Hey there! In my 10 years working with Procreate making artwork, patterns, Procreate classes, tutorials, and brushes, I’ve often got asked if Procreate works with any stylus pen.
I totally understand. The Apple Pencil is quite pricey. And there are third-party styluses that sometimes cost $100 less than Apple Pencil. So why not save by getting the cheaper stylus for Procreate?
Let’s find out!
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Overview: Procreate Stylus Compatibility
Unfortunately, since version 5.3, Procreate supports only styluses with Apple Pencil technology. Get more details about the best pencil for Procreate in my post.
So what stylus pens work with Procreate and use Apple Pencil technology?
Find out in the table below:
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NEW
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My Pick
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1st Gen
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USB-C
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Alternative
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My rating:
5.0
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My rating:
5.0
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My rating:
4.5
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My rating:
3.5
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My rating:
3.0
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Procreate compatible:
✅ Yes
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Procreate compatible:
✅ Yes
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Procreate compatible:
✅ Yes
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Procreate compatible:
🟠 Yes but not recommended
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Procreate compatible:
🟠 Yes but not recommended
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Compatibility:
Compatible with iPad Pro M4/M5, iPad Air M2/M3/M4 and iPad Mini 7
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Compatibility:
Compatible with: iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th, 5th, 4th and 3rd generation), iPad Pro 11-inch (4th, 3rd, 2nd and 1st generation), iPad Air (5th and 4th generation) and iPad mini (6th generation)
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Compatibility:
Compatible with: iPad (6th, 7th, 8th, 9th (10.2″), 10th (10.9″), 11th generation (11″) iPad mini (5th generation), iPad Air (3rd generation), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st, 2nd generation), iPad Pro 10.5-inch, iPad Pro 9.7-inch
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Compatibility:
Compatible with iPad Pro M4/M5; iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th generation); iPad Pro 11-inch (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generation); iPad Air M2/M3/M4; iPad Air (4th and 5th generation); iPad mini (A17 Pro), iPad mini (6th generation); and iPad (10th and 11th generation)
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Compatibility:
Compatible with iPad Pro 12.9-Inch (6th, 5th, 4th & 3rd Gen), iPad Pro 11-Inch (4th, 3rd, 2nd & 1st Gen), iPad (10th Gen), iPad Air (5th & 4th Gen), iPad Mini (6th Gen)
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Special Features:
Pressure sensitivity
Tilt support Palm rejection Automatic pairing Magnetic charging Double-tap Hover Squeeze Barrel roll |
Special Features:
Pressure sensitivity
Tilt support Palm rejection Automatic pairing Magnetic charging Double-tap Hover |
Special Features:
Pressure sensitivity
Tilt support Palm rejection Automatic pairing Lightning charging |
Special Features:
Tilt support
Palm rejection Automatic pairing USB-C charging ❌ No Pressure sensitivity |
Special Features:
Tilt support
Palm rejection Automatic pairing USB-C charging ❌ No Pressure sensitivity |
Tilt support
Palm rejection
Automatic pairing
Magnetic charging
Double-tap
Hover
Squeeze
Barrel roll
Tilt support
Palm rejection
Automatic pairing
Magnetic charging
Double-tap
Hover
Tilt support
Palm rejection
Automatic pairing
Lightning charging
Palm rejection
Automatic pairing
USB-C charging
❌ No Pressure sensitivity
Palm rejection
Automatic pairing
USB-C charging
❌ No Pressure sensitivity
I personally use the Apple Pencil 2 because it’s compatible with my iPad Pro 12.9″. If you haven’t chosen your iPad for Procreate yet, you will find my post about the best iPad for Procreate artists very helpful.
You can see me using Apple Pencil 2 in the Procreate tutorial video below:
Previously, with my iPad Pro 10.5″, I used the compatible Apple Pencil 1st generation.
You can see me using Apple Pencil 1 in the Procreate class trailer below:
In each case, it was an amazing experience because of the three most important stylus features for Procreate:
Pressure sensitivity
I think the pressure sensitivity feature is key for making digital art. It mimics traditional tools like brushes, pencils, and markers which I love very much.
