Sketch vs Adobe XD (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of pricing, features and real-world ratings to help you choose between Sketch and Adobe XD.
| Feature | Sketch | Adobe XD |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Design | Design |
| Starting Price | $10/mo | $10/mo |
| Free Trial | 30-day trial | 7-day trial |
| G2 Rating | 4.5 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 |
| Best For | Freelancers | Agencies |
| Reviews | 3,600 | 5,100 |
Key differences between Sketch and Adobe XD
User sentiment favors Sketch: it averages 4.4/5 across 3,600 reviews versus 4.3/5 for Adobe XD (5,100 reviews).
Sketch leans into vector editing and symbols, while Adobe XD puts its weight behind design & prototype and auto-animate — pick based on which of those you will actually use weekly.
Their sweet spots differ: Sketch is strongest for freelancers, whereas Adobe XD is built with agencies in mind.
🏆 Our Verdict
Sketch is our overall pick, scoring 4.4/5 across 3600 reviews. That said, Adobe XD remains a great option if you prioritise agencies. Read the breakdown below before you decide.
Head to head
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
Adobe XD
Adobe XD offers capable UI design and prototyping — auto-animate transitions, components, voice prototyping — inside the Creative Cloud ecosystem designers already pay for. That integration with Photoshop and Illustrator assets remains its clearest advantage. Adobe has visibly slowed XD's development since the Figma acquisition attempt, and the community has largely migrated; teams choosing it today should weigh that trajectory against the convenience of the CC bundle.
Adobe XD
UI/UX design within the Adobe ecosystem.
Visit Adobe XD →Pros
- ✓Adobe integration
- ✓Solid prototyping
- ✓Familiar UI
Cons
- ✗Development slowing
- ✗Smaller community
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 Sketch vs Adobe XD comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sketch better than Adobe XD?
Based on aggregated ratings, Sketch edges ahead with a 4.4/5 score. The right choice still depends on your budget and use case — Sketch suits freelancers, while Adobe XD is strong for agencies.
Which is cheaper, Sketch or Adobe XD?
Sketch starts at $10/mo and Adobe XD starts at $10/mo.
Does Sketch or Adobe XD offer a free trial?
Sketch: 30-day trial. Adobe XD: 7-day trial.
What do users say about Sketch and Adobe XD?
Sketch averages 4.4/5 from 3,600 reviews (G2: 4.5/5, Capterra: 4.6/5). Adobe XD averages 4.3/5 from 5,100 reviews (G2: 4.3/5, Capterra: 4.5/5). Ratings aggregate thousands of verified users, so small gaps are meaningful at this scale.
When should I pick Adobe XD instead?
Despite the overall verdict, Adobe XD is the better fit when adobe integration and solid prototyping matter most to your workflow, particularly for agencies.