Sketch suits designers who work on a Mac and want a native app that works offline, with free viewers and developer handoff on every Sketch plan, but it has no free plan. Figma suits teams who want to design in the browser on any computer, with a free Starter plan to begin. If anyone on your team uses Windows, that decides it.
Sketch is a native Mac app that's been around for more than 10 years, as its own FAQ points out. Figma moved the whole design job into the browser. I read Sketch's plans page and its FAQ, and Figma's plans page, so the facts below are what each company says about itself.
Sketch and Figma compared at a glance
| Sketch | Figma | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Not listed (30-day free trial) | Yes, Starter |
| Where you design | Native Mac app, plus a web app | In the browser |
| Offline work | Yes, in the Mac app | Not covered on the plans page |
| Viewers | Unlimited free viewers on every plan | View and comment without extra seats on upgraded plans |
| Developer handoff | Free handoff on every Sketch plan | Advanced Dev Mode on Professional |
| Whiteboards and slides | Not covered on the plans page | FigJam whiteboard and Figma Slides |
| Mobile | iPhone and iPad app to view and play prototypes | Not covered on the plans page |
| AI | Not covered on the plans page | 150 AI credits a day on Starter, up to 500 each month |
| Free for education | Yes, a free workspace for students and teachers | Not covered on the plans page |
Sketch: a native Mac app with collaboration on top
Every Sketch plan includes the native Mac app, where you can design and prototype offline or in real time with your team, plus a web app that works in any browser and an iPhone and iPad app to view designs and play prototypes. Standard covers real-time collaboration, unlimited documents, version history, free developer handoff and unlimited free viewers who can browse, comment, inspect and download assets.
Sketch is also open about why there's no free plan. Its FAQ says it has no plans to offer one, points to free viewers and a free education workspace instead, and says the company has been profitable since day one. There's a 30-day trial with no card needed.
Figma: design wherever there's a browser
Figma's Starter plan is free, with limited access to Figma products, unlimited drafts, UI kits and templates, and 150 AI credits a day up to 500 each month. Professional opens up unlimited files and projects, team-wide design libraries and advanced Dev Mode with an MCP server for developers. On upgraded plans, people can view and comment on files without taking a seat.
The question that settles it for most teams
Here's the part to check before you compare features. Sketch's design app is a Mac app. Its web app lets people view, comment and inspect, but the full design and prototyping tools live on the Mac. Figma runs in the browser, so a designer on Windows or a borrowed laptop can open the same file. If your whole team is on Macs and you like working offline on a train, Sketch fits that well. If anyone isn't, Figma removes the problem before it starts.
Which designer each app suits
Sketch suits Mac-based designers and small studios who value a native app, offline work and free handoff for developers. Figma suits mixed teams, product companies and freelancers who share files with clients and want to start free. If you're thinking about design as a career, my piece on whether graphic design is a good career path is worth a read, and so is this one on improving user experience to convert visitors.
My advice if you're starting out
Look at the computers your team and clients use. All Macs, and a preference for working offline, points to Sketch's 30-day trial. Any Windows machines, or clients who want to drop into files from a link, points to Figma's free Starter plan. If you're a student, ask Sketch for its free education workspace and try both, because the skills carry across.
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Frequently asked questions
Does Sketch have a free plan?
No. Sketch's FAQ says it has no plans to offer an entirely free plan. It offers a 30-day free trial, free viewers on every plan and a free workspace for education.
Is Figma free?
Yes. Figma's Starter plan is free, with unlimited drafts, UI kits and templates, and a daily allowance of AI credits.
Does Sketch work on Windows?
Sketch's design app is a native Mac app. Its web app runs in any browser for viewing, comments and handoff.
Can developers inspect designs for free?
Sketch includes free developer handoff and free viewers on every Sketch plan. Figma lets people view and comment without extra seats on upgraded plans.
