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Head-to-head · Iphone Apps

Procreate vs Signal

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Procreate #5 in Iphone Apps 8.8/10 Paid ✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Procreate
Signal #7 in Iphone Apps 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Signal

Procreate leads on 0 checks, Signal on 1, and 0 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreProcreate · 8.8/10
  • Free planonly Signal

Procreate scores higher on our rubric for iphone apps: 8.8 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #7.

Signal offers free plan; Procreate doesn't.

Procreate is the better fit for iPad illustrators seeking advanced drawing tools. Signal is the better fit for iPhone users prioritizing private messaging.

  • Procreate fits best

    iPad illustrators seeking advanced drawing tools

  • Signal fits best

    iPhone users prioritizing private messaging

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Side by side

Feature Procreate 8.8/10 Visit ↗ Signal 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 8.6
Ranking #5 in Iphone Apps #7 in Iphone Apps
Best for iPad illustrators seeking advanced drawing tools iPhone users prioritizing private messaging
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — $1.99/mo
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Mobile Desktop, Mobile
Platforms iOS Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Features Procreate 0/5 · Signal 0/5
Offline access Not checked yet Not checked yet
iPad app Not checked yet Not checked yet
Apple Watch app Not checked yet Not checked yet
Home screen widgets Not checked yet Not checked yet
Family Sharing Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Apple devices Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Customizable brushes, layers, masks, groups and blend modes
  • Supports animation, multipage projects and painting on supported 3D models
  • One-time purchase with no subscription
  • End-to-end encryption covers messages and calls by default
  • Disappearing messages, group calls, and 1,000-member chats
  • Open-source clients span iPhone, desktop, Android, and tablets
Cons
  • Designed for iPad rather than desktop use
  • No free plan
  • Its range of tools may be more than casual sketching requires
  • Secure Backups costs $1.99 per month
  • Free backups focus on recent media; history beyond 45 days needs Secure Backups
  • Linked devices are limited to five per account
Our verdict

Procreate is an illustration and digital painting app for iPad, suited to creative professionals and aspiring artists who want a broad set of drawing tools. Its brush library includes hundreds of handcrafted brushes with customizable…

Read the review →

Signal is a nonprofit messaging application for individuals, families, groups, and organizations that prioritize private communication. Its core service covers encrypted text, voice messages, photos, videos, GIFs, files, one-to-one calls,…

Read the review →
  1. ProcreateIphone Apps 8.8Paid
  2. SignalIphone Apps 8.6Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Procreate — where it wins

    • Customizable brushes, layers, masks, groups and blend modes
    • Supports animation, multipage projects and painting on supported 3D models
    • One-time purchase with no subscription

    Where it doesn't

    • Designed for iPad rather than desktop use
    • No free plan
    • Its range of tools may be more than casual sketching requires
  • Signal — where it wins

    • End-to-end encryption covers messages and calls by default
    • Disappearing messages, group calls, and 1,000-member chats
    • Open-source clients span iPhone, desktop, Android, and tablets

    Where it doesn't

    • Secure Backups costs $1.99 per month
    • Free backups focus on recent media; history beyond 45 days needs Secure Backups
    • Linked devices are limited to five per account

More comparisons

Guides on iphone apps

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update