Top 3 Apps for Digital Artists in 2025

TOP 3 APPS FOR DRAWING ON IPADS AND TABLETS

We have often found ourselves recommending apps and software dedicated to creativity on tablets and, today, we want to provide you with a broad overview of those that we believe to be the best:

Procreate

Clip Studio

Sketchbook

These 3 apps are useful both for beginners, as well as for creatives who already have a great deal of experience and skills in the digital art realm. What's more, each of these applications has some specific characteristics that make them different from each other: choose the one/ones that best meet your needs.

1. PROCREATE

Procreate is a software created exclusively for use on iPads and, currently, has a cost of €14.99 which you will pay only once to have this application at your disposal forever. What Procreate wants to let you know is that with their app you will have access to more than 200 brushes that recreate every type of stroke (pencil, ink, chalk and many others). All these brushes are customizable and, if you happen to need another type of stroke, you can easily download as many as you want from the web. The choice of color is very intuitive and can also be done using photos to obtain the exact color you are looking for. Moreover, the many features included make your creations unique and your iPad experience completely fluid. The wide range of customizations and diversification, as well as the commands that allow you to simplify the creation of your drawings (for example, adjusting the opacity, distorting shapes and refining geometric shapes) make Procreate an app suitable for everyone: from professionals who want to create complex drawings, to beginners looking to discover and learn the world of digital drawing for the first time or sporadically. The amazing thing is that the many features, commands and customizations are easy to use, simple and intuitive: you won't waste time searching for them and you won't have to take intensive courses to use them.

2. CLIP STUDIO PAINT

This app offers an integrated experience: you can use it from a PC, tablet or smartphone without any differences between Android or iOS. The cost varies depending on the type of subscription and of the version you choose (currently the most accessible plan is certainly the one for 0.99 cents per month for a year). Clip Studio is an app that is continuously updated and allows you take advantage of a free trial. The features focus on creativity and on realism: the textures of the brushes and the “paper” try to be very realistic and similar to traditional paintings. The app is also ideal for 3D drawing, with a wide choice of materials to customize your design. These features make Clip Studio Paint the ideal software for mangaka, cartoonists and illustrators. It's perhaps a more technical software than Procreate, better suited for those with intermediate-advanced knowledge or for those studying this subject matter.

3. SKETCHBOOK

This app is available for fixed and mobile devices, as well as for Android and iOS. It is free, with the possibility of in-app purchases for mobile devices, while the Pro version has been created for laptops or desktop PCs and currently has a cost of €24.99. The mobile version is very similar to Procreate and can be a great alternative for those looking to create quick drawings, for those who are just starting out and own an Android device or for those who don't feel like investing money in a drawing app. One of the coolest features of Sketchbook is the symmetry function, which allows you to create perfectly proportioned drawings. The Pro version, on the other hand, offers more advanced and complete features, ideal for those looking for a professional tool.

WHICH ONE TO CHOOSE ⬇️

These 3 apps are different from each other and all offer a lot of features. If you are a beginner and you need basic tools, you will find them in all 3 applications. However, if you have decided to enter the world of digital art, the right choice could be Sketchbook or Procreate. If you are looking for a powerful tool that is fluid and intuitive, Procreate is definitely the one for you (provided you have an iPad). Finally, if you have a passion for manga or comic books or if you want an advanced software, Clip Studio Paint is the right choice.

Here is a comparison table between the 3 apps:

⚠️ Integrating your digital experience with physical tools is extremely important. Here are the 3 best tools in this regard:

💛 1. Doodroo Paper-Feel screen protector

📌 Ideal for: Those who want a surface with a paper-like resistance, for greater control when drawing.

💡 Recommended for:

✔ Procreate → Digital painting and more realistic textures

✔ Clip Studio Paint → Precise inking for comics/manga

✔ Sketchbook → Better controlled sketches and concept art

💛 2. Doodroo Apple Pencil Grip

📌 Ideal for: Anyone who wants to improve the ergonomics of their Apple Pencil.

💡 Recommended for:

✔ All types of digital illustration and animation

💛 3. Doodroo Drawing Glove

📌 Ideal for: Avoiding accidental contact of your hand with the tablet while drawing.

💡 Recommended for:

✔ Illustrators and cartoonists, particularly on Clip Studio Paint

✔ Digital Artists on Procreate, for greater fluidity