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Technology · head to head

Sketch vs Sublime Text

Sketch logo

Sketch

Technology

The digital design toolkit

From
$12/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Sublime Text logo

Sublime Text

Technology

A sophisticated text editor for code, markup and prose

From
$99/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Sketch macOS-only for editing, blocking Windows and Linux users from accessing design features; Sublime Text a personal licence is $99 as a one off purchase but includes only 3 years of updates, after which a paid upgrade is required to keep receiving them
  • They diverge on capability: Sketch covers Vector editing, Sublime Text covers Lightning fast performance.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Sketch and Sublime Text actually diverge.

Attributes where Sketch and Sublime Text differ
AttributeSketchSublime Text
Starting price$12/month$99/one-time
Pricing modelUnknownone-time
PlatformsmacOS, Web, iOS, iPadWindows, Macos, Linux
Founded20102007

Identical on both: free tier (No), 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 Sketch

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

Only in Sublime Text

  • Lightning fast performance
  • Multiple selections
  • Command palette
  • Instant project switch
  • Plugin ecosystem
  • Customizable UI
  • Advanced search and replace
  • Split editing

What people use each for

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

Sketch

  • UI designnot Sublime Text
  • Mobile app designnot Sublime Text
  • Web designnot Sublime Text
  • Design systemsnot Sublime Text
  • Prototypingnot Sublime Text

Sublime Text

  • Editing code and text files in a fast native desktop editornot Sketch
  • Working across large files and projects with multi cursor editingnot Sketch

Where each one falls short

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

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

Sublime Text

  • A personal licence is $99 as a one off purchase but includes only 3 years of updates, after which a paid upgrade is required to keep receiving them
  • Business use is a separate annual subscription rather than a perpetual licence, starting at $65 per seat per year
  • The distinction means the same editor is perpetual for an individual and subscription for a company

Pricing, plan by plan

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

Sublime Text

$99/one-time
  • Personal License$99/one-time
    • 3 years of updates
    • All current features
    • Cross-platform license

Which should you pick?

Choose Sketch if

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

Choose Sublime Text if

  • You need lightning fast performance.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux.
  • You also want multiple selections.
Sublime Text review

Questions people ask

Is Sketch or Sublime Text better?
Neither clearly leads. Sketch starts at $12/month and Sublime Text at $99/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Sketch or Sublime Text?
Sketch starts at $12/month and Sublime Text at $99/one-time.
Does Sketch or Sublime Text run on more platforms?
Sketch runs on macOS, Web, iOS, iPad. Sublime Text runs on Windows, Macos, Linux.
What is Sketch best used for?
Sketch is most often used for ui design, mobile app design, web design, design systems. Of those, ui design and mobile app design are not what Sublime Text is typically brought in for.
What can Sketch do that Sublime Text cannot?
Sketch covers Vector editing, Symbols & components, Prototyping, Real-time collaboration. Sublime Text covers Lightning fast performance, Multiple selections, Command palette, Instant project switch.

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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