Adobe XD is a web-based, cross-platform design tool integrated into Adobe's ecosystem with real-time collaboration, while Sketch is a Mac-exclusive, file-based vector editor favored for its speed and intuitive UI. XD costs $14.99/month with cloud features; Sketch costs $120/year with no subscription required.
Sketch vs Adobe XD — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Choose Sketch if you're a Mac-based designer prioritizing speed, affordability, and a massive plugin library for specialized workflows—it remains unmatched for pure design execution on macOS. Choose Adobe XD if you need cross-platform access, advanced prototyping, native cloud collaboration, and seamless integration with Photoshop and Illustrator for a complete creative suite.
Professional vector design and prototyping platform for UI/UX designers with advanced collaboration.
Cross-platform web and desktop design tool with advanced prototyping, integrated into Creative Cloud.
Structured comparison data for Sketch vs Adobe XD with 183 attributes.
Cloud Storage Included (Free Plan/Trial)
Market Share Among UI/UX Designers (2024)
Monthly Subscription Cost (Professional Plan)
Market Share Among Professional Designers
Performance on Large Files (100+ Artboards)
Monthly Subscription Cost (Single Editor)
Total Monthly Cost (with Required Services)
Monthly Subscription Cost (Individual Plan)
Sketch vs Adobe XD — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Sketch vs Adobe XD.
Not natively. Sketch is macOS-exclusive, though Adobe launched a Sketch Web beta in 2024. Windows users must use web version (limited features) or switch to Adobe XD. This is Sketch's biggest limitation for cross-platform teams.
Is Adobe XD cheaper than Sketch long-term?
No. Sketch costs $120/year ($600 over 5 years) vs Adobe XD at $14.99/month ($897.60 over 5 years). However, XD includes Creative Cloud access to Photoshop, Illustrator, and 100GB cloud storage—if you already pay for CC, XD costs nothing extra.
Which tool is faster for large design systems?
Sketch handles performance better on files with 5,000+ artboards due to optimized caching. Adobe XD experiences slowdowns above 10,000 artboards but compensates with better cloud sync and real-time collaboration at scale.
Can both tools collaborate in real-time?
Yes, both added multiplayer in 2023-2024. Sketch allows unlimited simultaneous collaborators on shared files. Adobe XD limits free tier to 4 users but offers unlimited with team plan ($14.99/month per editor). XD's cloud-based approach syncs changes faster across networks.
Which is better for prototyping: Sketch or XD?
Adobe XD wins for prototyping with 15+ interaction triggers, voice prototyping, and state management. Sketch supports 6 basic triggers and requires plugins for complex interactions. Choose XD if prototyping is primary; Sketch if design-focused with minimal interactions.