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Software · head to head

Lunacy vs Sketch

Lunacy logo

Lunacy

Software

Free design software that keeps your flow

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Sketch logo

Sketch

Software

The digital design toolkit

From
$12/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Lunacy has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Lunacy desktop application only, not cloud-based like Figma, limiting accessibility across different computers; Sketch macOS-only for editing, blocking Windows and Linux users from accessing design features
  • They diverge on capability: Lunacy covers Auto layouts, Sketch covers Symbols & components.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Lunacy and Sketch actually diverge.

Attributes where Lunacy and Sketch differ
AttributeLunacySketch
Starting priceFree$12/month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, macOS, LinuxmacOS, Web, iOS, iPad
Founded20162010

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 Lunacy

  • Auto layouts
  • Components
  • Built-in photos & icons
  • AI background remover
  • AI upscaler
  • Sketch file support
  • Sketch files
  • Figma import

Only in Sketch

  • Symbols & components
  • Prototyping
  • Developer handoff
  • Plugins ecosystem
  • Version history
  • InVision
  • Principle
  • Framer

Both cover

  • Vector editing
  • Real-time collaboration
  • Cloud sync

What people use each for

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

Lunacy

  • UI/UX designnot Sketch
  • Web design
  • Mobile app design
  • Icon designnot Sketch
  • Marketing graphicsnot Sketch

Sketch

  • UI designnot Lunacy
  • Mobile app design
  • Web design
  • Design systemsnot Lunacy
  • Prototypingnot Lunacy

Both are used for web design, mobile app design, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.

Where each one falls short

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

Lunacy

  • Desktop application only, not cloud-based like Figma, limiting accessibility across different computers
  • Animation capabilities are basic, lacking timeline-based animation editing or spring physics available in modern design tools
  • Paid collaboration features, unlike Figma's free cloud-based team collaboration

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

Lunacy

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Lunacy review.

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 Lunacy if

  • You need auto layouts.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want components.
Lunacy review

Choose Sketch if

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

Questions people ask

Is Lunacy or Sketch better?
Neither clearly leads. Lunacy 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, Lunacy or Sketch?
Lunacy has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Lunacy and $12/month for Sketch.
Does Lunacy or Sketch run on more platforms?
Lunacy runs on Windows, macOS, Linux. Sketch runs on macOS, Web, iOS, iPad.
Can I use Lunacy for free?
Yes. Lunacy has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Sketch starts at $12/month.
What is Lunacy best used for?
Lunacy is most often used for ui/ux design, web design, mobile app design, icon design. Of those, ui/ux design and icon design are not what Sketch is typically brought in for.
What can Lunacy do that Sketch cannot?
Lunacy covers Auto layouts, Components, Built-in photos & icons, AI background remover. Sketch covers Symbols & components, Prototyping, Developer handoff, Plugins ecosystem. Both handle Vector editing, Real-time collaboration, Cloud sync.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Lunacy: Is Lunacy free to use?

Yes. Lunacy is absolutely free for personal and commercial use. There is no subscription required or trial period limitation.

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
Lunacy: Can Lunacy open and work with Sketch files?

Yes. Lunacy has smooth integration with Sketch files, allowing designers to import and collaborate on Sketch projects without requiring a Sketch subscription.

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
Lunacy: Does Lunacy require internet connection to work?

No. Lunacy can work offline, allowing designers to work without an internet connection. It is a desktop application that runs locally on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

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
Lunacy: What are Lunacy's hardware requirements?

Lunacy is not demanding on hardware and runs smoothly even on moderate laptops. It has minimal system requirements compared to resource-intensive design tools.

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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