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Software · head to head

Basecamp vs Zeplin

Basecamp logo

Basecamp

Software

Project management & team collaboration software

From
Free
Rated
-
Zeplin logo

Zeplin

Software

Design handoff and developer collaboration

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Basecamp the free tier allows one project and 1 GB of storage; Zeplin the free plan is limited to 1 project and 100 screens and works only in a personal workspace
  • They diverge on capability: Basecamp covers Message boards, Zeplin covers Design specs.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Basecamp and Zeplin actually diverge.

Attributes where Basecamp and Zeplin differ
AttributeBasecampZeplin
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
PlatformsWebWeb, Desktop, Mobile
Founded20042014

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

  • Message boards
  • To-do lists
  • Schedules
  • Documents & files
  • Group chat
  • Check-in questions
  • Hill Charts
  • Email forwards

Only in Zeplin

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

Both cover

  • Slack
  • GitHub
  • 2FA
  • SOC2
  • GDPR

What people use each for

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

Basecamp

  • Project management for a small team in one placenot Zeplin
  • Message boards and chat alongside to-dosnot Zeplin
  • Client collaboration, since guests are not chargednot Zeplin
  • Flat-rate project management for a larger team on Pro Unlimitednot Zeplin

Zeplin

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

Where each one falls short

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

Basecamp

  • The free tier allows one project and 1 GB of storage
  • Pro is $15 per user per month, so cost scales with headcount unlike the flat Pro Unlimited at $299 a month billed annually
  • Storage beyond the plan costs $50 a month per additional terabyte
  • Timesheet and the Admin Pro Pack are paid upgrades on Pro and only bundled with Pro Unlimited

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

Basecamp

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Basecamp 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 Basecamp if

  • You need message boards.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want to-do lists.

Choose Zeplin if

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

Questions people ask

Is Basecamp or Zeplin better?
Neither clearly leads. Basecamp 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, Basecamp or Zeplin?
Basecamp starts at Free and Zeplin at Free.
Does Basecamp or Zeplin run on more platforms?
Basecamp runs on Web. Zeplin runs on Web, Desktop, Mobile.
Can I use Basecamp for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Basecamp best used for?
Basecamp is most often used for project management for a small team in one place, message boards and chat alongside to-dos, client collaboration, since guests are not charged, flat-rate project management for a larger team on pro unlimited. Of those, project management for a small team in one place and message boards and chat alongside to-dos are not what Zeplin is typically brought in for.
What can Basecamp do that Zeplin cannot?
Basecamp covers Message boards, To-do lists, Schedules, Documents & files. Zeplin covers Design specs, Asset export, Code snippets, Design tokens. Both handle Slack, GitHub, 2FA, SOC2.

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