# ProtoSketch – Graphic Design — user reviews > 79 indexed App Store user reviews of ProtoSketch by Codemotion, rated 3.47/5 from 68 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/protosketch-graphic-design/id913091834/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/protosketch-graphic-design/id913091834.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 27 · 4★ 12 · 3★ 7 · 2★ 10 · 1★ 12 ## Newest reviews (16 of 79) ### 3/5 — Palette of elements muddled up *2019-08-24, version 1.3.5* The tool itself is brilliant, love the ease of sketching. Performance can be a bit better, elements in the palette are muddled up. (Inserting a review star will insert a delete icon, etc) ### 2/5 — Bug when inserting ionicons,pictograms,devices and watch os *2019-05-27, version 1.3.5* When inserting the above, elements selections are muddled up. For example, Select the profile icon you get the down icon and so on. Please fix! using iPad Pro 11 inch screen pro. ### 3/5 — Love but... *2018-09-24, version 1.3.5* Please please please update! There has been the bug where clicking on icons doesn’t choose the icon you clicked on. This app is amazing and this is a huge problem that needs fixed. ### 2/5 — Great idea but too many bugs *2018-08-17, version 1.3.5* Once they fix all the many bugs it’s going to be a great App. Right now it’s hard to Sketch an idea. I love the icons but if you select one the App places a completely different one and so on. ### 4/5 — App crashes on export *2018-08-15, version 1.3.5* App crashes when exporting graphics besides that this is good app more suitable for IPAD devices ### 2/5 — Great concept and good user interface but, %60 useless. *2018-08-15, version 1.3.5* This app took on a revolutionary concept to bring vector based design to the iPad with an easy and intuitive interface. The other great thing about the app is the UI icons, assets library which is a very useful time saving tool for creating concepts and mock ups. Now for the bad news. This app has a horrible glitch that usually would be addressed if the developer did periodic updates but I haven’t had received an update in eons. The glitch affects that wonderful library of UI icons I was telling you about earlier. You pick an icon you want to use and it completely randomly chooses the icon you didn’t want. It’s not even predictable... it’s completely random. This completely destroys the ease in the learning curve and makes the experience a living nightmare. It’s a shame that I and others had to pay money to experience what you would only experience in purgatory. I’m not just saying this because I have some biased towards other apps or something along those lines. We all really thought we where getting %100 quality software but is more like %40 without the icon library. This is why I gave it 2 stars or %40 of the the max stars that can be given. Maybe I’ll change my opinion and review when the developer can restore my faith in the user experience. Till then I warn you that if you thought this was gonna be a complete adobe illustrator replacement, your gonna have to find the other %60 replacement elsewhere. Prior to this review I deleted the app an redownloaded it to see if that would solve the issue. It did not. In my opinion unless you have access to your own icon library (such as shutterstock) skip this app for the other alternatives. ### 2/5 — Don’t Recommend This *2018-08-05* Just spent money on this app, and it’s pretty unusable in my opinion. It has pre-built UX components, a pretty good library of them. However, when you pull one out onto the canvas, it is never the one you chose. Having USABLE pre-built UX components like that is the main reason I would use an app such as this as I develop websites and apps. I wouldn’t use it for the free hand sketching - though that does seem to be pretty decent and seems to work well for those wanting this app as just a sketch pad. A bug like this wouldn’t be an issue if the app were under decent support. But the app hasn’t been updated in 10 months. Meaning, other people that are having this bug have been dealing with it for at least that long. The app’s website also still has a copyright notice from 2017, so it would seem the site itself isn’t even being maintained any longer. If it is being maintained, I hope they fix this soon. ### 4/5 — Really enjoyable to use *2018-05-26, version 1.3.5* This is an excellent app for design work. My main frustration comes in the last stages of completing designs as by that time the app has lots to do and slows right down. In particular, it struggles when I make a working layer partially transparent. I am using an iPad Pro. Looking forward to more updates and fixes! ### 2/5 — It was good *2018-05-03, version 1.3.5* This review is backed up with a lot of time using it as a default vector app. It failed. It’s not intuitive and it wont let you work without being between you and design. I paid for it so I tried badly to keep using it, but it is not a good tool. Sorry. Again, it may not be your experience, so good luck. ### 3/5 — Icon selection misfires *2018-03-26* I like many features of ProtoSketch, but one I would like to use often misbehaves on my iPad Pro (Model MPA52LL/A). When I select an icon an entirely different one (one that is 8 or 12 rows away from the target) appears in the work area! It is very time consuming to have to ferret out an intended image by many trial and error attempts! ### 2/5 — Buggy *2018-01-27, version 1.3.5* Current version has