Apple SIDECAR VS. ASTROPAD - Which is better?

[@jngarrettart]

I know this is an older video, but figured I’d share a few thoughts from my own use since I just recently upgraded to a MacBook that could use sidecar and was finally able to compare sidecar with Astropad Standard (which I’ve used for a while). In my experience, pressure sensitivity for drawing has been hands down better on Astropad (testing with Clip Studio Paint). Sidecar is great for quickly using the iPad as a second monitor, and I will very likely get a lot of use out of it as an extended display, but when it comes to using my iPad as a graphics tablet, I strongly prefer Astropad. On the note of Luna, I’ll probably get one down the road too so I can use my older iMac, which is not compatible with sidecar, as an extended monitor for the new laptop. So yeah! I’m sure I’ll enjoy the added functionality for the Mac, but I think Astropad has really nailed it when it comes to the drawing experience and the shortcut sidebar.

[@JanineMKartist]

even though I just got the M1macbook pro I still ordered a new Luna Display for it because Astropad studio works better with luna than without (fits the screen better). Eventhough I have sidecar now, I much prefer that Astropad studio has a lot of customizable features for keystrokes etc. I don't like the look or feel of sidecar. I haven't tried it with the pencil yet, but I still think luna and the annual fee for Astropad studio is worth it for what it offers. When you say the pressure sensitivity is better with Astropad then I think I'm ok with my decision to order luna for this machine ( I was using a luna on my older MacBook). I was second guessing my decision about ordering a new luna but I just think the sidecar interface is horrible.

[@Sadistically]

Just tried out sidecar with my iPad Pro 2020 model and MacBook Pro 2017 model, plugging it in via the USB C cable (thunderbolt 2 or whatever Apple is calling it). It seems to work VERY well in photoshop (lag is like 3-5 milliseconds) and could serve as a Cintiq replacement if you don’t wanna pay a crap ton of money for a Cintiq. I’m so happy I got an iPad Pro first before a Cintiq!

[@JanineMKartist]

I have Astropad studio. I like it for the customizable controls.

[@murdockscott]

I sold my Cintiq and I have used Astropad as a professional tool for several years I only absolutely need it a few times a year when I am doing heavy photo retouching. The fact that they are clearly attempting to move their user base to a subscription model has made me look for alternatives as I am dead set against paying subscriptions for my tools. I am trying to eek out a few more months of use out of an older but tricked out MacBook Pro and iPad Air before upgrading. I am thinking that with sidecar, I could possibly not need a laptop at all and get one of those really powerful 2020 iMacs. My older Thunderbolt Display is starting to show signs of demise, so although I have never considered an iMac before, this feels like a perfect fit. Sidecar is going to potentially save me a lot of money, allow me to invest in a more powerful desktop, and tighten up my workflow a considerable amount. I am hoping it will be a complete replacement for Astropad before the inevitable happens and they kill what they now call the “standard” version.

[@audreyyang7952]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYOylGuagqmUo9U Brad Cowboy's video on this is also something to think about.

[@hanassyong]

This is the one that I was looking for with the accurate tips to use sidecar. Thanks!

[@iamdartk]

If you go with sidecar - you are going to suffer from numerous bugs and broken UX in photoshop and similar programs. On my photoshop instance tools like shapes are extremely buggy to use and puts my MacBook on fire lacking the optimization or idk what. I recommend to go with astropad + luna display - it will save your nerves and time.

[@thelighthouse7671]

Try out the Luna Display. It lets you use the ipad as a primary monitor for your ipad, works great. Sidecar has some limitations on that.

[@LCBear]

what is the limitation, please? I think we can do the sidecar to be the main monitor too but need some scripting

[@jttasb]

good comparison, thanks, but 0:58 not just 'click airplay' also need to sign into iCloud on both devices

[@Taima47]

Thank you so much for all the effort you put into your videos. I’m really enjoying the content

[@BravetheWoods]

That means so much. Thank you!

[@Andyrewk]

I’ve really enjoyed Sidecar, I was originally running duet which was fine for basic drawing and using the iPad as a second screen. But, Duet lacks pressure sensitivity though. I work with a 3D pipeline so not only do I use my iPad for drawing but also 3D sculpting in Zbrush which is leaps and bounds better with Sidecar than duet. It’s also a great tool for helping with 3D texturing in programs like substance painter. I find with a program like Maya that I mostly just use a mouse still but it’s really nice to have the programs other windows on a separate screen not taking up my main screens realty space. Lastly because I use a MacBook Pro and I travel frequently it’s made the two screen experience one that I can easily have on the go if I have my iPad and my MacBook.

[@BravetheWoods]

Nice! Thank you so much for sharing. Yes, Sidecar is definitely convenient.

