When it comes to building and designing websites, Sketch is a popular platform for collaborative prototyping and vector editing. Unfortunately, its design editor runs only on macOS (the Sketch web app works in any browser, but for viewing, commenting, and developer handoff rather than designing), and as such, some UI designers will need to find Sketch alternatives for Windows.
And right off the bat, you’ll be happy to hear that there indeed are several similar platforms available for Windows. You can stick with the operating system of your choice and still have access to top-notch UI design features!
In this post, we’ll discuss some of the aspects of Sketch that make it popular with UI designers. Then we’ll share five tools to help provide these features to Windows users – and help you choose the ideal one for you. Let’s get started!
Why Sketch is so useful for UI design
For several years now, Sketch has been one of the most popular platforms for UI design.
Its system of frames, pages, and components provides a streamlined, intuitive multi-page interface design tool. Plus, its extensive plugin library has filled in many gaps faced by designers.
When it comes to creating responsive apps for a variety of devices, Sketch is still the top choice for many macOS users. While numerous features make it an ideal platform for UI design, three in particular stand out:
The first is its vector editing capabilities. Since the majority of elements used in UI design are vector-based, a solid editing tool is a necessity. Sketch enables you to incorporate pre-defined shapes or create your own, as well as modifying points and paths to meet your design goals.
The release of Sketch 49 brought with it a much-anticipated prototyping function. While previously Sketch users had to export their files to another platform in order to create prototypes, it’s now possible to do in Sketch itself. You can start with a static frame, then turn it into an interactive prototype for testing.
Every step of the design process is now part of Sketch. This also includes receiving feedback from and working alongside your team members. With Sketch’s collaboration feature, you can invite others to view or edit your designs and prototypes.
Version tracking enables you to see changes made by each team member and reverse those changes if need be.
These core features make Sketch ideal for individual UI designers and teams alike. However, you don’t have to jump on the Apple bandwagon in order to access them.
Five high-quality Sketch alternatives for Windows
Sketch isn’t the only platform that offers advanced vector editing, prototyping, and team collaboration. In fact, it wasn’t even the first to come out with these features. Below, we’ve compiled a list of Sketch alternatives for Windows to help you create high-quality UI designs without needing an Apple device.
1. Figma
Figma is probably the most popular of all the Sketch alternatives on Windows.
This collaborative designing and prototyping tool is browser-based and “platform agnostic” – you can use it on Apple, Windows, Linux, and even Chrome operating systems.
It also incorporates the aspects of Sketch that make it perfect for UI designers, including:
- Streamlined designing with frames, overlays, and reusable components
- Vector editing with an intuitive pen tool
- Interactive prototyping
- Team libraries as well as design and prototype sharing
If you’re worried about picking up a new platform, Figma may be able to help ease your anxiety. It’s relatively easy to pick up in comparison to Sketch, so if you’re switching over you shouldn’t have too much trouble. Its most significant usability drawback is that it’s browser-based, limiting offline designing.
On price, the free plan is where Figma has the edge. Figma offers a free Starter plan, while Sketch’s Standard subscription runs $12 per editor per month (billed yearly) and its Mac-only license is a one-time $120 per seat with a year of updates. Granted, the free plan offers fewer features than the paid Professional plan, where a Full seat for designing costs $16 per month (billed annually), more than Sketch’s $12 Standard editor seat.
2. Vectr
Vectr is a cloud-based vector editor that runs in almost any browser and syncs your work across devices, so you’ll need an internet connection to use it.
It’s primarily used for vector graphic design, and therefore lacks a built-in prototyping function.
However, you can use this platform for some other key UI design tasks, including:
- A variety of customizable filters for creating backgrounds, borders, and shadows
- Five essential shapes (rectangle, rounded rectangle, ellipse, star, and polygon) plus line and freehand path tools
- Text creation and image uploading
- Real-time link sharing for collaboration
- Vectorizing Pixels
Vectr has an easy-to-follow User Guide to help get you started with the platform. It’s known for being an accessible tool for beginners, so it may be a smart starting place for anyone just getting into the UI design industry.
One caveat: the platform is no longer free, having shifted to a paid-only model with Plus and Premium subscriptions. Pricing starts at $1.99 per month billed yearly (a limited-time offer against a $3.99 list price), so the barrier to entry stays low for newcomers who want to dip their toes in the UI design water.
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3. Adobe Illustrator
When it comes to graphic design, Adobe is the name that comes to mind for most.
Even those who aren’t professionals in the field have likely heard of Photoshop, Illustrator, and Lightroom, too.
For UI design, there’s Adobe Illustrator. Created to be an all-in-one design tool, this platform offers:
- Reusable elements and symbols such as buttons, icons, and headers.
- Multiple screens or variations in a single document for responsive interfaces with customizable artboards.
- Advanced vector editing for detailed, scalable designs.
- Export multiple asset sizes and formats efficiently with the Export for Screens feature.
Transitioning to Illustrator for UI design should be seamless, particularly for those with experience in other Adobe Suite platforms. However, its intuitive interface and comprehensive toolset make it accessible even for newcomers to design.
Adobe sells Illustrator as a subscription, either on its own or as part of a broader Creative Cloud package. Check Adobe’s plans page for current pricing.
