Figma and . Sketch: Head-to Head Comparison of Feature Comparisons

Aug 25, 2022
Two people comparing figma vs sketch

But as the industry evolved and the market grew, so did Figma which is a web-based multi-platform collaborative platform -- an original Sketch alternative. However, it is a issue of whether in a Figma against Sketch competition, which will be the winner?

There are a variety of key differences that might serve as deciding elements when deciding which one of Figma for your UI designs.

What is Figma?

The homepage for the UI-design tool Figma
Homepage of Figma

Figma lets you collaborate on design which allows you to communicate your designs to members of your team working with your team at any point. This is extremely desirable for design teams and those who need assistance in the process.

If you've ever used Sketch previously, something you'll quickly realize when checking Sketch's user interface is the fact that it's very similar to Sketch with regards to design. It was a deliberate choice which was planned by its creators. Modelling their user interface after the interface used by the industry for many years allows for a simple process of switching over.

What Is Sketch?

Sketch is an application that the majority of UI designers are aware of. It was the first to establish the gold benchmark for UI design for many years It has also opened an entire new realm of possibilities.

The homepage for the UI design tool Sketch
Sketch home page

Sketch is a native desktop program, which implies that it must be downloaded locally on your PC. Sketch doesn't require internet connection, however, it isn't accessible from anywhere, unlike a online-based application like Figma.

Sketch is an image editor that was released to the users in. It made a difference in the design field because it was specifically designed for digital design, and not prints, as it is with Photoshop.

The software is still required to be locally installed, an online application that syncs could be utilized to connect with designers.

The Principal Characteristics of Figma

Figma is a great tool with a variety of features which make it an outstanding and well-known solution within the UI design area. First, it's the only system that lets designers to share their work with colleagues and clients.

A screenshot of Figma’s collaboration feature in progress
Figma's collaboration feature in progress

The feature for collaborative sharing allows collaborators to make comments at any time notes must be made. It's integrated within the software and is free.

This is useful in working with clients since they will be able to guide your design approach. If you're taking an option that the client dislikes and isn't happy with They can identify the issue early and make note of the issue before they get overly involved and taking up time.

You can also allow developers to look at your designs and then export your assets with only one hyperlink.

It's also very straightforward to learn the basics of using Figma, thanks to several specific tutorials designed specifically to assist beginners. It takes the stress away from the learning process and helps you utilize Figma's features to its fullest from the very beginning.

The plugin library is available in Figma although it's not yet extensive. The plugin library was made available in January of 2019 and the developer community is still expanding.

Flexibility of manipulation of vectors is a extremely beneficial function of Figma. The program's vector editor is called vector networks. It is possible to use vector networks to join multiple lines at an exact place. This increases the speed of vector drawings as well as helps complete your work faster.

This feature, called component is Figma's version of the sketch signals feature. These two functions can be employed as elements able to be repeated over pages, and then edited. Figma includes a master component which is independent of. The master component is able to be altered by using the master component, cutting it up and altering it. This will update each instances of the component throughout your work.

The Key features of Sketch

Sketch has no weak spots in the area of features too and has significant features which have helped make it an indispensable element of the market for a long time.

Sketch’s real-time collaboration app launched in 2021
Sketch's collaboration software is real-time.

Figma introduced its real-time collaboration application in 2021. The relatively recent feature almost duplicates the collaboration features of Figma. But, everyone involved must pay for a subscription to Sketch and the Mac app installed on their gadgets in order to use real-time collaboration.

Sketch has a browsable version histories of its designs. It allows users to return to earlier versions in case they decide to alter their minds and choose to go back to begin with the earlier version.

Restore previous versions of your work in Sketch
Sketch lets you restore earlier versions of your design

Sketch users have the luxury of a wide selection of integration plugins from third parties which were developed over numerous years. This is a huge advantage to Sketch as compared to Figma which opened the platform to integration developers in the year 2019.

With these integrations it's clear that Sketch is an extremely adaptable platform. The Sketch plugins offer the ability to translate, prototype design handoffs and animations.

Sketch lets you manipulate vectors using linked points, also known as nodes. It also has web inspector capabilities that permit designers to see and download files.

Sketch lets you create diverse styles. It allows you to modify your design using different colors, text and an assortment of effects.

It also has a drag-and-drop interface that allows users to click and drag elements throughout the site. This makes it very easy to learn.

Pros and Cons of Utilizing Figma

The benefits of Figma

Figma is an excellent Sketch that comes with many features that makes it one of the most popular Sketch options available.

It is a user-friendly interface, and is compatible on a range of platforms. Additionally, it offers the versatility of vector manipulation as well as real-time collaboration. It allows you to collaborate in a remote group and make truly amazing UI designs.

It also has easy handoff for developers, which permits the user to move any project into the next stage in just a couple of steps.

Figma Drawbacks

Although it has many advantages however, there are a number of disadvantages associated with Figma that can't be ignored in the search for an UI creating platform.

Figma is an older software as compared with Sketch which was created in the year 2000, but it has been launching integrations and apps at the time of 2019. It has an integrated library with a limited number of features that does not compare to the tools offered by the competitors. In the course of its development, it's bound to expand which means that the drawback could turn into the advantage.

Even though the usage of Figma via the web is perfect, you'll need an internet connection to access its capabilities. This isn't an offline mode.

