Astropad Studio
What Astropad Studio is
Astropad Studio turns an iPad into a drawing tablet for Mac or PC, allowing work in desktop creative applications. The product page names Adobe, Affinity, Clip Studio, and Krita. The iPad connects through USB, local Wi-Fi, or peer-to-peer networking. Magic Gestures let you assign finger taps and Apple Pencil gestures to tool changes, while the Shortcut Sidebar provides customizable shortcuts matched to the desktop application in use. Pen controls include pressure-curve and pressure-smoothing adjustments, with Apple Pencil hover supported on 2022 iPad Pros. Astropad says its LIQUID video technology supplies color-corrected Retina resolution and low-latency performance. Studio is listed for iOS, macOS, and Windows, with mobile and desktop apps. A 14-day free trial is available. The website Annual plan is $99.99 a year after the trial; an Individuals plan is $99 a year.
Who it suits
It suits digital artists and other users doing demanding creative work who want an iPad-based tablet for desktop apps. Schools, universities, businesses, and studios can request volume or enterprise licensing.
What it does well
- Works with Mac and PC
- USB, Wi-Fi, and peer-to-peer connections
- Custom gestures and app-specific shortcuts
- Adjustable pressure curves and smoothing
- Supports named creative applications
What to know first
- No free plan
- Requires a paid plan after trial
- macOS and Windows desktop use needs an iPad
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | Wi-Fi or USB connectivity · Custom gestures and shortcuts · Pressure curves and smoothing · Works with Mac and PC | On request |
| Annual (App Store) | Wi-Fi or USB connectivity · Custom gestures and shortcuts · Pressure curves and smoothing · Works with Mac and PC | On request |
| Annual (website) | Free 14-day trial, then annual billing · 14-day free trial · Custom tap and Pencil gestures · App-specific shortcuts · Custom pressure curves and smoothing · On-screen keyboard and Quick Keys | $99.99 a year |
| Lifetime | Free 14-day trial, then one-time purchase · Permanent access · Future software updates · Works on Mac and PC | $179.99, paid once |
| Individuals | $99/year · Individual plan | $99 a year |
As astropad.com lists them, read 21 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Astropad Studio combines iPad drawing controls with desktop creative software, configurable gestures, shortcuts, and pen settings. Its 14-day trial provides a way to assess the workflow before paid access.
Facts from Astropad Studio's own pages
- Company
- Astropad says it was founded in 2013; its about page lists co-founder Matt Ronge in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and co-founder Giovanni Donelli in San Francisco, California. · astropad.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Connectivity
- The iPad connects to the computer by USB, local Wi-Fi, or peer-to-peer networking. · astropad.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Creative apps
- The product page names Adobe, Affinity, Clip Studio, and Krita as apps users can draw in from the iPad. · astropad.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Desktop app
- Yes · astropad.com, 21 Sept 2026
- Drawing technology
- Astropad says its LIQUID video technology provides color-corrected Retina resolution and low-latency performance. · astropad.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Education
- Astropad offers flexible volume licensing for schools and universities and invites educators to request a quote. · astropad.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Enterprise
- Astropad lists enterprise licensing for businesses and studios. · astropad.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2013 · astropad.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- No · astropad.com, 21 Sept 2026
- Gestures
- Magic Gestures let users customize finger taps and Apple Pencil gestures to change tools. · astropad.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Headquarters
- Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States · astropad.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Illustration tools
- Yes · astropad.com, 21 Sept 2026
- Intended users
- Astropad describes Studio as designed for demanding creative work and says it is used by more than 100,000 digital artists. · astropad.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Mobile app
- Yes · astropad.com, 21 Sept 2026
- Pen settings
- Users can customize pressure curves and pressure smoothing, and use Apple Pencil hover on 2022 iPad Pros. · astropad.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Platforms
- Astropad provides desktop downloads for Mac and PC and an iPad app download. · astropad.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Astropad Studio turns an iPad into a professional drawing tablet for Mac or PC. · astropad.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Shortcuts
- The Shortcut Sidebar automatically matches customizable shortcuts to the desktop application in use. · astropad.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Trial
- Astropad Studio offers a 14-day free trial, after which the product page lists the individual plan at $99/year. · astropad.com, 12 Oct 2026
Where Astropad Studio stands on Freedom251
- Design tools#122 of 146
- Graphic Design Software#126 of 150