Both Sketch and Pixelmator Pro are essential tools for businesses and designers, offering robust features for design, collaboration, and image editing. We'll compare these two to determine which one best meets the needs of creative professionals.

A Quick Overview of Sketch and Pixelmator

What is Sketch?

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Sketch provides a comprehensive design platform that includes a Mac app for creating designs and a web app for collaboration, feedback, and handoff. The platform supports designers in creating, prototyping, and handing off projects, and it offers tools for team collaboration and feedback.

Smart Animate adds movement to prototypes, making designs more dynamic. The combination of a powerful native Mac app and a web app for collaboration sets Sketch apart from competitors, offering a versatile tool for both designers and non-designers.

What is Pixelmator?

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Pixelmator develops professional image editing software exclusively for macOS. Their flagship product, Pixelmator Pro, leverages Mac technologies to offer tools for photo editing, graphic design, vector graphics, and painting.

Pixelmator Pro includes machine learning-powered tools like AI Background Masks and ML Enhance, simplifying complex editing tasks. The software also supports nondestructive editing, allowing users to make changes without permanently altering the original image.

Features of Sketch and Pixelmator

Similarities

Sketch and Pixelmator Pro share several key features that make them both powerful tools for designers and creative professionals. Here are the most important similarities:

  • Both offer robust vector editing tools, allowing users to create and manipulate scalable graphics.
  • They support layer-based editing, enabling users to organize and manage different elements of their designs efficiently.
  • Both applications provide a range of design templates and mockups to help users create professional-looking designs quickly.
  • Each tool features a clean, intuitive user interface optimized for macOS, enhancing user productivity.
  • Both tools offer customizable workspaces, allowing users to tailor the interface to their specific needs and preferences.

Differences

Sketch and Pixelmator Pro cater to different creative needs, with each offering unique features that set them apart. Here are the most significant differences:

  • Vector Editing vs. Photo Editing: Sketch excels in vector graphics and UI/UX design, while Pixelmator Pro focuses on photo retouching and raster graphics.
  • Prototyping Tools: Sketch offers intuitive prototyping tools for creating interactive designs, a feature not available in Pixelmator Pro.
  • Machine Learning: Pixelmator Pro includes AI-powered tools like ML Enhance and AI Background Masks, which are absent in Sketch.
  • Plug-ins and Extensions: Sketch supports a variety of plug-ins to extend its functionality, whereas Pixelmator Pro does not emphasize plug-ins.
  • Painting Tools: Pixelmator Pro provides advanced painting tools and graphics tablet support, features that Sketch lacks.

User Interface and Usability

Sketch's user interface is clean and well-organized, with a clear navigation bar and logically divided sections. The user experience is designed to be intuitive, featuring easy navigation and clear calls to action. The platform supports both online and offline work, making it flexible for different working conditions. Sketch's usability is enhanced by features like powerful vector editing, an infinite canvas, and real-time collaboration.

Pixelmator Pro offers an intuitive and user-friendly interface with customizable workspaces and accessible tools through sidebars and menus. The user experience is bolstered by nondestructive editing, machine learning-powered tools, and real-time effects. Integration with macOS features like iCloud and Apple Pencil further improves the user experience. Pixelmator Pro's usability is marked by its extensive collection of tools for photo editing, graphic design, and painting.

Neither company has a clear advantage in user interface and usability over the other.

Collaboration

Sketch offers a robust platform for collaboration, featuring real-time feedback, shared libraries, and document permissions. Users can work offline and sync their projects once back online, ensuring continuous productivity. The web app facilitates easy sharing and feedback, reducing the need for extensive back-and-forth communication.

Pixelmator Pro, on the other hand, does not emphasize collaboration tools. The software focuses on individual use, with features like advanced photo editing and machine learning enhancements. While it supports various file formats for easy sharing, it lacks dedicated tools for real-time collaboration and feedback management.

Sketch is better suited for collaboration than Pixelmator Pro.

Sketch and Pixelmator Pricing

Sketch offers a variety of pricing plans to cater to different user needs. The Standard Subscription costs $10 per month per Editor when billed yearly, or $12 when billed monthly. For those preferring a one-time purchase, the Mac-only License is available at $120 per seat, including one year of updates. Business Subscriptions are priced at $22 per month per Editor, billed yearly.

