Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

p5.js VS Sketch

Compare p5.js VS Sketch and see what are their differences

Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

p5.js logo p5.js

JS library for creating graphic and interactive experiences

Sketch logo Sketch

Professional digital design for Mac.
  • p5.js Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-22
  • Sketch Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-20

p5.js

Website
p5js.org
Pricing URL
-
$ Details
Release Date
-

Sketch

Website
sketch.com
$ Details
-
Release Date
2010 January
Startup details
Country
The Netherlands
State
Zuid-Holland
City
The Hague
Founder(s)
Emanuel Sá
Employees
10 - 19

p5.js features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    p5.js simplifies the process of learning and creating interactive graphics with its intuitive syntax, making it accessible for beginners.
  • Web-Based
    As a JavaScript library, p5.js runs directly in the web browser, enabling easy sharing and embedding of interactive sketches online without the need for additional plugins.
  • Creative Coding Community
    p5.js is supported by a vibrant community that shares a plethora of examples, tutorials, and resources, facilitating learning and troubleshooting.
  • Extensibility
    Its modular architecture allows for easy integration with other libraries like p5.sound, p5.dom, and even external JavaScript libraries, enhancing its functionality.
  • Accessibility
    p5.js emphasizes inclusivity, offering features that make it easier to create accessible web content, such as screen reader support.

Possible disadvantages of p5.js

  • Performance
    p5.js may not be as performant as other lower-level graphics libraries or frameworks, which can be a limitation for highly intensive graphical applications.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While beginner-friendly, mastering complex features and fine-tuning performance in p5.js can require significant effort and understanding of JavaScript.
  • Not Ideal for Large Projects
    Due to its simplicity and focus on learning and prototyping, p5.js might not be suitable for large-scale, production-grade applications.
  • Limited 3D Support
    Although p5.js offers 3D rendering capabilities, these are less developed and performant compared to dedicated 3D libraries like Three.js.
  • Dependency on JavaScript
    Since p5.js is built on JavaScript, it inherits the language's limitations and quirks, which might be a hindrance for developers accustomed to other programming languages.

Sketch features and specs

  • User Interface
    Sketch has a clean and intuitive user interface that is easy to navigate, which makes it accessible for both beginners and advanced users.
  • Design Tools
    Provides robust vector editing tools and a wide range of design features, making it versatile for various kinds of digital design work.
  • Plugins Ecosystem
    Offers a rich ecosystem of plugins that enhance functionality and can be customized to fit specific needs.
  • Community and Resources
    There is a strong community of designers using Sketch, which means plenty of tutorials, resources, and shared assets are available.
  • Symbol and Reuse
    Supports symbols and reusable design components, making it efficient for maintaining consistency across a design project.
  • Performance
    Generally performs well even with complex design files, as it is optimized for the Mac environment.

Possible disadvantages of Sketch

  • Mac-only
    Sketch is available only on macOS, limiting its accessibility to users on other platforms such as Windows or Linux.
  • Learning Curve
    While the interface is intuitive, mastering Sketch's full suite of tools and features can still take some time.
  • Pricing
    Sketch requires a subscription or one-time payment, which can be a consideration for freelancers or small teams with limited budgets.
  • Collaboration
    Real-time collaboration features are not as advanced as some of its competitors, which can pose challenges for team-based projects.
  • Compatibility
    Because it uses its own file format, working cross-platform or with non-Sketch users can present challenges, requiring conversion tools or additional steps.
  • Limited Prototyping
    While it offers some prototyping functionality, it is not as robust as tools specifically designed for prototyping such as InVision or Figma.

p5.js videos

Processing or p5.js? My opinions

More videos:

  • Review - Q&A #1: Side-Scroller in p5.js
  • Tutorial - 17.11: Sound Visualization: Frequency Analysis with FFT - p5.js Sound Tutorial

Sketch videos

Sketch Review | Vikram | Tamil Talkies

More videos:

  • Review - Sketch vs. Photoshop: The 5 Things Sketch Can Do That Photoshop Can’t
  • Review - sketch review by prashanth

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to p5.js and Sketch)
Javascript UI Libraries
100 100%
0% 0
Design Tools
0 0%
100% 100
Charting Libraries
100 100%
0% 0
Graphic Design Software
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using p5.js and Sketch. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare p5.js and Sketch

p5.js Reviews

20+ JavaScript libraries to draw your own diagrams (2022 edition)
A JS client-side library for creating graphics and interactive experiences, based on the core principles of Processing to make coding accessible to artists, designers and educators. Beyond drawing, this project provides offers web audio functionality, collision detection and even generation of graphical user interfaces from p5.js sketches.
8 Best Free and Open-Source Drawing Libraries in JavaScript
The p5.js library is a great option for people who are looking for a library that doesn't have a steep learning curve, but which can create very complicated systems if necessary. The get started with P5.js page on the official website has a functional example that draws circles wherever you move your mouse in only a few lines of code.

