Top 10 Free Alternatives to Sketch in 2025

As designers look for powerful yet cost-effective tools, a range of free alternatives to Sketch have emerged. Here’s a detailed exploration of the top 10 free alternatives to Sketch in 2025, each distinguished by unique features and capabilities.

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1. Figma

Description: Figma is a web-based collaborative design tool that's become a leading alternative to Sketch. It's known for its real-time collaboration features and robust design capabilities.
Key Features:
Real-time Collaboration: Multiple users can work on the same design file simultaneously.
Web-Based: Accessible on any platform with a browser, no need for specific operating systems.
Prototyping: Built-in tools to create interactive prototypes.
Component Library: Ability to create and share reusable design components.
Extensive Plugin Ecosystem: Large library of plugins to extend functionality.
Pricing: Free for personal use with limited projects; paid plans start at $12/month.
Link: figma.com

2. Adobe XD

Description: Adobe XD is a UX/UI design tool by Adobe, focusing on design, prototyping, and collaboration. It integrates well with other Adobe products.
Key Features:
Seamless Integration: Works smoothly with other Adobe Creative Cloud apps.
Auto-Animation: Features to easily create animations and transitions.
Repeat Grid: Simplifies the creation of repetitive elements.
Prototyping: Interactive prototyping tools for user testing.
Responsive Resize: Adapts designs to different screen sizes.
Pricing: Free with limited features; paid plans start at $9.99/month.
Link: adobe.com/products/xd.html

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3. Lunacy

Description: Lunacy is a free, fast, and intuitive graphic design software, especially great for Windows users. It is fully compatible with Sketch files and includes built-in assets.
Key Features:
Cross-Platform Compatibility: Works well on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Built-in Assets: Includes icons, photos, and illustrations.
Sketch File Compatibility: Can open and edit Sketch files without issues.
AI Tools: Integrates AI-powered design features.
No Bloatware: Free from ads and spam.
Pricing: Free.
Link: icons8.com/lunacy

4. Canva

Description: Canva is a user-friendly graphic design tool known for its simplicity and wide range of templates. It’s suitable for both beginners and professional designers for a variety of design needs.
Key Features:
User-Friendly Interface: Easy to learn, with a drag-and-drop interface.
Vast Template Library: Access to numerous customizable templates.
Collaboration Features: Supports team collaboration on projects.
Brand Kit: Maintain brand consistency with brand assets and customizable templates.
Versatile Use Cases: Suitable for social media graphics, presentations, posters, and more.
Pricing: Free with limited features; paid plans start at $15/month for individuals or $10/month per user for teams.
Link: canva.com

5. Inkscape

Description: Inkscape is a powerful, open-source vector graphics editor, making it a great free alternative to Adobe Illustrator. It offers a wide array of tools for professional-level design.
Key Features:
Free and Open-Source: Completely free to use and customize.
Cross-Platform: Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Professional Tools: Extensive set of tools for drawing, editing, and creating vector graphics.
Versatile: Suitable for icons, logos, illustrations, and more.
Large Community: Supported by a large and active community of users and developers.
Pricing: Free.
Link: inkscape.org

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6. GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

Description: GIMP is a free and open-source raster graphics editor that's a great alternative to Adobe Photoshop. It offers advanced image editing and manipulation capabilities.
Key Features:
Free and Open-Source: Available for use without cost.
Advanced Editing: Rich set of features for photo retouching, compositing, and painting.
Customizable: Highly customizable with plugins and scripts.
Cross-Platform: Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Versatile: Suitable for photographers, graphic designers, and illustrators.
Pricing: Free.
Link: gimp.org

7. Vectr

Description: Vectr is a free, user-friendly vector graphics editor that works both online and as a desktop app. It's suitable for beginners and casual users needing quick solutions.
Key Features:
Cross-Platform: Works on Windows, macOS, Linux, and ChromeOS.
Real-time Sharing: Offers collaboration tools and real-time sharing.
Simple Interface: Easy-to-use with basic tools for quick designs.
Scalable Graphics: High-quality vector graphics that can be scaled without loss of resolution.
Browser Based: Accessible directly from the web browser.
Pricing: Free, with potential costs for advanced features.
Link: vectr.com

