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Affinity Designer vs Procreate vs Adobe InDesign – Compared

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4.7

(Reviews: 12.4K)

Est. users: 500K

Price Ranges: $49.99 - $19.99

4.8

(Reviews: 8.5K)

Est. users: 4.5M

4.5

(Reviews: 15K)

Est. users: 2M

Price Ranges: $20.99 - $52.99

Affinity Designer vs Procreate vs Adobe InDesign

Affinity Designer, Procreate, and Adobe InDesign serve different purposes in the digital design realm. Affinity Designer is a vector graphic design tool known for precision in creating logos, illustrations, and detailed graphic artwork, available on both desktop and iPad. Procreate is a powerful, iPad-only app focused on digital painting and sketching, lauded for its intuitive use and robust brush selection tailored for illustrators and artists. Adobe InDesign, on the other hand, is a desktop publishing software primarily used for creating layouts for print and digital media, such as magazines, books, and brochures, with a strong emphasis on typography and multi-page document handling.

Affinity Designer

  1. Focuses on vector graphic design.
  2. Available on Windows, Mac, and iPad.
  3. Offers raster features with vector.
  4. One-time purchase, no subscription.
  5. Comparable to Adobe Illustrator.
  6. Supports CMYK for print work.
  7. Live gradients and effects.

Procreate

  1. Raster-focused digital painting app.
  2. Available only on iPad.
  3. Uses Apple Pencil's full capabilities.
  4. Supports time-lapse video recording.
  5. One-time purchase, no subscription.
  6. Layered PSD file support.
  7. Great for digital artists and illustrators.

Adobe InDesign

  1. Used for page layout design.
  2. Part of Adobe Creative Cloud.
  3. Subscription-based pricing model.
  4. Supports complex text formatting.
  5. Ideal for publishing and print media.
  6. Integrates well with Adobe ecosystem.
  7. Suitable for multi-page documents.

Key Differences

  1. Platform Availability

    Affinity Designer is available on macOS, Windows, and iOS, Procreate is exclusive to iOS (specifically the iPad), and Adobe InDesign is available on macOS and Windows. This gives Affinity Designer the broadest platform reach.

    Winner: Affinity Designer

  2. Purpose and Use-case

    Affinity Designer and Procreate are primarily focused on graphic design and illustration, whereas Adobe InDesign is dedicated to layout design and desktop publishing, such as creating magazines and brochures.

    Winner: Its a tie

  3. Learning Curve

    Procreate is often considered more intuitive and easier to learn, especially for beginners, due to its touch interface and user-friendly design. Affinity Designer and Adobe InDesign have more complex interfaces with steeper learning curves.

    Winner: Procreate

  4. Feature Set

    Adobe InDesign excels in layout features, with advanced text and publishing options. Affinity Designer offers robust vector and raster design tools, while Procreate specializes in drawing and painting features with a focus on natural brushes and intuitive art creation.

    Winner: Its a tie

  5. Cost

    Affinity Designer and Procreate are available for a one-time purchase, making them cost-effective compared to Adobe InDesign, which typically requires a subscription model.

    Winner: Its a tie

  6. Integration with Other Tools

    Adobe InDesign has seamless integration with other Adobe Creative Cloud applications like Photoshop and Illustrator, allowing for a smooth workflow across different media. Affinity Designer supports some cross-operability with Affinity Photo, and Procreate exports to various formats but lacks deep integration.

