22 Best Drawing and Drawing Apps for iPad

The best styluses for iPad

Of course, everyone will say that the best stylus for iPad is the Apple Pencil. And while there's no denying that this is an impressive stylus, there are other worthy options. If you're currently using an iPad without a stylus, rest assured that the purchase you're about to make will have you wondering how you managed without one for so long. The ability to turn your ideas into digital reality anytime, anywhere is a unique ability for any user.

But the question arises: which stylus should I buy? While Apple's own stylus may be the obvious choice, there are plenty of third-party styluses that offer similar levels of functionality and cost significantly less. We've put together a guide to the best of the various styluses that are compatible with Apple's iPad, based on user level, drawing needs, and budget.

Adobe Photoshop Sketch

There is no full-fledged Photoshop in the App Store, although there are rumors about its appearance in 2019. Adobe Photoshop Sketch is a free option designed to promote basic computer applications. The developers added 24 different brushes to the program and the ability to make multi-layer sketches.

There is only one built-in purchase in the application - the ability to purchase additional space in the cloud to store your creativity.

Best stylus for iPad: Apple Pencil

Of course, the Apple Pencil is a natural choice for a stylus for the iPad, but only if you have a compatible iPad model. There is no better stylus on the market for writing and drawing. Not only is it exceptionally easy to use, but Apple has eliminated many of the problems that plagued other styluses.

The kind of glaring lag that instantly makes you feel disconnected from what you're doing on screen. Amazing pressure levels mean the Apple Pencil perfectly replicates your movements even at the tightest angles, while also enhancing all your favorite iOS creative apps. The stylus is very comfortable and you get the impression that you are drawing with a regular pencil. This stylus also has a very convenient charging mount.

Apple Pencil Specifications:

length 166 mm
weight 21 g
iOS support
iPad Pro 11-inch, iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation)
Pressure levels: 4096
Communication: Bluetooth
Battery life: 12 hours

Procreate

Unlike the two applications above, this one is serious and large. It tries to take on the role of an editor to create equally serious and large works. At the end of September 2020, the fourth version was released.

This application could well have become a favorite if not for three circumstances. Firstly, creating a smooth transition between colors on canvas (as in the picture below) is not so easy. At the time of writing, I still haven’t found an answer to the question of how to do this on the forums. This feature makes the application inconvenient if, like me, you often use smooth color transitions in your works.

Blending a healthy person in Medibang
In Procreate, an attempt to make a smooth transition between strokes of different colors looks like this. To achieve an effect like in the picture above, you need to try for a long time - it’s not worth it.

Mixing a smoker: this is what an attempt to make a smooth transition between colors in Procreate looks like.
Secondly, the application is rich in a variety of tools and their parameters and this is similar to the desktop one. A wonderful and even sleek interface that seems convenient at first glance. But this is not so: in order to change these very parameters, you either need to get into the jungle of settings while drawing, or use gestures. And gestures are only good if you know about them. The interface turned out to be convenient for the iPad, but inconvenient for drawing.

This is what the application looks like when all the tools are hidden.
And thirdly, some of the parameters in the application are named incomprehensibly. Some copy those that are in Photoshop, and some are completely new, and from the name and display in the interface it is not clear what they affect. For example, in the preview of a brush stroke it is not always clear what exactly should change. The situation is aggravated by the lack of clues. If the same “streamline” was called “smoothing,” it would become noticeably easier.

The same “streamline”. What do you think controls such a parameter?

Bottom line

Procreate is a large and detailed digital painting tool, but if you're used to popular desktop apps, switching to it will take time and effort.

The app costs $9.99 and there are no in-app purchases.

Best alternative to the original stylus: Wacom Bamboo Sketch

Wacom boasts an industry-leading reputation for its incredible range of dedicated drawing tablets. So it's only natural that the company also produces one of the best line of styluses.

Read: Best drawing tablets

Being a very suitable iPad stylus for artists. Wacom Bamboo Sketch also receives multiple accolades from iPad Air and iPad Mini users due to its compatibility with iOS devices. Instead of trying to closely imitate a traditional round handle, Bamboo Sketch opts for an ergonomic triangular design for better grip.

It's an excellent all-around solution, but its fine tip and pressure-sensitive sensors make it almost as enjoyable as pencil on paper. With incredible battery life (rechargeable via USB), it uses Bluetooth to connect to your iPad, which also allows you to use the built-in shortcut buttons, allowing you to set convenient shortcuts to selected iOS apps.

