# What is Sketch?

> Learn about how Sketch can help you create beautiful products at scale, whether you’re working alone or collaboratively.

**URL:** https://www.sketch.com/docs/getting-started/what-is-sketch/ | **Last updated:** 2026-05-19

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Sketch is a design tool that covers the full product design process — building interfaces, creating design systems, prototyping interactions, and handing off to developers — for solo designers and teams alike.

It comes as three apps, each built for a different part of the process.

- **The Mac app** is where you design. Build interfaces, create reusable components and [Libraries](/docs/libraries/), set up design systems, and [prototype interactions](/docs/prototyping/) — all in one place.

- **The web app** is for everyone else on your team. Developers, managers, and stakeholders can view, [inspect](/docs/developer-handoff/inspect/), and [comment](/docs/sharing-and-collaborating/commenting/) on your work from any browser, on any platform. No Mac needed.

- **The [iOS app](/docs/getting-started/sketch-for-ios/)** lets you preview documents and prototypes on iPhone or iPad, and mirror designs in real-time as you edit them in the Mac app.

![An image showing the Sketch Mac app on an iMac, the web app on a MacBook, and the iOS app on an iPhone](https://cdn.sketch.com/docs/getting-started/sketch-three-apps.jpg)
*The Mac app for designing, the web app for viewing and collaborating, and the iOS app for previewing on device*

## Where to start

- [Set up Sketch](/docs/getting-started/setting-up-sketch/) — create an account and start your 30-day free trial
- [Create your first document](/docs/getting-started/creating-opening-and-viewing-documents/) in the [Mac app](sketch://)
- Browse [tutorials and guides](/design-resources/) to get up to speed
- [Join the Community Discord](https://discord.gg/ascPpfDSSV) to ask questions and connect with other designers

## System requirements

Designing in Sketch requires a Mac running %latest_stable_requirements%. If you’re on an older version of macOS, check [previous releases](/releases/mac/) for a compatible version.

The web app is browser-based and works on any major operating system, so developers, managers and stakeholders can view, inspect and comment on documents from Windows, Linux or any other platform without a Mac.