Sketch is the tool Figma displaced, and it keeps a loyal following among Mac-based product designers who prefer a native app to a browser tab. Symbols, shared styles, and a canvas that stays responsive on large artboards hold up well for app and web UI work, and the open file format means plugins can read and write documents.
Who it is for
Solo Mac designers who want a native app and dislike designing in a browser.
Key features
- Native macOS canvas for interface design
- Symbols and shared text styles
- Prototyping with linked artboards
- Plugin API and community plugins
- Exports assets at multiple scales
Where it falls short
It is macOS-only, collaboration runs through a separate web viewer rather than real-time multiplayer, and the licence includes twelve months of updates, after which the app keeps working but stops receiving new versions.
Pricing
Annual licence per Mac that includes twelve months of updates; the app keeps running afterwards but stops updating.
Prices move; the tier structure is the part that stays true. Check current pricing on Sketch.
Alternatives to Sketch
Frequently asked
How much does Sketch cost?
Sketch is paid software. Annual licence per Mac that includes twelve months of updates; the app keeps running afterwards but stops updating.
What is Sketch best for?
Solo Mac designers who want a native app and dislike designing in a browser.
What are the best alternatives to Sketch?
The closest substitutes we list are Figma, Framer and Penpot. They sit in a similar price bracket but make a different trade-off, so read the weaknesses section of each review before switching.
Which platforms does Sketch run on?
Sketch is available on macOS and Web.