Square Sketch
Visualize your ideas
on a square grid.
on a square grid.
Square Sketch combines the simplicity of pen and paper with the advantages of a vector drawing app and is thus a kind of digital graph paper.
| Pen & paper | Square Sketch | Typical vector app | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Handwriting | ● | – | – |
| Simple | ● | ● | – |
| Distraction-free | ● | ● | – |
| Flexible | – | ● | ● |
| Clean & precise | – | ● | ● |
| Styling | – | – | ● |
(shows only a small selection)
„Wow, what a great app. It’s so simple to use but at the same time so capable. It’s a true gem crafted with an attention to detail that is very rare these days. The time and thought that went into making this can be felt from the first time you open the app. … Some people may think of it as too simple, but I think that that’s one of its biggest strengths. You have a couple of tools, but the synergies between them make it possible to do everything you might need. A truly wonderful experience from an amazing developer.“
— User, Polish Mac App Store, April 2026
„I use vector tools such as Affinity, Inkscape, and others a lot, but Square Sketch stands out from all of them, as it is so fun to use and can create an early draft really quickly. I really wish it had more features, but the developer wants to keep it simplistic, which makes sense in a way.“
— User, US Mac App Store, March 2026
„I’m addicted, the limits imposed by the app’s simplicity and intuitiveness are fuel for creativity. Simply beautiful. many thanks!“
— User, French Mac App Store, October 2025
„This is an app that I’ve been looking for! I use Sketch and Figma and Mermaid.js all regularly for diagramming. All have their uses, but this app makes is so easy to jump in and create a diagram that communicates an idea. The tutorial is very straightforward and I felt like I could be productive right away. …“
— User, US Mac App Store, August 2025
„I love it! … The UX of this app is brilliant and a breeze of fresh air to work with! … Absolutely recommended tool!“
— User, German Mac App Store, April 2025
„I was looking for a perfect tool for schematic draw. I finally found it. Really easy to use, still very powerfull. Thank you. …“
— User, French Mac App Store, December 2024
The window shows only the drawing area and, like a sheet of paper, has no toolbar, no options bar, and no shapes palette to avoid distractions.
The draw tool with a pen-shaped pointer is active by default so you can start drawing right away.
By removing the toolbar, the app introduces a new interaction concept that eliminates the need to constantly switch between tools.
Instead, there are a few simple tools that perform multiple functions depending on the pointer gesture and can be combined.
There is a deliberate focus on essential features and a style that is ideal for drafts:
On the unlimited drawing area, you can start anywhere and expand your draft in any direction.
Even after drawing, all objects remain fully editable.
Colors can be individually set for the drawing area in light and dark mode, as well as for export and print, and change according to the situation.
The lack of haptic feedback, as with real pen and paper, is replaced by auditory feedback, creating a similarly immersive experience.
The drafts are saved locally in an XML format.
For optimal platform integration, modern, native frameworks from operating system manufacturers are used.
Square Sketch does not contain any AI-generated code, sounds or images and does not offer any AI features.
For the translation of texts, software is used that increasingly incorporates generative AI. Translations are subsequently reviewed by the developer.
The app is available in an international English version.
Since it is developed in Germany, a German version is also available.
