Illustrator on iPad vs. Desktop: An Honest Look at the Pros and Cons

Haru

Ever since the iPad version came out back in 2020, I’ve been using it alongside the desktop version. Here’s what I think about the pros and cons based on that experience.

The pros of the iPad version

Friendlier for beginners

It has fewer features than the desktop version, which keeps things simple. The “there are so many features it’s overwhelming” hurdle that a lot of beginners hit is much lower here.

Easy to use on the go

Since it runs on an iPad, you can easily work anywhere.

Cheaper

It costs less than the desktop version too.

Haru

It’s more than capable for illustration work. It should also work well for simple logos. The finer stuff (complex gradients, hand-drawn line effects, blurs, and so on) doesn’t quite match the desktop version, so the range of what you can create is a bit narrower.

The cons of the iPad version

Missing features

The flip side of being simple is that a lot of the handy features from the desktop version just aren’t there.
I’m hoping future updates will close some of that gap, but honestly, given the price difference, catching up to the desktop version is probably a tall order. After all, the iPad version is the lite version.

Haru

It’s not a great fit for things like flyers or posters. If you’re used to working on the desktop version, you’ll keep running into moments where the iPad version’s missing features get in the way. Rather than going out of your way to use the iPad version, Canva or Adobe Express is probably a better choice.