When I use my Apple Pencil 2 on my iPad Pro, pressure sensitivity allows me to create different line thickness and opacity based on how hard I press on the screen. I can easily add fine details, subtle shading, and interesting patterns that capture my artistic vision.
Tilt support
I love making digital art that looks and feels like traditional art, and I think aside of the pressure sensitivity, tilt support is crucial.
When I tilt my Apple Pencil 2, I can easily change the angle of the brush or pencil stroke, creating thicker or thinner lines or adding texture to my artwork.
Without tilt support, my lines would look quite flat. But with tilt support, I have more control over my brushstrokes, allowing me to create a more natural, organic feel to my artwork.
I think it’s an essential feature that greatly enhances the quality of my Procreate artwork and makes my artistic process much more enjoyable.
Palm Rejection
I think palm rejection is also a crucial feature when it comes to drawing on Procreate.
As an artist, I need the ability to rest my hand on the iPad screen while I draw and not have it accidentally register as input.
This is where palm rejection comes in – it allows the iPad to differentiate between the touch of my palm and the touch of the Apple Pencil.
With palm rejection, I can draw naturally and comfortably without worrying about making unwanted marks or accidentally zooming in or out.
It definitely makes the drawing experience on Procreate much smoother and more enjoyable!
Join 1000s of artists and get my custom-made Procreate brushes - 🎨 Watercolor Brush Set, 🖌️ Gouache Brush Set, ✏️ Sketching Brush Set, and more ...
Procreate Third-party Stylus
🤩 Grab my popular FREE Procreate Brush pack, plus color palettes, prompt lists, and more creative goodies!
With the new Procreate version 5.3+, there are only two third-party styluses supported by Procreate:
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New Model
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For older iPads
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My rating:
3.5
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My rating:
3.5
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Compatibility:
iPad Pro 12.9-Inch (6th, 5th, 4th & 3rd Gen)
iPad Pro 11-Inch (4th, 3rd, 2nd & 1st Gen) iPad Air (5th & 4th Gen) iPad (10th Gen) iPad Mini (6th Gen) |
Compatibility:
iPad Pro 12.9-Inch (5th, 4th & 3rd Gen)
iPad Pro 11-Inch (3rd, 2nd & 1st Gen) iPad (9th, 8th, 7th & 6th Gen) iPad Air (5th, 4th & 3rd Gen) iPad Mini (6th & 5th Gen) |
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Special Features:
Tilt support
Palm rejection Automatic pairing USB-C charging ❌ No Pressure sensitivity |
Special Features:
Tilt support
Palm rejection Automatic pairing Lightning charging ❌ No Pressure sensitivity |
iPad Pro 11-Inch (4th, 3rd, 2nd & 1st Gen)
iPad Air (5th & 4th Gen)
iPad (10th Gen)
iPad Mini (6th Gen)
Palm rejection
Automatic pairing
USB-C charging
❌ No Pressure sensitivity
iPad Pro 11-Inch (3rd, 2nd & 1st Gen)
iPad (9th, 8th, 7th & 6th Gen)
iPad Air (5th, 4th & 3rd Gen)
iPad Mini (6th & 5th Gen)
Palm rejection
Automatic pairing
Lightning charging
❌ No Pressure sensitivity
Both Logitech crayons cost about half of what the Apple Pencil costs (unless you are getting one in a discount).
However, I wouldn’t choose the Logitech Crayon styluses because they don’t have pressure sensitivity, which is so important for my work.
The only reason I’d choose Logitech Crayon is if I wanted to do an art challenge using only one brush that doesn’t require pressure sensitivity.
🤩 Join Art Club with Iva for access to popular PROCREATE classes, workshops, creative skills practice, my drawing process, references, Procreate brushes use inspiration, and more.
Hope this post has helped you answer the question which stylus you should get to draw in Procreate and you will have a lot of fun making art!
Happy drawing!
Hi, I am Iva (rhymes with “viva”). I am a full-time self-taught artist behind Art Side of Life® and a Top Teacher on Skillshare. I have 15 years of experience in the creative field as a concept designer, illustrator, art director, and now freelance artist, content creator, and art instructor. My goal is to help you get your creative groove on with Procreate and make awesome art through practical classes, tutorials, Procreate brushes, and guides on art tools, supplies and resources. About me »
