Adobe XD is a cloud-native design platform with superior collaboration tools and Windows support, while Sketch is a lightweight, Mac-exclusive vector editor with a stronger plugin ecosystem and lower learning curve for UI/UX designers.
Adobe XD vs Sketch — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Choose Adobe XD if you need cross-platform support, built-in real-time collaboration, advanced prototyping, and deep integration with Creative Cloud for teams needing seamless handoff to developers and designers. Choose Sketch if you're a Mac-exclusive team seeking a more affordable, lightweight solution with a mature plugin ecosystem and prefer simplicity over feature depth.
Cross-platform web and desktop design tool with advanced prototyping, integrated into Creative Cloud.
Professional vector design and prototyping platform for UI/UX designers with advanced collaboration.
Structured comparison data for Adobe XD vs Sketch with 183 attributes.
Monthly Subscription Cost (Single Editor)
Cloud Storage Included (Free Plan/Trial)
Market Share Among UI/UX Designers (2024)
Total Monthly Cost (with Required Services)
Performance on Large Files (100+ Artboards)
Monthly Subscription Cost (Individual Plan)
Monthly Subscription Cost (Professional Plan)
Market Share Among Professional Designers
Adobe XD vs Sketch — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Adobe XD vs Sketch.
No, Sketch is macOS-exclusive (Intel and Apple Silicon). Windows users must use Adobe XD, Figma (web-based), or other alternatives like Penpot.
Which tool is better for real-time team collaboration?
Adobe XD has native unlimited co-editing built-in. Sketch requires purchasing the Sketch Cloud add-on ($40/month for teams) or syncing via third-party cloud storage like Dropbox, making XD the better choice for distributed teams.
Can I create interactive prototypes in Sketch?
Sketch has basic clickable prototyping, but advanced interactions (animations, conditional states, voice triggers) require third-party plugins like Overflow ($12/month) or Framer ($20/month), adding cost. Adobe XD includes this natively.
Is Sketch or XD better for design systems and components?
Adobe XD edges ahead with native component versioning and library sync across files and cloud. Sketch's component system is solid but requires manual updates. Both support shared libraries; XD's approach is more automated.
What's the total cost of ownership for a team of 10 designers?
Adobe XD: $1,499/year (10 × $14.99/month × 12). Sketch: $1,440/year (10 × $12/month annual), plus $480/year for Sketch Cloud collaboration = $1,920 total. XD is cheaper if collaboration is required.