Axure vs Zeplin (2024 Comparison)
Axure offers advanced prototyping capabilities, making it ideal for designers who need detailed and interactive wireframes. Its comprehensive customer support and customizable workflows enhance productivity.
- Advanced prototyping capabilities
- Comprehensive customer support
- Highly customizable workflows
- Steep learning curve
- Interface can feel cluttered
Free plan?
NoStarting price
$25 per month per user
Zeplin excels in design handoff, providing a seamless transition from design to development. Its user-friendly interface and extensive integrations make it a top choice for collaborative teams.
- Seamless design handoff
- User-friendly interface
- Extensive integrations
- Limited prototyping features
- Occasional performance issues
Free plan?
YesStarting price
$12 per seat per monthWhat is Axure?
Axure is a powerful prototyping tool that allows designers to create interactive wireframes and mockups. It helps teams visualize complex ideas and test user experiences before development. With Axure, you can create detailed prototypes that mimic real-world interactions, making it easier to communicate design concepts to stakeholders. This tool is particularly beneficial for UX designers who need to present their ideas in a dynamic and engaging way.
What is Zeplin?
Zeplin is a collaboration tool that bridges the gap between designers and developers. It streamlines the design handoff process by providing a platform where design specifications, assets, and code snippets are easily accessible. Zeplin enhances productivity by ensuring that everyone is on the same page, reducing the chances of miscommunication. It's a must-have for teams looking to improve their workflow and deliver projects efficiently.
Pros and Cons of Axure vs Zeplin
Pros & Cons of Axure
- Axure offers advanced prototyping features that allow designers to create highly interactive and detailed wireframes. This is particularly useful for testing user flows and interactions before development.
- Axure provides extensive customer support, including detailed documentation and responsive assistance, ensuring that users can get help when they need it.
- Axure allows for highly customizable workflows, enabling designers to tailor the tool to their specific needs and preferences, enhancing productivity and efficiency.
- Axure can be challenging to learn, especially for beginners. Its extensive features and capabilities require time and effort to master, which can be a barrier for new users.
- The interface of Axure can feel cluttered at times, making it difficult to navigate and find specific features. This can slow down the design process and lead to frustration.
Pros & Cons of Zeplin
- Zeplin excels in design handoff, providing a seamless transition from design to development. It offers clear specifications and assets, making it easy for developers to understand the design intent.
- Zeplin's user-friendly interface makes it easy to navigate and use, even for beginners. Its clean and intuitive design enhances the overall user experience.
- Zeplin offers extensive integrations with popular design tools, making it easy to incorporate into existing workflows and enhancing team collaboration.
- Zeplin's prototyping features are limited compared to other tools. It focuses more on design handoff, which may not meet the needs of designers looking for advanced prototyping capabilities.
- Zeplin can experience occasional performance issues, such as slow loading times or lag, which can disrupt the workflow and cause frustration for users.
Axure vs Zeplin: At A Glance
Axure vs Zeplin: A Detailed Breakdown of Key Features
Prototyping
Axure's prototyping capabilities are unmatched, allowing you to create highly interactive and detailed wireframes. I found it incredibly useful for testing user flows and interactions. Zeplin, while not as robust in prototyping, excels in design handoff. If your focus is on creating detailed prototypes, Axure is the tool for you.
Design Handoff
Zeplin shines in design handoff, providing a seamless transition from design to development. It offers clear specifications and assets, making it easy for developers to understand the design intent. Axure, while capable, doesn't match Zeplin's efficiency in this area. For smooth design handoff, Zeplin is the superior choice.
Collaboration
Zeplin's collaboration features are top-notch, allowing teams to work together effortlessly. I appreciated how easy it was to share designs and gather feedback. Axure also supports collaboration, but Zeplin's platform is more intuitive. If collaboration is key, Zeplin is the better option.
