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Sketch vs Penpot
Sketch vs Penpot
A side-by-side look at Sketch (the paid SaaS) and Penpot (the open source alternative). Use this page to decide if the switch fits your team and workflow.
| Sketch | Penpot | |
|---|---|---|
| Tagline | Mac-first interface design tool. | Open source Figma alternative for design-dev collaboration. |
| License | Proprietary SaaS | MPL-2.0 |
| Pricing | Standard from $10/editor/month. | Free to self-host · optional paid hosted plan |
| Self-host option | No | Yes — difficulty 3/5 |
| Hosted cloud available | Yes (only option) | Yes |
| Desktop apps | Varies by product | Web only |
| Mobile apps | Official apps typically available | None official |
Ad slot — between tables
Best for
The open source interface design tool — SVG-native.
Penpot strengths
- Strong Figma-like UX with design tokens.
- SVG-native — developer-friendly exports.
- Self-hostable for confidential work.
Penpot weaknesses
- Plugin ecosystem is newer.
- Performance on very large files lags Figma.
- Collaboration UX still maturing.
What's the catch with Sketch?
- Mac-only desktop app.
- Collaboration lags behind Figma.
- Subscription shift disappointed long-time buyers.
Still unsure?
Check the full list of alternatives to Sketch: see Sketch alternatives, or learn more about Penpot on its project page.