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Software · head to head

Lighthouse vs Zeplin

Lighthouse logo

Lighthouse

Software

Audit web page performance and quality

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Zeplin logo

Zeplin

Software

Design handoff and developer collaboration

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Lighthouse described by the vendor as an open-source, automated tool with community contributions welcomed, no commercial edition; Zeplin the free plan is limited to 1 project and 100 screens and works only in a personal workspace
  • They diverge on capability: Lighthouse covers Performance scoring, Zeplin covers Design specs.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Lighthouse and Zeplin actually diverge.

Attributes where Lighthouse and Zeplin differ
AttributeLighthouseZeplin
Pricing modelfreesubscription
PlatformsChrome, EdgeWeb, Desktop, Mobile
Founded19982014

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 Lighthouse

  • Performance scoring
  • Accessibility audit
  • SEO check
  • PWA validation
  • Chrome support
  • Edge support

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.

Lighthouse

No use cases recorded yet. See the Lighthouse review.

Zeplin

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

Where each one falls short

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

Lighthouse

  • Described by the vendor as an open-source, automated tool with community contributions welcomed, no commercial edition

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

Lighthouse

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Performance audit
    • Accessibility check
    • SEO analysis

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 Lighthouse if

  • You need performance scoring.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Chrome, Edge.
  • You also want accessibility audit.
Lighthouse 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 Lighthouse or Zeplin better?
Neither clearly leads. Lighthouse 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, Lighthouse or Zeplin?
Lighthouse starts at Free and Zeplin at Free.
Does Lighthouse or Zeplin run on more platforms?
Lighthouse runs on Chrome, Edge. Zeplin runs on Web, Desktop, Mobile.
Can I use Lighthouse for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What can Lighthouse do that Zeplin cannot?
Lighthouse covers Performance scoring, Accessibility audit, SEO check, PWA validation. Zeplin covers Design specs, Asset export, Code snippets, Design tokens.
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Related pages

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