Zeplin vs Penpot (2024 Comparison)
Zeplin bridges the gap between design and development with its seamless handoff process. Its strong integration capabilities and user-friendly interface make it a top choice for design teams.
- Seamless design handoff process
- Strong integration capabilities
- User-friendly interface
- Limited prototyping features
- Customization options are restricted
Free plan?
YesStarting price
$12 per seat per month
Penpot offers robust prototyping tools and open-source flexibility, making it a versatile choice for teams seeking customization and community-driven improvements.
- Robust prototyping tools
- Highly customizable
- Open-source flexibility
- Community-based support
- Initial setup can be complex
Free plan?
YesStarting price
$175 per monthWhat is Zeplin?
Zeplin is a collaboration tool for designers and developers, streamlining the design handoff process. It provides a shared space where design files can be easily accessed, annotated, and discussed. Zeplin helps teams maintain consistency by offering style guides and design systems, making it easier to implement designs accurately. With its integration capabilities, Zeplin fits seamlessly into existing workflows, enhancing productivity and reducing miscommunication. It's a valuable asset for teams aiming to bridge the gap between design and development, ensuring that projects are delivered on time and to specification.
What is Penpot?
Penpot is an open-source design and prototyping platform that caters to both designers and developers. It offers a collaborative environment where teams can create, share, and iterate on designs in real-time. Penpot's flexibility and cross-platform capabilities make it a versatile tool for diverse teams. It supports vector graphics, interactive prototypes, and design systems, enabling users to bring their creative visions to life. Penpot's open-source nature allows for customization and community-driven improvements, making it an attractive choice for teams seeking a cost-effective and adaptable design solution.
Pros and Cons of Zeplin vs Penpot
Pros & Cons of Zeplin
- Zeplin offers a seamless design handoff process, ensuring that developers receive all necessary specifications and assets. This feature reduces miscommunication and accelerates the development timeline, making it a valuable tool for design teams.
- Zeplin integrates effortlessly with popular design tools like Sketch and Figma, enhancing its utility in design workflows. This integration capability streamlines processes and boosts productivity for design and development teams.
- Zeplin's user-friendly interface makes it easy for teams to adopt and integrate into their workflows. Its intuitive design ensures a smooth learning curve, allowing users to quickly become proficient with the tool.
- Zeplin's focus on design handoff means its prototyping features are limited compared to other tools. Teams seeking advanced prototyping capabilities may find Zeplin lacking in this area.
- While Zeplin offers some customization options, they are not as extensive as those found in open-source tools. Teams with specific customization needs may find Zeplin's options somewhat limited.
Pros & Cons of Penpot
- Penpot offers robust prototyping tools that allow teams to create interactive prototypes with ease. This feature is ideal for teams looking to bring their designs to life and test user interactions.
- Penpot's open-source nature allows for extensive customization, making it a flexible tool for teams with specific needs. This flexibility is a significant advantage for those seeking tailored solutions.
- As an open-source platform, Penpot offers flexibility and community-driven improvements. This feature allows teams to adapt the tool to their specific requirements and benefit from ongoing enhancements.
- Penpot relies on community-based support, which can be a double-edged sword. While the community is active, dedicated support may be limited compared to commercial tools.
- The initial setup of Penpot can be complex, especially for teams unfamiliar with open-source tools. This complexity may require additional time and resources to get started.
Zeplin vs Penpot: At A Glance
Zeplin vs Penpot: A Detailed Breakdown of Key Features
Design Handoff
Zeplin excels in design handoff, providing detailed specifications and style guides that ensure developers have all the information they need. This feature significantly reduces miscommunication and speeds up the development process. Penpot, while offering design handoff capabilities, may not be as detailed, making Zeplin the better choice for teams prioritizing precise handoff.
Prototyping
Penpot shines in prototyping, offering robust tools for creating interactive prototypes that bring designs to life. Zeplin, while capable, focuses more on design handoff than prototyping. If your team needs advanced prototyping features, Penpot is the superior option.
Collaboration
Both Zeplin and Penpot offer strong collaboration features, allowing teams to work together seamlessly. Zeplin's integration with popular design tools enhances its collaborative capabilities, while Penpot's real-time collaboration is a standout feature. If real-time collaboration is crucial, Penpot might be more appealing.
Customization
Penpot's open-source nature allows for extensive customization, making it a flexible tool for teams with specific needs. Zeplin, while customizable, may not offer the same level of flexibility. If customization is a priority, Penpot is the better choice.
Design Systems
Zeplin supports design systems, helping teams maintain consistency across projects. This feature is invaluable for large teams with complex design needs. Penpot also supports design systems, but Zeplin's implementation is more mature. If design systems are critical, Zeplin is the preferred option.
Cross-Platform
Penpot's cross-platform capabilities make it a versatile choice for teams using different operating systems. Zeplin, while cross-platform, may not offer the same level of flexibility. If cross-platform compatibility is essential, Penpot is the stronger contender.
Pricing Comparison of Zeplin and Penpot
We’ve compiled the pricing tables and highlighted the key features of both Zeplin and Penpot to aid in your decision-making process. Let’s explore what each platform has to offer.
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.
Penpot Pricing Plans
- Unlimited designers and developers for collaborative projects.
- Hosted on penpot.app or self-host for flexibility.
- Community supported for shared knowledge and assistance.
- No hidden fees ensuring transparent usage.
- One subscription covers entire team regardless of size.
- Yearly pricing option available for cost savings.
- Hosted on penpot.app for easy access and management.
- Unlimited design power for medium-sized teams.
- Single sign-on and two-factor authentication for secure access.
- Team access controls for managing user permissions.
- Activity logs and analytics for performance tracking.
- Certified builds and enterprise plugins for custom needs.
Our Rating Methodology
We thoroughly evaluate each design collaboration tool, focusing on key aspects like functionality, ease of use, and scalability. 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 make informed decisions.
Zeplin or Penpot: Which One Matches Your Business Needs?
Choose Zeplin If You Need ...
- Seamless design handoff
If you are a team focused on precise design handoff and integration with popular design tools, Zeplin is the ideal choice. Its detailed specifications and style guides ensure developers have all the information they need, reducing miscommunication and speeding up the development process.
- User-friendly interface
If you are a team seeking an intuitive and easy-to-use design collaboration tool, Zeplin is the better option. Its user-friendly interface ensures a smooth learning curve, allowing users to quickly become proficient with the tool and integrate it into their workflows.
Choose Penpot If You Need ...
- Advanced prototyping features
If you are a team in need of robust prototyping tools to create interactive designs, Penpot is the superior choice. Its advanced prototyping capabilities allow teams to bring their designs to life and test user interactions effectively.
- Open-source flexibility
If you are a team looking for a highly customizable and adaptable design tool, Penpot is the ideal option. Its open-source nature allows for extensive customization, making it a flexible tool for teams with specific needs and preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main differences between Zeplin and Penpot?
Which tool is better for prototyping, Zeplin or Penpot?
Is Zeplin or Penpot more user-friendly?
Which tool offers better integration capabilities?
Is Penpot suitable for large teams?
Does Zeplin offer customization options?
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.