[@jthijs]

Andrew Kennedy I don't get you are satisfied Ith sidecar using sidecar. The masking brush for example does not work as it should. It takes for ever to mask a part of your sculpt. I tried it with a new macbook pro 2019 and a 2018 ipad both SSD disks and 8 GB Ram.

[@Andyrewk]

jthijs hmm I don’t know I’ve had zero issues like that. I am running a 2017 MacBook Pro and a 2018 iPad Pro. The MacBook Pro I’m using has an i7 with 16gb of ram.

[@jthijs]

Just to be shure I checked the specifications of my macbook pro, its a 2019 15inch, 2,6 Ghz 6-core intel core i7 with 16 Gb memory. My ipad pro is a second generation 12,7inch. Should do the work but it doesnt so I went back to Astropad. I will give sidecar another try. Did you use it through wifi?

[@Andyrewk]

jthijs I have used it through WiFi. However I prefer with the heavier apps like zbrush to have it plugged in through the usb c. That may be the difference for you.. not sure why you are having this issue. Your make should be more than enough to run it fine. I also am using the 12.9 iPad Pro that’s from 2018. That’s the newest pro they have right now and is what I am using on that end. Hmm

[@sunsetrosebooksllc7167]

Thanks for this comparison! I've been using Astropad, but since I'm getting a new 16" MacBook Pro that will be compatible with Sidecar, I've been curious about which will work better. I love Astropad and I agree that-just from watching this, since I haven't used Sidecar yet-that Astropad's interface is more useful. But I'm intrigued by Sidecar's ability to turn my iPad Pro into a second screen. I can see where that would be handy to have Photoshop open on the iPad Pro and, let's say, a web browser open on my MacBook Pro to a stock image site and be able to see the book cover I'm working on and browse images. Or have the cover open in Photoshop on the iPad and client notes on the cover on the laptop so I'm not switching between windows.

[@JanineMKartist]

see my comment above. what did you decide? I just do'n't like the interface of sidecar and Astropad studio is waay better than the regular Astropad due to all the customization options. it also fits the iPad screen more accurately when using Luna Display.

[@koiturnbull5700]

Very good informative vid. I too am loving Sidecar but your video has made me break back out Astropad to see where it is in compatibility and comparison. Thanks for the vid.

[@MrMichelPM]

Very good comparison review and explanations of Sidecar and Astropad. I have a much older iMac running a much older Mac OS, so Astropad IS my only option for a graphics tablet experience on my 2015 iPad Pro.

[@Ded-Ede]

I am totally about that Sidecar life. Lol 😆 I’m getting the M1 Mac mini and I would exclusively use it headless with my iPad Pro.

[@samodono4818]

Awesome comparison! This has been my go to channel for digital arts. Magaling!

[@websiteslabs]

Hello, What do you think about Astropad's basic version in 2022, when compared to Apple Sidecar? We hope you make a fresh video comparing the Astropad Standard with the Apple Sidecar. Thank you

[@Bakanelli]

even on an older macbook, if you highlite a text file and click space, it gives you an option to edit it on ipad/iphone

[@StephenDavisMonsignor]

One big benefit to AstroPad is in AI or PS you can turn your iPad into a true drawing tablet (like a Wacom). Sidecar isn’t there... yet..

[@yonicute]

can you explain this further?

[@dareemmanuel6079]

@@yonicute pressure sensitivity for one. it doesn't work in illustrator with the apple pencil.

[@ATA-wi2lh]

Might have missed it but can you use the apple pen gestures like a regular ipad? Ideally, looking for something like the surfacepro where I can switch from typing/drawing by simply picking up the pen and drawing.

[@karyvell]

Thanks for the subtitles!

[@stephenward9468]

Wow, I overlooked the Wi-Fi part of Sidecar! I thought it was Bluetooth but I will be ordering an iPad in March (if the rumours are true) and the new version of the iPad Pro comes it :D Also great vid

[@DSmilezB]

I have a Dell monitor as second display for my Macbook Pro. At work, I normally use a 3 display set up, so I'm thinking about buying Luna to turn my 2009 iMac into a secondary screen. Do you know if Luna will allow a 3 display set up?

[@tiagosantos680]

You can also try Duet, its compatible with Windows as well

[@turtls5427]

Sometimes you gotta just see the best comments in the world

[@andalingtanjung8835]

Im already use cable. but why touchscreen & pencil not working on ipad after extend monitor with ipad? pplease answer

[@miskaknapek]

Thanks a lot for this video! Very helpful.

[@yo_itsjw]

Someone may have asked and I missed it, but does Astropad work without you having to have the same apple account logged in to both the iPad and the Mac?

[@pauladelimatorres4840]

Yes, you can download it on any Mac and you just sign into your iPad with your account

[@agentadrianne]

I have a MacBook Air that was purchased brand-new from Apple in the end of 2016, and Sidecar doesn't work with it.

