Softwr

Software · head to head

OmniFocus vs Zeplin

OmniFocus logo

OmniFocus

Software

Professional-grade task management for power users

From
$99.99/year
Rated
-
Zeplin logo

Zeplin

Software

Design handoff and developer collaboration

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Only Zeplin has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: OmniFocus exclusive to Apple ecosystem with no Windows or Android support; Zeplin the free plan is limited to 1 project and 100 screens and works only in a personal workspace
  • They diverge on capability: OmniFocus covers Custom perspectives, Zeplin covers Design specs.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which OmniFocus and Zeplin actually diverge.

Attributes where OmniFocus and Zeplin differ
AttributeOmniFocusZeplin
Starting price$99.99/yearFree
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsmacOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, visionOS, WebWeb, Desktop, Mobile
Founded19892014

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 OmniFocus

  • Custom perspectives
  • Review mode
  • Forecast view
  • Tags
  • Automation
  • Apple Calendar
  • Siri
  • Shortcuts

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.

OmniFocus

  • Schedulingnot Zeplin
  • Appointment bookingnot Zeplin
  • Time trackingnot Zeplin
  • Resource managementnot Zeplin
  • Team coordinationnot Zeplin

Zeplin

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

Where each one falls short

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

OmniFocus

  • Exclusive to Apple ecosystem with no Windows or Android support
  • No collaboration features make it unsuitable for team task management or delegation
  • Setting up repeating tasks is cumbersome with multiple configuration options
  • Lacks AI-powered features for advanced project management, load balancing, or contextual awareness

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

OmniFocus

$99.99/year
  • Subscription$99.99/year
    • All Pro features
    • Web access
    • Cloud sync
  • Standard (Perpetual)$74.99/one-time
    • Basic task management
    • Projects and contexts
    • Perspectives
  • Pro (Perpetual)$149.99/one-time
    • Custom perspectives
    • Advanced automation
    • Plugins support

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 OmniFocus if

  • You need custom perspectives.
  • You work on macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, visionOS, Web.
  • You also want review mode.

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 OmniFocus or Zeplin better?
Neither clearly leads. OmniFocus starts at $99.99/year and Zeplin at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, OmniFocus or Zeplin?
Zeplin has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $99.99/year for OmniFocus and Free for Zeplin.
Does OmniFocus or Zeplin run on more platforms?
OmniFocus runs on macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, visionOS, Web. 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. OmniFocus starts at $99.99/year.
What is OmniFocus best used for?
OmniFocus is most often used for scheduling, appointment booking, time tracking, resource management. Of those, scheduling and appointment booking are not what Zeplin is typically brought in for.
What can OmniFocus do that Zeplin cannot?
OmniFocus covers Custom perspectives, Review mode, Forecast view, Tags. Zeplin covers Design specs, Asset export, Code snippets, Design tokens.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

OmniFocus: Does OmniFocus offer a free tier?

No, OmniFocus does not offer a free tier. It requires purchase or subscription: $99.99/year subscription or one-time perpetual licenses at $74.99 (Standard) or $149.99 (Pro).

Source
OmniFocus: What is the free trial period for OmniFocus?

OmniFocus offers a 14-day free trial allowing full access to all features before requiring payment.

Source
OmniFocus: What platforms does OmniFocus support?

OmniFocus is exclusive to Apple ecosystem: Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple Vision Pro, and web access. Not available on Windows or Android.

Source
OmniFocus: Can teams collaborate in OmniFocus?

No, OmniFocus lacks collaboration features and is designed as a solo task management tool. Users cannot delegate tasks, share projects, or assign work to team members.

Source
OmniFocus: Does OmniFocus support Getting Things Done (GTD) methodology?

Yes, OmniFocus is built specifically to support GTD with projects, contexts (tags), folders, perspectives, and a focus view for prioritization. It includes weekly review support and automation features.

Source

Related pages

Other head to heads