Which is Better for Creating Unique Images: Adobe Fresco or Procreate?

Which is Better for Creating Unique Images: Adobe Fresco or Procreate?

Which is better, Adobe Fresco or Procreate for creating unique images: Which one to choose: Adobe Fresco, the comprehensive app that can produce vector images and offers a great price, or Procreate, the ideal app for beginners and artists who want to focus on creating unique artworks and designs.

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The comparison is not easy; in this article, we will show you what each program has to offer so you can decide which one is better for you.

Let's start, which is better Adobe Fresco or Procreate for creating unique images.

1- Brushes

صورة يتم رسمها بالفرشاة على برنامج Procreate
An image drawn with a brush in Procreate

Procreate is a pixel-based drawing program, which means that every brush available to users on Procreate is a pixel brush.

The app does not offer any other type of drawing brushes as it is not supported.

This means you can only create and export pixel-based artwork on the app.

On the other hand, this is where Adobe Fresco really shines.

In a rare phenomenon, Adobe Fresco allows users to switch between vector and pixel brushes.

This means users have the option to create two different artworks based on graphics instead of just one.

Additionally, Adobe Fresco also offers live brushes.

This means users can create the same texture as traditional art styles like watercolor and oil painting simply by changing the brush type. This creates a realistic drawing experience on a digital platform.

Best: Adobe Fresco offers live brushes and both vector and pixel brushes, while Procreate only offers pixel brushes.

2- Compatibility

Procreate is specifically designed for Apple operating systems with iPad, iPhone, and Apple Pencil in mind.

This means you cannot download Procreate or Procreate Pocket on any other devices.

This completely excludes all Windows and Android users, and of course, this has had a negative impact on the app.

On the other hand, Adobe Fresco shares the same compatibility with its siblings like Photoshop and Illustrator.

You can access and download Fresco on all compatible Apple devices running Mac OS, as well as on Windows and desktop computers.

Best: Adobe Fresco can be used on Windows and Mac devices, while Procreate is limited to iPad and iPhone only.

3- Mobile Apps

Both apps offer versions for mobile devices.

The makers of Procreate released a separate paid app specifically designed for use on Apple iPhone.

This gives users unlimited access to the entire app and all its features.

You can download Adobe Fresco on your iPhone or iPod touch as long as they are updated to the latest iOS (currently iOS 14.0 or higher).

The mobile version of Adobe Fresco is free with an in-app purchase option to upgrade your subscription to Premium.

Both apps offer almost a full range of features with very few restrictions, if any.

Best: Both are great; both Procreate and Adobe Fresco mobile apps are available at affordable or free prices and give users full access to all app features.

4- Storage

Procreate stores all your artwork internally within the app.

This means that your Procreate storage depends on the available RAM and storage on your device.

This also means that Procreate users must manually back up their work using an external cloud storage service and constantly delete projects from their app and devices to manage storage.

The free version of Adobe Fresco comes with 2 GB of external cloud storage through their Creative Cloud.

With a Premium subscription, the Creative Cloud storage increases to 100 GB.

This allows users to create and move artwork freely throughout the app.

This enables users to back up their work securely and ensure proper management of artwork storage without the risk of losing everything if your device crashes and you face manual backup issues.

Not having to worry about external cloud storage is a relief for most users.

Best: Adobe Fresco's external storage space available with the premium version means users can create projects without having to restrict their device storage as they do in Procreate.

5- User Interface

The Procreate user interface is undoubtedly the best; it is clear and simple. In contrast, the main screen of Adobe Fresco feels cluttered and distracting due to the hundreds of icons in front of you.

Adobe Fresco allows you to explore functions while also getting a full view of your project.

However, when starting a new project in Procreate, the top logo of your screen displays ten icons, each representing different functions of the app.

On the side of your canvas, you will see a small sidebar, and in the center will be your blank canvas.

When you click on each icon, you can delve deeper into the options available for each function or brush.

But for someone who focuses more on art rather than graphic design, I prefer the user interface of Procreate.

Best: Procreate; the main screen of Adobe Fresco is cluttered and confusing, while the main screen of Procreate is clear and simple.

6- Animation Features

صورة مصممة ببرنامج Procreate
An image designed with Procreate

Procreate offers basic animation functions with Animation Assist settings.

The file types available for export using Procreate are also compatible with most basic animation projects.

However, animations tend to take up space, and storage is not a strong point for Procreate.

Users can access to create their own animations and process them using frame-by-frame technology.

Adobe Fresco offers a more in-depth animation program by adding the ability to work with motion paths instead of just frame-by-frame settings.

The ability to work with vector artwork makes this app more appealing to those focused on animation.

Animations created on Adobe Fresco are also compatible with Photoshop so you can use both apps in your project.

Best: Adobe Fresco. Adobe Fresco allows you to work with motion paths and frame-by-frame settings, while Procreate does not offer motion paths.

7- Time-lapse Features

Time-lapse recordings are incredibly satisfying to watch but are also useful for learning and reviewing your process.

Many artists and educators use time-lapse videos to showcase their processes and use them as resources for tutorials or online content.

Both Procreate and Adobe Fresco apps have a built-in time-lapse recording feature that records every stroke you make within a piece of artwork.

This is then automatically compiled to create a fast video of your artwork from start to finish.

Adobe Fresco has made it very easy to access, save, and share time-lapse recordings, and the app does this for you.

This means its users get a seamless recording every time without having to do any of the camera work.

Procreate has also created a seamless process for using and sharing your time-lapse recording once you finish the project.

By default, this setting will be automatically active, but if you want to turn it off, you can do so; this will help preserve your battery if you don’t need a video.

Best: Procreate; Procreate automatically records a time-lapse for all projects as soon as you start a new canvas.

Conclusion

In this article, we discussed which is better, Adobe Fresco or Procreate for creating unique images, comparing them across 7 points.

Both apps have incredibly advanced technology that has changed the world of digital art forever, and it's hard to downplay either.

Since each has different strengths, it ultimately comes down to the user to determine which is better based on their needs.

Have you used both programs? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.