Linearity vs Sketch
Considering a switch from Sketch to a European alternative? Linearity offers full GDPR compliance and EU-only data hosting without the legal uncertainties that come with US-based services. Here's how they compare on features, pricing, and data protection.
Quick Overview
Linearity
EU- Headquarters
- Berlin, DE
- Pricing
- Free
- Open Source
- No
Sketch
USSketch is a vector graphics editor and digital design tool for macOS, widely used for UI/UX design, prototyping, and collaboration.
The Case for Linearity
- Linearity stores all data exclusively in Germany, EU, under European jurisdiction. Unlike Sketch, which is subject to the US CLOUD Act and FISA Section 702, Linearity cannot be compelled by foreign governments to hand over your data.
- Linearity offers a Data Processing Agreement (DPA) that is fully aligned with GDPR Article 28. There is no legal ambiguity about data transfers or adequacy decisions — your data processor is European, and the law that governs it is European.
- You can try Linearity for free before committing. This makes it easy to evaluate whether it meets your needs alongside — or as a replacement for — Sketch, without any financial risk.
Why Switch to Linearity?
Concerns with Sketch
- While Sketch B.V. is Dutch-incorporated, design files are processed through global CDN infrastructure
- Workspace data may be processed outside the EU for performance
- Limited transparency about sub-processor data handling
Linearity Compliance
GDPRDPA
- Headquarters
- Berlin, DE
- Data Centers
- DE, EU
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Categories
Linearity vs Sketch — FAQ
Is Sketch GDPR compliant?
Sketch may offer GDPR compliance features and EU data residency options, but as a US-headquartered company, it remains subject to the US CLOUD Act and FISA Section 702. These laws can compel US companies to hand over data regardless of where it is stored. The EU-US Data Privacy Framework provides some safeguards, but its predecessors (Safe Harbor and Privacy Shield) were both invalidated by the European Court of Justice. Linearity, as a European company, is not subject to these US laws at all.
How does Linearity compare to Sketch in features?
Linearity offers Vector editing, Animation (Linearity Move), Templates, Real-time collaboration, and 4 more features. While Sketch's ecosystem may be larger due to its market position, Linearity covers the core functionality that most teams need. The trade-off is typically between breadth of integrations (Sketch) and data sovereignty with regulatory certainty (Linearity).
Can I migrate from Sketch to Linearity?
Yes. Most European software providers, including Linearity, offer migration tools or documentation to help you transition from US-based services. Under GDPR Article 20, you have the right to data portability — meaning Sketch must provide your data in a machine-readable format. The migration process varies in complexity depending on your data volume and integrations, but for most teams it can be completed within a few days to a few weeks.