Top 10 Free Alternatives to Sketch in 2025

As the design landscape continues to evolve, many designers seek free alternatives to Sketch. The year 2025 brings a plethora of options catering to different needs, from vector editing to real-time collaboration. Here’s a comprehensive comparison of the top 10 free alternatives to Sketch, detailing their key features, use cases, and platform availability.

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1. Figma

Platform: Web-based, with desktop apps for Windows and macOS.
Pricing: Free for personal use and small teams (up to 3 files). Paid plans offer more features.
Collaboration: Real-time collaborative design with multiplayer editing.
Features: Vector editing, prototyping, design systems, plugins, and auto layout.
Use Case: UI/UX design, prototyping, and design collaboration. Learn more about Figma

2. Inkscape

Platform: Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Pricing: Free and open-source.
Features: Vector graphics editing, object creation, path manipulation, text support, and a wide range of import/export formats.
Use Case: Vector graphics design, illustrations, logos, and web graphics.
Community: Large, active community with extensive learning materials. Explore Inkscape

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3. Adobe XD

Platform: Windows and macOS.
Pricing: Free starter plan, paid plans come with Adobe Creative Cloud subscriptions.
Features: UI/UX design, prototyping, auto-animate, repeat grid, integration with other Adobe apps, and responsive resize.
Use Case: UI/UX design, prototyping, and collaboration with other designers.
Ecosystem: Part of Adobe ecosystem, well-integrated with other design tools. Discover Adobe XD

4. Lunacy

Platform: Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Pricing: Free.
Features: Vector graphics, UI design, prototyping, supports Sketch files, built-in assets.
Use Case: UI/UX design, vector graphic editing.
Integration: Integrates with Icons8 library. Check out Lunacy

5. Gravit Designer

Platform: Online, Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome OS.
Pricing: Free for personal use, paid plans for teams and enterprise.
Features: Vector design, powerful pen tool, Boolean operations, precise controls.
Use Case: Vector design for web, print, and app interfaces.
Accessibility: Intuitive and lightweight, easy for beginners to use. Explore Gravit Designer

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6. Vectr

Platform: Web-based, with desktop apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Chrome OS.
Pricing: Free.
Features: Vector graphics editor, real-time collaboration, simple and intuitive interface.
Use Case: Vector graphics design for beginners and simple projects.
Accessibility: Easy to learn with a user-friendly interface. Discover Vectr

7. Pencil Project

Platform: Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Pricing: Free and open-source.
Features: Wireframing and mockup tools, pre-built shapes and stencils, export options.
Use Case: Basic wireframing and mockup creation.
Accessibility: Lightweight and easy for basic design needs.

8. Graphite

Platform: Web-based, with upcoming native apps for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Pricing: Free and open-source.
Features: Vector and raster graphics editing, node-based generative design, layer-based compositing.
Use Case: Vector graphics, image editing, procedural design, and future-focused 2D content creation.
Development: Actively developed with a roadmap including motion graphics, desktop publishing, and live collaboration features. Explore Graphite

9. GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

Platform: Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Pricing: Free and open-source.
Features: Raster image editing, image manipulation, painting, drawing.
Use Case: Photo editing, digital painting, and graphics creation.
Customization: Highly customizable interface. Discover GIMP

10. Creatie

Platform: AI-powered design platform.
Pricing: Free.
Features: AI-driven design tools, idea generation, image enhancement, design consistency features.
Use Case: Streamlining design workflows.
Focus: AI assistance and automated features.

As design tools continue to evolve, these free alternatives to Sketch offer diverse features that can cater to various types of design needs, from vector graphics to complex UI/UX projects.

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FAQ

1. What is the top free alternative to Sketch for UI/UX design in 2025?

Figma is a top alternative for UI/UX design, offering vector editing, prototyping, and real-time collaborative design. Discover Figma

2. Which free tool is best for vector graphics editing and illustrations?

Inkscape is highly recommended for vector graphics design, illustrations, logos, and web graphics. Learn more about Inkscape

3. What free tool integrates well with other Adobe products for UI/UX design?

Adobe XD offers a free starter plan and integrates seamlessly with other Adobe apps, making it ideal for UI/UX design and prototyping. Explore Adobe XD

4. Which free alternative to Sketch supports Sketch files and includes built-in assets?

Lunacy is a great choice with features like vector graphics, UI design, and built-in assets, and it supports Sketch files. Check out Lunacy

5. What free tool is recommended for vector design and beginners?

Gravit Designer, available on multiple platforms, is known for its intuitive and lightweight interface, making it easy for beginners to use. Discover Gravit Designer

6. What free alternative offers real-time collaboration for vector graphics design?

Vectr provides a simple and intuitive interface with real-time collaboration for vector graphics design. Learn more about Vectr

7. Which free tool is best for basic wireframing and mockup creation?

Pencil Project offers wireframing and mockup tools with pre-built shapes and stencils for basic design needs.

8. What free and open-source tool is suitable for future-focused 2D content creation?

Graphite offers vector and raster graphics editing, layer-based compositing, and node-based generative design for procedural and future-focused content creation. Explore Graphite

9. Which free tool is best for photo editing and digital painting?

GIMP is highly customizable and free, making it an excellent choice for photo editing, digital painting, and graphics creation. Discover GIMP

10. What emerging free tool uses AI to streamline design workflows?

Creatie is an AI-powered design platform that focuses on idea generation, image enhancement, and design consistency features.

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.