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Software · head to head

Framer vs Sketch

Framer logo

Framer

Software

Design and publish stunning sites

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Sketch logo

Sketch

Software

The digital design toolkit

From
$12/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Framer has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Framer free tier limited to 500 credits and 1 GB bandwidth; Sketch macOS-only for editing, blocking Windows and Linux users from accessing design features
  • They diverge on capability: Framer covers Visual design editor, Sketch covers Vector editing.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Framer and Sketch actually diverge.

Attributes where Framer and Sketch differ
AttributeFramerSketch
Starting priceFree$12/month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, MacosmacOS, Web, iOS, iPad
Founded20132010

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

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 Framer

  • Visual design editor
  • Interactive components
  • Responsive design
  • CMS integration
  • SEO optimization
  • Custom code
  • Team collaboration
  • Version control

Only in Sketch

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

Both cover

  • SSL

What people use each for

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

Framer

  • Marketing websitesnot Sketch
  • Landing pagesnot Sketch
  • Portfoliosnot Sketch
  • SaaS productsnot Sketch
  • E-commerce sitesnot Sketch

Sketch

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

Where each one falls short

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

Framer

  • Free tier limited to 500 credits and 1 GB bandwidth
  • CMS collections capped at 10 on Pro tier; unlimited only on Enterprise
  • Free tier does not include custom domain support
  • Paid editor slots cost extra at $20/month per additional editor

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

Framer

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 500 credits
    • Free Framer domain
    • 1 GB bandwidth
  • Basic$10/month
    • Custom domain
    • 2 CMS collections
    • 50 GB bandwidth
  • Pro$30/month
    • All Basic features
    • 10 CMS collections
    • 100 GB bandwidth
  • Enterprise$null/custom
    • Custom limits
    • Unlimited editors
    • 99.99% uptime guarantee

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 Framer if

  • You need visual design editor.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Macos.
  • You also want interactive components.
Framer 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 Framer or Sketch better?
Neither clearly leads. Framer 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, Framer or Sketch?
Framer has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Framer and $12/month for Sketch.
Does Framer or Sketch run on more platforms?
Framer runs on Web, Macos. Sketch runs on macOS, Web, iOS, iPad.
Can I use Framer for free?
Yes. Framer has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Sketch starts at $12/month.
What is Framer best used for?
Framer is most often used for marketing websites, landing pages, portfolios, saas products. Of those, marketing websites and landing pages are not what Sketch is typically brought in for.
What can Framer do that Sketch cannot?
Framer covers Visual design editor, Interactive components, Responsive design, CMS integration. Sketch covers Vector editing, Symbols & components, Prototyping, Real-time collaboration. Both handle SSL.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Framer: What's included in Framer's free tier?

The Free plan provides 500 credits to try the platform, a free Framer domain, and 1 GB bandwidth for exploring the builder.

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
Framer: Can I use my own custom domain with Framer?

Custom domains are included in Basic ($10/month) and higher plans. Free tier is limited to a free Framer domain.

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
Framer: What AI features does Framer offer?

Framer includes an AI design agent that works on the canvas to generate and refine designs in real-time, plus a CMS agent for managing content directly on the canvas.

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
Framer: How many CMS collections can I create on different plans?

Basic ($10/month) includes 2 CMS collections, Pro ($30/month) includes 10 CMS collections. Enterprise plans offer custom limits.

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
Framer: Does Framer support staging environments and previews?

Staging environments and branching with previews are included on the Pro plan ($30/month). Standard plan includes published-only access.

Source
Framer: What uptime guarantee does Framer provide?

Framer offers 99.99% uptime guarantee on paid plans. Enterprise plans include dedicated support and custom SLAs.

Source
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