    Winner: Adobe InDesign

Distinct Features

Affinity DesignerProcreateAdobe InDesign
Vector and raster design support in the same applicationOptimized for iPad with Touch and Apple Pencil supportProfessional page layout and design tool for print and digital publishing
Advanced typography controlWide array of brushes supporting pressure and tilt sensitivityMaster page functionality for consistent multi-page document design
Real-time and non-destructive effectsAnimation assist for frame-by-frame animation creationAdvanced text styling, formatting, and flow across pages
Symbol management for design elementsTime-lapse recording of the drawing processIntegrated support for forms and interactive PDFs
Export persona for preparing various formats and settingsUser-friendly interface designed for quick creation and iterationIntegration with Adobe Creative Cloud for resource sharing and collaboration

Pricing Overview

Affinity Designer

  1. Affinity Designer ($49.99) - Ideal for graphic designers and digital artists
  2. Affinity Designer for iPad ($19.99) - Perfect for designers who prefer mobile workflows

Affinity Designer

$49.99 / One-time purchase

A powerful design tool for professionals and enthusiasts

  • Professional vector graphic design software

  • Supports CMYK and Pantone

  • Advanced typography tools

Affinity Designer for iPad

$19.99 / One-time purchase

Take your design projects on the go with this mobile solution

  • Full-featured vector graphic design app on iPad

  • Seamless compatibility with desktop version

  • Multi-touch gestures for precision

Adobe InDesign

  1. Single App ($20.99/month) - Ideal for freelance designers or smaller teams looking for powerful design tools.
  2. All Apps ($52.99/month) - Perfect for design teams or creative professionals who need a range of tools for various projects.

Single App

$20.99/month / Monthly

For individuals and small teams who need a single app.

  • Design everything from stationery, flyers, and posters to brochures, annual reports, magazines, and books

  • Add interactivity, animation, video, and sound to page layouts

  • Efficiently manage production with Adobe Experience Manager integration

  • Insert endnotes for documents and output directly to PDF

  • Access to Adobe Fonts

  • Ability to collaborate and share work seamlessly

All Apps

$52.99/month / Monthly

Get InDesign and the entire collection of creative apps.

Indepth Overview

Affinity DesignerProcreateAdobe InDesign
Design Software
Vector Graphics ★4.8 - Highly praised for its powerful vector editing capabilities. ★2.5 - Primarily focused on raster graphics, limited vector tools.★3.5 - Decent vector toolset but primarily a layout program.
Raster Graphics ★4.2 - Good raster support, but not as extensive as Procreate. ★5.0 - Exceptional raster graphics capabilities, perfect for digital artists.★4.0 - Good handling of raster images, but not the key feature.
User Interface ★4.5 - Intuitive and user-friendly UI, easy for beginners. ★4.9 - Smooth interface with gestures for seamless use.★4.0 - Complex for beginners, but powerful for professionals.
Illustration Features
Brush Customization ★4.0 - Good customization options for brushes, but limited compared to Procreate. ★5.0 - Extensive brush customization with multiple settings.★2.0 - Limited brush options, not a key feature of the tool.
Layer Management ★4.8 - Robust layer management system for complex designs. ★4.7 - Highly efficient, supports many layers smoothly.★4.5 - Excellent for managing complex documents with layers.
Support for PSD Files ★4.0 - Offers decent PSD support for collaboration. ★3.5 - Basic PSD support, but can lose some effects.★4.7 - Excellent PSD and Illustrator file integration.
Output Formats
SVG Export ★4.5 - Strong support for SVG export for web use. ★1.0 - No direct SVG export, uses raster formats mainly.★3.0 - Basic SVG exporting capabilities.
PDF Export ★4.8 - Excellent PDF export options for print-ready files. ★3.5 - Can export to PDF, but lacks advanced options.★5.0 - Industry standard for high-quality PDF exports.
Image Export ★4.5 - Multiple image formats supported including PNG and JPEG. ★5.0 - Wide range of raster format exports and settings.★4.5 - Can export to numerous formats, well-integrated.
Special Features
Dual Graphics Mode ★4.8 - Supports both vector and raster workflows seamlessly.
Non-destructive Editing ★4.6 - Allows for non-destructive edits to layers.
Artboards ★4.5 - Multiple artboards for versatile project design.
Time-lapse Recording ★5.0 - Automatically records your drawing process.
Animation Support ★4.0 - Basic frame-by-frame animation features.
Accessibility Options ★4.5 - Good options for visually impaired users.
Interactive PDF Features ★4.9 - Supports interactive forms and multimedia.
Typographic Control ★5.0 - Industry-leading control over text and typography.
Collaboration Tools ★4.3 - Great integration for teamwork and sharing.

