Head-to-head comparison

Sketch vs Figma

Comparing Sketch and Figma to help you pick the right Design for your needs.

The native macOS design tool that pioneered the modern UI/UX workflow.

#Design Paid Mac ★★★★☆ 4
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Feature Sketch Figma
Pricing Paid Freemium
Platforms macOS Web, macOS, Windows
Editorial rating ★ 4 / 5 ★ 4.6 / 5
Launched 2010 2016
Starting price $10/month or $99/year $0
Community votes 490 1,560

Sketch Pros & Cons

  • Native macOS application with superior rendering and performance
  • Works fully offline with local file storage
  • Mature plugin ecosystem of 800+ plugins built for macOS
  • One-time license option available (not subscription-only)
  • Symbols and shared libraries for consistent design systems
  • macOS only — no Windows, Linux, or web access
  • Real-time collaboration requires Sketch for Teams cloud plan
  • Losing design tool market share to Figma rapidly
  • Plugin ecosystem shrinking as developers move to Figma
  • Prototyping less capable than Figma's interactive components

Figma Pros & Cons

  • Real-time collaboration — multiple designers in the same file simultaneously
  • Works on any OS including Linux via browser
  • Component libraries and variables for systematic design
  • Auto-layout for responsive component creation
  • Dev Mode gives engineers inspect access without a design seat
  • Requires internet for most features (limited offline mode)
  • Browser-based rendering can differ from native pixel rendering
  • Large files with many components can load slowly
  • Advanced features (branching, analytics) require Organization plan
  • Font rendering inconsistencies between browser and desktop

Verdict: Sketch vs Figma

Sketch and Figma both serve the Design category well, but suit different priorities. Figma is the more budget-friendly option, Figma carries the stronger editorial rating (4.6 / 5), Figma supports more platforms (3 vs 1). Based on community engagement, Figma is currently the more widely adopted choice (1,560 votes), but the better fit ultimately depends on your specific pricing, platform, and feature requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, Sketch or Figma?
Figma is the more affordable option overall — it's offered as freemium, while Sketch is paid. Check each tool's current pricing plans for exact figures, since promotional rates and annual discounts can shift the comparison.
Is Sketch or Figma rated higher?
Figma has the higher editorial rating at 4.6 out of 5, compared to Sketch's 4 out of 5. This is Kreemhunt's own staff rating, not a public user aggregate — review the pros and cons below for specifics that matter to your use case.
Which platforms do Sketch and Figma support?
Sketch is available on macOS. Figma is available on Web, macOS, Windows. Figma covers more platforms overall, which matters if your team works across a wider range of devices and operating systems.
Can I switch from Sketch to Figma (or vice versa)?
Most design tools, including Sketch and Figma, support data export in standard formats, making migration possible though rarely fully automatic. Expect to manually verify that custom configurations, integrations, and historical data transfer correctly, and budget time for the team to adjust to workflow differences between the two products.
Should I choose Sketch or Figma?
Sketch and Figma both serve the Design category well, but suit different priorities. Figma is the more budget-friendly option, Figma carries the stronger editorial rating (4.6 / 5), Figma supports more platforms (3 vs 1). Based on community engagement, Figma is currently the more widely adopted choice (1,560 votes), but the better fit ultimately depends on your specific pricing, platform, and feature requirements.