Mac-native UI design tool with a strong plugin ecosystem
Sketch is a Mac-exclusive vector design tool. De-facto standard for UI/UX design before Figma. Still has a loyal following among Mac-native designers for its plugin ecosystem and offline-first workflow.
Sketch is a strong fit if its core strengths match your workflow, budget, and support needs. Use the quick signals below before opening the full review.
Sketch defined modern UI design. Before Figma arrived, Sketch was the industry standard for digital product design — the tool that shifted the industry from Photoshop to vector-based interface design with its introduction of Symbols (reusable components) in 2015. It remains a polished, high-performance native Mac application with a mature plugin ecosystem and a one-time licence option that appeals to designers who prefer paying once over perpetual subscriptions.
Sketch has adapted to the collaborative era by adding cloud-based sharing, browser-based inspection for developers, and a web viewer for stakeholder review. However, it has not matched Figma's real-time collaboration model — editing remains local on Mac, with cloud used for sharing rather than simultaneous co-editing.
Sketch costs $12/month (billed annually at $144/year) per editor for all features including cloud collaboration. A one-time licence is available at $120, covering the current major version indefinitely — additional updates require a new annual licence or purchase. A 30-day free trial is available. The one-time licence option makes Sketch the only major professional design tool with a non-subscription path.
Sketch is the right choice for Mac-based UI designers who prioritise native performance, the one-time licence model, and Sketch's established plugin ecosystem. Design teams with well-established Sketch workflows, custom plugins, and existing template libraries who have not yet migrated to Figma can continue to get full value from Sketch.
Sketch is Mac-only — there is no Windows or Linux client. Real-time multi-editor collaboration is absent; teams cannot simultaneously edit the same file as in Figma. Figma has overtaken Sketch as the industry standard, which affects template availability, design system resources, and recruitment. Sketch's market share has declined significantly since Figma's growth.
A high-quality professional design tool that made interface design what it is today. Still the right choice for committed Mac-based designers who value native performance and the one-time licence. For new teams and cross-platform organisations, Figma is the more practical default.
$12/mo
$9/mo billed annually
$20/mo
$17/mo billed annually
Sketch is best for mac-designers, ui-ux-designers, agencies.
No. Sketch does not currently list a permanent free plan in ToolRankr data.
Paid plans start at $12/mo.
Sketch is reviewed using ToolRankr's scoring model for ease of use, value, features, support, and overall quality. Affiliate links may earn a commission, but sponsored labels do not change editorial scoring.
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