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Developer Tools · head to head

Azure DevOps vs Zeplin

Azure DevOps logo

Azure DevOps

Developer Tools

Plan smarter, collaborate better, and ship faster

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Visit Azure DevOpsFull review
Zeplin logo

Zeplin

Design

Design handoff and developer collaboration

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Visit ZeplinFull review

The short version

  • Zeplin is a collaboration tool for designers and developers.
  • Free plans on both; paid from $2/mo and $19/mo.
  • Where Azure DevOps falls short: first 5 users free applies to Basic plan only; Test Plans users are not included in free tier.
  • Where Zeplin falls short: the free plan is limited to 1 project and 100 screens and works only in a personal workspace.
  • Prices and features on this page were last checked on 13 November 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Azure DevOps and Zeplin actually diverge.

Attributes where Azure DevOps and Zeplin differ
AttributeAzure DevOpsZeplin
Pricing modelMixedSubscription
PlatformsWebWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
CategoryDeveloper ToolsDesign

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes).

Not yet recorded: founded for Azure DevOps.

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 Azure DevOps

Nothing recorded that Zeplin does not also cover.

Only in Zeplin

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

What people use each for

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

Azure DevOps

  • CI/CD pipelines and build automation for software development teamsnot Zeplin
  • Source code repository management and version controlnot Zeplin
  • Test planning and tracking for QA teamsnot Zeplin
  • Artifact storage for packages and binariesnot Zeplin

Zeplin

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

Where each one falls short

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

Azure DevOps

  • First 5 users free applies to Basic plan only; Test Plans users are not included in free tier
  • Storage pricing increases per-GiB cost as volumes grow, with no volume discount threshold below $0.25

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

Azure DevOps

Free
  • Basic$6/user/mo
    • First 5 users free
    • Additional users $6/user/month
    • Pipelines (free tier)
  • Basic + Test Plans$52/user/mo
    • All Basic features
    • Test planning, tracking, and execution
  • Azure Pipelines CI/CD - Microsoft-hosted$40
    • 1 free parallel job with 1,800 minutes per month
    • Additional jobs at $40/month each
  • Azure Artifacts Storage$2/month per gib
    • First 2 GiB free
    • 2-10 GiB: $2/GiB
    • 10-100 GiB: $1/GiB

Zeplin

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Azure DevOps if

  • You want to start without paying.
Azure DevOps review

Choose Zeplin if

  • You need design specs.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
  • You also want asset export.
Zeplin review

Questions people ask

Is Azure DevOps or Zeplin better?
Neither clearly leads. Azure DevOps starts at Free and Zeplin at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Azure DevOps or Zeplin?
Azure DevOps starts at Free and Zeplin at Free.
Does Azure DevOps or Zeplin run on more platforms?
Azure DevOps runs on Web. Zeplin runs on Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
Can I use Azure DevOps for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Azure DevOps best used for?
Azure DevOps is most often used for ci/cd pipelines and build automation for software development teams, source code repository management and version control, test planning and tracking for qa teams, artifact storage for packages and binaries. Of those, ci/cd pipelines and build automation for software development teams and source code repository management and version control are not what Zeplin is typically brought in for.
What can Azure DevOps do that Zeplin cannot?
Zeplin covers Design specs, Asset export, Code snippets, Design tokens.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Azure DevOps: How much does Azure DevOps cost?

Azure DevOps Basic plan is $6 per user per month after the first 5 users are free. Basic + Test Plans tier costs $52 per user per month. Azure Pipelines add-on for extra parallel jobs costs $40 per job for Microsoft-hosted runners and $15 per job for self-hosted runners.

Source
Zeplin: How much does Zeplin Advanced cost?

Advanced costs $12 per seat per month when paid annually, with annual subscriptions offering 2 months off versus monthly rates.

Source
Azure DevOps: Is there a free tier for Azure DevOps?

Yes, Azure DevOps includes 5 free users on the Basic plan. Additional free allocations include 1,800 free minutes per month on Azure Pipelines with a free parallel job, 2 GiB free storage on Azure Artifacts, and free access for Visual Studio subscribers and Stakeholders with limited functionality.

Source
Zeplin: What's the difference between Free and Basic plans?

Free covers 1 project with 100 screens and 30-day version history. Basic offers 1-12 projects with practically unlimited screens per project and 1-year version history.

Source
Azure DevOps: What does the Basic + Test Plans tier add to Azure DevOps?

The Basic + Test Plans tier adds test planning and execution capabilities, browser-based testing, and centralized reporting features. This tier costs $52 per user per month compared to $6 per user for the Basic plan.

Source
Zeplin: Can I add unlimited team members?

Yes, Free and Basic plans allow unlimited team members. Advanced/Enterprise assign roles with Reviewers being free and unlimited.

Source
Azure DevOps: How is Azure Artifacts priced?

Azure Artifacts provides 2 GiB of free storage, then charges $2 per GiB for 2-10 GiB, $1 per GiB for 10-100 GiB, $0.50 per GiB for 100-1,000 GiB, and $0.25 per GiB for over 1,000 GiB.

Source
Zeplin: What can Reviewers do?

Reviewers can view designs and documentation and approve requests, but lack access to developer specs.

Source
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