Softwr

Software · head to head

Podio vs Zeplin

Podio logo

Podio

Software

The flexible team collaboration platform

From
On request
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: Podio the free plan stops at 5 users and 100 items across the whole organisation; Zeplin the free plan is limited to 1 project and 100 screens and works only in a personal workspace
  • They diverge on capability: Podio covers Workspaces, Zeplin covers Design specs.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Podio and Zeplin actually diverge.

Attributes where Podio and Zeplin differ
AttributePodioZeplin
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidWeb, Desktop, Mobile
Founded20092014

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 Podio

  • Workspaces
  • Apps
  • Workflows
  • Tasks
  • Calendar
  • Google Drive
  • Dropbox
  • Zapier

Only in Zeplin

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

Both cover

  • Slack
  • GDPR

What people use each for

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

Podio

  • Building custom workspaces and apps without codenot Zeplin
  • Project and task management for a small teamnot Zeplin
  • Client collaboration with external users on the paid plansnot Zeplin
  • Simple workflow automation between appsnot Zeplin

Zeplin

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

Where each one falls short

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

Podio

  • The free plan stops at 5 users and 100 items across the whole organisation
  • Workflow automation is capped at 25,000 actions a month even on Premium at $19.20 per user
  • API access is a paid add-on from $23 a month, and higher call rates run to $159
  • Extra automation is billed separately, from $39 up to $559 a month
  • Visual reports, email integrations and PDF generation all require Premium

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

Podio

On request
  • FreeFree
    • 5 employees
    • Basic features
  • Basic$7.2/month
    • Unlimited employees
    • User management
    • Automations

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 Podio if

  • You need workspaces.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want apps.
Podio 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 Podio or Zeplin better?
Neither clearly leads. Podio starts at On request and Zeplin at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Podio or Zeplin?
Zeplin has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Podio and Free for Zeplin.
Does Podio or Zeplin run on more platforms?
Podio runs on Web, Ios, Android. 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. Podio starts at On request.
What is Podio best used for?
Podio is most often used for building custom workspaces and apps without code, project and task management for a small team, client collaboration with external users on the paid plans, simple workflow automation between apps. Of those, building custom workspaces and apps without code and project and task management for a small team are not what Zeplin is typically brought in for.
What can Podio do that Zeplin cannot?
Podio covers Workspaces, Apps, Workflows, Tasks. Zeplin covers Design specs, Asset export, Code snippets, Design tokens. Both handle Slack, GDPR.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Podio

More on Zeplin

Keep looking

Other head to heads