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Software · head to head

Sketch vs Thunder Client

Sketch logo

Sketch

Software

The digital design toolkit

From
$12/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Thunder Client logo

Thunder Client

Software

Lightweight REST API client built as VSCode extension

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Thunder Client has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Sketch macOS-only for editing, blocking Windows and Linux users from accessing design features; Thunder Client paid plans are billed annually only: Starter is $3 per user per month and capped at a maximum of 10 seats, Business is $7 per user per month with 500 monthly collection runs per user, and Enterprise is $16 per user per month for unlimited runs
  • They diverge on capability: Sketch covers Vector editing, Thunder Client covers REST Client.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Sketch and Thunder Client actually diverge.

Attributes where Sketch and Thunder Client differ
AttributeSketchThunder Client
Starting price$12/monthFree
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsmacOS, Web, iOS, iPadVSCode extension, Web
Founded20102021

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 Sketch

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

Only in Thunder Client

  • REST Client
  • Environment variables
  • Response testing
  • VSCode
  • GitHub
  • Webhook support
  • VSCode extension support
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Sketch

  • UI designnot Thunder Client
  • Mobile app designnot Thunder Client
  • Web designnot Thunder Client
  • Design systemsnot Thunder Client
  • Prototypingnot Thunder Client

Thunder Client

  • API Developmentnot Sketch
  • API Gatewaynot Sketch
  • API Testingnot Sketch
  • API Documentationnot Sketch
  • Microservicesnot 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

Thunder Client

  • Paid plans are billed annually only: Starter is $3 per user per month and capped at a maximum of 10 seats, Business is $7 per user per month with 500 monthly collection runs per user, and Enterprise is $16 per user per month for unlimited runs

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

Thunder Client

Free
  • FreeFree
    • REST client
    • Collection management
    • Local testing
  • Pro$8/monthly
    • Cloud sync
    • Team collaboration
    • Advanced features

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 Thunder Client if

  • You need rest client.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on VSCode extension, Web.
  • You also want environment variables.
Thunder Client review

Questions people ask

Is Sketch or Thunder Client better?
Neither clearly leads. Sketch starts at $12/month and Thunder Client at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Sketch or Thunder Client?
Thunder Client has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $12/month for Sketch and Free for Thunder Client.
Does Sketch or Thunder Client run on more platforms?
Sketch runs on macOS, Web, iOS, iPad. Thunder Client runs on VSCode extension, Web.
Can I use Thunder Client for free?
Yes. Thunder Client has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Sketch starts at $12/month.
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 Thunder Client is typically brought in for.
What can Sketch do that Thunder Client cannot?
Sketch covers Vector editing, Symbols & components, Prototyping, Real-time collaboration. Thunder Client covers REST Client, Environment variables, Response testing, VSCode.

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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