[@JanineMKartist]

I think Astropad studio will still be good to use for its tools but maybe don’t need the Luna. I’d continue to use my Luna with my current MacBook once I get new one in order to keep using my adobe cs6. I guess not worth buying a new Luna to fit a new Mac since Astropad studio will hopefully work with side car, or does it?

[@vicentecarrizalez30]

do i need to buy the apple pencil to be able to draw on photoshop? because i have my ipad and my macbook pro 16, i can share the screen but i cannot draw

[@timmo4]

For the ones comparing..my early 2015 macbook pro is not yet supported, or will probably never be supported on sidecar.

[@carlosp.1846]

Avatron Air Display 3?

[@AIMHIGH803]

Does this work with animating in adobe after effects?

[@BravetheWoods]

Hmmm...I haven't tried that!

[@sadhna1gaurav]

Are we not able to connect Macbook and iPad Pro using USB cable? Will iPad screen not mirror on Macbook that way? Thanks

[@codebraker12]

can you close the lid while using the sidecard? obviosly using a usb keyboard and mouse

[@ah-hf8qh]

Does the magic keyboard case on the iPad Pro work while using sidecar?

[@EhXKoRR]

If it wasn’t a subscription model, I’d use astropad. I am strictly against subscription-based services. I’d rather a one-time purchase.

[@watchanime331]

If you purchase the astropad usb it’s $75 then it’s not subscription based.

[@Jenzo100]

Same here. (The usb dongle (Luna) has different functionality to the subscription software. It also has to be plugged in direct a USB-C port (not via a hub), so if you’re already short on ports this isn’t viable).

[@anonymousanonymous-hu7bt]

Very true

[@wayneriley7367]

Yes, and I fell for the mistake. I don’t use photoshop. All my apps that I use my apple pen are on iPad. You don’t mirror the iPad apps on the mac. So this doesn’t really help me. Maybe with notes and pdf expert has a mac program but I have to buy it on iPad and mac. I guess it makes sense but no one states this.

[@tattoosbyjohnsimsek8429]

I bought Luna display to connect to my Mac mini 2020 and iPad pro2020 but they work well screen freezing and blur why??

[@Jonas62089]

Duet Display is way cheaper and offers most of the same features. Works great on my MacBook Pro 2015, which is not supported for SideCar.

[@BravetheWoods]

Thanks for that tip!

[@Andyrewk]

Duet is great especially since it’s a one time fee. That’s why I chose it over Astropad originally. However duet does not support pressure from the Apple Pencil. It’s great for basic drawing or if you don’t need pressure sensitivity which you very easily can go without it, but having the pressure sensitivity saves time on swapping brush sizes, as well as adds a little bit more dynamic line work in your drawings that looks more natural and realistic.

[@Jonas62089]

@@Andyrewk They do support pencil pressurce, but you have to get a subscription for their more advanced plan. You also get a wireless feature like with SideCar when you have subscribed. For me personally the subscription is too expansive, but you might have other needs than me.

[@Andyrewk]

Jonas62089 I understand the subscription service from duet offers this. However I don’t want to pay a subscription fee for everything, it starts to add up.

[@Jonas62089]

Andrew Kennedy That is true. But sooner or later nearly everything will be this way.. sadly

[@123jbuster]

Apple Sidecar is FREE and has Secondary Display. Astropad is a subscription service and has less options. I understand its been around longer and has a lot of veteran users, but the winner is clear.

[@chishti5351]

Does anyone know if this now means we can now use IPads as a graphics tablets for Blender aswell?

[@elizasavage8953]

ive seen it on other youtube chanels

[@blankcheckguy69]

how does astropad studio compare to duet pro

[@BravetheWoods]

J moneysign I haven’t tried Duet but I feel I need to now. You aren’t alone in wanting to know :) thanks!

[@rncdaphne]

hi! im planning to buy a tablet which i can use with and without computer connection. all in one graphic tablets are too expensive for me. I just discıvered the astropad thing. can I use an ipad pro as a display tablet with this app while using maya, cinema 4d or zbrush (in later times)?

[@rncdaphne]

I have Dell g315

[@cathieambas6262]

Is it possible to use procreate with sidecar?

[@jthijs]

Second display ok, most drawing programs probably ok but sidecar is to slow to use it with Zbrush. Everyone using Zbrush or Zbruscore tru using the masking brush and you will soon notice he lag and poor data transfer. Hopefully Apple will fix this so I can use it instead of Astropad.

[@sadhna1gaurav]

Great content. Thanks @Brave the Woods

[@chrissssteen7145]

Do either of these work well when it comes to vector work on illustrator?

[@watchanime331]

Yes I use both

[@troymcdonald]

What is the red apple pen cover you are using? Thanks

[@BrianLockett]

Looks like the "Silicone Case for Apple Pencil" by Xpression.

