Adobe's Fresco App Goes Free to Compete with Procreate

Adobe has officially transitioned its Fresco drawing app to a completely free model, aiming to attract artists and illustrators to its creative platform. The app, launched in 2019, competes with other prominent digital art applications, notably Procreate and Clip Studio Paint. Previously, users had to pay a subscription fee of $9.99 annually to access premium features, including the extensive brush selection and Adobe Fonts library. The recent decision to remove the subscription requirement is geared towards enhancing Adobe's appeal in a market dominated by alternatives that offer one-time purchases. Fresco is tailored for touch and stylus-supported devices, available on platforms like iPad, iPhone, and Windows PCs. Its unique functionalities, such as reflective and rotation symmetry, set it apart from competitors. Adobe has yet to adopt generative AI tools within Fresco, which aligns with the preferences of a user base that values traditional artistic methods. In contrast, Procreate has cultivated a dedicated community largely due to its straightforward pricing model and a strong stance against incorporating generative AI, which many artists view as a threat to their livelihoods. By offering Fresco for free, Adobe may successfully lure both novice and experienced artists, corralling them into their ecosystem despite the ongoing criticism the company faces from segments of the creative community. The free model could potentially reshape the dynamics of digital art applications, prompting other companies to reconsider their pricing strategies in a competitive landscape. Ultimately, Adobe's move represents a strategic effort to reclaim its footing in a rapidly evolving market where user demands and preferences continuously shift.