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Sketch vs Ubuntu

Sketch logo

Sketch

Software

The digital design toolkit

From
$12/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Ubuntu logo

Ubuntu

Software

Enterprise Linux distribution with 15-year support options.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Ubuntu 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; Ubuntu free version supported only by community; no official Canonical support without Pro subscription

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Sketch and Ubuntu actually diverge.

Attributes where Sketch and Ubuntu differ
AttributeSketchUbuntu
Starting price$12/monthFree
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsmacOS, Web, iOS, iPadDesktop, Server, Cloud, IoT, Edge, WSL
Founded2010Unknown

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 Ubuntu

Nothing recorded that Sketch does not also cover.

What people use each for

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

Sketch

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

Ubuntu

  • Individual developers and small teams using free Ubuntu for laptops and serversnot Sketch
  • Cloud and data centre deployments requiring certified, supported Linux operating systemnot Sketch
  • Organisations needing FIPS-certified or DISA-STIG-hardened Linux for government and regulated environmentsnot Sketch
  • AI and machine learning teams using Ubuntu Desktop with pre-optimised toolchainsnot Sketch
  • IoT and edge computing deployments using Ubuntu Corenot 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

Ubuntu

  • Free version supported only by community; no official Canonical support without Pro subscription
  • Ubuntu Pro required for enterprise compliance certifications (FIPS, DISA-STIG); free version does not include these
  • Ubuntu Pro pricing is proprietary and varies based on cloud deployment (AWS, Azure, GCP); no published per-machine or per-user pricing
  • Ubuntu Pro + Support adds 24/7 support costs on top of base subscription; total cost for enterprise-grade support not transparent
  • Personal/free tier limited to 5 machines; any larger deployment requires paid enterprise subscription

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

Ubuntu

Free
  • Ubuntu (Free)Free
    • Desktop, Server, Core and Cloud editions
    • Community support
    • Standard security updates (5 years LTS)
  • Ubuntu Pro (Personal)Free
    • Extended Security Maintenance (10 years)
    • Kernel Livepatch
    • Landscape management
  • Ubuntu Pro (Enterprise)$null/variable
    • 10 years Extended Security Maintenance
    • FIPS 140, DISA-STIG, CIS compliance
    • Kernel Livepatch
  • Ubuntu Pro + Support$null/variable
    • All Ubuntu Pro features
    • 24/7 break-fix and bug-fix support
    • Expert assistance for infrastructure and applications

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 Ubuntu if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Desktop, Server, Cloud, IoT, Edge, WSL.
Ubuntu review

Questions people ask

Is Sketch or Ubuntu better?
Neither clearly leads. Sketch starts at $12/month and Ubuntu at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Sketch or Ubuntu?
Ubuntu has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $12/month for Sketch and Free for Ubuntu.
Does Sketch or Ubuntu run on more platforms?
Sketch runs on macOS, Web, iOS, iPad. Ubuntu runs on Desktop, Server, Cloud, IoT, Edge, WSL.
Can I use Ubuntu for free?
Yes. Ubuntu 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 Ubuntu is typically brought in for.
What can Sketch do that Ubuntu 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
Ubuntu: Is Ubuntu free?

Yes. Ubuntu is free to download and use in all editions. Community support is also available at no cost. Ubuntu Pro subscriptions are optional and provide extended support and compliance tools.

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
Ubuntu: How long is Ubuntu LTS support?

Standard Ubuntu LTS releases receive 5 years of security maintenance. Ubuntu Pro extends this to 10 years, expandable to 15 years with the Legacy add-on.

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
Ubuntu: What compliance certifications does Ubuntu Pro provide?

Ubuntu Pro provides compliance tools for FIPS 140, DISA-STIG, CIS, FedRAMP and PCI-DSS standards.

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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