User Interface
Zeplin offers a clean and intuitive user interface, making it easy to navigate and use. Axure, while powerful, can feel overwhelming at times. If you prefer a straightforward and user-friendly interface, Zeplin is the way to go.
Asset Management
Both Axure and Zeplin offer asset management features, but Zeplin's approach is more streamlined. It allows for easy organization and access to design assets, which I found very convenient. If efficient asset management is important, Zeplin is the better choice.
Code Snippets
Zeplin provides code snippets that are incredibly helpful for developers, ensuring accurate implementation of designs. Axure offers similar features, but Zeplin's snippets are more comprehensive. If you need detailed code snippets, Zeplin is the preferred tool.
Pricing Comparison of Axure and Zeplin
We’ve compiled the pricing tables and highlighted the key features of both Axure and Zeplin to aid in your decision-making process. Let’s explore what each platform has to offer.
Axure Pricing Plans
- Unlimited reviewers to gather comprehensive feedback.
- Advanced prototyping for detailed design work.
- Wireframes, diagrams, and documentation for clarity.
- Unlimited projects on Cloud for seamless access.
- Revision history to track changes over time.
- Team project hosting on Cloud for shared access.
- Automatic history of check-ins with notes for transparency.
- Export any revision for version control.
- User management and single sign-on for security.
- Company domain for internal member use.
- Private or on-prem security for data protection.
- Contact us for security and licensing options.
Zeplin Pricing Plans
- Access to annotations, flows, and approvals for project management.
- Screen versioning with version compare and screen variants.
- Integrations with Jira, Azure DevOps, VS Code, and more.
- Up to 100 components and 30 days of version history.
- Unlimited components and 1 year of version history.
- Flat rate per project with unlimited members.
- Ideal for time-bound projects with many collaborators.
- Annual plans offer 1 month free for cost savings.
- Unlimited projects and screens for extensive collaboration.
- Advanced user permissions and unlimited reviewers.
- Flow boards and team workspace for organized workflows.
- Forever version history for comprehensive project tracking.
- Invoiced billing and custom terms for flexible payment options.
- Activity logs and domain capture for enhanced security.
- 24-hour support SLA and access to Zeplin experts.
- Success manager and group training sessions for team enablement.
Our Rating Methodology
We thoroughly evaluate each design collaboration tool, focusing on key aspects like functionality, ease of use, and integrations. By analyzing user feedback and testing features, we ensure our recommendations align with your needs. Each factor is weighted to provide a reliable final rating, helping you choose the best tool for your team.
Axure or Zeplin: Which One Matches Your Business Needs?
Choose Axure If You Need ...
- Advanced prototyping needs
If you are a designer who requires advanced prototyping capabilities to create detailed and interactive wireframes, Axure is the ideal choice. Its robust features allow for comprehensive testing of user flows and interactions.
- Comprehensive customer support
If you value strong customer support with detailed documentation and responsive assistance, Axure is the better option. Its extensive resources ensure you can get help when needed, enhancing your overall experience.
Choose Zeplin If You Need ...
- Seamless design handoff
If you need a tool that excels in design handoff, providing clear specifications and assets for developers, Zeplin is the superior choice. Its seamless transition from design to development enhances team collaboration.
- User-friendly interface
If you prefer a tool with a clean and intuitive user interface, Zeplin is the way to go. Its user-friendly design makes it easy to navigate and use, even for beginners, enhancing the overall user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which tool is better for prototyping, Axure or Zeplin?
How does Zeplin enhance team collaboration?
Is Axure suitable for beginners?
What makes Zeplin's design handoff process effective?
Can Axure handle large projects?
What integrations does Zeplin offer?
Anastasia Belyh
Anastasia Belyh is a senior tech writer with over 15 years of experience in marketing, sales, and business software. Having worked in investment banking, management consulting, and founded multiple companies, her in-depth knowledge and hands-on expertise make her software reviews authoritative, trustworthy, and highly practical for business decision-makers.