8. Pencil Project

Description: Pencil Project is a free, open-source tool for creating wireframes and mockups. It's lightweight and suitable for designers or teams with limited budgets needing basic design features.
Key Features:
Free and Open Source: Available for use without cost.
Wireframing Tools: Helps to quickly build basic wireframes.
Pre-built Shapes: Uses ready-made components for faster workflows.
Multiple Export Options: Designs can be exported into multiple formats, including PNG and PDF.
Cross-platform: Can be used on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Pricing: Free.
Link: pencil.evolus.vn

9. Uizard

Description: Uizard is an AI-powered design tool that converts hand-drawn sketches into digital designs, making it great for designers who prefer sketching ideas first.
Key Features:
AI-Powered Design: Uses AI to convert sketches to digital designs.
Sketch to Design: Enables transforming hand-drawn sketches into digital interfaces.
Prototyping: Provides tools for UI/UX prototyping.
UI/UX Design: Aimed at UI/UX design tasks.
Wireframing: Facilitates wireframing and prototyping process.
Pricing: Free with limited projects; paid plans available.
Link: uizard.io

10. Gravit Designer

Description: Gravit Designer is a free, full-featured vector graphic design app suitable for various design tasks.
Key Features:
Cross-Platform: Compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, and web browsers.
Vector Editing: Offers a variety of tools for creating and editing vector graphics.
User-Friendly Interface: Easy to navigate and suitable for beginners.
Versatile: Useful for logo design, illustration, UI design, and more.
Cloud-Based: Can save and access designs online, with offline functionality.
Pricing: Free for personal use with limited storage, paid plans for more features and storage.
Link: designer.io

These tools provide a strong set of options for designers looking for free alternatives to Sketch in 2025, each offering unique features and benefits.

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FAQ

1. What is a free alternative to Sketch for collaborative design?

Figma is an excellent choice known for its real-time collaboration features and robust design capabilities. Explore Figma

2. Which free alternative integrates well with other Adobe products?

Adobe XD integrates smoothly with Adobe Creative Cloud, offering design, prototyping, and collaboration features. Learn more about Adobe XD

3. What is a good alternative for Windows users specifically?

Lunacy is a fast, intuitive graphic design software fully compatible with Sketch files and great for Windows users. Check out Lunacy

4. Is there an easy-to-use alternative for quick graphic design tasks?

Canva offers a user-friendly interface and a vast template library perfect for social media graphics, presentations, and more. Discover Canva

5. What open-source tool is good for vector graphic design?

Inkscape provides a powerful set of tools for drawing, editing, and creating vector graphics, and it is free and open-source. Explore Inkscape

6. Which alternative is best for advanced image editing?

GIMP is a free, open-source raster graphics editor with advanced photo retouching and image manipulation capabilities. Learn more about GIMP

7. Is there an alternative that offers vector graphics editing online and offline?

Vectr is a user-friendly vector graphics editor that works both online and as a desktop app. Check out Vectr

8. What is a good free tool for creating wireframes and mockups?

Pencil Project is a lightweight, open-source tool for creating basic wireframes and mockups. Explore Pencil Project

9. Which alternative uses AI to convert sketches into digital designs?

Uizard is an AI-powered design tool that transforms hand-drawn sketches into digital designs. Discover Uizard

10. What versatile vector graphic design app supports cloud-based storage?

Gravit Designer offers a full range of vector editing tools and saves designs online with offline functionality. Check out Gravit Designer

References

About the Author

Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.

Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).

She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.

For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.

About the Publication

Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.

Mission and Purpose

Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.

Key Features

The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:

Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials

Impact and Growth

Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:

3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
100+ startup tools built
5,000+ pieces of articles and news written

Partnerships

Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.

Recognition

Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.