Adobe XD vs Sketch - Detailed Comparison 2026
An in-depth, side-by-side comparison covering features, pricing, pros, cons, and use cases to help you choose the right tool.
Our Verdict: Adobe XD vs Sketch
Sketch holds a slight edge in user satisfaction with a rating of 4.3/5 compared to Adobe XD's 4.1/5. When it comes to features, Adobe XD offers 6 capabilities while Sketch provides 6, with both sharing core functionality like Prototyping. Adobe XD differentiates with Vector Design and Auto Animate, while Sketch stands out with Vector Editing and Symbols. On pricing, Adobe XD is the more budget-friendly option at $9.99/month compared to Sketch at $10/month.
At a Glance
Full Side-by-Side Comparison
| Criteria | Adobe XD | Sketch |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.1/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Starting Price | $[object Object] | $[object Object] |
| Free Tier | No | No |
| AI-Powered | No | No |
| Platforms | mac, windows | mac, web |
| Founded | 2016 | 2010 |
| Company Size | 1000+ | 51-200 |
| Integrations | 5+ | 3+ |
| Affiliate Program | Yes | No |
| Auto Animate | ✓ | ✗ |
| Coediting | ✓ | ✗ |
| Collaboration | ✗ | ✓ |
| Components | ✓ | ✗ |
| Design Tokens | ✗ | ✓ |
| Plugins | ✗ | ✓ |
| Prototyping | ✓ | ✓ |
| Repeat Grid | ✓ | ✗ |
| Symbols | ✗ | ✓ |
| Vector Design | ✓ | ✗ |
| Vector Editing | ✗ | ✓ |
Pricing: Adobe XD vs Sketch
Adobe XD Pricing
Subscription
$[object Object]
Billed monthly
Adobe XD uses a subscription pricing model starting at $9.99/month. No free tier is offered.
Sketch Pricing
Subscription
$[object Object]
Billed monthly
Sketch uses a subscription pricing model starting at $10/month. No free tier is offered.
Pros and Cons
Adobe XD Pros
- Tight integration with Adobe Creative Cloud apps
- Auto-Animate provides smooth timeline prototyping
- Voice Prototyping is uniquely capable for voice UI
- Repeat Grid speeds up list and gallery design
- Familiar to designers already in the Adobe ecosystem
Adobe XD Cons
- Adobe has effectively discontinued standalone sales
- Lost market share decisively to Figma
- Update cadence has slowed dramatically
- Collaboration features lag Figma significantly
Sketch Pros
- Native macOS performance is faster than browser tools
- Flexible pricing - one-time or subscription options
- Strong Symbol-based design system support
- Designer-first culture and clean UI
- Massive plugin library extends functionality
Sketch Cons
- Mac-only excludes Windows and Linux teammates
- Real-time collaboration trails Figma significantly
- Lost most enterprise market share to Figma
- Smaller community and learning resources today
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose Adobe XD if...
Best for: Adobe XD is best for individual designers already deep in the Adobe Creative Cloud ecosystem who don't need real-time team collaboration. New teams should generally choose Figma instead.
- You need Ui Design
- You need Prototyping
- You need Wireframing
Ideal for: individual, smb, enterprise
Industries: design, technology, agencies
Choose Sketch if...
Best for: Sketch is best for solo designers and small Mac-based teams who value native performance and one-time licensing. Teams with mixed-OS stakeholders should choose Figma instead.
- You need Ui Design
- You need Icon Design
- You need Design Systems
Ideal for: individual, smb
Industries: design, technology
Platform Availability
Adobe XD
Available on Mac and Windows.
Sketch
Available on Mac and Web. Desktop apps are offered but no dedicated mobile apps are currently available.
Get Started with Adobe XD
UI/UX design and prototyping tool by Adobe
Earn 85% first month commission
Visit Adobe XDBecome a Reseller
Interested in reselling Adobe XD? These tools offer reseller programs for agencies and consultants.
Adobe XD Reseller Info