Should we use Sketch in 2025?

Since I started working with Easy Web in 2020, Sketch has always been at the heart of our design processes. I've seen it evolve and adapt, and honestly, it remains a cornerstone of our creations. What always strikes me is how lightweight it is and how well it's optimized for the UI/UX workflow.

When it comes to designing user interfaces and experiences (UI/UX), it's a champion. Its speed of execution and dedicated features (symbols, overrides, libraries) allow you to prototype and iterate at breakneck speed. It's the ideal tool when you want to focus on pure design, without any frills.

However, Sketch is primarily for Macs. This is a major limitation for multi-OS teams. And if you need advanced interactive prototyping features or ultra-smooth real-time collaboration, other tools may sometimes take precedence.

When you're new to interface design, the complexity of the tools can quickly become discouraging. In my experience, Sketch radically simplifies this initial approach. Its interface is streamlined and focused on the essentials: creating screens. You have access to intuitive vector tools that are perfect for understanding the logic of digital design. Think of symbols, those reusable elements that introduce you to the concept of design systems from the outset without overwhelming you.

It's a real springboard for young talent. You're not overwhelmed by a thousand photo editing or printing features. The focus is on artboards, for designing multiple screens for an app or website, and creating components. For someone who wants to learn UI/UX without any detours, it's the ideal tool for building a solid foundation before exploring larger ecosystems.

Cost is often the first question that comes to mind when evaluating a tool. With Sketch, the pricing model is transparent, which I appreciate. It's an annual subscription per user, costing around $99 per year in 2025. This one-time cost is a full license for the Mac application, giving you access to all updates, major or minor, and the Sketch Cloud ecosystem. Think real-time collaboration, prototype sharing, and centralized Design System management—it's all included. It's perfect for solo designers, independent studios, or integrated teams looking for a robust solution without the complexity (or cost) of a comprehensive suite. And an important point: even if you don't renew, you keep the latest version of the app, which is a significant advantage for the longevity of your projects.

For me, what really sets Sketch apart is its symbol management. At Easy Web, this feature has become the backbone of our efficiency. The ability to create reusable components—whether buttons, navigation bars, or cards—and instantly sync them across all our mockups is a game-changer. It ensures flawless consistency and saves us valuable time, especially on complex projects.

The other major strength is clearly the plugin ecosystem. For professionals, Sketch goes beyond a simple design application thanks to this extensibility. Tools such as Zeplin immediately come to mind for a smooth developer handoff, or even extensions to quickly generate dummy content. These plugins personalize the experience, allowing us to tailor the tool precisely to our needs and optimize our workflows. It's the freedom to sculpt your own tool.

When it comes to design efficiency, Sketch's smart resizing features are a major asset. You know, the ability to define "Smart Layouts" allows your elements to automatically adjust to the size of the content or frame. It's a game changer for rapid iterations, and it has saved us countless times on complex projects at Easy Web, avoiding tedious manual adjustments with every change.

And let's never underestimate the power of Symbols and their "Overrides." Creating a reusable component is the basis. But being able to easily modify its text, images, or colors without breaking the link to the master symbol? That's where Sketch excels. By combining this with Libraries, we achieve the design system consistency that every modern agency seeks. It saves time and provides unparalleled quality assurance.