Sketch
PaidThe digital design platform
About Sketch
Sketch is a Mac-native vector design tool that pioneered modern UI/UX design workflows. Once the industry standard, it now faces stiff competition from Figma but retains a loyal professional user base.
Key Features
Pricing Plans
Standard
- 1 editor
- Unlimited viewers
- Web app access
Business
- Priority support
- SSO
- Advanced admin controls
Pros
- Mature and extensive plugin ecosystem
- Mac-native performance and feel
- Established professional-grade tool
- Offline-first — works without internet
Cons
- Mac-only for editing — excludes Windows users
- Losing market share to Figma rapidly
- Smaller community than Figma
- Collaboration features lag behind Figma
Best For
- Mac-based designers already in the ecosystem
- Teams that prefer offline-first tools
- UI/UX designers who rely on Sketch plugins
Not Ideal For
- Cross-platform teams with Windows users
- New designers — Figma is better to learn
- Teams prioritizing real-time collaboration
Data & Privacy
Dutch company with data hosted in EU. No AI features or data training. Design files stored on EU servers. Mac-native app with optional cloud collaboration. Strong GDPR compliance as EU company. Export to SVG, PDF, and PNG.
Who Is This For?
Hands-on tested May 2026
Signup Experience
No account required to download the Mac app. Free version available with limited cloud features. Standard subscription at $12/editor/mo adds cloud documents, real-time collaboration, and prototyping. License activation is handled through the app with an email address. Mac App Store version also available.
For Home Users
Free version is usable for personal design work with local file storage. The Mac-native performance is noticeably smooth and responsive compared to browser-based tools. Limited to Mac only -- a hard blocker for anyone on Windows or cross-platform teams. Good for solo designers on Mac who prefer a native app experience over Figma.
For Business Users
Standard at $12/editor/mo is cheaper than Figma for equivalent functionality. Collaboration requires the Sketch web app which is less seamless than Figmas browser-first model. Strong for Mac-centric design teams doing product UI work. The industry has largely shifted to Figma for collaborative workflows -- Sketch remains the better choice for solo Mac designers or small teams that prefer native over browser-based tools.
Our Verdict
Sketch built the modern UI design workflow, but Figma has taken the crown. If you're already a Sketch user with an established workflow, it remains excellent. For new designers or teams, starting with Figma makes more sense given its collaboration features, web access, and larger community.