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Research · head to head

NVivo vs Sketch

NVivo logo

NVivo

Research

Easy-to-use, collaborative qualitative analysis software

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Sketch logo

Sketch

Technology

The digital design toolkit

From
$12/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: NVivo student licenses are restricted to 12 months of access for one named user; Sketch macOS-only for editing, blocking Windows and Linux users from accessing design features

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which NVivo and Sketch actually diverge.

Attributes where NVivo and Sketch differ
AttributeNVivoSketch
Starting priceOn request$12/month
Pricing modelquoteUnknown
PlatformsWebmacOS, Web, iOS, iPad
CategoryResearchTechnology
FoundedUnknown2010

Identical on both: free tier (No), 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 NVivo

Nothing recorded that Sketch does not also cover.

Only in Sketch

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

What people use each for

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

NVivo

No use cases recorded yet. See the NVivo review.

Sketch

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

Where each one falls short

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

NVivo

  • Student licenses are restricted to 12 months of access for one named user
  • Orders of ten or more licenses are not sold online and require contacting Lumivero for a quote

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

NVivo

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the NVivo 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 NVivo if

Nothing in the data separates NVivo from Sketch on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

NVivo 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 NVivo or Sketch better?
Neither clearly leads. NVivo starts at On request and Sketch at $12/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, NVivo or Sketch?
NVivo starts at On request and Sketch at $12/month.
Does NVivo or Sketch run on more platforms?
NVivo runs on Web. Sketch runs on macOS, Web, iOS, iPad.
What can NVivo do that Sketch cannot?
Sketch covers Vector editing, Symbols & components, Prototyping, Real-time collaboration.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
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
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
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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Related pages

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