Top 10 Open Source Alternatives to Sketch in 2025: A Comprehensive Comparison

In 2025, the landscape of design tools has evolved significantly, offering numerous powerful open-source alternatives to Sketch. These tools offer unique features, extensive customization, and robust community support. This article explores the top 10 open-source alternatives to Sketch, providing detailed information to help you choose the perfect design tool for your needs.

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1. Penpot

Description: A free, open-source, web-based design and prototyping tool for UI/UX design that prioritizes collaboration between designers and developers. It is gaining popularity within the open-source community and is cross-platform.
Data Points:
Collaboration: Allows multiple users to work on the same design in real time and provide feedback.
Accessibility: Browser-based, making it accessible across different operating systems.
Prototyping: Features capabilities for creating designs and turning them into prototypes.
Open-Source: Community-driven and open-source nature.
Focus: Designed to bridge the gap between design and development. Learn more about Penpot

2. Inkscape

Description: A free and open-source vector graphics editor that is frequently recommended as an alternative to Adobe Illustrator, it offers a wide range of tools for creating and manipulating vector graphics.
Data Points:
Vector Drawing: Provides a wide toolset for vector drawing, various shapes, enhanced text handling, and transparency effects.
Features: Includes object creation and manipulation, rendering, text support, fill, and stroke functionality.
Customization: Allows for customization through plugins and scripting.
File Formats: Supports a variety of file formats.
Cost: Free and open-source. Discover Inkscape

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3. GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

Description: A free and open-source image editor, useful for illustrators, graphic designers, and photographers to create and edit artworks, photos, and paintings.
Data Points:
Image Editing: Provides tools for editing and enhancing digital images and creating drawings.
Customizable Interface: Has a customizable interface.
Open Source: Open-source and free.
Plugin Support: Extensible through plugins and scripting.
Use cases: It is also helpful for graphic designers and photographers. Explore GIMP

4. Krita

Description: An open-source painting program designed for digital painting, illustration, and comic creation.
Data Points:
Digital Painting: Offers an intuitive interface and tools specifically for illustration and comics.
Brush Options: Features over 100 brushes, stabilizers, vector tools, and drawing aids.
Customization: Offers advanced templates and features.
Focus: Is heavily focused on digital painting and illustration, is mainly used to design comic books.
Cost: Free and open-source software. Discover Krita

5. Blender

Description: A free and open-source 3D creation suite that can be used for 3D modeling, animation, and also has applications in CAD work.
Data Points:
3D Graphics: It is widely used in the processes of creating 3D graphics, but also in CAD works.
Features: Includes tools for modeling, sculpting, rendering, and animation.
Community Support: Robust community support with numerous tutorials available.
Flexibility: Provides a flexible interface.
Open Source: Free and open source. Learn more about Blender

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6. Pencil Project

Description: A free, open-source tool for creating wireframes and mockups. It is a lightweight option for those with basic design needs.
Data Points:
Wireframing Tools: Allows for the creation of basic wireframes quickly.
Pre-built Components: Includes pre-built shapes and stencils for faster workflows.
Export Options: Designs can be exported in multiple formats, including PNG and PDF.
Cross-Platform: Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Cost: Free and open-source. Explore Pencil Project

7. LibreCAD

Description: A free and open-source 2D CAD application suitable for architecture and engineering design work.
Data Points:
2D CAD: Is perfect for 2D architecture design projects.
Parametric Modeling: Allows users to easily modify designs.
Versatility: Applicable across many fields.
Cost: Free and open-source.
Focus: It is mainly designed for 2D design work. Learn more about LibreCAD

8. Gravit Designer

Description: A versatile graphic design software suitable for both beginners and professional designers.
Data Points:
User Interface: Offers an intuitive and easy-to-use interface.
Design Tools: Provides a rich set of design tools.
Accessibility: Available online, and is also available as a desktop application.
Usability: It is suitable for both beginners and professionals.
Cost: Has a free version available, and is considered an affordable tool. Learn more about Gravit Designer

9. MyPaint

Description: An open-source drawing software for professional artists, designed for use with graphics tablets.
Data Points:
Customization: Highly customizable for various workflows.
Tablet Focused: Specifically designed for use with graphics tablets.
Tools: Includes specialized brushes and tools for digital painting and drawing.
Cost: Free and open source.
Learning curve: Has a steeper learning curve compared to other free drawing applications. Discover MyPaint

10. Srcbook

Description: An open-source, community-driven UI design tool that is popular among developers and designers.
Data Points:
Customization: Offers strong customization options for workflows.
Transparency: It is very transparent and allows full control.
Community-Driven: Community-driven and open-source.
Flexibility: Provides flexibility for a variety of user needs.
Cost: Free and open-source.

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FAQ

1. What is Penpot?

Penpot is a free, open-source, web-based design and prototyping tool for UI/UX design that prioritizes collaboration between designers and developers. Learn more about Penpot

2. What features does Inkscape offer?

Inkscape is a free and open-source vector graphics editor with tools for creating and manipulating vector graphics. Explore Inkscape

3. Can GIMP be used for professional graphic design?

Yes, GIMP is a free and open-source image editor useful for illustrators, graphic designers, and photographers. Discover GIMP

4. What is Krita best for?

Krita is an open-source painting program designed specifically for digital painting, illustration, and comic creation. Learn more about Krita

5. What can Blender be used for?

Blender is a free and open-source 3D creation suite used for 3D modeling, animation, and rendering. Explore Blender

6. What is the Pencil Project?

The Pencil Project is a free, open-source tool for creating wireframes and mockups, ideal for basic design needs. Discover the Pencil Project

7. Who is LibreCAD suitable for?

LibreCAD is a free and open-source 2D CAD application suitable for architecture and engineering design work. Learn more about LibreCAD

8. Is Gravit Designer a good option for beginners?

Yes, Gravit Designer is a versatile graphic design software suitable for both beginners and professional designers. Explore Gravit Designer

9. What is MyPaint designed for?

MyPaint is an open-source drawing software specifically designed for use with graphics tablets. Learn more about MyPaint

10. What is Srcbook?

Srcbook is an open-source, community-driven UI design tool popular among developers and designers. Discover Srcbook

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.