem. If you’re more into technical designs or professional illustrations, Clip Studio Paint and Affinity Designer are excellent options. Whether you’re a hobbyist or a seasoned artist, there’s an app on this list that will help you unleash your creative potential in 2024.
FAQs
Q: What is the best free drawing app for iPad in 2024?
A: Sketchbook and MediBang Paint offer robust free versions with professional-level tools.
Q: Is Procreate a one-time purchase?
A: Yes, Procreate requires a one-time purchase of $12.99 with no subscription fees.
Q: Can I animate in Clip Studio Paint?
A: Yes, Clip Studio Paint allows for frame-by-frame animation, making it a great tool for animators.