Sketch vs GIMP Comparison
Sketch
Starting at $9 /User/Month
- Individuals
- Freelancers / Consultants
Sketch is a professional tool for designing interfaces and websites. It features graphical tools for creating artwork, as well as built-in tools for prototyping and wireframing for apps. It’s for everybody who turns idea…
GIMP
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Freelancers / Consultants
- Medium Business
GIMP is a cross-platform image manipulation program designed to fit users needs. Get started with GIMP by working on individual projects or participate in one of the many online user communities for aid with any problems…
Sketch leads on user satisfaction with a 4.6-star rating across 1,000 reviews.
Sketch vs GIMP — at a glance
| Feature | Sketch | GIMP |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.6 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
| Reviews | 1,000 | 822 |
| Starting price | $9 /User/Month | Contact for pricing |
| Free trial | No | No |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Individuals, Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises | Freelancers / Consultants, Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Graphic Design Software | Graphic Design Software |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Mac | Mobile - Android, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac |
| API | Available | Available |
| Support modes | Online | Online |
| Certifications | GDPR | — |
| Data residency | US | — |
Key differences between Sketch and GIMP
- Pricing: Sketch starts at $9 /User/Month. GIMP pricing is not publicly listed.
- Target audience: Sketch is built for Individuals and Freelancers / Consultants, while GIMP targets Freelancers / Consultants and Medium Business.
- User satisfaction: Sketch scores higher with a 4.6-star average.
- Deployment: Sketch supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Mac; GIMP supports Mobile - Android, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac.
Sketch vs GIMP — find the better fit before you commit.
Which tool fits your team best
Which is actually cheaper for your team size
Where each product wins, per real buyers
Most Graphic Design Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.
Biggest differences
Features
Pricing
Buying details
Security
Buyer feedback
Integrations
Product tour
Other options
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Sketch vs GIMP: Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Best for Mac-based UI/UX designers needing advanced prototyping and collaboration.
- You are a Mac user focused on designing web and mobile app interfaces.
- You need robust prototyping and reusable components to boost design productivity.
- Your team values real-time collaboration and extensive plugin integrations.
- Your team requires cross-platform support including Windows or Linux users.
- You are a beginner seeking a tool with minimal learning curve and onboarding.
Best free, open-source tool for powerful raster image manipulation.
- You need a cost-effective solution with comprehensive digital art tools.
- You are a freelancer, small business, or educator seeking flexible graphic design software.
- You value strong community support and frequent feature updates.
- You require an intuitive, industry-standard interface with minimal learning curve.
- You depend on extensive plugin marketplaces and third-party integrations.
Sketch: Best for Mac-based UI/UX designers needing advanced prototyping and collaboration. GIMP: Best free, open-source tool for powerful raster image manipulation.
Description | Sketch is a professional tool for designing interfaces and websites. It features graphical tools for creating artwork, as well as built-in tools for prototyping and wireframing for apps. ... Read More about Sketch | GIMP is a cross-platform image manipulation program designed to fit users needs. Get started with GIMP by working on individual projects or participate in one of the many online user ... Read More about GIMP |
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Entry Level Pricing |
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Free Trial Availability |
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SpotScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 9.0/10 | 8.8/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | Small BusinessMedium Business | 1-50 employees51-500 employees |
Get pricing help | Get pricing help |
Software Demo
Demo |  GIMP has not given any software demo yet If you're the owner of this profile, add your demo.Contact us |
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How do Sketch and GIMP Compare on Features?
Total Features | 5 Features | 4 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Sketch and GIMP on pricing
Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.
Pricing Option | ||
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Starting From |
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Pricing Page |  | Pricing information not available |
Sketch vs GIMP: Other Details
Organization Types supported |
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Platforms Supported |
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Modes of support |
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API Support |
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Sketch vs GIMP Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
HIPAA | ✗ No | — |
|---|---|---|
GDPR | ✓ Yes | — |
Data Residency | 🇺🇸 US | — |
Sketch User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | ||
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Rating Distribution | ||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Overall positive sentiment highlights Sketch's user-friendly interface, robust asset library, and strong collaboration features, tempered by concerns over Mac-only availability and learning curve. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Users generally appreciate GIMP's powerful features and free access but note a challenging learning curve and interface complexity. What buyers like
Common complaints
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Pros and Cons |
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Positive Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  3 Screenshots | No screenshots available. |
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Videos |  3 Videos | No videos available. |
Top Alternatives to Sketch and GIMP in 2026
Alternatives |
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Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
- Which is better, Sketch or GIMP?
- Sketch edges out the other on user ratings (4.6 vs 4.2). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Sketch and GIMP offer a free trial?
- Neither Sketch nor GIMP currently lists a free trial.
- What is the starting price of Sketch vs GIMP?
- Sketch starts at $9 /User/Month. GIMP starts at Contact for pricing.
- What are the top alternatives to Sketch?
- Top alternatives to Sketch include Figma, Canva, CorelDraw, Xara Designer Pro, Drawtify.
- What are the top alternatives to GIMP?
- Top alternatives to GIMP include Photopea, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic, Canva, CorelDraw.