a LOT of bugs and placeable UI elements such as iOS and Icons are not selectable. When you click an element to add to your canvas, it chooses something completely different. Undo button sometimes stops working when using brush tool (maybe unrelated) and unable to convert text into path as far as I can tell. Using this on a 12.9in iPad Pro 2017 edition. ### 3/5 — ⭐️⭐️⭐️ *2017-12-15, version 1.3.5* The program needs to develop and add icons and color codes for designs and modify the iPhone screen ### 3/5 — Has potential *2017-11-20* I really want this app to work for me for website prototyping, but there just seem to be a lot of basic features missing such as being able to mask images or having things align to the center of the document or to the centers of surrounding shapes. ### 2/5 — So close, so much potential *2017-11-02, version 1.3.5* This is so close to be a legitimately work-changing app, the interface is incredibly well-thought out, the features are amazing, the problem is so many bugs. You can’t export to any format without the app crashing, you can’t import from any source without the app crashing, and it randomly deletes layers. I’ve bought the full version and am hoping against hope that my purchase is justified and these bugs are fixed, as this has the potential to make me leave my laptop at home and use this for literally all my vector needs. ### 2/5 — Half Baked and Buggy *2017-10-26* There are many other vector programs out there that do more with a much better intuitive workflow. This lacks some very basic features apart from being extremely buggy. This app has potential, but is half-baked at the moment, so save yourself some $s and don’t fall for the “best app” comments / reviews. This isn’t for a serious designer. **Developer response:** Hello Chief, Sorry to that you are disappointed with the app. Which iPad do you use? We are testing the app on iPad Mini 2 and iPad Pro 1 and the app runs smoothly. Best, Nikolay ### 3/5 — Broken on iOS 11, great app when it worked... *2017-10-06, version 1.3.5* [edit: the app is now fixed, but I’m still a bit miffed the developers didn’t try the app on a development version of iOS 11 before it was a released, even though developers have advanced access to new versions of iOS. For a paid app charging this much they really should be ahead of the release schedule. I’m upgrading my rating from 1 to 3, because I really like the app but am not very confident the developers will continue to stay ahead of the maintenance needed to keep it running in future versions)] This app is broken in iOS 11, when using an iPad pro and apple pencil. Prior to upgrading, I was able to hold the pen to select and bring up the context menu when selecting an object. After the upgrade, the menu flickers in and out, and seems to get dismissed too often to actually be reliably brought up. Maybe one times in ten it actually comes up. This completely ruins the drawing workflow, and renders this key functionality in the app pretty much useless, basically braking your ability to use the app productive in iOS 11. Have the developers even run this on the new operating system? There ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Great bones but huge functionality flaw *2019-10-01* I adore this app for one thing, it is the ONLY one I have found that has the functions I need to use it for line art. I have found any vector apps that either allow you to draw paths with a pen and then add strokes/effect in such way to use for line art or let you draw with different brushes but then edit the paths. I would love to see the feature added that would allow adding different brushstrokes to paths, but at least with this program I can use the pressure sensitive brush and then edit the path. Biggest flaw is that the export or “open in”/“open with” process almost never works. I’ve done every format and method of exporting and i have to do it about ten times to get one file successfully exported and so far the only method that has worked was putting in Dropbox as a png. Everything else goes through the flow as if it’s completed but the file never actually shows up. Certainly makes using it for my line art a lot harder. And it seems like this has been a problem since it’s inception and has yet to be addressed. I really REALLY hope this gets fixed. ### 1/5 — App still not ready for prime time. *2019-09-18* Thought maybe this app which was on sale had fixed issues but trying to select and drag icons into design space would bring a random icon, not the one you selected. The interface lacks some quick always ready tool icons that would improve the speed so that users don’t have to wade through menus. The shift and alt button idea feels like a cludgy hold over from some pc design. On plus sign, it does work with the Apple Pencil and unlike some apps, is not charging you a monthly fee. ### 1/5 — Typical 😡😡😡 *2019-05-18, version 1.3.5* This is an app you pay for, but it falls into the typical category of crappy iPad vector drawing apps that don’t get fixed or updated by their developers. ### 1/5 — Bugs with Icons *2019-02-03* I would’ve given a 3 star review since I like this app and the only problem I’ve encountered is a bug when a user selects an icon it gives a completely different one. Scrolling through the reviews, it seems that this problem has been going on since August and still hasn’t been fixed, which is kind of disappointing. Other than that its a great idea for an app. ### 1/5 — Worst app ever *2019-01-27, version 1.3.5* Don’t buy this app. Lots of bugs and developers are careless to update it. Just look at update history. ### 1/5 — nope *2018-08-04, version 1.3.5* This app is faulty. Did a little research and it seems that the problems have existed for a while. 