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Adobe Photoshop vs Sketch (best graphics design software for mac)

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Winner
Ease of Use
Feature Set
Value for Money
Customer Support
User Satisfaction
Performance
Design Flexibility
Document Management
Compatibility
Output Quality
FREE / PAID
Adobe Photoshop uses a subscription-based model via Adobe Creative Cloud. A monthly subscription costs $20.99.
Sketch uses a combination of free and paid model. A one-time purchase costs $99, with an optional renewal for continued updates.
Conclusion

💻🎨Adobe Photoshop, the golden standard🏆 in graphic design. High flexibility and powerful features🚀, but comes with a steep learning curve.💡

🍎💎Sketch, Mac-exclusive with a clean, intuitive UI👌. Stellar choice for UX/UI design, but lacks in photo editing functionalities.🔍

Adobe Photoshop Pros & Cons

Top Pros
  • 🌈Extensive toolset

  • 🔥Powerful editing capabilities

  • ⚙️Great flexibility

  • 💪Robust performance

  • 🔄Wide compatibility

Sketch Pros & Cons

Top Pros
  • 🔑Easy to use

  • 💎Clean UI

  • 👥Community plugins

  • 💡Smart layout

  • 🌍Cloud-based

  • 👩‍💻Focused on UI/UX

Top Cons
  • ⏰Steep learning curve

  • 💲Expensive

  • 🌪️Can be overwhelming

  • 🖥️Resource-heavy

  • 🔩Too complex for beginners

  • ☁️No offline version

Top Cons
  • 🎞️Limited photo editing

  • 💰Not free

  • 🍏Mac-only

  • 📸No raster manipulation

  • 💭No cross-compatibility

Other best graphics design software for mac

3

⚡️✨Affinity Designer, packs a punch with its one-time purchase structure💰. Equal match to big names, with no subscription fee.👏

4

🔄🔆CorelDRAW, renowned for its versatile uses. High quality output, suits businesses and professionals.💼

5

🆓📸GIMP, a free software for those on a budget, with rich features. Challenges top-tier programs without hurting the wallet.💸

FAQ

The best graphic design software for Mac depends on personal needs and preferences. Though, many professional graphic designers consider Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Sketch to be among the top choices for design tasks due to their robust feature sets, and multiple integrations.

Adobe Photoshop offers an expansive and comprehensive toolset for a variety of design tasks. A few key features include layer control, brushes, typography, 3D design capabilities, and a range of filters and effects. It is also notable for its integration with other Adobe tools.

Yes, Adobe Photoshop is compatible with Mac. You can download it from the official Adobe website.

Yes, Sketch is a vector graphics editor for macOS. You can download it from the Sketch website.

The Sketch software has a clear, intuitive interface and a range of useful tools and features, which makes it a popular choice for UI/UX designers. It also provides the ability to create symbols and reusable styles, which greatly speed up the design process.

Yes, both the programs can be used together as they cater to different aspects of design. Adobe Photoshop is more focused on image manipulation, while Sketch is popular for interface design.

Adobe Photoshop is available through an annual subscription via Adobe Creative Cloud, while Sketch has a one-time purchase cost. For the most accurate pricing information, please refer to the Adobe official website and the Sketch website.

Yes, both Sketch and Adobe Photoshop provide free trials for users. This allows users to test out the features before purchasing.

Adobe Photoshop requires a multicore Intel processor with 64-bit support, MacOS version 10.13 (High Sierra) or later, 2GB of available hard-disk space, and 2GB of RAM. For more details, you can refer to the official Adobe Photoshop tech specs page.

Sketch is generally considered user-friendly, especially for beginners, due to its intuitive user interface and straightforward toolset.

While Adobe Photoshop does allow the creation of vector graphics, it is important to note that Photoshop is primarily a raster-based software. Therefore, it might not offer the same degree of precision and scalability that a dedicated vector software like Sketch would offer.

Sketch supports a variety of file types including its own SKETCH file format, as well as popular formats like JPEG, PNG, TIFF, WebP, among others.

Yes, Adobe Photoshop does support animations, although it may not be as comprehensive as Adobe After Effects or Adobe Animate. Photoshop offers capabilities for creating frame-by-frame animation and also converting video frames into a GIF.

Yes, Sketch has a feature called Sketch Cloud which allows designers and team members to share, collaborate, and provide feedback on design projects.

There are various alternatives to Adobe Photoshop and Sketch, including tools like GIMP, Affinity Designer, Corel Draw, and more. The choice should be based on one’s design needs and software compatibility.

