If you’re new to digital design, Canva vs Procreate can feel confusing — especially when everyone online seems to use both. This post answers the real questions beginners actually ask, so you can choose the right tool without feeling behind.
1. What is Canva used for?
Canva is a user-friendly design tool that’s perfect for creating things like social media posts, Pinterest pins, presentations, flyers, worksheets, and blog graphics. Its intuitive, drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to excel in the workplace or bring personal ideas to life quickly — without needing to draw every element from scratch.
This makes Canva especially appealing for beginners, content creators, and anyone who wants polished designs without a steep learning curve.
2. What is Procreate used for?
Unlike Canva, Procreate is primarily a drawing app where you create your elements by hand. With a wide variety of brushes, and the ability to create your own, everything on the canvas is fully you. Procreate includes several advanced tools, which makes it a more hands-on and flexible creative app for illustration and artwork.
3. Is Canva or Procreate better for beginners?
From a designer’s point of view, it really depends on your goals. Being able to draw and create your own elements can broaden your skill set, increase marketability, and give you more creative control. There have been plenty of times when the Canva elements weren’t exactly what I was looking for, so I hand-drew my own instead.
That said, if drawing doesn’t interest you, Canva’s built-in design elements will work just fine – especially when you’re just getting started.
4. Do I need design experience to use either Canva or Procreate?
No, you can absolutely start from scratch. Learning is part of the fun in the design process. Both Canva and Procreate are easy to use once you learn the basic functions, and when you’re ready to explore the more advanced tools, the experience only grows from there.
5. Which is easier to learn? Canva or Procreate?
When you’re just starting out, Canva is generally easier to learn, depending on your goal. Everything is clearly labeled and designed to be intuitive. Procreate, on the other hand, is focused on creating elements from scratch. While the interface itself is labeled, the more advanced tools can feel overwhelming if you’re not familiar with what they do — like layer blending modes or detailed brush settings.
6. Can I use Canva without paying for Canva Pro?
Yes! Canva has a free version with plenty of elements and tools to get started. Canva Pro unlocks additional features like more trendy design elements, the ability to collaborate with a team, and advanced tools such as background removal. For light or basic usage, the free version works just fine.
There are also ways to work around Pro-only elements — for example, creating your own graphics in Procreate (or other design tools) and uploading them into Canva for placement.
7. Is Procreate worth the cost?
Absolutely! Procreate is a one-time purchase of $12.99. According to the Apple App Store, that purchase gives you access to all features with no subscription required, as long as you’re using the same Apple ID. There’s also Procreate Pocket for iPhone, priced at $5.99, which is a great option for anyone working with a smaller budget.
8. Do I need an iPad to use Procreate?
Technically, yes — Procreate is an iOS app built specifically for iPads. However, there is also the Procreate Pocket app for iPhone users. All you really need is an Apple device that supports the app to get started.
9. What can beginners make in Canva?
Canva is great for all kinds of digital products. It works well for business use — like flyers, presentations, and branding layouts — but it’s also perfect for personal projects and social media templates. Because it’s template-based and easy to use, beginners can create polished designs without needing advanced design skills. You can also use Canva to create designs completely from scratch if you want more control.
10. What can beginners make in Procreate?
Beginners can use Procreate to create hand-drawn artwork like doodles, illustrations, lettering, coloring pages, patterns, and simple designs. It’s especially great for anyone who enjoys drawing or wants to learn how to create custom elements from scratch. As your skills grow, Procreate allows you to build more detailed and layered artwork at your own pace.
If you’re brand new to Procreate and want a simple walkthrough, you can check out my Procreate for Beginners: A Simple Guide to Getting Started, where I break down the basics step by step.
11. Can Procreate be used for graphic design?
Yes, Procreate can be used for graphic design, but it works best as part of a larger workflow. It’s great for creating custom illustrations, lettering, textures, and design elements by hand. However, it doesn’t replace layout-based design tools like Canva or Adobe programs when it comes to things like text-heavy designs, resizing, or exporting multiple formats.
12. Can Canva be used for drawing?
Yes, Canva does have basic drawing tools, including simple pen and shape options. While it’s not designed for detailed illustration like Procreate, it works well for quick sketches, simple icons, handwritten-style text, and small custom elements. Most people who draw in Canva use a mouse or trackpad for simple designs, but many users skip drawing altogether and rely on templates, shapes, or uploaded graphics instead.
That said, if drawing is something you really want to explore, I would recommend using an app made specifically for drawing, like Procreate, and then importing your artwork into Canva for layout and design.
13. Can I sell designs made in Canva?
Yes, you can sell designs made in Canva, but it’s important to understand Canva’s licensing rules. Canva allows users to sell designs as long as they’re part of a larger, original design and not reselling Canva elements by themselves. This means things like worksheets, planners, social media templates, and printables are generally fine when you’ve customized them.
Selling individual Canva elements on their own isn’t allowed and doesn’t respect the original creator’s work.
14. Can I sell artwork made in Procreate?
Yes. Artwork created in Procreate is entirely your own, which means you can sell it without worrying about platform licensing restrictions. Many artists use Procreate to create illustrations, coloring pages, patterns, stickers, and other digital products for sale. As long as the work is original, you retain full creative ownership.
15. Which is better for selling digital products: Canva or Procreate?
It depends on what kind of product you want to sell. Canva works well for layout-based products like planners, worksheets, templates, and social media graphics. Procreate is better for hand-drawn products such as illustrations, coloring pages, patterns, or custom artwork. Many creators use Procreate to create original elements and then bring them into Canva to finish and format their products.
16. Can I use Procreate and Canva together?
Absolutely, you can! In fact, many designers use both together as part of their workflow. Procreate is great for creating custom drawings, lettering, and textures, while Canva works well for layout, resizing, and exporting finished designs. Combining the two gives you more creative control while still keeping the design process efficient.
17. Which should I start with if I feel overwhelmed?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, Canva is usually the easiest place to start. Its templates and drag-and-drop tools make it approachable for beginners who want quick results. Procreate can always be added later if you decide you want to explore drawing or illustration more deeply. There’s no rush — learning one tool at a time is more than enough.
When it comes to Canva vs Procreate, there isn’t a “better” option — just the one that fits your goals. Canva shines when it comes to fast, polished designs, while Procreate gives you full creative freedom through drawing and illustration. Whether you choose one or eventually use both, the most important part is starting where you are and letting your skills grow naturally over time.
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