Adobe Illustrator vs Sketch

Need advice about which tool to choose?Ask the StackShare community!

Adobe Illustrator

1.5K
962
+ 1
2
Sketch

1.8K
1K
+ 1
59
Add tool

Adobe Illustrator vs Sketch: What are the differences?

Introduction

and are both popular graphic design software used by professionals in the industry. While both software have their own unique features, there are several key differences between them. In this article, we will explore these differences and highlight what sets them apart from each other.

  1. User Interface: Adobe Illustrator has a more complex and feature-rich user interface, with a wide range of tools and options. Sketch, on the other hand, offers a simpler and more streamlined interface, making it easier for beginners to get started quickly.

  2. Compatibility and Integration: Adobe Illustrator is part of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite and seamlessly integrates with other Adobe products like Photoshop and InDesign. It also offers extensive compatibility with various file formats. Sketch, on the other hand, is only available for macOS and focuses on being a standalone design tool without much emphasis on integration with other software.

  3. Prototyping and Collaboration: Sketch has built-in features for prototyping and collaboration, making it easier for designers to create interactive prototypes and share them with clients or team members. Adobe Illustrator, although not designed specifically for prototyping, offers extensive tools for creating static visuals and illustrations.

  4. Vector Editing: Adobe Illustrator is well-known for its powerful vector editing capabilities. It offers a wide range of tools and options for creating and manipulating vector shapes. Sketch, while also offering vector editing capabilities, has a more simplified approach and focuses on providing a more intuitive experience for designers.

  5. Plugins and Extensions: Both Adobe Illustrator and Sketch support plugins and extensions to extend their functionality. However, the plugin ecosystem for Sketch is more extensive and active, with a larger community of developers creating and sharing plugins specifically tailored for Sketch.

  6. Pricing Model: Adobe Illustrator is a part of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite and is subscription-based, requiring a monthly or annual payment to access the software. Sketch, on the other hand, offers a one-time purchase model, allowing users to pay once and have lifetime access to the software, along with one year of updates and support.

In summary, Adobe Illustrator and Sketch have their own unique strengths and weaknesses. Adobe Illustrator offers a more feature-rich and comprehensive design tool with extensive compatibility and integration options. Sketch, on the other hand, provides a simpler and more streamlined experience, with a focus on prototyping and collaboration. The choice between the two ultimately depends on the specific needs and preferences of the designer.

Get Advice from developers at your company using StackShare Enterprise. Sign up for StackShare Enterprise.
Learn More
Pros of Adobe Illustrator
Pros of Sketch
  • 2
    Vector Creation
  • 23
    Lightweight alternative to Photoshop
  • 11
    Mirror designs on mobile devices
  • 9
    Reusable elements/components
  • 7
    Vector
  • 5
    Plugins for everything
  • 2
    Real-time design preview on iOS devices
  • 1
    Constant updates
  • 1
    Thought for UI design

Sign up to add or upvote prosMake informed product decisions

Cons of Adobe Illustrator
Cons of Sketch
  • 3
    Massive disk space usage
  • 3
    Adobe Updater to slow you down even more
  • 2
    Expensive
  • 1
    Not really a tool for web design
  • 1
    Clunky
  • 4
    Not for Windows
  • 3
    Horrible for slide presentations

Sign up to add or upvote consMake informed product decisions

What is Adobe Illustrator?

The industry-standard vector graphics app lets you create logos, icons, sketches, typography, and complex illustrations for print, web, interactive, video, and mobile.

What is Sketch?

Easily create complex shapes with our state-of-the-art vector boolean operations and take advantage of our extensive layer styles.

Need advice about which tool to choose?Ask the StackShare community!

What companies use Adobe Illustrator?
What companies use Sketch?
See which teams inside your own company are using Adobe Illustrator or Sketch.
Sign up for StackShare EnterpriseLearn More

Sign up to get full access to all the companiesMake informed product decisions

What tools integrate with Adobe Illustrator?
What tools integrate with Sketch?

Sign up to get full access to all the tool integrationsMake informed product decisions

What are some alternatives to Adobe Illustrator and Sketch?
Adobe InDesign
The industry's leading page layout and design software enables you to create, proof and publish documents for print and digital media. Ir has everything to create posters, books, digital magazines, eBooks, interactive PDFs and more.
Adobe Photoshop
It is the best in the world of graphic design and image processing software that will realize any of your ideas. Create and enhance photos, illustrations and 3D graphic objects.
Inkscape
It is professional quality vector graphics software which runs on Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. This software can be used to create or edit vector graphics such as illustrations, diagrams, line arts, charts, logos and complex paintings.
Affinity Designer
No bloat, no gimmicks, just all the tools you need, implemented how you always dreamed. It is a stripped back, pro-end workhorse that will always get your job done. It was created to thrive on the electric pace of the latest computing hardware. Live, responsive and incredibly fluid, it’s simply a joy to use.
Figma
Figma is the first interface design tool with real-time collaboration. It keeps everyone on the same page. Focus on the work instead of fighting your tools.
See all alternatives