Compatibility:

12.9″ iPad Pro (2nd generation)
12.9″ iPad Pro (1st generation)
10.5inch iPad Pro
9.7-inch iPad Pro
iPad Air 2
iPad Air
iPad mini 4
iPad mini 3
iPad mini 2
iPad mini
iPad (6th generation)
iPad (5th generation)
iPad (4th generation)
iPad (3rd generation)
iPhone SE
iPhone 6
iPhone 6 Plus
iPhone 6s
iPhone 6s Plus
iPhone 7
iPhone 7 Plus
iPhone 8
iPhone 8 Plus
iPhone X

Why buy a drawing tablet?

When you buy a drawing tablet, you have the opportunity to draw on a surface with a special pen. Without a stylus, you usually use a mouse to draw. And it's very unnatural and not easy to draw with a mouse, which makes the process of drawing, sketching and retouching faster and more efficient.

Using a drawing tablet is very easy. However, if you are a new user, it will take some practice to get the hang of it. Typically, every graphics tablet comes with a pen or stylus. First, you will need to connect your tablet to your computer via a USB cable or Bluetooth connection. The type of connection will depend on the model.

You'll use the pen to draw on your tablet, and your input will appear on your computer. Each drawing tablet will have some unique features.

Adonit Snap 2 stylus

A simple but effective stylus with an original appearance.

An affordable and simple stylus choice, the widely compatible Adonit Snap 2 stylus works well on most iPads and provides a simple and stylish drawing experience. Excellent choice of finishes. Bluetooth connection. The stylus weighs only 10g, making it incredibly lightweight. But the unusual shape may seem inconvenient to use for many.

Bluetooth
length 120 mm
weight 10 g
tip size 1.9 mm
iOS support
iPhone 6 and up
Battery life 7 hours

The best drawing tablets

So we found out what drawing tablets are and what types exist on the market

Graphics tablets, on which you draw with a stylus
Pressure-sensitive pen displays that are connected to a monitor
Tablet computers that can be adapted for drawing using an application

For now, let's look at all the options to find the best drawing tablet based on your specific budget needs—and the best value.

Best interactive display: WACOM Cintiq 22

This best drawing tablet which has a great balance of huge drawing space, great drawing experience, highly sensitive stylus, perfect balance of size and cost makes it the best drawing tablet in the market in its class.

Read: How to choose a good laptop?

It comes bundled with the Pen Pro 2, offering 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity and its well-designed screen has an anti-glare surface that provides a satisfying level of resistance when drawing. There are cheaper alternatives available from other manufacturers, but this tablet provides Wacom levels of quality at the best price/performance/quality ratio

Characteristics:

Work area size (LxW) 476×268 mm
Screen diagonal: 21.5
Screen resolution: 1920×1080
Lines per inch (lpi): 5080
Feather
Number of pressure levels: 8192

Best Budget Interactive Display: XP—PEN Artist 15.6

This interactive display covers all the bases you could want from a pen display: a reasonably sized drawing area, a comfortable pen with plenty of sensitivity levels, and a good screen.

Read: Why does the computer get hot and what to do?

Best Value Interactive Display From: WACOM One

Wacom's newest and most affordable interactive tablet unveiled at CES 2020, the confusingly named Wacom One (not to be confused with any previous Wacom Ones) is an excellent portable 13-inch tablet at an extremely competitive price, no doubt designed to seduce users of cheaper brands such as XP-Pen.

Its Full HD display offers 72 percent NTSC color reproduction and anti-glare film. The tablet has small legs for tilting. The Wacom One is the perfect tablet to throw in your bag for everyday use.

Characteristics:

Work area size (LxW) 294×166 mm
Screen diagonal: 13.3
Screen resolution: 1920×1080
Lines per inch (lpi): 2540
Format: A4
Feather
Number of pressure levels: 4096

Best Graphics Tablet for Artists: WACOM Intuos Pro Larg

When you're creating an illustration, you want to have enough space for the sketch and a pen that feels as close to the paper equivalent as possible. You'll find both of these benefits in the WACOM Intuos Pro (Large) graphics tablet. You'll get one of the purest graphical drawing experiences you can get from a digital device.

The pen offers over 8,000 levels of pressure sensitivity and a drawing area that—while not the largest available—gives you a lot of freedom to operate. All of this is supported by Wacom's extensive system of alternative pens and texture sheets to give your drawing surface a distinct look.

Characteristics:

Work area size (LxW) 311×216 mm
Lines per inch (lpi): 5080
Format: A4
Feather
Number of pressure levels: 8192
Pen tilt sensitivity
Express Keys

Best graphics tablet for beginners: WACOM Intuos Pro Small

It may have the "Pro" designation in its name, but it is extremely competitively priced. The Wacom Intuos Pro Small is the perfect choice for ambitious beginners looking to develop their skills. It's light enough to take everywhere, yet durable enough to have all the commands and features of its medium and large siblings. Pro Pen 2's unmatched pressure sensitivity gives it true creative depth, and its small footprint makes Intuos Pro Small easy to take anywhere.

