Sketch

Sketch pioneered the modern, focused UI/UX design tool when it launched in 2010, moving away from the bloat of general-purpose suites. It is a Mac-native application beloved for its simplicity, speed, and intuitive vector editing tailored specifically for digital design. Sketch popularized concepts like artboards, symbols (now components), and shared styles, which have since become industry standards. Its plugin ecosystem is vast, allowing for extensive customization and workflow automation. While it has faced fierce competition from Figma's collaboration features, Sketch remains a favorite for many individual designers and Mac-based studios who prefer a fast, native desktop experience and robust offline capabilities. Its recent moves towards real-time collaboration and a web-based workspace show its adaptation to modern team needs.