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Sketch alternatives

Top UI Design & Prototyping like Sketch

The most popular alternative to Sketch is Figma, which has a free version. Other great alternatives to Sketch are Penpot, Lunacy, Adobe XD, and Framer.

Most alternatives to Sketch are in the UI Design & Prototyping category, compared here by price, platform and features.

Sketch alternatives
AllFreeOpen source
10 apps

All Sketch alternatives

  1. Figma

    Figma is a design platform for user interfaces, websites and apps where teams edit the same file in real time from the browser or the desktop app. It covers vector design, interactive prototypes, shared component libraries and variables for design systems, and Dev Mode for developer handoff. Plugins, FigJam whiteboards and AI features extend it for product and design teams.

    12 Figma alternatives

    Pros

    • Real-time multiplayer editing in the browser or desktop app
    • Components and variables make design systems manageable
    • Huge ecosystem of plugins and community files

    Cons

    • Paid seats add up quickly for growing teams
    • Most work requires an internet connection
    • Large files can become slow and memory-hungry
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    UI Design & PrototypingGraphic Design
    Platforms
    WebWindowsMac
    Features
    AI assistantDesign systemsDeveloper handoffInteractive prototypingPlugins & extensionsReal-time collaboration
    Visit websiteMore about Figma

  2. Penpot

    60.9Kstars

    Penpot is an open source alternative to Figma for designing interfaces and prototypes in the browser. Its data model is based on SVG, CSS and HTML, so developers can inspect designs and copy usable code, while teams work with components, design tokens and real-time collaboration. It is available as a hosted cloud service or can be self-hosted with Docker to keep full control over data.

    10 Penpot alternatives

    Pros

    • Open source and self-hostable for full control over data
    • Built on SVG, CSS and HTML, so developers get usable code
    • Components, design tokens and real-time collaboration

    Cons

    • Performance can lag on large, complex files
    • Smaller plugin ecosystem and fewer community resources than Figma
    Cost / License
    FreemiumOpen source
    Categories
    UI Design & Prototyping
    Platforms
    WebSelf-hosted
    Features
    Design systemsDeveloper handoffInteractive prototypingPlugins & extensionsReal-time collaborationVector editing
    Visit websiteMore about Penpot

  3. Lunacy

    Lunacy is a vector design app from Icons8 for creating interfaces, prototypes and graphics on Windows, macOS and Linux. It works offline, opens Sketch files natively and includes Icons8 libraries of icons, photos and illustrations, along with AI helpers such as background removal. Cloud documents allow real-time collaboration; most features are free, with a paid plan for extended cloud features.

    7 Lunacy alternatives

    Pros

    • Works offline on Windows, macOS and Linux
    • Opens Sketch files natively, no Mac required
    • Built-in Icons8 libraries of icons, photos and illustrations

    Cons

    • Smaller plugin ecosystem and community than Figma
    • Less widely used, so fewer shared resources and tutorials
    • Extended cloud features require a paid plan
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    UI Design & Prototyping
    Platforms
    WindowsMacLinux
    Features
    Interactive prototypingOffline modeReal-time collaborationStock media libraryVector editing
    Visit websiteMore about Lunacy

  4. Adobe XD

    Adobe XD is a vector-based tool for designing and prototyping websites and mobile apps, with repeat grids, components with states, auto-animate transitions and shareable links for review and developer specs. Adobe put it in maintenance mode in 2023: it is no longer sold as a standalone app and gets no new features, so it mainly serves Creative Cloud users with existing projects.

    8 Adobe XD alternatives

    Pros

    • Repeat grids and auto-animate speed up UI and prototype work
    • Fits alongside Creative Cloud apps like Photoshop and Illustrator
    • Shareable links for review comments and developer specs

    Cons

    • In maintenance mode, with no new features planned
    • No longer sold as a standalone app
    • Less collaborative than browser-based tools like Figma
    Cost / License
    PaidProprietary
    Categories
    UI Design & Prototyping
    Platforms
    WindowsMac
    Features
    Developer handoffInteractive prototypingPlugins & extensionsVector editing
    Visit websiteMore about Adobe XD

  5. Framer

    Framer is a website builder that works like a design tool: you lay out pages on a canvas, add animations and effects, then publish directly with hosting included. It offers a CMS, localization, built-in analytics and AI features that can generate a starting layout from a prompt. Designers and startups use it for landing pages, portfolios and marketing sites.

    12 Framer alternatives

    Pros

    • Design-tool canvas with fine control over layout and animation
    • Publishing and hosting included in one step
    • Built-in CMS, localization and analytics

    Cons

    • Paid plans get costly as sites grow
    • Learning curve for people new to design tools
    • Sites stay hosted on Framer, with no official code export
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    Website Builders
    Platforms
    WebWindowsMac
    Features
    AI site generationAnalyticsContent management (CMS)Real-time collaborationTemplatesVisual editor
    Visit websiteMore about Framer

  6. Affinity

    Affinity is a professional creative app from Canva that merges the former Affinity Designer, Photo and Publisher into one program with vector, pixel and layout workspaces. It is free to download for Windows and macOS, while its optional Canva AI tools require a paid Canva plan. It suits designers who want an alternative to Adobe subscriptions and can import PSD, PDF and IDML files.

