Sketch VS Adobe Illustrator

Compare Sketch VS Adobe Illustrator and see what are their differences

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Sketch

Professional digital design for Mac.

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is a vector graphics editor.

Landing page //
2023-10-20

Landing page //
2022-04-15

Sketch

Website: sketch.com
Pricing URL: Official Sketch Pricing
Release Date: 2010 January
Startup details
Country: The Netherlands
State: Zuid-Holland
City: The Hague
Founder(s): Emanuel Sá
Employees: 10 - 19

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Adobe Illustrator

Website: adobe.com
Pricing URL: Official Adobe Illustrator Pricing
Release Date: -

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Sketch features and specs

User Interface
Sketch has a clean and intuitive user interface that is easy to navigate, which makes it accessible for both beginners and advanced users.
Design Tools
Provides robust vector editing tools and a wide range of design features, making it versatile for various kinds of digital design work.
Plugins Ecosystem
Offers a rich ecosystem of plugins that enhance functionality and can be customized to fit specific needs.
Community and Resources
There is a strong community of designers using Sketch, which means plenty of tutorials, resources, and shared assets are available.
Symbol and Reuse
Supports symbols and reusable design components, making it efficient for maintaining consistency across a design project.
Performance
Generally performs well even with complex design files, as it is optimized for the Mac environment.

Possible disadvantages of Sketch

Mac-only
Sketch is available only on macOS, limiting its accessibility to users on other platforms such as Windows or Linux.
Learning Curve
While the interface is intuitive, mastering Sketch's full suite of tools and features can still take some time.
Pricing
Sketch requires a subscription or one-time payment, which can be a consideration for freelancers or small teams with limited budgets.
Collaboration
Real-time collaboration features are not as advanced as some of its competitors, which can pose challenges for team-based projects.
Compatibility
Because it uses its own file format, working cross-platform or with non-Sketch users can present challenges, requiring conversion tools or additional steps.
Limited Prototyping
While it offers some prototyping functionality, it is not as robust as tools specifically designed for prototyping such as InVision or Figma.

Adobe Illustrator features and specs

Vector Graphics
Illustrator allows for the creation of infinitely scalable graphics without loss of quality, making it ideal for logos, icons, and other detailed illustrations.
Precision
The program offers precision drawing tools, providing exact control over shapes, lines, and text, which is essential for professional work.
Integrations
Seamlessly integrates with other Adobe Creative Cloud applications, enhancing workflow efficiency among platforms like Photoshop, InDesign, and After Effects.
Extensive Toolset
Adobe Illustrator features a vast array of tools and features that cater to various design needs, from simple sketches to complex illustrations.
Regular Updates
Adobe regularly updates Illustrator, introducing new features, improving performance, and enhancing user experience.
Industry Standard
As an industry-standard tool, Adobe Illustrator is widely recognized and used by professionals, making it an essential skill for graphic designers.

Possible disadvantages of Adobe Illustrator

Cost
Adobe Illustrator is subscription-based software, which can become costly over time, especially for hobbyists or small businesses.
Complexity
The software has a steep learning curve with many features and tools that can be overwhelming for beginners.
Performance
Illustrator can be resource-intensive, requiring a powerful computer to run smoothly, which might be a limitation for those with older hardware.
Subscription Model
The subscription-only model can be a disadvantage for users who prefer a one-time purchase rather than ongoing payments.
Limited Raster Capabilities
While excellent for vector graphics, Illustrator's capabilities for raster images are limited compared to software like Adobe Photoshop.
User Interface
New users might find the user interface to be cluttered and less intuitive, which can complicate the initial learning process.

Analysis of Sketch

Overall verdict

Sketch is highly regarded in the design community, particularly for those working on digital interfaces. While it may not have as broad a range of features as some of its competitors, its specialization in UI and UX design makes it an industry-standard tool for many professionals.

Why this product is good

Sketch is a vector graphics editor primarily used for user interface and user experience design. It is appreciated for its intuitive design, powerful features tailored for UI/UX designers, and a vibrant community with an extensive library of plugins and integrations. The software is known for its ease of use, real-time collaboration capabilities, and efficient prototyping tools, making it a go-to tool for many designers.

Recommended for

Sketch is recommended for UI/UX designers, product designers, and digital artists who focus on app and web design. It is particularly suitable for teams that require real-time collaboration and those who benefit from using a tool with a vast ecosystem of plugins that can extend its functionality.

Analysis of Adobe Illustrator

Overall verdict

Adobe Illustrator is generally regarded as one of the best vector graphic design tools available due to its extensive features, reliability, and continuous updates from Adobe. However, it may have a steep learning curve for beginners and is relatively expensive, which might be limiting for those with budget constraints.