Comparision Reviews

Alexis P.

Springfield, IL

Affinity Designer offers a robust set of features for vector graphics, making it ideal for users who need precision and versatility. However, Procreate shines with its intuitive interface and powerful painting tools, which are perfect for digital artists focusing on illustration rather than vector graphics. Affinity Designer's one-time purchase model is great for those seeking a cost-effective solution, whereas Procreate's user experience on the iPad is superb, offering seamless performance and exceptional brush engine.

Affinity Designer 4.5

Procreate 4.7

Jordan T.

Austin, TX

Procreate is unparalleled in its simplicity and ability to deliver a pen-and-paper feel on the iPad, facilitating a natural drawing experience. Meanwhile, Affinity Designer stands out for its comprehensive toolset that appeals to graphic designers, especially for print and branding projects. While Procreate lacks some vector capabilities, its fast performance on large canvases is commendable. Affinity Designer offers superior multi-platform support, making it more versatile for desktop users.

Affinity Designer 4.2

Procreate 4.6

Morgan L.

Seattle, WA

For digital painting, Procreate is unmatched, offering a vast range of brushes and an easy-to-use interface optimized for the creative process. In contrast, Affinity Designer excels in vector graphic design with non-destructive workflow features, which are particularly useful for designers who need precision and detailed control over their work. Procreate's user interface is more approachable for beginners, while Affinity Designer is suited for those experienced in complex design tasks.

Affinity Designer 4.0

Procreate 4.8

Taylor R.

New York, NY

Affinity Designer is an excellent choice for professionals requiring detailed vector work, offering tools comparable to industry standards with no subscription fees. Procreate, on the other hand, is fabulous for artists who prefer digital painting, offering dynamic brushes and layers without overwhelming complexity. Procreate's touch capabilities are a game-changer for artists working on-the-go, especially when paired with the Apple Pencil. Affinity Designer provides more depth in terms of vector and text alignment tools, crucial for comprehensive design projects.

Affinity Designer 4.4

Procreate 4.5

Casey M.

San Francisco, CA

Procreate is celebrated for its user-centric design, making digital painting accessible and enjoyable, with features like time-lapse recording that are beneficial for content creators. On the flip side, Affinity Designer is a powerhouse for creating logos and detailed vector art, with advanced typography support and precise color controls. While Procreate is a fantastic choice for artists seeking an intuitive drawing experience on mobile devices, Affinity Designer is favored by those who require a comprehensive suite of vector tools for professional design.

Affinity Designer 4.3

Procreate 4.7

Comments

Alex C.
Hey folks! Been thinking about ditching my current design software, but I'm torn between Affinity Designer, Procreate, and Adobe InDesign. Any thoughts?
DesignGuru99
That's a tough call, Alex. 😅 I think it really depends on what you need. If you're mainly doing vector design, Affinity might be your best bet. But for illustration, Procreate is a blast!
Megan J.
Agree with DesignGuru99. If you're publishing or doing heavy layout work, Adobe InDesign is unmatched, though it's a bit pricey.
JohnSmith
Guys, don't overlook the integration aspect. Adobe products still stand out for seamless integration with other Adobe software. You start in InDesign, move to Photoshop, then Illustrator... perfect!
Alex C.
Yeah, that's a good point, John! But aren't the Adobe subscription fees a killer? 😜
SketchMaster123
True! That's why I switched to Affinity. One-time purchase and the updates are pretty sweet!
SketchMaster123
I've used all three! Procreate is like the doodle master tool. 😍 But, tbh, Affinity Designer is catching up with illustrative capabilities too!
Megan J.
Has anyone had performance issues with Procreate on older iPads? Mine gets laggy!
DesignGuru99
I haven't faced much lag, Megan, but I know a few artists who shifted to newer models specifically for that reason.

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