4. Moqups
When it comes to Sketch alternatives for Windows, choosing a platform that enables you to walk through the entire design process without having to bounce between programs is key.
Moqups is just the ticket. This browser-based platform has several core UI design features, such as:
- Drag-and-drop page management that enables you to organize pages into folders and create hierarchies
- Dynamic object editing tools including rulers, grids, and quick-alignment
- Functional, interactive prototypes created from your designs or wireframes
- Cloud-based team collaboration and sharing
- A range of integrated stencil kits for both mobile-app and web design
- Drag and drop to import images
Moqups works well for small or simple projects. The interface is fairly intuitive, and synced components let you save and reuse design elements across a project.
You can work on two projects with up to 400 objects each for free, or invest in a personal Starter plan, which lists at $12 per month billed monthly ($9 per month billed annually) before any promotion. For teams, the Business plan is sold in three, five, or ten-seat packages. If you have a small team that needs to collaborate on a simple app, Moqups’ Business plan, which Moqups pitches as flexible for teams, is the tier to look at.
5. FluidUI
Created for mobile prototyping, FluidUI is a solid choice for app developers who want to focus on smartphone and tablet users.
Though it lacks a built-in vector editing function, you can easily upload graphics created in other platforms.
Otherwise, this tool provides some handy features:
- Over 2,000 pre-built components for speedy prototyping
- Interactive prototyping via the browser-based or desktop version of the app
- Real-time team collaboration with page lock and video calling capabilities
- Upload already existing graphic assets to the library
- Run remote user tests
For prototyping purposes, FluidUI is pretty user-friendly. It has a drag-and-drop interface that most will pick up quickly and access to several UI component libraries to make up for its lack of vector editing tools. However, some may find its free version limiting and therefore difficult to use.
The FluidUI Free Forever plan provides users with one free, ten-page project. A Solo plan grants you five active projects and all the libraries for $8.25 per month (billed yearly), while the Pro plan at $19.08 per month (billed yearly) adds exporting, printing, and reviewer comments. If you’re working with a team, you’ll have to pay even more to add more users to your account.
How to decide which Sketch alternative for Windows is right for you
With so many options available, determining which Sketch alternative you actually want to use could be a struggle. Here’s a summary of our findings to help clear things up for you:
| Features | Ease of Use | Price | Best For | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Figma | Matches Sketch with regard to vector editing, prototyping, and collaboration options. | A small learning curve; offline work covers only pages already loaded, plus one new file, with no full offline mode. | Free, or $16 per month per Full seat on the Professional plan (billed annually). | Experienced individuals or small professional teams. |
| Vectr | Lacks native prototyping tools, but provides extensive graphic editing and sharing. | Beginner-friendly. | Paid only, from $1.99 per month billed yearly (promo). | Those just getting started with UI design. |
| Adobe Illustrator | Covers vector editing, customizable artboards, and multi-size asset export with Export for Screens. | Uses the familiar Adobe interface, but may require some learning for those unfamiliar with other Adobe products. | Paid subscription (single app or Creative Cloud package); see Adobe’s plans page for current pricing. | Current Adobe users, especially those who have a Creative Cloud subscription. |
| Moqups | Covers wireframing, object editing, interactive prototyping, and collaboration. | Easy to pick up; editing is browser-based, but projects can be exported to an offline HTML viewer. | Free, or a list price of $9 per month for one Starter seat (billed annually), which promotions can lower; teams buy the Business plan in seat packages. | Teams working on small apps or other simple projects. |
| FluidUI | Designed for mobile prototyping and sharing, but lacks vector editing capabilities. | User-friendly interface, but free version limitations make it difficult to create complex designs. | Free, from $8.25 per month (Solo, billed yearly), or $41.58 per month for a five-user Team (billed yearly). | Individuals and mobile designers. |
As you may have noticed, three of the platforms we’ve discussed in this post offer free plans: Figma, Moqups, and FluidUI. If you’re torn between two or more, consider giving those free versions a test run in order to choose the right piece of software, risk-free.
Conclusion on the best Sketch alternatives for Windows
When it comes to UI design platforms, Sketch takes the biscuit. Its advanced vector editing, prototyping, and collaboration features make it highly desirable for industry professionals. However, its lack of compatibility with the Windows operating system causes trouble for those who aren’t fans of Apple.
In this post, we pointed you in the direction of five high-quality Sketch alternatives for Windows.
In summary:
Figma. The most similar to Sketch in terms of functionality. However, its Professional and Organization pricing options could make it an expensive choice for teams.
Vectr. It’s easy to learn and inexpensive to try, which makes it friendly for those new to UI design. Unfortunately, its lack of native prototyping functionality makes it a poor substitute for more advanced users.
Adobe Illustrator. Perfect for those who are familiar with Adobe platforms and already have a Creative Cloud subscription.
Moqups. A free plan for small projects and a Business plan for teams. This platform suits smaller or simple projects.
FluidUI. A solid choice for individual mobile designers. Teams will do best to look into a more cost-effective option.
Do you have any questions about finding a Sketch alternative for Windows? Let us know in the comments section below!
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Layout, presentation, and editing by Karol K.