Why this product is good

Adobe Illustrator is considered a powerful vector graphics editor widely used by professionals for creating logos, icons, drawings, typography, and complex illustrations. It offers a comprehensive set of tools and features, including precision drawing tools, advanced color management options, gradient effects, and support for large canvas sizes. It also integrates seamlessly with other Adobe products, allowing for a smooth workflow for professionals who rely on the Adobe Creative Cloud ecosystem.

Recommended for

Graphic designers focusing on vector illustrations.
Professional artists working on branding projects.
Designers who require precise and scalable graphics.
Users who need seamless integration with other Adobe Creative Cloud apps.

Sketch videos

+ Add

Sketch Review | Vikram | Tamil Talkies

Adobe Illustrator videos

+ Add

Adobe Illustrator CC 2019 NEW Features!

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Sketch and Adobe Illustrator)

Sketch

Adobe Illustrator

Design Tools

74 74%

Design Tools

26% 26

Graphic Design Software

56 56%

Graphic Design Software

44% 44

Image Editing

56 56%

Image Editing

44% 44

Prototyping

100 100%

Prototyping

0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using Sketch and Adobe Illustrator. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Sketch and Adobe Illustrator

Sketch Reviews

Top 6 Figma Alternatives: Prototyping and UI/UX Tools

Sketch offers 2 premium plans, Standard and Business, which start at $9 and $20 per month per editor, respectively, and include a 30-day free trial. The software is exclusively accessible for macOS, and there is no free tier, although students and educators can obtain it for free through the Sketch for Education initiative.

Source: fronty.com

10 Best Figma Alternatives in 2024

Sketch is another best Figmawith alternative and it is a professional digital design tool used for creating user interfaces and user experience designs. It is popular among designers for its simple interface, powerful features, and focus on vector-based design.

Source: www.geeksforgeeks.org

Top 10 Figma Alternatives for Your Design Needs | ClickUp

Sketch started out as a vector editing platform, and it still boasts options like shorthand math operators and effortless editing for multiple borders, making the design process easier.

Source: clickup.com

9 Best InVision Alternatives to Switch to in 2024

Available as a native Mac app, using design tools on Sketch is only available to iOS users. However, non-iOS fans can browse, inspect, and collaborate on designs using the web app.

Source: designmodo.com

Figma Alternatives: 12 Prototyping and Design Tools in 2024

Sketch is a popular design tool used by many freelancers due to its wide range of tools at your disposal. You can create artboards, animated interactions, and prototypes and preview them through the Sketch app on desktop and iOS devices.

Source: mockitt.wondershare.com

Adobe Illustrator Reviews

10 Best Photopea Software Alternatives in 2024 (Free & Paid)

When you want to make images, icons, illustrations, or logos, Adobe Illustrator is one of the best Photopea alternatives. It helps artists make designs, work together, and share them in various forms. It includes features like pattern creation, perspective drawing, and the ability to turn sketches into polished designs.

Source: www.geeksforgeeks.org

10 Best Adobe Illustrator Alternatives

Adobe is without a doubt the industry standard for graphic design, and Adobe Illustrator is one of the most popular.

Source: www.ebaqdesign.com

6 Best Free Adobe Illustrator Alternatives For Designers

Adobe Illustrator has been the best friend for many graphics designers while creating vector graphics. But as it is an expensive tool, designers usually look for less expensive or free alternatives especially when their needs are simple. Thus, hereby presenting before you the best free Adobe Illustrator alternatives that can prove as brilliant picks especially when you have...

Source: wethegeek.com

The best free Adobe Illustrator vector alternatives in 2022

The best vector editor overall is Adobe Illustrator CC (opens in new tab) If you're a professional designer or illustrator, there's no beating the industry standard vector editing software. Adobe Illustrator is available as a standalone app, or as part of the Creative Cloud suite along with Photoshop, Lightroom and much more. Whether you're creating app icons or billboards,...

Source: www.techradar.com

10 Best Procreate Alternatives For Windows & Mac [Top Picks]

The best vector and graphic designing software and the best Procreate alternatives for Windows is hands down, Adobe Illustrator. This is the most well known and most used software in the designing arena. It has an impressive collection of colors and gradients along with some designing tools, typographies, and other advanced tools and features up on its sleeves.

Source: fixingport.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Sketch seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 3 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Sketch mentions (3)

How to make a Portfolio!?
Start by building the PDF version, as that's easier. I use Sketch (sketch.com) for designing layout. Source: over 2 years ago
TurboPad Vector Illustration
This TG-16 controller was originally drawn in Fireworks CS4 waaaaaay back in the day, but I re-drew it by hand using simple shapes and effects in Sketch and Figma. Source: over 2 years ago
Starting off as a UI/UX Designer.
Every designer has to choose their preferred design tool where they can implement their prototypes.Try Figma, Sketchand Adobe XD. These are the main tools, try each and find your favorite, as for me I love Figma(Very good in collaboration). - Source: dev.to / over 3 years ago