The advantages and disadvantages of the use of Sketch

Sketch Benefits

There are many advantages to making use of Sketch. There are many factors Sketch has been one of the most popular software for design professionals for more than an entire decade.

Integrations available for Sketch
The Sketch library contains a huge array of applications

Sketch is also equipped with an impressive variety of third-party integrations which were developed over time to give users the most customized Sketch customer experience.

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Sketch Drawbacks

There are several drawbacks with Sketch that could make potential buyers feel concern before buying.

For instance, Sketch is only available on only a Mac as well as it is only available on a Mac is therefore, if you are used to designing on your personal computer, or unable to afford the expense of purchasing an Mac laptop, Sketch won't be available. Sketch software won't be available to those who want to draw.

It's fantastic that the business is able to create an app for collaboration that is real-time however, it's just beginning its development and is limited. In time, it'll be extremely beneficial. However, at present it's much easier to collaborate with Figma.

Figma Vs Sketch The Head-to-Head Comparative of Figma and Sketch

After we've identified the primary advantages and drawbacks of Figma and Sketch and Sketch, it's time to examine comparing them side-by-side across a variety of categories.

Collaboration

For collaboration within design, Sketch only launched this ability in 2021 via the internet application. The collaborators you collaborate with require paying Sketch subscriptions. This option, like Sketch it self, can only be run on a Mac.

This cloud-based, collaborative feature functions more as an Dropbox sharing system for files.

Cost-effectiveness

Sketch's software can be broken into two distinct pricing plans.

Pricing plans for Sketch
Sketch has two different pricing plans.

Sketch Standard plan is available for purchase. Sketch Standard plan costs $9 per editor for a month. It also comes with access to unlimited views for viewers.

Pricing for the Business plan is unknown, because Sketch isn't making this details accessible to the public. In order to be eligible for the Business plan you have to be able to meet the minimal of twenty editors.

It's an annual price However, there's not a month-to-month service. This means it's going to cost a significant upfront expense.

The Sketch Sketch business plan is a the option of one sign-up with unlimited cloud storage invoicing as well as live chat technical assistance and a customer success specialist and customized security reviews and terms.

Pricing options for Figma
Figma has many different pricing options

Prices for Figma is much more transparent  and available in various pricing choices.

Figma's Starter plan is available for free charges, however, it comes with some limitations. You can only work on three Figma documents as in addition to three FigJam files.

Additionally, it includes unlimited personal files , as also collaborators. You can use templates, tools, and widgets for free. This free package even allows the usage of Figma The Figma mobile application.

The Professional package on Figma offers a rate of $11 for each editor per month when you pay annually. If you're in search of an option that is month-to-month, it's $13 per month for each editor.

When you purchase the Professional plan, you get unlimited Figma document files as well as an unlimited version history, and sharing rights. You can even make certain files private in order to restrict access to them. Additionally, you'll have access to team libraries and the ability to record audio conversations between colleagues.

The Organization Plan costs $45 for each editor each month. It only includes annual billing.

By using this program it is possible to make libraries for the entire business. Additionally, you can develop system-wide analysis, as well as perform the merging and branching.

Centralized file management as and single sign-on are part of the Organization plan. Furthermore, the billing and administration functions are combined. Additionally, it is possible to use private widgets and plugins.

Figma's most expensive plan is called the Enterprise plan. The price is $75 for each editor for the month and $5 per FigJam editor per month. This plan offers annual billing only , and provides greater control flexibility as well as enhanced security.

User-Friendliness/Getting started

Both have the exact interface, meaning that once you've learned how to use the one you prefer, it's very easy to switch between both.

Figma has tutorials on how to use and videos for instruction to help beginners get up and running quickly. Sketch has limited info guides that are available on official channels but Figma has been around for quite a while, and there's plenty on the internet.

Extensibility (Plugins and Integrations)

Figma has introduced integrations in the year 2019. Unfortunately there aren't many options that are available.

Common integration capabilities include however, they aren't only limited to:

  • Prototyping
  • Translations
  • Animations
  • Transfer of Developers' information to the developer

Features

grids and constraints are flexible and permit the creation of resizable and responsive layouts.

Sketch allows the group size, however it is limited to four choices.

Figma uses vector networks to create a better path model
Figma utilizes vector networks in order to create a better path model

The Figma vector networks are enhanced by using the path model. Lines and curvatures no longer have to form a single chain. Instead, they are able to go between two places.

Speed and Performance

Sketch is locally installed software that is designed to be installed locally on Macs. Sketch is installed directly on the Mac, so internet speeds do not affect its performance. This is why Sketch has the highest performance as well as speed. It's also capable of running even when your device is not online.

Prototyping

Figma offers additional UI triggers for creating prototypes. This trigger is:

  • Click to reveal more
  • While moving
  • On drag

Figma has a stable prototype preview that's superior to what's offered on Sketch. The program allows standard changes between the prototype screens. This includes moving in or away from the display at the discretion of you.

Figma includes the Smart Animate feature that lets users create complex animations in only a couple of mouse clicks. However, Figma doesn't include linking between pages to connect your animations.

Sketch has tools for prototyping that make the process easier. They include Mockplus Cloud, InVision Craft and Flinto.

Summary

If you are primarily working with a Mac and would prefer working offline and using the many integrated tools for the experience to be more personalized, then this is the right application for you.

If you're searching for a cost-free alternative, use your computer and need flexible collaboration tool that can make use of vector manipulation in a flexible manner, then Figma could be what you're searching for.

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