90% of the info in the instruction manual isn’t correct. They have hundreds of graphic icons but when one is selected a different, random icon is placed. Doesn’t upload photos either. ### 1/5 — Can’t use this app *2017-10-06, version 1.3.5* I can’t use this app at all, it’s not user friendly. Needs a lot of work, can I get a refund ### 1/5 — Unusable - gets real slow real fast *2017-08-22* This app works fine if you have like 3 shapes and 3 layers. But once you add any meaningful amount of content it's unusably slow. And I'm not even talking about a gargantuan project, just a modestly-sized one. For example you pinch to zoom and then you're staring at the screen for 20 seconds while it gets to your zoom level. And this is on the iPad Pro, the fastest iPad ever made. I waited to make this review because maybe they would release an update to fix the slowness, but it's been over half a year without an update. Since their last update there have been several new iPad models in the market, including 2 new iPad Pro's. I wouldn't use this for any serious project, and don't see where all the hype is coming from. **Developer response:** I'm sorry to hear this. Can you tell me which iOS version do you use? It will be helpful to send us a canvas that is slow on your device. Thanks in advanced! ### 1/5 — Back to Autodesk Graphic *2016-10-14, version 1.2* After using Autodesk Graphic this program feels unintuitive and lacking in features. Deleted. ### 2/5 — Exporting is a problem *2020-01-14, version 1.3.5* JPEG option downloads as png and it takes a lot of waiting and many tries to get any of the file versions to save to Google Drive. I’m using a 2019 iPad Pro... ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — disappointing :( *2022-06-25, version 1.3.5* idk what such a developers who give up on app like this for me to be honest since they stopped updating this app i give up on all my works what kind of dev are you guys so many designers pay for this app just to you give up on it. hope you’ll considering my review as a reminder for this great beautiful app. peace and love ### 5/5 — Just what I was looking for... *2020-07-16, version 1.3.5* Essential. ### 5/5 — Best app out there for vector sketching! *2020-05-27* There’s a bug or two with selecting colors, but otherwise they have pretty much nailed UI with respect to how I was to sketch on the iPad: tolerance is front and center, so details can be made with no auto smoothing, and long lines can be made with more smoothing. The virtual keys also mean I can work with expected shortcuts. I use it for sketching only though, not sure how it works for other things. Wish they would update ### 5/5 — importing photos no longer works in iPad IOS 13 *2019-11-18* Importing photos in Protosketch no longer works for iPad IOS 13 the latest. Says it can't finf them although i have permissions turned on in settings. This is crucial for me, can you please do an update? Some of the other things about importing symbols does not work but only oartially & often selects the wrong image either. Although the layers menu is there, the navigation doesn't fully work, visible invisible only works once & then freezes. Sorry about my posting here but there seems no other way to contact you. Please fix - otherwise a fantastic app. i fdo see i can save but first you have to allow photo to access - but it still doen't work for importing. ### 5/5 — I like it *2019-04-08, version 1.3.5* Although can’t handle a lot of layers this app is Simple but powerful! Precise and with lots of hidden treasures. I think is tremendously helpful. ### 5/5 — Ignore the haterz *2017-11-19* This app has benefited every aspect of my creative process. The only issues I ever had with it were due to the fact that I was running it on a now no longer supported iPad mini. I’m using a newer model and rarely have issues with it only as exporting. Even with those minuscule export issues I’m unaware of any other app that exports designs as svg’s so flawlessly. From quick and dirty last second edits to building the elements of my new website in. Protosketch is a phenomenal Swiss Army knife. I have all but given up looking for a replacement. I’m operating under the assumption any bugs proto has is due to the sheer scope of their roadmap and goals as an available on all platforms design suite. The only notes I have are a feature request which is as follows. Importing from cloud services like google drive is a bit frustrating and any focus put to improving it would only be a boon to my workflow. ### 5/5 — Great applications *2017-09-19, version 1.3.4* A really good application for designing logos, vectors, icons and wireframes. ### 5/5 — One of the best apps for drawing in vector. *2017-09-17, version 1.3.4* This is my preferred app for drawing in vector. It works brilliantly with the stylus and translates to vector the way I would want the points to be. ### 5/5 — Someone need to improve *2017-08-16, version 1.3.4* I set to rulers on my iphone And i use rectangle tool the top difficulty to touch must fix please ### 5/5 — Best iPad Pro Vector App So Far *2017-06-13, version 1.3.4* Much better than graphic and adobe draw. --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*