Sketch vs Penpot (2024 Comparison)
Sketch offers a robust design platform with an extensive plugin ecosystem and user-friendly interface. Ideal for professional designers seeking advanced vector editing tools.
- Extensive plugin ecosystem
- User-friendly interface
- Robust vector editing tools
- Limited to macOS
- Higher cost for teams
Free plan?
NoStarting price
$10 per month per user
Penpot is an open-source design tool with strong collaboration features and cross-platform compatibility. Perfect for teams looking for a cost-effective and flexible solution.
- Open-source and free
- Cross-platform compatibility
- Strong collaboration features
- Fewer advanced features
- Community-based support
Free plan?
YesStarting price
$175 per monthWhat is Sketch?
Sketch is a powerful design tool primarily used for creating user interfaces and user experiences. It offers a wide range of features that help designers create stunning visuals and prototypes. With its intuitive interface and robust plugin ecosystem, Sketch streamlines the design process, making it easier for teams to collaborate and iterate on designs. Whether you're working on a mobile app or a website, Sketch provides the tools you need to bring your ideas to life.
What is Penpot?
Penpot is an open-source design and prototyping platform that caters to both designers and developers. It offers a collaborative environment where teams can work together seamlessly, regardless of their operating system. Penpot's flexibility and integration capabilities make it a great choice for teams looking to streamline their design process. With features like real-time collaboration and vector editing, Penpot empowers users to create and iterate on designs efficiently.
Pros and Cons of Sketch vs Penpot
Pros & Cons of Sketch
- Sketch offers a wide range of plugins that enhance its functionality, allowing you to customize the tool to fit your specific design needs. This makes it a versatile choice for designers.
- Sketch's intuitive interface makes it easy for designers to navigate and create designs efficiently. Its user-friendly tools and shortcuts enhance productivity, making it a favorite among professionals.
- Sketch provides advanced vector editing tools that allow for precise control over shapes and paths. This makes it ideal for creating detailed and intricate designs with ease.
- Sketch is only available on macOS, which can be a limitation for teams using different operating systems. This restricts its accessibility for cross-platform collaboration.
- Sketch's pricing can be higher for teams, especially when compared to open-source alternatives. This may be a consideration for budget-conscious teams looking for cost-effective solutions.
Pros & Cons of Penpot
- Penpot is an open-source platform, making it a cost-effective choice for teams. Its free nature allows for flexibility and accessibility, especially for budget-conscious teams.
- Penpot's cross-platform compatibility allows teams to work seamlessly across different operating systems. This makes it a versatile choice for diverse teams with varying tech setups.
- Penpot excels in collaboration, offering real-time editing and feedback. Its open-source nature allows for flexibility, making it a great choice for teams prioritizing collaboration.
- Penpot may lack some advanced features found in other design tools, which can be a limitation for teams requiring comprehensive design capabilities.
- Penpot relies on community-based support, which may not be as comprehensive as dedicated customer support. This can be a consideration for teams needing reliable assistance.
Sketch vs Penpot: At A Glance
Value to Price
Sketch offers a comprehensive set of features that justify its price, making it a valuable investment for professional designers. Its extensive plugin ecosystem enhances its functionality, providing great value for money. Penpot, being open-source, offers excellent value for teams on a budget, though it may lack some advanced features found in Sketch. If you're looking for a cost-effective solution with essential design capabilities, Penpot is a great choice.
Ease of Use
Sketch is renowned for its user-friendly interface, making it easy for designers to navigate and create designs efficiently. Its intuitive tools and shortcuts enhance productivity. Penpot, while also user-friendly, may require a slight learning curve for those new to design tools. If you prioritize ease of use and a smooth learning experience, Sketch is the better option.
Functionality
Sketch provides a robust set of design tools, including vector editing, prototyping, and collaboration features, making it a versatile choice for various design projects. Penpot offers similar functionality but may lack some advanced features found in Sketch. If you need a tool with comprehensive design capabilities, Sketch is the superior choice.
Scalability
Sketch is designed to handle projects of all sizes, making it suitable for both small teams and large enterprises. Its scalability is enhanced by its plugin ecosystem. Penpot, while scalable, may require additional customization for larger projects. If scalability is a priority, Sketch is the more reliable option.
Integrations
Sketch offers a wide range of integrations with popular design and collaboration tools, enhancing its versatility. Penpot, while offering integrations, may have fewer options compared to Sketch. If you rely heavily on integrations for your workflow, Sketch is the better choice.
Customer Support
Sketch provides reliable customer support, with resources like tutorials and a community forum to assist users. Penpot, being open-source, relies on community support, which may not be as comprehensive. If customer support is crucial for your team, Sketch is the safer bet.
Security
Sketch prioritizes security with regular updates and robust data protection measures. Penpot, while secure, may not offer the same level of security features as Sketch. If security is a top concern, Sketch is the more secure option.
