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Software · head to head

Adobe XD vs Zeplin

Adobe XD logo

Adobe XD

Software

Design, prototype, and share user experiences

From
$54.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Zeplin logo

Zeplin

Software

Design handoff and developer collaboration

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Zeplin has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Adobe XD standalone subscription eliminated - now requires expensive Creative Cloud All Apps plan; Zeplin the free plan is limited to 1 project and 100 screens and works only in a personal workspace
  • They diverge on capability: Adobe XD covers Vector design tools, Zeplin covers Design specs.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Adobe XD and Zeplin actually diverge.

Attributes where Adobe XD and Zeplin differ
AttributeAdobe XDZeplin
Starting price$54.99/monthFree
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, macOS, WindowsWeb, Desktop, Mobile
Founded20152014

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Adobe XD

  • Vector design tools
  • Responsive resize
  • Auto-animate
  • Voice prototyping
  • 3D transforms
  • Design systems
  • Component states
  • Coediting

Only in Zeplin

  • Design specs
  • Asset export
  • Code snippets
  • Design tokens
  • Comments
  • Version control
  • Handoff workflow
  • Accessibility checks

Both cover

  • Sketch
  • Slack
  • Jira

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Adobe XD

  • Web designnot Zeplin
  • Mobile app designnot Zeplin
  • Design systemsnot Zeplin
  • Interactive prototypesnot Zeplin
  • User testingnot Zeplin

Zeplin

  • Handing off design specs from Figma or Sketch to developersnot Adobe XD
  • Sharing screens, assets and style guides with an engineering teamnot Adobe XD
  • Reviewing and commenting on design versionsnot Adobe XD

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Adobe XD

  • Standalone subscription eliminated - now requires expensive Creative Cloud All Apps plan
  • Mac-first design tool with more limited Windows support
  • Collaboration features are less mature compared to Figma
  • Not open source unlike alternatives like Penpot
  • Higher price point than competing standalone design tools

Zeplin

  • The free plan is limited to 1 project and 100 screens and works only in a personal workspace
  • Free plan AI reviews are capped at 3 per week
  • Role based permissions require the Advanced plan or higher
  • Single sign on, multi factor authentication, activity logs and invoiced billing are Enterprise only
  • Priority 24 hour support is Enterprise only
  • Basic plan caps screens at 1,000 per project and is priced per project rather than per seat
  • Enterprise pricing is by quote with no published rate

Pricing, plan by plan

Adobe XD

$54.99/month

No published plan breakdown. See the Adobe XD review.

Zeplin

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 1 project
    • 1 workspace
    • Basic specs
  • Starter$19/month
    • Unlimited projects
    • Multiple workspaces
    • Advanced specs
  • Professional$49/month
    • Everything in Starter
    • Team collaboration
    • Admin controls

Which should you pick?

Choose Adobe XD if

  • You need vector design tools.
  • You work on Web, macOS, Windows.
  • You also want responsive resize.
Adobe XD review

Choose Zeplin if

  • You need design specs.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Desktop, Mobile.
  • You also want asset export.
Zeplin review

Questions people ask

Is Adobe XD or Zeplin better?
Neither clearly leads. Adobe XD starts at $54.99/month and Zeplin at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Adobe XD or Zeplin?
Zeplin has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $54.99/month for Adobe XD and Free for Zeplin.
Does Adobe XD or Zeplin run on more platforms?
Adobe XD runs on Web, macOS, Windows. Zeplin runs on Web, Desktop, Mobile.
Can I use Zeplin for free?
Yes. Zeplin has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Adobe XD starts at $54.99/month.
What is Adobe XD best used for?
Adobe XD is most often used for web design, mobile app design, design systems, interactive prototypes. Of those, web design and mobile app design are not what Zeplin is typically brought in for.
What can Adobe XD do that Zeplin cannot?
Adobe XD covers Vector design tools, Responsive resize, Auto-animate, Voice prototyping. Zeplin covers Design specs, Asset export, Code snippets, Design tokens. Both handle Sketch, Slack, Jira.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Adobe XD: Can I use Adobe XD without a full Creative Cloud subscription?

No. Adobe XD is no longer available as a standalone subscription. It is only available as part of Creative Cloud All Apps plan priced from $54.99 to $69.99 per month.

Source
Adobe XD: What file formats does Adobe XD support?

Adobe XD supports XD format natively, with import/export capabilities for other design formats and vector graphics.

Source
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Related pages

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