[@bioemcasaoficial]

Someone know if I can use Sidecar on my MacBook Pro 2014 mid?

[@dadapotok]

sorry, but no. only macbooks 2016 and newer

[@kayumochi]

If you want to use an iPad as the ONLY monitor for the new Mac Mini (headless mode), Luna is the only way.

[@creativeorstrange]

I want to use sidecar with my Mac so that I can edit on final cut using my iPad. Does anyone know if , when using side car, or astro pad with final cut, does the audio from the video clips play through the speakers of the iPad , so I can be video editing in a different room from my Mac ? I hope someone answers. This workflow would change my life if it isn’t that laggy and the iPad can be set to play the audio through its speakers.

[@vanillafilm497]

creativeorstrange i think audio can be played only in mac. Coz sidecar just secondary display. I suggest get an airpod

[@aaronglass890]

0:23 "i've been using my drawing tablet as a mac for my iPad" WHAT

[@ahirunakamura9592]

Does Astropad work with a really old MacBook Pro?? (2011)

[@BravetheWoods]

Ahiru Nakamura from what I have heard it will probably work, but not very well. It might be super laggy. Just what I heard, don’t know from experience.

[@MyMomDrank]

I have an early 2011 MacBook Pro and the first iPad Pro 9.7” and Apple Pencil and I run Astropad on them. I use via USB because I don’t want lag, and for the most part it’s pretty good. My biggest problem is I want a bigger screen. I wish I’d gotten a 12” iPad. But even then I’m looking into a 16” or 19” Huion Kamvas graphics tablet instead.

[@Indiana-Jonas]

i tried it on my upgraded 2012 (16gb ram and 500 gb ssd) and it was too laggy to be of any use

[@hunterjennings6560]

good video nice editing, not a bad channel well informative good script. I like it m8. if you want any feedback from the designer I suggest putting graphics on the left side of the screen (break into 9 grid spots and the left vertical line should be about where graphics are centered) and put yourself on the right. This might help since we read left to right naturally. Also, make your head closer to the top of the screen so there isn't as much negative space occupying the screen. good video nice job :) I haven't seen your newer videos yet so this is just based off of this video

[@aminbajrektarevicab]

Am I the only one here who had a total garbage drawing experience with sidecar? Astropad studio is cintiq like, but sidecar is totally unusable for me. The lines are super jittery, pen pressure is all over the place, just bad. As a secondary display it works great.

[@DennisCNolasco]

What? I didn't even know about Sidecar and I just bought Astropad!

[@notihot2996]

Astropad requires an unique pay.?

[@jthijs]

NOTI HOT the standard version is a unique price, for the pro version you need a subscription. The standard one works fine for me in Zbrush.

[@isankasamarasinghe2135]

Nice

[@pablogonzalez2550]

EasyCanvas works for me ir anyone wanted a different app

[@anuvaishnav9460]

My mac is compatible but my iPad is the first generation iPad Air :(

[@jordanjardine2458]

Looks awesome. I wish they weren't sleeping on windows.

[@gnustep]

WHY WOULD ASTRO PAD GO FURTHER WHEN IT'S ON WIFI? SideCar is definitely better.

[@SkonkBot]

Because Sidecar requires a bluetooth connection as well as the wifi/cable, Astropad does not. Sidecar is also terrible when it comes to handling of pen pressure when using Photoshop. As it currently stands, it is in no way a replacement for an actual drawing tablet (this may change as they improve it) and in my experience, Astropad is still better when using the pen for drawing in apps like Photoshop.

[@eliggy87]

i cant get my pencil to work on sidecar, i think i mmay have to purchase astropad. I reckon is coz my pencil is a apple dupe....hahaha anyway astropad is cheaper than buying an original apple pencil

[@3mm4n]

Uranus lol

[@mitigiant5328]

There is too much lagging in photoshop and the apple pencil pressure sensitivity sucks when you use sidecar It’s a shame for apple that they couldn’t do better than a third party app. I spent thousands of dollars for your “perfection” So... Just fix it APPLE!

[@Canigetanawwwwyyyyeeeah]

A newer Mac😂😂🤣 when Apple don’t touch products over 5 years old

[@BenTaylorPostProduction]

I have a 2013 mac pro 12 care and sidecar has never properly worked on my computer. I got the apple pencil and iPad specifically for it. Apple released it for years not working. Thanks for the Aastropod hookup. Now they have dropped sidecar support, Ae lights, and many other features in the new update on my machine. This is why I am done with mac and am buying a pc for a fraction of the price with 10 times the features. FUCK APPLE! It has a suicide nets outside its factories. Garbage. DO NOT BUY!.

[@rambosweat]

just get a pen display tablet and stop messing around with these laggy apps. :P

[@itsjustblazy1732]

I guess that's why they're making a Windows version

[@teoarts6816]

Does it work in Adobe animate!