    12 Affinity alternatives

    Pros

    • Free download combining vector, pixel and layout workspaces in one app
    • Imports PSD, PDF and IDML files from Adobe workflows
    • Professional tools without a mandatory subscription

    Cons

    • Canva AI tools require a paid Canva plan
    • Smaller plugin and training ecosystem than Adobe’s
    • Imported Adobe files can need manual adjustments
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    Graphic DesignPhoto Editing
    Platforms
    WindowsMac
    Features
    Digital paintingLayersNon-destructive editingRAW photo editingVector editing
    Visit websiteMore about Affinity

  7. ProtoPie

    4.0(27) · App Store

    ProtoPie is a prototyping tool for building realistic interactions without writing code, using triggers, responses, variables and formulas. Prototypes can use device sensors and connect several screens or hardware, which makes it useful for mobile, automotive and IoT interfaces. Designs can be imported from Figma, Sketch or Adobe XD and previewed on phones with the ProtoPie Player app.

    8 ProtoPie alternatives

    Pros

    • Realistic interactions built with variables, formulas and conditions
    • Uses device sensors and connects multiple screens or hardware
    • Imports designs from Figma, Sketch and Adobe XD

    Cons

    • The logic-based approach takes time to learn
    • Not a full design tool, so visuals are usually made elsewhere
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    UI Design & Prototyping
    Platforms
    WindowsMaciPhoneAndroid
    Features
    IntegrationsInteractive prototypingMobile appTeam collaboration
    Visit websiteMore about ProtoPie

  8. Axure RP

    Axure RP is a desktop application for Windows and macOS used by UX designers and business analysts to build highly functional prototypes. It supports conditional logic, variables, dynamic panels, repeaters and form inputs, so prototypes can simulate real application behavior without code. Projects are shared through Axure Cloud for review, comments and developer inspection.

    9 Axure RP alternatives

    Pros

    • Conditional logic, variables and repeaters for realistic prototypes
    • Simulates real application behavior without writing code
    • Axure Cloud handles review, comments and developer inspection

    Cons

    • Steep learning curve compared with simpler design tools
    • Less suited to polished visual design than Figma or Sketch
    Cost / License
    Free trialProprietary
    Categories
    UI Design & Prototyping
    Platforms
    WindowsMac
    Features
    Developer handoffDiagrams & flowchartsInteractive prototypingTeam collaboration
    Visit websiteMore about Axure RP

  9. Adobe Illustrator

    Adobe Illustrator is a desktop vector editor used by designers to create logos, icons, typography, illustrations and print artwork that scale to any size. It offers precise pen and shape tools, multiple artboards, many plugins and tight integration with Photoshop, InDesign and other Creative Cloud apps, plus Firefly features such as text-to-vector generation. An iPad version is also available.

    11 Adobe Illustrator alternatives

    Pros

    • Industry-standard vector tools for logos, icons and print artwork
    • Tight integration with Photoshop, InDesign and Creative Cloud
    • Large plugin ecosystem and Firefly text-to-vector generation

    Cons

    • Subscription-only, with no perpetual license
    • Steep learning curve, especially the pen tool
    • Can be resource-heavy on large, complex files
    Cost / License
    Free trialProprietary
    Categories
    Graphic Design
    Platforms
    WindowsMaciPhone
    Features
    Image generationLayersPlugins & extensionsVector editing
    Visit websiteMore about Adobe Illustrator

  10. Balsamiq

    Balsamiq is a wireframing tool that deliberately keeps mockups rough and sketch-like, so discussions focus on structure and flow rather than visual polish. It offers a drag-and-drop library of UI controls, links between screens for simple click-through prototypes and comments for feedback. It is available as a web app and a desktop app for Windows and macOS, with integrations for Confluence, Jira and Google Drive.

    8 Balsamiq alternatives

    Pros

    • Sketch style keeps discussions on structure, not visual polish
    • Very easy to learn, even for non-designers
    • Integrations with Confluence, Jira and Google Drive

    Cons

    • Not suited to high-fidelity designs or detailed prototypes
    • No free plan once the trial ends
    Cost / License
    Free trialProprietary
    Categories
    UI Design & Prototyping
    Platforms
    WebWindowsMac
    Features
    IntegrationsInteractive prototypingTeam collaboration
    Visit websiteMore about Balsamiq

Sketch vs its alternatives at a glance

Pricing, platforms and the key features of Sketch, compared with its most popular alternatives.

Sketch vs its alternatives at a glance
AppPricingPlatformsDesign systemsDeveloper handoffInteractive prototypingOffline modePlugins & extensions
SketchFree trialMac
FigmaFreemiumWeb, Windows, Mac
PenpotFreemiumOpen sourceWeb, Self-hosted
LunacyFreemiumWindows, Mac, Linux
Adobe XDPaidWindows, Mac
FramerFreemiumWeb, Windows, Mac

Sketch alternatives: frequently asked questions

What is the best alternative to Sketch?

The most popular alternative to Sketch is Figma: Collaborative interface design and prototyping tool in the browser. Other great alternatives are Penpot, Lunacy, Adobe XD, and Framer.

Is there a free alternative to Sketch?

Yes, 6 alternatives are free or have a free plan, including Figma, Penpot, Lunacy, and Framer.

Is there an open source alternative to Sketch?

Yes, one open source alternative is listed: Penpot.

Is Sketch free?

Sketch is a paid app that offers a free trial.

Compare Sketch with its alternatives

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