Both the software are frequently updated with improvements and new features. Adobe Photoshop updates are rolled out through the Adobe Creative Cloud, and Sketch releases updates regularly via the Mac App Store.

Adobe Photoshop can’t natively open Sketch files, and Sketch can’t open PSD (Photoshop) files directly. However, it is possible to import Photoshop files into Sketch, and vice-versa, using third-party tools or by exporting files in a common format.

Yes, both Adobe and Sketch offer customer support. You can access online resources, community forums, tutorials, and customer service channels for assistance.

Yes, Adobe Photoshop supports the use of custom brushes, giving designers more flexibility in their creative process. Users can either create their own brushes or download brushes made by others.

Yes, Sketch has a robust plug-in system which means you can extend its functionality with third-party plug-ins, or even write your own.

Some of the most popular graphic design software for Mac include Adobe Suite Software like Illustrator, InDesign, and Adobe Photoshop. Also, Sketch is highly regarded by web and app development professionals. Other software that could be helpful are CorelDRAW, GIMP, and Affinity Designer.

Adobe Photoshop is favored for its extensive suite of tools that can virtually manipulate any graphic design element. It’s also compatible with most file types, has robust color correction tools, and allows for 3D design and typography. In addition, Adobe Photoshop integrates seamlessly with other Adobe software making it convenient for designers who routinely use the Adobe Suite.

Sketch is a vector-based design tool specifically made for Mac users. Its functionalities are streamlined for creating UI and UX designs, which make it a vital tool for web and app developers. It also hosts a cloud-based sharing feature which makes collaboration easy.

While Adobe Photoshop has a variety of intricate tools and features that may seem daunting at first glance, numerous guides, tutorials, and online courses like those provided by Adobe itself help beginners understand and navigate the creativity platform.

Designed with simplicity and user-friendliness in mind, Sketch is easier to learn than Adobe Photoshop. It has fewer tools and a less cluttered interface, which newbies to graphic design may find more accessible. However, its functionality is more limited compared to the broad range of tools available in Adobe Photoshop.

Adobe Photoshop is versatile and can be used on both Mac and Windows. Meanwhile, Sketch is designed primarily for macOS and is not available for Windows or Linux.

Adobe Photoshop is available as part of Adobe’s Creative Cloud subscription, which varies in pricing depending on the package you choose. On the other hand, a personal license for Sketch is available for a one-time payment, after which you can continue using the application indefinitely but updates would incur extra costs.

While both Adobe Photoshop and Sketch have strong capabilities for UI/UX design, many designers prefer Sketch for its simpler interface, less CPU-intensive operation, and deeper focus on UX and UI design. However, the decision also depends on individual requirements and workflow.

Sketch has an impressive cloud-based sharing feature where designers can share, collaborate, and receive feedback on their prototypes in real-time. This makes it a very efficient tool for teams spread out in different geographical locations.

Adobe Photoshop supports a vast array of file formats, including PSD, JPEG, PNG, TIFF, GIF, and many more, making it a highly versatile tool for various design tasks.

Yes, Sketch can import Photoshop’s PSD files. This multi-format support can help in maintaining a designer’s workflow if he or she frequently switches between Sketch and other design tools.

Adobe provides comprehensive support to Photoshop users. This includes a vast collection of tutorial videos, user manuals, community forums, and technical support for troubleshooting. All of this is accessible through their Adobe Support page.

Yes, Sketch does offer customer support. They provide a comprehensive learning base, including tutorials and guides, as well as assistance through their support team.

Sketch is compatible with macOS High Sierra (10.13.4) or later.

Yes, Adobe Photoshop is generally compatible with the latest versions of macOS. Make sure to update regularly to enjoy optimum performance and the latest features.

As part of Sketch Cloud, there’s no file size limit for users who subscribe to a paid team plan. Free users can host up to 1 GB of files on Sketch Cloud.

Yes, Adobe Photoshop incorporates Adobe Creative Cloud, which offers cloud-based storage, sharing, and collaboration features. It ensures easy accessibility of your design files and effectively streamline the collaborative process within teams.

Yes, Adobe Photoshop includes several collaboration-friendly features through Adobe Creative Cloud. Designers can share their work for review or editing, access assets from anywhere, and even collaborate live on a single document.

Yes, installing plugins in Sketch is possible. The Sketch community has a variety of plugins available which enhance its functionality and customization.

Yes, Adobe Photoshop does support plugins. These plugins can extend the functionalities of Photoshop and help in specialized tasks, such as 3D effects, advanced pattern and texture effects, and more.