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Software · head to head

Redash vs Sketch

Redash logo

Redash

Software

Connect and visualize your data

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Sketch logo

Sketch

Software

The digital design toolkit

From
$12/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Redash has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Redash a basic self-hosted deployment needs a minimum of 4GB of RAM, and more RAM and CPU as background workers and API processes grow; Sketch macOS-only for editing, blocking Windows and Linux users from accessing design features
  • They diverge on capability: Redash covers SQL Query Editor, Sketch covers Vector editing.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Redash and Sketch actually diverge.

Attributes where Redash and Sketch differ
AttributeRedashSketch
Starting priceFree$12/month
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Self-hosted, CloudmacOS, Web, iOS, iPad
Founded20132010

Identical on both: 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 Redash

  • SQL Query Editor
  • Multiple Data Sources
  • Visualizations
  • Dashboards
  • Alerts
  • PostgreSQL
  • MySQL
  • BigQuery

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.

Redash

  • Self-hosted SQL query editor and dashboarding over existing databasesnot Sketch
  • Sharing scheduled query results with a team without buying a BI licencenot Sketch

Sketch

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

Where each one falls short

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

Redash

  • A basic self-hosted deployment needs a minimum of 4GB of RAM, and more RAM and CPU as background workers and API processes grow
  • The official Docker images were not updated for V10, so the documented route is to deploy a V8 instance and then upgrade it
  • Anyone not using a provided cloud image has to configure the environment variables and secrets by hand

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

Redash

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Full Features
    • Self-hosted
    • Community Support
  • Cloud$49/month
    • Managed Hosting
    • Automatic Updates
    • 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 Redash if

  • You need sql query editor.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Self-hosted, Cloud.
  • You also want multiple data sources.
Redash 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 Redash or Sketch better?
Neither clearly leads. Redash 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, Redash or Sketch?
Redash has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Redash and $12/month for Sketch.
Does Redash or Sketch run on more platforms?
Redash runs on Web, Self-hosted, Cloud. Sketch runs on macOS, Web, iOS, iPad.
Can I use Redash for free?
Yes. Redash has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Sketch starts at $12/month.
What is Redash best used for?
Redash is most often used for self-hosted sql query editor and dashboarding over existing databases, sharing scheduled query results with a team without buying a bi licence. Of those, self-hosted sql query editor and dashboarding over existing databases and sharing scheduled query results with a team without buying a bi licence are not what Sketch is typically brought in for.
What can Redash do that Sketch cannot?
Redash covers SQL Query Editor, Multiple Data Sources, Visualizations, Dashboards. 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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