A Designer's Guide to Sketch in 2025

Why We Still Talk About Sketch

The design tool conversation has certainly shifted. Collaborative, cloud-based platforms became the standard for many teams, making real-time co-editing feel like a basic requirement. Yet, Sketch continues to hold a special place in the hearts of many creatives, especially Mac-based designers who value its snappy native performance and stability. It remains one of the most reliable offline design tools for Mac.

This guide isn’t about crowning a single winner. Instead, it’s a practical look at where Sketch fits into a modern workflow. Before we place a single pixel, every great project starts with inspiration. Organizing those initial ideas with a visual tool streamlines the entire process. You can find a constant stream of fresh ideas on the Bookmarkify inspiration page, perfect for kickstarting any project.

With so many options available, how do you decide if Sketch should be your primary tool, a specialized part of your toolkit, or something you should plan to move on from? Let's figure that out together.

Choosing Your Primary Design Tool in 2025

Picking a primary design tool feels like a huge commitment, but it really comes down to your specific needs: your team structure, your typical projects, and your personal workflow preferences. Let's break down the big three contenders.

Sketch: The Native macOS Powerhouse

Sketch’s main advantage is its identity as a native macOS application. This translates to incredible speed and reliability, even with massive files. If you’re a freelancer or part of a small team that values performance and the ability to work seamlessly offline, Sketch is a formidable choice. Its interface is clean, focused, and free from the potential lag of a browser-based app.

Figma: The Collaborative Industry Standard

The Sketch vs Figma 2025 discussion almost always centers on collaboration. Figma changed the game with its browser-first, real-time co-editing. It allows entire teams to jump into a file simultaneously, making it the default for distributed companies and projects requiring heavy client feedback. Its cross-platform availability on Web, macOS, and Windows also removes any hardware barriers.

Adobe XD: The Creative Cloud Integrator

For designers deeply embedded in the Adobe ecosystem, the Adobe XD vs Sketch debate often ends with integration. XD’s superpower is its seamless connection to Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects. If your workflow involves round-tripping assets between these programs, XD creates a much smoother path. While it offers co-editing, a Squareboat analysis notes that Figma's collaborative features are often seen as more fluid and intuitive.

FeatureSketchFigmaAdobe XDCollaborationGood (via Cloud & plugins)Excellent (Real-time, browser-based)Good (Co-editing & sharing)PerformanceExcellent (Native macOS app)Very Good (Browser-based, can lag on huge files)Good (Integrates with Creative Cloud)PlatformmacOS onlyWeb, macOS, WindowsmacOS, WindowsOffline AccessFull offline functionalityLimited (view-only without connection)Limited (files must be saved for offline use)EcosystemStrong plugin communityMassive plugin and template communityDeep integration with Adobe Creative Cloud

So, what’s the verdict? If you’re a solo designer valuing speed and offline access, Sketch is a strong contender. If you’re on a distributed team, Figma’s collaborative power is hard to beat. And if your life revolves around Adobe’s suite, XD’s integration is a clear winner.

Power-Up Your Sketch Workflow

Once you've chosen Sketch, the next step is to make it work for you. Here are a few powerful Sketch tips for designers to help you work faster and smarter.

For more ideas on refining your creative process, you can explore other articles on our Bookmarkify blog.

Essential Sketch Plugins for Modern Designers

Sketch’s real power is amplified by its extensive plugin ecosystem. These tools act as workflow accelerators, automating tedious tasks and adding new capabilities. Here are some of the best Sketch plugins for designers to install in 2025.

The community is always building new solutions. Discovering new tools is part of a creative's job, and resources like the Bookmarkify Daily feed can help you stay updated with fresh apps and websites every day.

Making the Move: Migrating Sketch Libraries

At some point, you might need to migrate Sketch library to Figma. While the idea can be daunting, a structured approach makes it manageable. Here’s how to tackle it.

Here’s a pro-tip: Before you migrate, use a visual bookmarking tool to create a moodboard of your existing system. This helps you identify what to keep, what to discard, and what to improve. With our tool, Bookmarkify, you can quickly capture screenshots of your components and organize them visually to plan your migration strategy.

Your Workflow, Your Choice

Ultimately, the "best" tool is the one that gets out of your way and lets you create. Sketch remains an excellent choice for focused, offline work on a Mac. Its alternatives excel in other areas, particularly collaboration. The most important thing is that your tools support your creative process, not dictate it.

A well-organized inspiration library is the true foundation of great design, no matter what software you use. Start building your universal inspiration library today. Explore Bookmarkify's plans and see how a more organized workflow can spark your next great idea.