Quick Comparison

Tool Best For Pricing Platforms
Figma Teams doing collaborative UI/UX design Free tier (3 projects) Web, macOS, Windows
Adobe XD Adobe Creative Cloud subscribers who need an integrated design workflow Free (limited) macOS, Windows
Canva Non-designers and marketers creating visual content quickly Free tier Web, iOS, Android
InVision Teams that need rapid prototyping and stakeholder feedback Free (1 prototype) Web
Framer Designers who want to ship production websites directly Free (framer.com subdomain) Web, macOS
Penpot Teams that want open-source, privacy-first design tooling Free (cloud) Web
Affinity Designer Professionals who want Illustrator-quality without a subscription $69.99 one-time (v2) macOS, Windows, iPad
Lunacy Solo designers wanting a free, offline-capable design tool Free macOS, Windows, Linux

The Best Sketch Alternatives

Free tier (3 projects)

Collaborative interface design tool built for the browser

  • Figma is browser-based and works on any OS, unlike Sketch's macOS exclusivity.
  • Its Professional plan includes real-time collaboration and unlimited projects for $12/editor/month, while Sketch charges extra for web collaboration.
  • Figma's component libraries and prototyping are deeply integrated into its collaborative workflow.

Best for: Teams doing collaborative UI/UX design

Verdict: Choose Figma if your team needs real-time, cross-platform collaboration on UI/UX projects.

Free (limited)

Adobe's vector-based UI/UX design and prototyping tool

  • Adobe XD is included in the full Creative Cloud subscription, integrating with Photoshop and Illustrator, unlike Sketch's standalone model.
  • It offers voice prototyping and auto-animate features not central to Sketch's toolset.
  • XD is available on both Windows and macOS, removing Sketch's platform restriction.

Best for: Adobe Creative Cloud subscribers who need an integrated design workflow

Verdict: Pick Adobe XD if you are already a Creative Cloud subscriber and want a tightly integrated design and prototyping workflow.

Free tier

Web-based drag-and-drop graphic design platform

  • Canva is a template-driven, web-based platform for quick visual content, not a dedicated UI/UX design tool like Sketch.
  • It operates on a drag-and-drop model with minimal learning curve, targeting non-designers rather than professional UI specialists.
  • Pricing is based on asset access and brand kits, not design-focused features like symbols or shared libraries.

Best for: Non-designers and marketers creating visual content quickly

Verdict: Use Canva for quickly creating marketing graphics and social media content without needing deep design software skills.

Free (1 prototype)

Digital product design platform for prototyping and collaboration

  • InVision's core strength is high-fidelity prototyping, user testing, and gathering stakeholder feedback, whereas Sketch is primarily a design authoring tool.
  • It traditionally functioned as a companion to Sketch for prototyping, though it now includes its own design canvas (Studio).
  • Its free plan allows for one prototype, focusing on the prototyping and review workflow over deep design editing.

Best for: Teams that need rapid prototyping and stakeholder feedback

Verdict: Opt for InVision if your primary need is creating interactive prototypes and managing a centralized feedback process.

Free (framer.com subdomain)

Design and publish responsive websites without code

  • Framer can publish production-ready, responsive websites directly from the design, going beyond Sketch's static design and basic prototyping.
  • It uses a component-based design system with integrated code-like logic (properties, states) for advanced interactivity.
  • While Sketch is app-focused, Framer is built specifically for designing and shipping websites.

Best for: Designers who want to ship production websites directly

Verdict: Select Framer if you are a designer who wants to build and publish fully interactive, responsive websites without writing code.

Free (cloud)

Open-source design and prototyping tool

  • Penpot is open-source and can be self-hosted for full data control, unlike Sketch's proprietary, cloud-based model.
  • It uses open standards (SVG) and is web-based, making it platform-agnostic versus Sketch's macOS app.
  • It's free for both cloud and self-hosted use, offering a privacy-first alternative to subscription tools.

Best for: Teams that want open-source, privacy-first design tooling

Verdict: Choose Penpot if your team prioritizes open-source software, data privacy, and the ability to self-host your design environment.

$69.99 one-time (v2)

Professional vector and raster design app — one-time purchase

  • Affinity Designer is a one-time purchase for professional vector and raster illustration, not a subscription-based UI/UX tool like Sketch.
  • It excels at detailed illustration, icon design, and print work, whereas Sketch is optimized for digital UI screens and symbols.
  • It works on macOS, Windows, and iPad, offering broader platform access than Sketch.

Best for: Professionals who want Illustrator-quality without a subscription

Verdict: Pick Affinity Designer if you need a powerful, one-time-purchase vector app for illustration, branding, or multi-format design work.

Free

Free design tool with built-in assets and AI features

  • Lunacy is completely free with offline capability, unlike Sketch which requires a purchase or subscription for the full app.
  • It runs natively on Windows, macOS, and Linux, directly challenging Sketch's macOS-only stance.
  • It includes built-in graphic assets and AI tools (like image upscaling) within its free offering.

Best for: Solo designers wanting a free, offline-capable design tool

Verdict: Use Lunacy if you are a solo designer or small team needing a capable, free, and cross-platform design tool with offline access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Figma better than Sketch?

Figma is generally better for teams that require real-time collaboration across different operating systems, while Sketch remains a strong choice for designers who work exclusively on macOS and prefer a native application.

What is the best free alternative to Sketch?

Lunacy is the best free alternative for a dedicated UI/UX design tool, while Penpot is the best free option for teams that value open-source and self-hosting.

Can I use Sketch files in other design tools?

Yes, most major alternatives like Figma, Adobe XD, and Lunacy support importing .sketch files, though some complex symbols or effects may not transfer perfectly.