Sketch vs Figma : Which is Better?
Sketch and Figma are two of the most popular design tools used by UX/UI designers, and both have their strengths and unique features. Below, we’ll compare them in various aspects to help you decide which one suits your needs best.
1. Overview
🔵 Sketch
- Founded: 2010
- Best Known For: Vector-based design, primarily used for web and mobile UI/UX design.
- Target Audience: Professional designers, particularly for macOS users.
- Key Features: Powerful vector editing tools, plugins, artboards, and symbols for creating UI/UX designs.
- Platform: macOS only (No Windows or Linux support).
🔴 Figma
- Founded: 2012
- Best Known For: Real-time collaboration, cloud-based design, and vector-based tools.
- Target Audience: Teams and professionals looking for cross-platform, collaborative design tools.
- Key Features: Cloud-based collaboration, prototyping, vector editing, version control, and real-time commenting.
- Platform: Web-based (with desktop apps for Windows, macOS, and Linux).
2. Design Features
| Feature | Sketch | Figma |
|---|---|---|
| Vector Editing | ✅ Excellent, powerful vector tools | ✅ Excellent, but slightly more intuitive with real-time feedback |
| Design Precision | ✅ High precision, with smart guides, snapping, and grids | ✅ High precision, but slightly easier for beginners to grasp |
| Symbols and Components | ✅ Symbols (Reusable elements) | ✅ Components (Reusable elements with more advanced functionality) |
| Responsive Design | ✅ Limited (requires plugins) | ✅ Strong, with auto-layout and responsive design features |
| Plugins/Extensions | ✅ Extensive plugin library | ✅ Extensive plugin library, plus real-time collaborative features |
| Prototyping | ❌ Limited (requires additional tools) | ✅ Built-in prototyping with interactive flows and animations |
🏆 Winner: Figma – For its intuitive, responsive design features and built-in prototyping capabilities.
3. Collaboration
| Feature | Sketch | Figma |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time Collaboration | ❌ No real-time collaboration (requires third-party tools like Abstract) | ✅ Full real-time collaboration with live updates |
| Version Control | ✅ Manual version control via Sketch Cloud | ✅ Automatic version control with easy rollback features |
| Comments and Feedback | ❌ Not built-in (requires plugins or third-party tools) | ✅ Inline comments, team feedback, and version tracking |
| Sharing Files | ✅ Shared via Sketch Cloud, or exported | ✅ Cloud-based sharing with live updates and easy access via link |
🏆 Winner: Figma – Real-time collaboration, inline commenting, and automatic version control make it a superior choice for teams.
4. Platform Support
| Feature | Sketch | Figma |
|---|---|---|
| Web-based | ❌ Only available on macOS | ✅ Fully web-based, can access from any browser |
| Desktop App | ✅ macOS only | ✅ Available on Windows, macOS, and Linux |
| Mobile App | ✅ Preview app available | ✅ Figma Mirror for mobile previews |
🏆 Winner: Figma – Figma supports a variety of platforms, including macOS, Windows, and Linux, making it more versatile.
5. Usability & Learning Curve
| Feature | Sketch | Figma |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | ✅ Generally easy for macOS users, but can be overwhelming for beginners | ✅ More beginner-friendly due to real-time feedback and clear interface |
| Learning Curve | ✅ Steeper for beginners but a lot of resources are available | ✅ Easier to pick up for new users, especially with its cloud-based collaboration features |
| Onboarding & Tutorials | ✅ Lots of resources, but macOS-centric | ✅ Extensive tutorials and community resources for all platforms |
🏆 Winner: Figma – For its user-friendly interface and the ease with which beginners can get started, especially with collaboration tools.
6. Pricing
| Feature | Sketch | Figma |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | ✅ 30-day free trial, then paid | ✅ Free with limited features (up to 3 files and 2 editors) |
| Pricing (Premium) | Starts at $9/month for a single user | Starts at $12/month (Pro version) |
🏆 Winner: Figma – While Sketch offers a lower starting price, Figma provides a free tier with solid features, making it more accessible for small teams or personal use.
7. Customizability
| Feature | Sketch | Figma |
|---|---|---|
| Custom Components | ✅ Yes, symbols allow reusability | ✅ Yes, components with advanced features like auto-layout |
| Plugins/Extensions | ✅ Large plugin ecosystem for additional features | ✅ Very large plugin library, as well as integrations with other tools like Slack, Jira, etc. |
| Styling Flexibility | ✅ High, with design systems and custom styles | ✅ Excellent, with deep control over styles, components, and assets |
🏆 Winner: Figma – Due to its more versatile components, real-time collaboration, and larger integration possibilities.
8. Prototyping and Interactivity
| Feature | Sketch | Figma |
|---|---|---|
| Interactive Prototypes | ❌ Requires third-party tools (e.g., InVision or Marvel) | ✅ Built-in prototyping features, including transitions, animations, and interactions |
| Prototyping Ease | ✅ Easier for basic designs but limited | ✅ More flexible with seamless integration into the design process |
🏆 Winner: Figma – For its seamless integration of prototyping features, allowing designers to create interactive flows within the same tool.
9. Final Verdict: Sketch vs Figma
When to Choose Sketch?
- If you’re a macOS-only user and prefer a native app for vector-based design.
- If you’re focused on UI design and need powerful vector tools and symbols for reusable design elements.
- If you don’t need real-time collaboration and are working solo or with a small team.
When to Choose Figma?
- If you work with teams and require real-time collaboration, feedback, and version control in your design process.
- If you need an all-in-one tool for designing, prototyping, and collaborating, especially on a cross-platform basis.
- If you prefer a cloud-based workflow with easy sharing, accessibility, and advanced prototyping built into the tool.
TL;DR:
- Sketch is a great tool for individual macOS users focusing on vector-based UI design but requires external tools for collaboration and prototyping.
- Figma is a more versatile, cloud-based solution that excels in collaborative design, prototyping, and cross-platform support.
🖌 Winner: Figma – For its real-time collaboration, platform flexibility, and all-in-one design and prototyping capabilities.