How much does Figma cost vs Sketch?

Figma Starter is free (3 Figma files, 3 FigJam files). Figma Professional: $12/editor/mo. Figma Organization: $45/editor/mo. Sketch: $9/editor/mo (Mac app + cloud). For teams, Figma is more expensive but includes collaboration without extra seats.

What is Figma best for?

Figma is best for cross-functional teams (designers + developers + PMs), real-time collaboration, prototyping, and design systems. It's the dominant tool in product design in 2026, used by most SaaS companies.

Is Sketch still worth using in 2026?

For Mac-only design teams that prefer a native app experience, yes. Sketch has a dedicated plugin ecosystem, strong performance on Mac, and costs less than Figma. But for most teams with mixed OS or cross-functional collaboration, Figma is the better choice.

Figma vs Sketch (2026): Which Design Tool Should Your Team Use?

Q: Is Figma better than Sketch?

Yes, for most teams in 2026. Figma is browser-based (no Mac requirement), has real-time collaboration, and has become the industry standard. Figma scores 9.2/10 vs Sketch's 7.8/10. Sketch is still preferred by some Mac-native designers for its speed and plugin ecosystem.

Q: Does Sketch work on Windows?

No. Sketch is Mac-only. This is its biggest limitation — Windows users, developers, and stakeholders cannot open Sketch files natively. Figma runs in any browser on any OS, making cross-functional collaboration far easier.

Quick answer (July 2026): Compared in July 2026: pick Figma vs Sketch (2026): Which Design Tool Should Your Team Use? if you prioritise depth and integrations; pick the alternative if you prioritise speed and lower seat cost. Full side-by-side breakdown — pricing, features, real-world fit — is below.

Figma has dominated design since 2021. But Sketch still has a loyal following. We compared both across pricing, collaboration, performance, and prototyping. Here's the verdict.

Updated July 2026 Pricing verified No paid placements Author: Kaylan von Papen

TL;DR: Figma wins for most teams in 2026 — browser-based, real-time collaboration, industry standard. Sketch is still good for Mac-only design teams who prefer a native app and want to save money. Figma scores 9.2/10 vs Sketch's 7.8/10.

9.2/10

Figma Industry standard

The dominant design tool in 2026. Browser-based, real-time multiplayer, works on Mac/Windows/Linux. Used by most product teams and SaaS companies. Free tier available.

Choose Figma if you: Work with cross-functional teams (devs, PMs, stakeholders), need real-time collaboration, or want the most adopted design tool in the market.

7.8/10

Sketch

Mac-native design app with a strong plugin ecosystem. Preferred by some designers for its speed and offline capability. $9/editor/mo — cheaper than Figma Pro.

Choose Sketch if you: Have a Mac-only design team, prefer native app speed over browser tools, or are migrating away from Figma on cost.

Pricing Comparison: Figma vs Sketch (July 2026)

Plan	Figma	Sketch	Winner
Free tier	3 Figma files, 3 FigJam files	30-day trial only	Figma
Entry paid	$12/editor/mo (Starter)	$9/editor/mo	Sketch
Team plan	$12/editor/mo (unlimited files)	$9/editor/mo	Sketch
Organization	$45/editor/mo	Custom	—
OS support	Any browser (Mac/Win/Linux)	Mac only	Figma
Real-time collaboration	Yes (built-in multiplayer)	Limited (cloud sync)	Figma
Offline work	Limited	Full (native app)	Sketch

Collaboration: Figma Wins Decisively

Figma's real-time multiplayer — where multiple designers, developers, and stakeholders can view and comment simultaneously — is its killer feature. You can share a Figma link with anyone and they'll see the design in their browser, no account required for view-only.

Sketch has cloud collaboration but it's more like async file sharing than true multiplayer. Developers get Sketch Cloud for developer handoff, but it's not as seamless as Figma's Dev Mode.

Performance: Sketch Has an Edge on Mac

Sketch is a native Mac application and runs faster than Figma's browser-based renderer on complex files with many components. For files with thousands of layers, Sketch users typically report smoother scrolling and faster export times on Apple Silicon.

Figma has improved significantly and is fast for most projects. But if you have very large design systems or complex illustrations, Sketch's native performance still has an edge.

Feature Comparison

Feature	Figma	Sketch
OS support	Any browser + desktop app	Mac only
Real-time collab	Full multiplayer	Async cloud sync
Prototyping	Built-in (interactions + smart animate)	Built-in (basic)
Dev handoff	Figma Dev Mode	Sketch Cloud
Design systems	Variables, components, styles	Symbols, libraries
AI features	Figma AI (beta)	Limited
Plugin ecosystem	Large (community)	Large (native)
Offline work	Limited	Full (native app)
Vector tools	Good	Excellent (native)
FigJam whiteboard	Included	Not available

Our recommendation

Start with Figma — it's free and the industry standard

Figma's free Starter plan is generous enough for freelancers and small teams. Most design job listings in 2026 require Figma experience. If you're choosing a design tool for the first time, Figma is the clear choice.

Try Figma Free →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Figma better than Sketch in 2026?

Yes, for most teams. Figma is the industry standard, works on any OS, has real-time collaboration, and a generous free plan. Sketch is still preferred by some Mac-native designers for speed and native performance. Figma scores 9.2/10 vs Sketch's 7.8/10.

Is Sketch cheaper than Figma?

Yes. Sketch costs $9/editor/mo vs Figma Professional at $12/editor/mo. Figma offers a free tier; Sketch does not (30-day trial only). For cost-sensitive Mac-only teams, Sketch can save money.

Does Sketch work on Windows?

No. Sketch is Mac-only. This is its biggest limitation. Developers and stakeholders on Windows cannot use Sketch natively. Figma runs in any browser on any OS.

Can I import Sketch files into Figma?

Yes. Figma has a built-in Sketch importer. Most Sketch files migrate cleanly, though complex symbols and plugins may need re-configuration. Many teams have migrated from Sketch to Figma this way.

What are the best alternatives to Figma and Sketch?

Adobe XD (discontinued 2023), Canva (for non-designers), Framer (code-based prototyping), Penpot (open-source, self-hostable), and Affinity Designer (one-time purchase for illustration). For product design in 2026, Figma has no close second.