Overall Rating
Sketch consistently receives high ratings for its comprehensive features, ease of use, and scalability, making it a top choice for professional designers. Penpot, while highly rated, may not offer the same level of advanced features. If you're looking for a well-rounded design tool, Sketch is the preferred option.
Sketch vs Penpot: A Detailed Breakdown of Key Features
Vector Editing
Sketch excels in vector editing, offering precise control over shapes and paths, making it ideal for creating detailed designs. Its intuitive interface allows you to manipulate vectors effortlessly. Penpot also provides vector editing capabilities, but Sketch's advanced tools give it an edge. If you need precise vector editing, Sketch is the superior choice.
Prototyping
Sketch offers robust prototyping features, allowing you to create interactive designs with ease. Its seamless integration with other tools enhances the prototyping process. Penpot provides prototyping capabilities, but Sketch's advanced features make it a better choice for complex projects. If prototyping is a priority, Sketch is the preferred option.
Collaboration
Penpot shines in collaboration, offering real-time editing and feedback, making it a great choice for teams. Sketch also supports collaboration, but Penpot's open-source nature allows for more flexibility. If collaboration is key, Penpot is the better option.
Plugin Ecosystem
Sketch boasts a vast plugin ecosystem, allowing you to extend its functionality to suit your needs. This makes it highly customizable and versatile. Penpot, while offering some plugins, doesn't match Sketch's extensive library. If you rely on plugins, Sketch is the superior choice.
Cross-Platform Compatibility
Penpot is cross-platform, allowing you to work seamlessly across different operating systems. Sketch, on the other hand, is limited to macOS. If cross-platform compatibility is crucial, Penpot is the better option.
Real-Time Collaboration
Penpot excels in real-time collaboration, allowing multiple users to work on a project simultaneously. Sketch also offers real-time collaboration, but Penpot's open-source nature provides more flexibility. If real-time collaboration is essential, Penpot is the preferred choice.
Pricing Comparison of Sketch and Penpot
To assist you in making an informed choice, we’ve outlined the pricing plans and essential features of Sketch and Penpot. This comparison will highlight the best option for your design needs.
Sketch Pricing Plans
- Collaborate in real-time with team members seamlessly.
- Access unlimited free Viewers for easy sharing.
- Inspect designs, test prototypes, and handoff to developers.
- Preview designs on iPhone or iPad for mobile testing.
- Work privately offline with local document saving.
- Keep your license forever with one-time purchase.
- Receive one year of updates for the Mac app.
- Excludes collaborative features and web app access.
- Unlimited online storage for all design files.
- Invoice-based billing for streamlined financial processes.
- Powerful permissions directory for team management.
- Priority support and dedicated customer success manager.
Penpot Pricing Plans
- Unlimited designers and developers for collaborative projects.
- Hosted on penpot.app or self-host for flexibility.
- Community supported for shared knowledge and assistance.
- No hidden fees ensuring transparent usage.
- One subscription covers entire team regardless of size.
- Yearly pricing option available for cost savings.
- Hosted on penpot.app for easy access and management.
- Unlimited design power for medium-sized teams.
- Single sign-on and two-factor authentication for secure access.
- Team access controls for managing user permissions.
- Activity logs and analytics for performance tracking.
- Certified builds and enterprise plugins for custom needs.
Our Rating Methodology
We thoroughly evaluate each design tool, focusing on key aspects like functionality, ease of use, and scalability. By analyzing user feedback and testing features, we ensure our recommendations align with your needs. Each factor is weighted to provide a reliable final rating, helping you make informed decisions.
Sketch or Penpot: Which One Matches Your Business Needs?
Choose Sketch If You Need ...
- Advanced design capabilities
If you need a tool with advanced design capabilities, Sketch is the better choice. Its robust vector editing tools and extensive plugin ecosystem make it ideal for professional designers seeking comprehensive design solutions.
- User-friendly interface
If you are a beginner or small business owner looking for an easy-to-use design tool, Sketch is the preferred option. Its intuitive interface and user-friendly tools enhance productivity and streamline the design process.
Choose Penpot If You Need ...
- Cost-effective solution
If you are a budget-conscious team looking for a cost-effective design tool, Penpot is the better choice. Its open-source nature and cross-platform compatibility make it a flexible and affordable option.
- Strong collaboration features
If collaboration is a priority for your team, Penpot is the preferred option. Its real-time collaboration features and open-source flexibility make it ideal for teams seeking seamless teamwork.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which tool is better for advanced design capabilities?
Which tool offers better collaboration features?
Is Sketch available on Windows?
Is Penpot free to use?
Which tool is more cost-effective?
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Anastasia Belyh
Anastasia Belyh is a senior tech writer with over 15 years of experience in marketing, sales, and business software. Having worked in investment banking, management consulting, and founded multiple companies, her in-depth knowledge and hands-on expertise make her software reviews authoritative, trustworthy, and highly practical for business decision-makers.
