There are many iPad apps that can help you explore and express your creativity. The iPad started out as a simple device that can be used to stream content and browse the web on the go, but Apple essentially transformed the iPad into a powerful machine that can be used to create digital art, edit videos, and more.
Here's a list of the best creativity iPad apps available on the App Store.
Before you enter the list, be aware that Adobe creative apps are often the biggest choice of iPad creativity. This list is already well known, so they are not included. Instead, this list focuses on somewhat lesser known apps.
Reproduction
Image credit: Procreate
Procreate is one of the most popular drawing apps on the iPad and for good reason. This app allows you to create digital paintings, sketches and illustrations using dozens of different brushes. Procreate is easy to use and features built-in gesture controls and a simple interface.
This app allows high resolution canvas up to 16k x 8k on compatible iPad Pro. You can also create storyboards, GIFs, animations, and simple animations. Additionally, you can import image files such as JPG, PNG, TIFF. Procreate includes several features designed to help you during the iPad's creative process, such as Quickshape, Streamline, Drawing Assist, and Colordrop.
Once you've created your work, you can relive your creative journey with the app's time-lapse “Replay” feature and share 30-second time-lapse videos on social media.
You can access Proseate with a one-time payment of $12.99.
Lumuff John
Image credit: LumaFusion
LumaFusion is a great app for editing videos if you are ready to graduate from iMovie. The app has a number of user-friendly features that are perfect for aspiring videographers and indie filmmakers on a budget.
LumaFusion allows you to create multiple layer edits using 4K ProRes and HDR media. Add different effects, choose from dozens of transitions and record voice overs. This app allows you to create multi-layer titles and import fonts and graphics. Additionally, you can fine-tune your audio with graphic EQ, parametric EQ, audio separation and more.
This app allows you to create projects with a variety of aspect ratios, including 16:9 landscapes, 9:16 portraits, squares, widescreen film, anamorphic and more.
LumaFusion is available for a one-time payment of $29.99. You can also purchase additional features such as multicam editing and the ability to send projects to the final Cut Pro.
Canva
Image credits: Canva
Canva offers a user-friendly platform that allows anyone to create visual content without the need for a graphic design experience. You can use this to create presentations, infographics, videos, websites, social media posts, and more.
Canva makes its tools for editing photos, personalizing logo and image content, adding audio, cropping and speeding videos.
The platform also has a set of AI features designed to facilitate the creation process. For example, you can use a “magic switch” to extend an image or turn your ideas into an image of “magic media.”
Canva is free, but if you want unlimited access to AI features, premium templates and more, it offers a $12.99 subscription per month.
Affinity Designer 2
Image credit: Affinity
Affinity Designer 2 is a graphic design app that retouches vector design, pixel-based textures, and a single platform. Perfect for professional illustrators, web designers, game developers and other creatives.
This app allows you to create illustrations, branding, logos, icons, UI/UX designs, typography, posters, labels, flyers, stickers, concept art, digital art and more. It supports the accuracy, pressure sensitivity and tilt function of the Apple Pencil.
Affinity Designer 2 features gesture controls to speed up your workflow and allows you to customize your keyboard shortcuts. You can also create your own custom fonts, zooming over 1,000,000% for absolute accuracy, and more.
You can access the app through a one-time payment of $18.49.
concept
Image Credits: Concept
Concept is a great app for exploring ideas and experimenting with designs. You can use the app to sketch plans, create notes and mind maps, and draw storyboards and designs.
This app has nudge, slice and select tools that allow you to easily change the elements of a sketch without redrawing it. The app comes with realistic pens, pencils and brushes that flow with pressure and tilt.
The concept also features a tool wheel or bar that allows you to access scale and measurement tools that calculate actual dimensions, and personalize to your liking.
The basic features of the app are free. The concept offers a $4.99 monthly subscription if you want to access additional features, such as the ability to create your own brushes and premium editing tools.
Tayasui sketch
Image credit: Tayasui sketch
Tayasui Sketch is a great user-friendly sketch and drawing app. There are several different features, including a realistic watercolor brush, a digital acrylic brush, and the ability to blend two colors to get the perfect shade, gradient, depth tools, and more.
This app allows you to multitask by opening another app and dragging a lawyer and document between the two. There is also a “Zen mode” that allows you to create it without distraction.
You can also upload images to create a creation. Tayasui Sketches allows you to save creators to a personalized folder.
The basic features of Tayasui Sketches are free. The app offers unlimited layers, a $2.99 monthly subscription to unlock new brushes and markers, an extended brush editor, and the ability to back up your drawings.
This story was originally released in December 2024 and is regularly updated with new information.