Figma vs Sketch: Which Design Tool Should You Choose?

Sketch pioneered modern UI design; Figma reinvented it with collaboration. Here's how the two compare today.

Quick Answer

Choose Figma if you need:

Real-time collaboration, browser-based workflows, and a massive plugin ecosystem. The industry standard for modern design teams.

Choose Sketch if you need:

A native macOS experience with faster performance on large files. Great for solo designers or Mac-only studios who don't need real-time collaboration.

Feature Comparison

Feature	Figma	Sketch
Overall Rating	9.4	8.0
Starting Price	Free / $15/editor/mo	$10/editor/moWinner
Platform	Browser (all OS)Winner	macOS only
Real-time Collaboration	Native multiplayerWinner	Via Mirror (limited)
Performance (large files)	Can slow down	Faster (native)Winner
Dev Handoff	Dev ModeWinner	Inspect (basic)
Plugins	1,000+Winner	700+
Prototyping	AdvancedWinner	Basic

Scores by Category

F
Figma — 9.4/10

Ease of Use 9/10

Collaboration 10/10

Plugins 9/10

Performance 7/10

Value 9/10

S
Sketch — 8.0/10

Ease of Use 8/10

Collaboration 5/10

Plugins 7/10

Performance 9/10

Value 8/10

Our Verdict

Figma is the clear winner for most design teams. The collaboration features, cross-platform access, and plugin ecosystem make it the default choice in 2026. Sketch was the pioneer, but the industry has moved on.

Sketch still has a niche. If you're a solo Mac designer, value raw performance on large files, or prefer a native app experience, Sketch remains a solid tool. It's also cheaper at $10/editor/month.

Read Full Figma Review

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I migrate from Sketch to Figma?

Yes. Figma has a built-in Sketch file importer. Open your .sketch files directly in Figma and they'll be converted. Most elements translate well, though some complex Sketch plugins may not have Figma equivalents yet.

Is Figma free for small teams?

Figma's free plan supports up to 3 Figma files and 3 FigJam boards. For unlimited files and collaboration, you'll need the Professional plan at $15/editor/month. Small teams of 1-2 designers can often work effectively on the free tier.

Does Sketch have a Windows version?

No. Sketch is macOS-only and has no plans for a Windows version. If your design team includes Windows users, Figma (browser-based) is the only viable option between the two.