Canva vs Sketch (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of pricing, features and real-world ratings to help you choose between Canva and Sketch.
| Feature | Canva | Sketch |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Design | Design |
| Starting Price | $13/mo | $10/mo |
| Free Trial | 30-day trial | 30-day trial |
| G2 Rating | 4.7 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 |
| Best For | Freelancers | Freelancers |
| Reviews | 12,000 | 3,600 |
Key differences between Canva and Sketch
Canva offers a free plan you can start on today, while Sketch requires a paid subscription (after its 30-day trial). If budget is the deciding factor, that difference matters more than any feature.
User sentiment favors Canva: it averages 4.7/5 across 12,000 reviews versus 4.4/5 for Sketch (3,600 reviews).
Canva leans into templates and brand kit, while Sketch puts its weight behind vector editing and symbols — pick based on which of those you will actually use weekly.
🏆 Our Verdict
Canva is our overall pick, scoring 4.7/5 across 12000 reviews. That said, Sketch remains a great option if you prioritise freelancers. Read the breakdown below before you decide.
Head to head
Canva
Canva turned graphic design into a drag-and-drop commodity: hundreds of thousands of templates for social posts, decks, flyers and videos that non-designers can customize in minutes. Brand kits, background removal and a growing AI suite (Magic Studio) cover most everyday marketing needs. It is not a precision tool — pixel-level control and true design systems are out of scope — so it complements rather than replaces professional design software.
Canva
Drag-and-drop design for everyone.
Visit Canva →Pros
- ✓Super easy
- ✓Huge template library
- ✓Great free plan
Cons
- ✗Not for pixel-precise UI
- ✗Templates look samey
Sketch
Sketch is the native-Mac veteran that defined modern UI design tooling before browser-based rivals arrived. It remains fast, offline-friendly and beloved by designers who prefer a focused desktop app, with a mature plugin ecosystem filling gaps. Real-time collaboration exists but trails Figma's, and there is no Windows or Linux story, which effectively rules it out for mixed-platform teams. For Mac-only shops, its one-time license option keeps it attractive.
Sketch
The original Mac design toolkit.
Visit Sketch →Pros
- ✓Fast and native
- ✓Great plugins
- ✓One-time license option
Cons
- ✗Mac only
- ✗Collaboration limited
How we compare tools
Every comparison on SaaS Compare follows the same recipe: we aggregate verified user ratings from G2 and Capterra, track published pricing (including free plans and trial terms), and weigh the practical pros and cons reported by real users. We refresh this data on a regular schedule and never let affiliate partnerships influence a verdict — the same criteria decide every matchup, including this Canva vs Sketch comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Is Canva better than Sketch?
Based on aggregated ratings, Canva edges ahead with a 4.7/5 score. The right choice still depends on your budget and use case — Canva suits freelancers, while Sketch is strong for freelancers.
Which is cheaper, Canva or Sketch?
Canva starts at a free plan and Sketch starts at $10/mo.
Does Canva or Sketch offer a free trial?
Canva: 30-day trial. Sketch: 30-day trial.
What do users say about Canva and Sketch?
Canva averages 4.7/5 from 12,000 reviews (G2: 4.7/5, Capterra: 4.7/5). Sketch averages 4.4/5 from 3,600 reviews (G2: 4.5/5, Capterra: 4.6/5). Ratings aggregate thousands of verified users, so small gaps are meaningful at this scale.
When should I pick Sketch instead?
Despite the overall verdict, Sketch is the better fit when fast and native and great plugins matter most to your workflow, particularly for freelancers.