Comparison

Principle vs Sketch

On the evidence we track, Sketch leads this comparison with a composite score of 68/100. Scores are only directly comparable because these tools share a category; the full breakdown and every source is below.

Machine formatsJSONMarkdownGraphQLor send Accept: application/json
Principle46
Sketch68
Score
Vioscale score
Principle46 / 100low · 37%
Sketch68 / 100medium · 73%
Pricing
Free tier
Principle
Sketch
Model
Principlecommercial
Price level
Principlehigh
Sketchlow
Starting price
Principle$129
Sketch
Transparent
Principle
Sketch
Integrations
Count
Principle2
Sketch4
Security
Disclosure policy
Principle
Sketch
Gdpr
Principle
Sketch
Iso27001
Principle
Sketch
Pci
Principle
Sketch
Soc2
Principle
Sketch
Reliability
Status page
Principle
Sketch

Capabilities

Feature-by-feature on the axes that matter for mockup tools. “-” means undocumented, not absent.

Capabilities
Architecture model
PrincipleLocal mac native app
Sketch-
Css flexbox based auto layout engine
Principle-
Sketch-
Stateful interactive prototyping with variables and logic
Principle
Sketch-
Component variants and property overrides
Principle-
Sketch-
Design token variable mapping colors spacing typography
Principle-
Sketch-
Real time multiplayer crdt cursor sync
Principle-
Sketch-
Developer mode handoff environment css swift export
Principle-
Sketch-
Advanced micro interaction animation smart animate
Principle
Sketch-
Third party plugin ecosystem API
Principle-
Sketch-
Offline editing mode with conflict resolution
Principle-
Sketch-
SOC2 type ii
Principle-
Sketch-
Gpl or permissive oss license
Principle-
Sketch-
Pricing model
PrincipleFlat lifetime license
Sketchsubscription

What each one is

The product in its own terms, so the numbers below have context.

Principle

A native macOS application for designing animated and interactive user interfaces across web, mobile, and desktop platforms, featuring keyframe-based animation controls and automatic transitions between artboards.

Independently observed

Sketch

Leader

A design toolkit built for designers, with real-time team collaboration, unlimited free viewers, offline support via native Mac app, and developer handoff tools. Runs on web, macOS, and iOS.

Independently observed

Pricing

List pricing as published by each vendor, with the date we read it. Always verify at the source before you buy.

Principle

from $129Perpetual licence

$129 per computer. Renewal available for $99 to access new features released after initial purchase.

  • Principle License$129 per computer, perpetual license
    • Timeline animation with keyframes and easing customization
    • Multi-artboard screen flow design
    • Automatic animations between named layers on different artboards
    • Hover and mouse wheel event support
    • Import from Figma and Sketch with intelligent merging
    • +3 more
as of verify ↗

Sketch

Leader
from $12/moHybrid30-day trial

From $12/editor/month (billed annually). $120 perpetual Mac-only license. Free 30-day trial. Unlimited free viewers included in all plans.

  • Standard$12/editor/month, billed annually
    • Real-time collaboration
    • Unlimited documents
    • Unlimited free viewers
    • Document version history
    • Free developer handoff
  • Professional$24/editor/month, billed annually
    • Everything in Standard
    • Single Sign-On (SSO)
    • Project archiving
    • Permissions groups
  • Enterprise$44/editor/month, billed annually. Available for 15+ editors.
    • Everything in Professional
    • SCIM provisioning
    • BYOK encryption
    • Dedicated support
    • Custom reviews and terms
    • +2 more
  • Private CloudContact sales
    • Everything in Professional
    • Private cloud environment
    • Choice of hosting locations (US/EU)
    • Unlimited Workspaces
    • Unlimited storage
    • +2 more
  • Mac-only license$120/seat, perpetual. No collaboration or online sharing.
    • Native Mac app
    • Design, prototype, and illustrate
    • Work privately, offline
    • Save documents locally
    • One year of updates included
as of verify ↗

Platform & deployment

Where each product runs and how it can be hosted. A dash means undocumented, not unsupported.

Platforms
Web
Principle
Sketch
iOS
Principle
Sketch
macOS
Principle
Sketch
Deployment
Cloud / SaaS
Principle
Sketch
Hybrid
Principle
Sketch

Integrations

What each product connects to. Counts come from the vendor's own integration directory where one exists.

Principle

2 total
  • Figma
  • Sketch
Independently observed

Sketch

Leader
4 total
  • Unsplash
  • Okta
  • Ping Identity
  • TrustLogin
Independently observed

Comparison generated from independently-sourced facts. Every value links to its source and retrieval date. See the method.