Penpot vs Sketch: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Penpot and Sketch comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Sketch wins this matchup. Our overall UI/UX Design pick is Canva. Our free UI/UX Design pick is Babel. Pick Penpot if you need a fully free option.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Penpot
Open-source design and prototyping, collaboratively in the browser
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Sketch requires payment)
- • You want free and open source
- • You want self-hostable
Sketch
Mac UI/UX design with real-time collaboration
Best for you if:
- • You want native Mac performance
- • You want great ecosystem
| At a Glance | Penpot | Sketch |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | $12/moStandard |
Best For | UI/UX Design | UI/UX Design |
Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.3/5 |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Choose Penpot or Sketch?
Choose Penpot if
Open-source design and prototyping, collaboratively in the browser
- You want a fully free tool (Sketch requires payment)
- You want free and open source
- You want self-hostable
Choose Sketch if
Mac UI/UX design with real-time collaboration
- You want native Mac performance
- You want great ecosystem
| Feature | Penpot | Sketch |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.5/5 12 reviews | ★4.3/5 2,044 reviews |
| Categories | UI/UX DesignPrototyping | UI/UX DesignPrototyping |
In-Depth Analysis
Penpot
Open-source design and prototyping, collaboratively in the browser
Penpot's pricing is exceptionally generous, as it offers a fully-featured, open-source design platform completely free of charge.
Watch out
Support might require community engagement or custom development.
Strengths
- +Free and open source
- +Self-hostable
- +SVG native
Weaknesses
- -Fewer features
- -Smaller community
Key features
Sketch
Mac UI/UX design with real-time collaboration
Sketch's pricing is fair for collaborative teams, with the Standard tier at $12/editor/month offering good value for core features.
Watch out
Business/Enterprise tiers require minimum editors
Strengths
- +Native Mac performance
- +Great ecosystem
- +Design tokens
Weaknesses
- -Mac only
- -No real-time collab
Key features
Pricing: Penpot vs Sketch
| Plan | Penpot | Sketch |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | $12/editor Standard |
| Tier 2 | N/A | $24/editor Business |
| Tier 3 | N/A | $44/editor Enterprise |
| Tier 4 | N/A | $120 one-time Mac-only License |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Penpot pricing and Sketch pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Penpot is free. Sketch is paid.
Go with: Penpot
Want the highest-rated option?
Penpot: 4.5/5 (12 reviews). Sketch: 4.3/5 (2,044 reviews).
Go with: Penpot
Value user reviews?
Penpot: 12 reviews (4.5/5). Sketch: 2,044 reviews (4.3/5).
Go with: Sketch
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Penpot is free. Sketch is paid. Go with Penpot if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are ui/ux design tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Penpot is rated higher: 4.5/5 vs 4.3/5.
Key Takeaways
Sketch
- Larger review base (2,044 reviews)
- Our pick for this comparison
Penpot
- Completely free
- Higher user rating: 4.5/5 vs 4.3/5
The Bottom Line
Sketch wins this matchup. Our overall UI/UX Design pick is Canva. Our free UI/UX Design pick is Babel. That said, Penpot is free, hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Penpot or Sketch better?
Sketch is rated in our evaluation. Penpot is free and Sketch is paid.
What are Penpot and Sketch used for?
Penpot: Open-source design and prototyping, collaboratively in the browser. Sketch: Mac UI/UX design with real-time collaboration.
What does Penpot cost vs Sketch?
Penpot is completely free. Sketch is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.