Characteristics:

Work area size (LxW) 160×100 mm
Lines per inch (lpi): 5080
Format: A6
Feather
Number of pressure levels: 8192
Pen tilt sensitivity
Express Keys

Best Cheap Graphics Tablet for Beginners: HUION H430P

If you're not sure, a drawing tablet is something you'll use regularly enough to justify the cost of purchasing one and will provide you with all the basics without requiring a big investment. Yes, the drawing area is small, but the pen is sensitive enough to give you a true sense of the creative benefits that drawing tablets can bring.

It will take you a while before you outgrow this tablet, but it is a very affordable way to start drawing on the computer. Huion is a great choice because it also has some good features. It is compatible with Android. You can simply connect the cable to your phone and start drawing. It is also compatible with Windows and Mac OS.

Characteristics:

Work area size (LxW) 122×76 mm
Lines per inch (lpi): 5080
Feather
Number of pressure levels: 8192
Express Keys

Ultra-thin graphics tablet for drawing: XP-PEN Deco 03

XP-Pen's Deco tablets combine style with functionality and are an exception. This ultra-sleek matte black model not only looks good, but is also comfortable to use thanks to its well-made handle and ample drawing area. It's also well thought out in terms of workflow, with customizable Express keys.

Deco by XP-Pen features a multi-function dial in the top corner that allows you to customize everything just the way you want. Flaws? Many buyers worry that the Deco 03 is a little too thin for 8mm, to the point that some carelessness could damage it, and consider this a disadvantage. If that doesn't bother you, this is a great buy at a good price.

Characteristics:

Work area size (LxW) 254×143 mm
Lines per inch (lpi): 5080
Feather
Number of pressure levels: 8192
Express Keys

Graphic tablet WACOM Intuos S Bluetooth CTL-4100WLK-N

This drawing tablet comes in 2 colors: black and pistachio. The black version is slightly more expensive than the pistachio version. The handle of this drawing tablet is pressure sensitive.

Has 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity. In addition, it has 2 shortcut buttons. There are 4 express keys on the tablet. All these keys are customizable. This tablet is very thin with a thickness of only 8.8mm. It is also compatible with Android phones.

Main characteristics:

Work area size (LxW) 152×95 mm
Lines per inch (lpi): 2540
Format: A6
Feather
Number of pressure levels: 4096
Express Keys

Best drawing tablet WACOM Mobile Studio Pro 13 512Gb (DTH-W1321H)

If you have a budget that has enough money for everything you want from a regular tablet and a drawing tablet. With a wide selection of Intel Core processors and SSDs, WACOM gives you a complete Windows PC.

But it benefits from the same technology Wacom offers in its Cintiq line of pen interactive displays, making Mobile Studio a pleasure to draw with. And if you want, you can even link it to a more powerful PC or Mac in your studio using the optional Wacom Link.

Characteristics:

Screen diagonal: 13.3
Screen resolution: 2560×1440
Lines per inch (lpi): 5080
Feather
Number of pressure levels: 8192
Pen tilt sensitivity
Express Keys

Best Laptop for Drawing: Microsoft Surface Book 2

The sheer versatility of Windows computing capabilities provides true versatility for the designer anywhere. You can use it like a regular laptop and then rotate the screen to turn it into a flat touchscreen tablet.

For drawing, you'll need to purchase the optional pen, which offers a respectable 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity. The Microsoft Surface Book 2 doesn't have the deep drawing capabilities of Wacom Mobile Studio, but you get a device that fits many of your other needs, no matter where you are or what you do.

Characteristics:

Processor range: Intel Core i7
RAM capacity: 16 GB
Video card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060
Video memory capacity: 6 GB

Best iOS tablet for drawing Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2020)

The latest in a series of high-end tablets, it offers a significant increase in performance over its predecessor, as well as a reduced bezel (screen-to-edge distance) and the removal of the home button. This luxurious Retina True Tone LCD screen with Xbox One S-level graphics technology makes it the perfect surface for drawing on your projects - a process made easier than ever thanks to a redesigned model.

The tablet has new shortcuts that improve workflow, such as double-tapping to switch modes. New internal processors also mean iPad Pro runs faster than ever before, and even versions with less memory offer fast read/write speeds for smooth file transfers.