Pixelmator Pro, on the other hand, is available for a one-time purchase of $49.99. Unlike Sketch, there are no subscription options or additional costs for updates. This straightforward pricing model makes Pixelmator Pro an attractive option for users looking for a single payment solution.

Pixelmator Pro offers better pricing for users who prefer a one-time purchase over ongoing subscription fees.

Comparing Sketch and Pixelmator to Piktochart

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Transform complex ideas into captivating visuals that inform and engage your audience. With Piktochart, you can create stunning infographics, reports, and presentations in seconds, perfectly aligned with your brand. No design experience required.

Pros of Piktochart

  • AI-Powered Design Generator: Create stunning visuals quickly with the help of AI, making the design process faster and more efficient.
  • Wide Range of Visual Tools: From infographics to social media posts, Piktochart offers a variety of tools to meet diverse design needs.
  • Customizable Templates: Access a vast library of templates that can be easily customized to fit your brand and project requirements.
  • Video Editing and Repurposing: Edit and repurpose video content effortlessly, enhancing your multimedia projects with ease.
  • Sector-Specific Support: Tailored solutions for various sectors, including education, healthcare, marketing, and nonprofits, ensuring that specific industry needs are met.

Piktochart's Pricing

  • Free: $0 (Free forever)
  • Pro: $29 per member/month (billed monthly) or $14 per member/month (billed annually)
  • Business: $49 per member/month (billed monthly) or $24 per member/month (billed annually)
  • Enterprise: Custom Pricing (Contact for details)

What Are Others Saying?

Sketch Reviews

Overall, users have given Sketch a rating of 4.5 out of 5. While many appreciate its ease of use and powerful features, frustrations include platform exclusivity and performance issues with large projects.

"The app is only available for macOS, which limits its accessibility." - Verified User, 2.5/5

"Sketch can be slow when handling large files, which is frustrating." - John D., 3/5

"The lack of real-time collaboration features is a drawback." - Sarah P., 3.5/5

Find more of Sketch reviews on G2!

Pixelmator Reviews

Pixelmator has received an overall rating of 4.4 out of 5. Users appreciate its cost-effectiveness and ease of use but find its design limitations and font issues frustrating.

"Pixelmator can do most all the basic functions of Adobe Photoshop but without the price tag or the 'cloud' component and leasing fees. It can be buggy, I had particular difficulties with the text tool after importing some TTF font files." - Brian B., 3/5

"It is easy to use, work for all apple devices, all document connect to iCloud. Had to pay 2 times for the app once on Mac and once on iPad." - jeremiah p., 3/5

"Pixelmator and Pixelmator Pro's biggest downfall is scalability via shareability. Figma is live-screen editing collaboration. Photoshop and Illustrator have been the leader in this sector for 20 years." - Law S., 3/5

Find more of Pixelmator reviews on G2!

Piktochart Reviews

Our users have given Piktochart an overall rating of 4.4 out of 5. They find it incredibly useful for creating professional visuals quickly and easily. Here are some of the sentiments from our customers:

  • "Easy to create content even if you're not a designer." - Jessica D.
  • "My Go-To for ALL Professional Presentations!" - Jennifer K.
  • "Easy to use with great effect when job is done." - Jakub J.

Find more of our reviews on G2!

Why choose one over the other?

Why a consumer might want to use Sketch over Pixelmator:

  • Sketch is ideal for product designers and UX professionals who need robust vector editing and prototyping tools. Its real-time collaboration features make it perfect for teams working on UI/UX projects.

Why a consumer might want to use Pixelmator over Sketch:

  • Pixelmator Pro is suited for photographers and graphic designers who require advanced photo editing and AI-powered tools. Its comprehensive toolset for photo retouching and vector graphics makes it a versatile choice for creative professionals.

Why a consumer might want to use Piktochart over Pixelmator and Sketch:

  • Piktochart is perfect for communications professionals and marketers who need to create engaging visual content quickly. Its user-friendly interface and customizable templates make it accessible for users without design experience.

Sketch, Pixelmator, or Piktochart: Which is the best platform for you?

While Sketch and Pixelmator Pro offer powerful tools for specific creative needs, Piktochart stands out for its versatility and ease of use. Whether you're a designer, marketer, or educator, Piktochart's AI-powered features and customizable templates make it the go-to choice for creating stunning visuals effortlessly. We believe you'll find Piktochart to be the most user-friendly and efficient option for all your visual communication needs.