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Procreate Dreams alternatives: 3 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 30, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Procreate Dreams: iPad only, with no Mac, Windows or Android version, and track limits depend on your iPad model. We ranked 3 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Procreate Dreams, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Pencil2D currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Pencil2D logoPencil2DOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux5 of 559.6
2OpenToonz logoOpenToonzOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS5 of 557.2
  1. Pencil2D logo

    1. Pencil2DTop pick

    Best for: Beginners, students and hobbyists starting frame-by-frame animation for free

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Procreate Dreams

    Free and open source on Windows, Mac and Linux for traditional frame-by-frame animation.

    Pros

    • Very simple interface that is quick to learn
    • Raster and vector layers in the same project
    • Free for commercial work, on Windows, macOS, Linux and FreeBSD

    Cons

    • No bones, rigging or automatic tweening
    • Few effects and limited sound editing compared with studio tools
    • Current macOS build needs macOS 10.14 or later; older Macs get a legacy build
    Visit Pencil2D Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Pencil2D a good Procreate Dreams alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    License
    GPL-2.0
    Checked Oct 29, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Price
    Free, including commercial use
    Checked Oct 29, 2026pencil2d.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS, Linux, FreeBSD
    Checked Oct 29, 2026pencil2d.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Raster and vector
    Yes
    Checked Oct 29, 2026pencil2d.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Latest stable version
    0.7.2
    Checked Oct 29, 2026pencil2d.org(opens source in a new tab)
  2. OpenToonz logo

    2. OpenToonz

    Best for: Studios, schools and serious hobbyists who want a free professional 2D animation pipeline

    Open sourceWindows, macOS

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Procreate Dreams

    Free desktop studio software for longer projects that outgrow a tablet.

    Pros

    • Studio-proven pipeline with xsheet, timeline and node-based compositing
    • Free for commercial use, with BSD-licensed source
    • Scanning tool for traditional paper animation

    Cons

    • Steep learning curve and a crowded interface
    • Some manuals are only available in Japanese
    • GTS scanning tool is Windows only
    Visit OpenToonz Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is OpenToonz a good Procreate Dreams alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Price
    Free for commercial use
    Checked Oct 30, 2026opentoonz.github.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Source license
    New BSD License
    Checked Oct 30, 2026opentoonz.github.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Origin
    Toonz, customised by Studio Ghibli
    Checked Oct 30, 2026opentoonz.github.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Timing views
    Xsheet and timeline
    Checked Oct 30, 2026opentoonz.github.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS
    Checked Oct 30, 2026opentoonz.github.io(opens source in a new tab)

The best Procreate Dreams alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Pencil2D logo

Best Procreate Dreams alternative for most people

Pencil2D

Free and open source on Windows, Mac and Linux for traditional frame-by-frame animation.

OpenToonz logo

Best Procreate Dreams alternative for a free option

OpenToonz

Free desktop studio software for longer projects that outgrow a tablet.

Pencil2D logo

Best Procreate Dreams alternative for open source

Pencil2D

Free and open source on Windows, Mac and Linux for traditional frame-by-frame animation.

Toon Boom Harmony logo

Best Procreate Dreams alternative for Mac

Toon Boom Harmony

Professional desktop animation with rigging and full production tools for studio work.

Pencil2D logo

Best Procreate Dreams alternative for Windows

Pencil2D

Free and open source on Windows, Mac and Linux for traditional frame-by-frame animation.

Pencil2D logo

Best Procreate Dreams alternative for Linux

Pencil2D

Free and open source on Windows, Mac and Linux for traditional frame-by-frame animation.

Procreate Dreams alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Procreate Dreams?

Pencil2D ranks first right now. Free and open source on Windows, Mac and Linux for traditional frame-by-frame animation. OpenToonz and Toon Boom Harmony follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Procreate Dreams?

Yes. Pencil2D (open source) and OpenToonz (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Procreate Dreams?

Yes: Pencil2D and OpenToonz.

Which Procreate Dreams alternatives work on Linux?

Pencil2D runs on Linux.

Why do people switch from Procreate Dreams?

The complaints we hear most: iPad only, with no Mac, Windows or Android version; track limits depend on your iPad model; fewer studio features than desktop tools like Toon Boom Harmony.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Procreate Dreams, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.