Sketch

Sketch is a vector-based UI design tool for macOS that defined the modern workflow for designing digital interfaces before Figma arrived. Launched in 2010 by Bohemian Coding, Sketch quickly became the industry standard for iOS and web UI design, popularizing the concept of symbols (reusable components), artboards, and plugin ecosystems for design tools. The app pioneered the handoff workflow with features like Inspect and integration with tools like Zeplin and Avocode. Sketch operates on a subscription model at $12/month per editor, with unlimited free viewer seats, and remains Mac-only — a deliberate constraint that allows tight system integration and performance. While Figma's collaborative browser-based approach has taken significant market share, Sketch retains a loyal user base among Mac-focused designers, agencies, and teams that prefer desktop performance over real-time collaboration. In 2021, Sketch launched web-based collaboration features allowing non-Mac users to comment and inspect designs via browser. The platform has a robust plugin ecosystem with 800+ community plugins and integrations with Zeplin, Abstract, and InVision.