Both Sketch and Figma are excellent choices for UI design, with Figma offering broader cross-platform compatibility and a free plan, while Sketch provides a streamlined UI design process and efficient handling of complex design systems, along with free developer handoff tools.
| Attribute | Sketch | Figma |
|---|---|---|
| User Interface (UI) Design Capabilities | Tailored for UI/UX design, offering tools to create wireframes, mockups, and high-fidelity designs for websites and mobile apps. Uses vector-based graphics for scalable and resolution-independent designs. | Design tool for creating user interfaces and interactive prototypes on a cloud-based platform. |
| Prototyping Features | Allows you to create interactive prototypes with features like hover, press, and toggle interactions. You can also add animated transitions and overlays. Integrates with tools like ProtoPie for more advanced prototyping. | Built-in feature to transform static designs into interactive prototypes, simulate user interactions, and test flows. |
| Collaboration Tools | Facilitates real-time collaboration, allowing team members to co-edit documents simultaneously. Offers features for sharing designs, gathering feedback, and developer handoff. | Cloud-based tool allowing multiple users to work on the same design file simultaneously with real-time editing and Observation Mode. |
| Design System Management | Supports design system creation and management through features like Symbols, shared styles, and libraries. These enable you to create reusable components and maintain consistency across projects. | Supports design system management to maintain visual consistency by centralizing design guidelines and components. |
| Plugin Ecosystem | Has a vast library of plugins that extend its functionality, catering to various design needs and workflow enhancements. | Offers a wide range of plugins and integrations to enhance collaboration and streamline the design workflow. |
| Animation and Transition Support | Provides animation and transition features for creating engaging user experiences. You can add movement to your UI with control over easing and timings. | Provides tools and features to enhance prototyping with transitions and smart animation to define how elements move and change between screens. |
| Auto Layout and Responsive Design | Offers features like Smart Layout and Auto Layout to create flexible designs that adapt to different screen sizes and content changes. These features allow you to set constraints and rules for elements, making designs more responsive. | Dynamic system for creating flexible and responsive designs that adapt to content changes automatically. |
| Vector Editing Tools | Provides superior vector editing capabilities, allowing precise manipulation of points and paths for clean, scalable graphics. | Allows creation of custom shapes by combining multiple paths and shapes, including a pen tool for precise shapes and lines. |
| Hand-off Capabilities for Developers | Allows developers to inspect designs in their browser, check specs, leave comments, download assets, and export tokens for free. It can also generate CSS code from design elements. | Allows developers to inspect design files, export assets, and get CSS codes within the platform. |
| Performance and Speed | Known for its streamlined UI design process and efficient handling of complex design systems and vector graphics. | Handles large-scale projects. |
| Cross-Platform Compatibility | Has a native Mac app for designing and prototyping. However, it also offers a web app that is browser-based and works across all major operating systems. There is also an iOS/iPadOS app for viewing documents on the go. | Browser-based and compatible with macOS, Windows, Linux, and ChromeOS; also has desktop applications for macOS and Windows. |
| Pricing and Subscription Options | Offers different pricing plans, including subscription-based and Mac-only license options. Paid plans start at $10 per editor per month (billed annually). A 30-day free trial is available. | Offers a free plan for individual use, a Professional plan for teams, and an Organization plan for larger teams with advanced management features and security options. |
| Pros | User-friendly interface, Real-time collaboration, Vast plugin ecosystem, Efficient handling of complex design systems, Free developer handoff tools | Intuitive user interface, Interactive and realistic prototyping features, Effective real-time collaboration, Design system management support, Wide range of plugins and integrations, Robust animation and transition features, Effective auto layout and responsive design, Precise vector editing capabilities, Streamlined hand-off process for developers, Handles large-scale projects, Cross-platform compatibility |
| Cons | Not available | Not available |