Sketch Reviews

Top 6 Figma Alternatives: Prototyping and UI/UX Tools
Sketch offers 2 premium plans, Standard and Business, which start at $9 and $20 per month per editor, respectively, and include a 30-day free trial. The software is exclusively accessible for macOS, and there is no free tier, although students and educators can obtain it for free through the Sketch for Education initiative.
Source: fronty.com
10 Best Figma Alternatives in 2024
Sketch is another best Figmawith alternative and it is a professional digital design tool used for creating user interfaces and user experience designs. It is popular among designers for its simple interface, powerful features, and focus on vector-based design.
Top 10 Figma Alternatives for Your Design Needs | ClickUp
Sketch started out as a vector editing platform, and it still boasts options like shorthand math operators and effortless editing for multiple borders, making the design process easier.
Source: clickup.com
9 Best InVision Alternatives to Switch to in 2024
Available as a native Mac app, using design tools on Sketch is only available to iOS users. However, non-iOS fans can browse, inspect, and collaborate on designs using the web app.
Source: designmodo.com
Figma Alternatives: 12 Prototyping and Design Tools in 2024
Sketch is a popular design tool used by many freelancers due to its wide range of tools at your disposal. You can create artboards, animated interactions, and prototypes and preview them through the Sketch app on desktop and iOS devices.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, p5.js seems to be a lot more popular than Sketch. While we know about 146 links to p5.js, we've tracked only 3 mentions of Sketch. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

p5.js mentions (146)

  • Ask HN: Who Are Your Favorite Photography and Generative Coding Artists?
    p5.js is a JavaScript library that I've enjoyed messing with. It's related to Processing. https://p5js.org/. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • Art Blocks and the Future of Open Source with Blockchain
    Art Blocks, founded by Erick Calderon in 2020, is a platform that enables artists to create generative art using blockchain technology. It operates on the Ethereum blockchain, leveraging smart contracts to mint unique art pieces as NFTs. The process begins with artists submitting scripts that define the artwork's parameters. Once approved, these scripts generate unique pieces upon purchase, offering collectors a... - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • Rant: state of generative AI in code generation.
    In my experience with AI code generation, in visual projects like UI development or JavaScript based animation (using three.js or p5.js) etc. AI tools work pretty well. - Source: dev.to / 4 months ago
  • Procedural Generation and Noise
    For this most recent assignment we were tasked with contributing a larger feature to an open source project. During my time with the previous assignment I worked on a game engine called Litecanvas, inspired engine by libraries like raylib and p5.js/Processing. - Source: dev.to / 6 months ago
  • Antirez/load81: SDL based Lua programming environment for kids similar to Codea
    Let’s not forget P5js which has a long and esteemed history of helping to teach kids and more to program. It’s browser based so it’s compatible with every OS and requires no install. FOSS with an active community of users and contributors. I personally taught some middle schoolers with zero programming experience how to make interactive monsters in 1 hour. It was awesome! https://p5js.org/. - Source: Hacker News / 7 months ago
View more

Sketch mentions (3)

  • How to make a Portfolio!?
    Start by building the PDF version, as that's easier. I use Sketch (sketch.com) for designing layout. Source: over 2 years ago
  • TurboPad Vector Illustration
    This TG-16 controller was originally drawn in Fireworks CS4 waaaaaay back in the day, but I re-drew it by hand using simple shapes and effects in Sketch and Figma. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Starting off as a UI/UX Designer.
    Every designer has to choose their preferred design tool where they can implement their prototypes.Try Figma, Sketchand Adobe XD. These are the main tools, try each and find your favorite, as for me I love Figma(Very good in collaboration). - Source: dev.to / over 3 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing p5.js and Sketch, you can also consider the following products

Pixi.js - Fast lightweight 2D library that works across all devices

Figma - Team-based interface design, Figma lets you collaborate on designs in real time.

Processing - C++ and Java programming at the speed of thought.

Inkscape - Inkscape is a free, open source professional vector graphics editor for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux.

Three.js - A JavaScript 3D library which makes WebGL simpler.

Affinity Designer - Professional creative software, exclusively for Mac.