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Postgres vs Sketch

Postgres logo

Postgres

Technology

The world's most advanced open source database

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Sketch logo

Sketch

Technology

The digital design toolkit

From
$12/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Postgres has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Postgres each major version is supported for only 5 years after its initial release, after which it is end-of-life; Sketch macOS-only for editing, blocking Windows and Linux users from accessing design features
  • They diverge on capability: Postgres covers ACID compliance, Sketch covers Vector editing.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Postgres and Sketch actually diverge.

Attributes where Postgres and Sketch differ
AttributePostgresSketch
Starting priceFree$12/month
Pricing modelopen-sourceUnknown
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsLinux, Windows, Macos, DockermacOS, Web, iOS, iPad
Founded19962010

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Technology).

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 Postgres

  • ACID compliance
  • Complex queries
  • Foreign keys
  • Triggers
  • Views
  • Stored procedures
  • JSON/JSONB support
  • Full-text search

Only in Sketch

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

Both cover

  • SSL
  • Encryption

What people use each for

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

Postgres

  • Running a general purpose relational database for applicationsnot Sketch
  • Self-hosting an open source SQL database with no licence feenot Sketch
  • Workloads needing extensions, JSON and full text search in one enginenot Sketch

Sketch

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

Where each one falls short

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

Postgres

  • Each major version is supported for only 5 years after its initial release, after which it is end-of-life
  • Major version upgrades break on-disk compatibility and require a full dump and reload or the pg_upgrade tool
  • New major versions ship about once a year, so staying supported means a disruptive upgrade cycle
  • Minor releases contain only frequently-encountered bug fixes, low-risk fixes, security issues and data corruption fixes, so feature gaps are not addressed within a major version
  • There is no vendor SLA; commercial support must be bought separately from third party professional services listed by the project

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

Postgres

Free
  • Community EditionFree
    • Full database features
    • No limitations
    • Community support

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 Postgres if

  • You need acid compliance.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Windows, Macos, Docker.
  • You also want complex queries.
Postgres 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 Postgres or Sketch better?
Neither clearly leads. Postgres 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, Postgres or Sketch?
Postgres has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Postgres and $12/month for Sketch.
Does Postgres or Sketch run on more platforms?
Postgres runs on Linux, Windows, Macos, Docker. Sketch runs on macOS, Web, iOS, iPad.
Can I use Postgres for free?
Yes. Postgres has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Sketch starts at $12/month.
What is Postgres best used for?
Postgres is most often used for running a general purpose relational database for applications, self-hosting an open source sql database with no licence fee, workloads needing extensions, json and full text search in one engine. Of those, running a general purpose relational database for applications and self-hosting an open source sql database with no licence fee are not what Sketch is typically brought in for.
What can Postgres do that Sketch cannot?
Postgres covers ACID compliance, Complex queries, Foreign keys, Triggers. Sketch covers Vector editing, Symbols & components, Prototyping, Real-time collaboration. Both handle SSL, Encryption.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Postgres: How much does PostgreSQL cost to use?

PostgreSQL is completely free to download, install, and use. No licensing fees, subscription costs, or per-seat charges apply. The database is open source under the PostgreSQL License. Source: https://www.postgresql.org

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
Postgres: Are there commercial PostgreSQL support options available?

Official PostgreSQL (the project) is free. Commercial PostgreSQL services such as hosting, professional support, training, and managed database services are offered by third-party vendors, not the PostgreSQL project itself. Source: https://www.postgresql.org

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
Postgres: Do I need a license to use PostgreSQL commercially?

No. PostgreSQL is open source under the PostgreSQL License, which permits free commercial use without royalties, licensing fees, or support obligations. Source: https://www.postgresql.org

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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