Softwr

Design · head to head

Canva vs Sketch

Canva logo

Canva

Design

Design anything. Publish anywhere.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Sketch logo

Sketch

Technology

The digital design toolkit

From
$12/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Canva has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Canva requires active internet connection, no offline editing capability; Sketch macOS-only for editing, blocking Windows and Linux users from accessing design features
  • They diverge on capability: Canva covers Drag-and-drop editor, Sketch covers Vector editing.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Canva and Sketch actually diverge.

Attributes where Canva and Sketch differ
AttributeCanvaSketch
Starting priceFree$12/month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidmacOS, Web, iOS, iPad
CategoryDesignTechnology
Founded20132010

Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Canva

  • Drag-and-drop editor
  • Templates library
  • Stock photos & elements
  • Text effects
  • Animation
  • Collaboration
  • Brand kit
  • Resize tool

Only in Sketch

  • Vector editing
  • Symbols & components
  • Prototyping
  • Real-time collaboration
  • Developer handoff
  • Plugins ecosystem
  • Cloud sync
  • Version history

Both cover

  • 2FA

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Canva

  • Social media graphicsnot Sketch
  • Presentationsnot Sketch
  • Marketing materialsnot Sketch
  • Documentsnot Sketch
  • Video editingnot Sketch

Sketch

  • UI designnot Canva
  • Mobile app designnot Canva
  • Web designnot Canva
  • Design systemsnot Canva
  • Prototypingnot Canva

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Canva

  • Requires active internet connection, no offline editing capability
  • No vector pen tool or advanced vector editing features
  • No CMYK color management or print-ready bleed controls
  • Cannot export to PSD (Photoshop) or AI (Illustrator) formats
  • Large user base means many templates see repeated use, reducing design uniqueness

Sketch

  • macOS-only for editing, blocking Windows and Linux users from accessing design features
  • Real-time collaboration feels less seamless than Figma with occasional sync delays
  • Limited built-in image editing capabilities, requiring external software for bitmap work
  • Subscription required for cloud features and collaboration, losing access if subscription lapses

Pricing, plan by plan

Canva

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 1.6M+ templates
    • 5GB storage
    • 50 AI credits/month
  • Pro$18/month
    • 141M+ premium assets
    • Magic Studio
    • 500 AI credits/month
  • Business$25/user-month
    • Unlimited brand kits
    • Team collaboration

Sketch

$12/month
  • Standard$12/month
    • Real-time collaboration
    • Unlimited documents
    • Unlimited free viewers
  • Professional$24/month
    • Everything in Standard
    • Single Sign-On (SSO)
    • Project archiving
  • Enterprise$44/month
    • Everything in Professional
    • SCIM provisioning
    • BYOK encryption
  • Mac-only License$120/perpetual
    • Native Mac app
    • Offline access
    • Local file saving

Which should you pick?

Choose Canva if

  • You need drag-and-drop editor.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want templates library.
Canva review

Choose Sketch if

  • You need vector editing.
  • You work on macOS, Web, iOS, iPad.
  • You also want symbols & components.
Sketch review

Questions people ask

Is Canva or Sketch better?
Neither clearly leads. Canva starts at Free and Sketch at $12/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Canva or Sketch?
Canva has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Canva and $12/month for Sketch.
Does Canva or Sketch run on more platforms?
Canva runs on Web, iOS, Android. Sketch runs on macOS, Web, iOS, iPad.
Can I use Canva for free?
Yes. Canva has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Sketch starts at $12/month.
What is Canva best used for?
Canva is most often used for social media graphics, presentations, marketing materials, documents. Of those, social media graphics and presentations are not what Sketch is typically brought in for.
What can Canva do that Sketch cannot?
Canva covers Drag-and-drop editor, Templates library, Stock photos & elements, Text effects. Sketch covers Vector editing, Symbols & components, Prototyping, Real-time collaboration. Both handle 2FA.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Canva: Is Canva really free?

Yes. The free plan is permanent with no trial or credit card required. It includes 1.6M+ templates, 5GB storage, 50 Magic Studio AI credits/month, and basic collaboration.

Source
Sketch: Is Sketch available for Windows or Linux?

No. Sketch is macOS-only for the design and prototyping features. Web and mobile apps provide viewing and collaboration, but editing requires macOS 14.0 or later.

Source
Canva: What requires internet connection?

Canva is web-based and requires an active internet connection to use. It cannot be used offline and may experience slowness or freezing on poor connections.

Source
Sketch: Does Sketch offer a free trial?

Yes. Sketch provides a 30-day free trial with no credit card required. You can also purchase a one-time Mac-only license for $120 per seat instead of subscribing.

Source
Canva: Can I export to professional formats like PSD or AI?

No. Canva does not support export to Adobe PSD or Illustrator AI formats. Export options are limited to PNG, PDF, MP4, and other basic formats.

Source
Sketch: What collaboration features does Sketch include?

Sketch supports real-time collaboration, unlimited document sharing, unlimited viewers, and version history on all paid subscription plans (Standard $12/month, Professional $24/month, Enterprise $44/month).

Source
Canva: How many AI credits do I get?

Free tier includes 50 Magic Studio credits per month for AI image generation, copywriting, and background removal. Pro and higher tiers get 500 credits/month.

Source
Sketch: Can I use Sketch offline?

Yes. The one-time Mac-only license ($120) allows you to use Sketch offline and save files locally, but it excludes cloud collaboration and iOS previewing features.

Source
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