Comparison
Canva vs Sketch
Scored side by side on design-tools, using the same criteria we apply across the category.
Template-driven visual design for people who are not designers, with brand controls for teams.
macOS-native interface design with a mature vector engine and one-off licence option.
Scored side by side
Value for money
Canva verdict
Buy it to scale asset production, not to design a product. On that basis it is close to unbeatable.
- Removes design bottlenecks for marketing throughput
- Brand kits enforce consistency without review cycles
- Extremely broad output formats
Sketch verdict
Still excellent software, but only defensible for all-Mac teams that value native performance and licence ownership.
- Excellent native performance on large files
- Perpetual licence avoids subscription lock-in
- Precise vector tooling
FAQ
Common questions
What's the difference between Canva and Sketch?
Canva: Buy it to scale asset production, not to design a product. On that basis it is close to unbeatable. Sketch: Still excellent software, but only defensible for all-Mac teams that value native performance and licence ownership.
Which has better reviews, Canva or Sketch?
Canva is rated higher — 4.7/5 versus 4.3/5, from 26,800 and 5,400 reviews respectively.
Does Canva or Sketch have a free plan?
Canva has a free tier ($0 / $15 per user / month); Sketch doesn't (starting at $12 per editor / month or $120 one-off licence).