Characteristics:

Tablet 12.9″, 2732×2048, TFT IPS
Built-in memory 128 GB, without memory card slot
iOS, 6 GB RAM, Apple A12Z Bionic processor
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Dimensions 214.9×280.6×5.9 mm, weight 641 g
Rear camera 12 MP
Front camera 7 megapixels
Operating time 10 hours
Accelerometer, gyroscope

Original stylus CROSS Townsend E-Stylus

The Cross Townsend Fine Tip Stylus looks like a very expensive pen and is designed to bring the familiar experience of writing on a notepad to electronic devices. The conductive polymer-tipped stylus glides smoothly and quietly across electronic devices for precise writing and easy searching. You can use it to accurately sketch, take notes, and search—all with amazing precision.

Features and Specifications:

Classic Townsend hull shape
Thin, durable 2.6mm tip with conductive polymer tip improves touch accuracy.
Reduces the appearance of fingerprints on the screen.
Designed exclusively for iOS smartphones and tablets.
Does not require turning on the Bluetooth function. Just turn on the pen and start writing.
Length 148 mm

What types of graphics tablets are there?

Generally speaking, there are three main types of drawing tablets. Each of them takes a different approach to solving the main problem - helping you draw on a Windows PC or Mac, as if you were drawing on paper.

Graphic tablets for drawing

A traditional drawing tablet has a flat, featureless surface on which you draw with a stylus and the image is displayed on your computer monitor. Graphics tablets remain the most affordable category of drawing tablets. Their main drawback is the feeling of a "disconnect" between the drawing surface and the screen, although most people quickly get used to this.

Interactive pen displays for drawing

Interactive displays consist of a flat-screen monitor with a pressure-sensitive surface on which you draw with a special pen. They don't have the disconnected feel of graphics tablets and are more portable but more expensive.

Read: Laser keyboard projector: How to choose and which one to buy?

Tablet computers for drawing

Android and iOS devices such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab and iPad Pro can be used as drawing tablets in two ways. You don't need another computer: just download an art app and start drawing with your fingertip or stylus. Plus, if you want to use the Creative Cloud suite on your host computer, they can work as graphics tablets with apps like Astropad.

Adonit Pixel stylus

High-quality stylus for drawing and note-taking

Adonit has been perfecting its styles for over eight years, and Pixel is still one of the best for drawing on iPad. Bluetooth is included and is compatible with many of the apps artists are likely to use on their tablets.

The Pixel has 2,048 levels of pressure sensitivity and a number of function buttons on its body that can be assigned to the user's preferred tools. The battery should last around 15 hours and the sleek design makes the Pixel stylus a real pleasure to use.

This stylus model is an ideal assistant for designers, architects or artists who work on a tablet, smartphone or electronic notepad, thanks to the ability to write, draw or take notes comfortably and easily.

Features and Specifications

Pressure levels: 2048
Weight: 20 g
Length: 150mm
Communication: Bluetooth
Battery life: 15 hours
Ergonomic body
Tip 1.9mm
Long battery life
Programmable shortcut buttons
Grip sensor

Tayasui Sketches

A professional application for drawing sketches - quick, non-detailed illustrations. Unlike its predecessor, there are changeable tool parameters. To get more from them, for example, increase the layer limit or use a pattern fill, you need to pay. But if there are no ultra-requests, then life is fine without it.

You can edit the layer's blending mode - it's more fun.
The application is suitable for experienced artists: you can adjust layer blending modes, apply a texture, draw some shape and fill it with color, but the settings (brush size and transparency) are simple.

Bottom line

Low barrier to entry into the interface. Creating a large-scale work is difficult, but if you have been drawing for a long time, using the application is not boring. In a short time you can create quick sketches that you won’t be ashamed to show to people.

This drawing app for your tablet is free and contains in-app purchases.

Which tablet do we recommend?

At the time of publishing this article, we are more than confident: the Wacom Cintiq 22 is the best drawing tablet you can buy.

If you are not ready to shell out money for a Wacom, then take a closer look at the XP-Pen Artist 15.6 , although a competitor in the same price category is already breathing nervously in its back - Wacom One 13 (but the reviews are not encouraging yet).

And the most affordable option is Gaomon S620 .

Next, we will look at the full rating of drawing tablets. Some models have their own “features” and unique solutions, and you decide for yourself which parameter will be more relevant for you.

If you don’t know anything about graphics tablets, note that they can be divided into 3 types. Our rating will be divided into these types.

Graphics tablet. You need to connect it to a computer or phone so that your artwork in the selected drawing program is visible on the monitor.
Graphics tablet with monitor (or interactive display). You draw directly onto tablets using a stylus.
Regular tablet (tablet computer). To adapt it to drawing you need to install additional applications.