Do You Really Need Apple Pencil for Procreate? A Complete Guide (2025)

Introduction

Procreate has become one of the most popular digital art apps for iPad, used by hobbyists, students, and professional illustrators worldwide. If you’re just starting or planning to upgrade your iPad setup, one question is inevitable:

Do you really need an Apple Pencil for Procreate?

While it’s technically possible to draw with your finger, the Apple Pencil transforms the iPad into a professional digital sketchbook, enabling features like pressure sensitivity, tilt recognition, palm rejection, and more. In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about using Procreate with Apple Pencil, supported alternatives, compatibility, and which model is right for you.

History of Procreate and Apple Pencil

Procreate launched in 2011 as a simple digital drawing app. While it was functional, it wasn’t until the first iPad Pro in 2015 and the introduction of Apple Pencil that Procreate became a serious tool for digital artists.

The Apple Pencil allowed for:

• Pressure-sensitive brush strokes

• Natural tilt shading

• Palm rejection, preventing accidental marks

• Smooth, responsive drawing, almost like traditional pencils, pens, and brushes

This combination made Procreate a game-changer, allowing artists to produce professional-grade illustrations at a fraction of the cost of traditional tools or high-end graphics tablets.

Can You Use Procreate Without an Apple Pencil?

Technically, yes—you can draw using your finger. However, this approach comes with significant limitations:

• No pressure sensitivity, so all strokes appear uniform

• No tilt support, affecting shading and brush dynamics

• No palm rejection, causing accidental strokes

• Reduced precision and control, making detailed art challenging

For casual doodles, a finger works. But for serious art, illustration, or animation, Apple Pencil is essential.

Why Apple Pencil is Essential for Procreate

Procreate officially supports only styluses that use Apple Pencil technology. Since Procreate version 5.3 (December 2022), most third-party styluses are no longer compatible.

Benefits of Apple Pencil:

1. Pressure Sensitivity: Enables natural variation in line thickness and brush opacity.

2. Tilt Recognition: Lets you shade, create textures, and control brush flow like a real pencil.

3. Palm Rejection: Rest your hand naturally on the screen without marking it.

4. Low Latency: Minimal lag, providing a natural drawing experience.

5. Extra Features (Pro/2nd Gen): Hover, double-tap shortcuts, squeeze, barrel roll, and haptic feedback.

Apple Pencil truly unlocks all Procreate tools, making it a must-have for digital artists.

Supported Styluses for Procreate (2025)

Only six styluses currently work with Procreate:

• Apple Pencil Pro (2024)

• Apple Pencil 2

• Apple Pencil 1

• Apple Pencil USB-C

• Logitech Crayon

• Logitech Crayon 2

Apple Pencil vs Logitech Crayon: Comparison Table

Stylus	Compatibility (iPads)	Charging Method	Key Features	Best For	Drawbacks
Apple Pencil Pro (2024)	iPad Pro M4, iPad Air M2/M3	Magnetic	Pressure sensitivity, Tilt, Palm rejection, Hover, Barrel roll, Squeeze, Haptic feedback	Professional artists	Works only with latest iPads
Apple Pencil (2nd Gen)	iPad Pro (11″ 1st–4th gen, 12.9″ 3rd–6th gen), iPad Air (4th–5th gen), iPad Mini (6th gen)	Magnetic	Pressure sensitivity, Tilt, Palm rejection, Hover, Double-tap shortcuts	Most Procreate users	Not supported on older iPads
Apple Pencil (1st Gen)	iPad (6th–10th gen), iPad Air (3rd gen), iPad Mini (5th gen), iPad Pro (1st–2nd gen)	Lightning connector	Pressure sensitivity, Tilt, Palm rejection	Beginners & budget users	Older charging method, no magnetic snap
Logitech Crayon / Crayon 2	Wide range of iPads (Pro, Air, Mini, iPad 6th gen+)	USB-C (Crayon 2) / Lightning (Crayon 1)	Tilt, Palm rejection	Note-taking, casual sketching	❌ No pressure sensitivity

User Scenarios: Which Stylus Should You Choose?

1. Professional Illustrator / Animator:
   • iPad Pro + Apple Pencil Pro (2024)

   • Best for large canvases, advanced brushes, and precise control.

2. Intermediate / Hobbyist Artist:
   • iPad Pro or Air + Apple Pencil 2

   • Most Procreate features unlocked, excellent drawing experience.

3. Beginner / Student Artist:
   • Older iPad + Apple Pencil 1

   • Affordable option to get started without losing essential features.

4. Casual Doodler / Note-Taker:
   • Any compatible iPad + Logitech Crayon

   • Works for sketches, notes, and simple art.
     

Budget-Friendly Options for Artists

• Old iPad + Apple Pencil 1: Cost-effective, full Procreate experience minus some shortcuts.

• iPad Air + Apple Pencil 2: Mid-range option, best balance of price and performance.

• iPad Pro + Apple Pencil Pro: Premium choice for professionals.
  

Tip: Buying refurbished iPads can save 20–30% without losing performance.

Expert Tips for Choosing the Right Stylus

1. Check your iPad compatibility before purchasing.

2. Decide your usage type: casual, intermediate, or professional.

3. Consider feature importance: pressure sensitivity, tilt, palm rejection.

4. Budget wisely: Logitech Crayon works for beginners, but Apple Pencil is best for artists.

5. Test latency and comfort if possible; drawing should feel natural.
   

FAQs – Apple Pencil & Procreate

Q1: Can I use Procreate with my finger?
Yes, but you’ll lose pressure sensitivity, tilt, and palm rejection.

Q2: Can I use any stylus with Procreate?
No. Only Apple Pencil models and Logitech Crayon are supported.

Q3: Which Apple Pencil is best for Procreate?
Apple Pencil 2 is best for most users; Apple Pencil Pro is ideal for professional artists.

Q4: Is Logitech Crayon good for Procreate?
It works for basic sketching but lacks pressure sensitivity, so not ideal for professional work.

Q5: Can older iPads work with Apple Pencil?
Yes, Apple Pencil 1 supports many older iPads including iPad 6–10th gen, iPad Air 3, and iPad Mini 5.

Conclusion

If you’re serious about digital art on iPad, the Apple Pencil is essential for Procreate. While you can draw with your finger or use a Logitech Crayon, only Apple Pencil unlocks:

• Pressure-sensitive brush strokes

• Tilt shading

• Palm rejection

• Shortcut features for professional workflows

Beginner? Start with Apple Pencil 1.
Intermediate or Professional? Go for Apple Pencil 2 or Apple Pencil Pro.

With the right stylus, your iPad + Procreate setup can truly replace traditional sketchbooks and even expensive drawing tablets, making it the ultimate tool for digital artists in 2025.