Sketch vs Penpot: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Sketch and Penpot 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:
Sketch
Mac UI/UX design with real-time collaboration
Best for you if:
- • You want native Mac performance
- • You want great ecosystem
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
| At a Glance | Sketch | Penpot |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $12/moStandard | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | UI/UX Design | UI/UX Design |
Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.5/5 |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Choose Sketch or Penpot?
Choose Sketch if
Mac UI/UX design with real-time collaboration
- You want native Mac performance
- You want great ecosystem
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
| Feature | Sketch | Penpot |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Free |
| User Rating | ★4.3/5 2,044 reviews | ★4.5/5 12 reviews |
| Categories | UI/UX DesignPrototyping | UI/UX DesignPrototyping |
In-Depth Analysis
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
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
Pricing: Sketch vs Penpot
| Plan | Sketch | Penpot |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $12/editor Standard | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | $24/editor Business | N/A |
| Tier 3 | $44/editor Enterprise | N/A |
| Tier 4 | $120 one-time Mac-only License | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Sketch pricing and Penpot pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Penpot is free. Sketch is paid.
Go with: Penpot
Want the highest-rated option?
Sketch: 4.3/5 (2,044 reviews). Penpot: 4.5/5 (12 reviews).
Go with: Penpot
Value user reviews?
Sketch: 2,044 reviews (4.3/5). Penpot: 12 reviews (4.5/5).
Go with: Sketch
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Sketch is paid. Penpot is free. 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 Sketch or Penpot better?
Sketch is rated in our evaluation. Sketch is paid and Penpot is free.
What are Sketch and Penpot used for?
Sketch: Mac UI/UX design with real-time collaboration. Penpot: Open-source design and prototyping, collaboratively in the browser.
What does Sketch cost vs Penpot?
Sketch is a paid tool. Penpot is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.