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Design · head to head

Proto.io vs Zeplin

Proto.io logo

Proto.io

Design

Hosted high-fidelity prototyping with device preview and no code

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Zeplin logo

Zeplin

Design

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: Proto.io prototypes live in the vendor cloud and offline export is a higher-tier feature, so the ability to archive completed client work is a plan-level decision rather than a given.; Zeplin the free plan is limited to 1 project and 100 screens and works only in a personal workspace
  • They diverge on capability: Proto.io covers Event and condition system, Zeplin covers Design specs.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Proto.io and Zeplin actually diverge.

Attributes where Proto.io and Zeplin differ
AttributeProto.ioZeplin
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelPer user per monthsubscription
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidWeb, Desktop, Mobile
FoundedUnknown2014

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Design).

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 Proto.io

  • Event and condition system
  • Timeline animation
  • Device preview
  • Component library
  • User testing integration
  • Design import

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.

Proto.io

  • Running usability tests where the prototype must respond to real input rather than replay a fixed click pathnot Zeplin
  • Demonstrating a form-heavy or data-driven flow to stakeholders before any code existsnot Zeplin
  • Testing a mobile interaction on the physical device it is designed for, with correct gesture behaviournot Zeplin
  • Validating a concept for a client who needs to feel the product, not watch a video of itnot Zeplin

Zeplin

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

Where each one falls short

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

Proto.io

  • Prototypes live in the vendor cloud and offline export is a higher-tier feature, so the ability to archive completed client work is a plan-level decision rather than a given.
  • Design is done elsewhere and interaction is rebuilt here, so every change to the visual design has to be reapplied by hand and the two artefacts drift apart.
  • The event and condition model is layer based, so a genuinely complex flow becomes a large tree of triggers that nobody but its author can audit.
  • Editor seats are priced individually and viewer access is limited on lower plans, so opening review to a wide stakeholder group pushes you up a tier for people who never edit anything.
  • The market standardised on Figma, so hiring people who already know Proto.io is progressively harder and every new researcher is a training cost.

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

Proto.io

On request
  • Freelancer$undefined/month
    • Single editor
    • Limited active projects
    • Standard sharing
  • Startup$undefined/month
    • Multiple editors
    • More projects
    • Team library
  • Agency$undefined/month
    • Higher project and storage limits
    • Client sharing controls
  • Corporate$undefined/month
    • Largest quotas
    • Offline export on higher tiers
    • Priority 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 Proto.io if

  • You need event and condition system.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want timeline animation.
Proto.io 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 Proto.io or Zeplin better?
Neither clearly leads. Proto.io 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, Proto.io or Zeplin?
Zeplin has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Proto.io and Free for Zeplin.
Does Proto.io or Zeplin run on more platforms?
Proto.io 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. Proto.io starts at On request.
What is Proto.io best used for?
Proto.io is most often used for running usability tests where the prototype must respond to real input rather than replay a fixed click path, demonstrating a form-heavy or data-driven flow to stakeholders before any code exists, testing a mobile interaction on the physical device it is designed for, with correct gesture behaviour, validating a concept for a client who needs to feel the product, not watch a video of it. Of those, running usability tests where the prototype must respond to real input rather than replay a fixed click path and demonstrating a form-heavy or data-driven flow to stakeholders before any code exists are not what Zeplin is typically brought in for.
What can Proto.io do that Zeplin cannot?
Proto.io covers Event and condition system, Timeline animation, Device preview, Component library. Zeplin covers Design specs, Asset export, Code snippets, Design tokens.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Proto.io: Can it replace Figma?

No. It has no design system or file-handoff role. It sits alongside Figma for the prototypes Figma cannot express.

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
Proto.io: What happens to prototypes if we stop paying?

They stop being accessible unless you have exported them, and offline export is restricted to higher plans, so plan archiving before you cancel.

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
Proto.io: Is it worth learning now that InVision has gone?

If your work is usability research on conditional flows, yes. If you need click-through demos of static screens, Figma already does that at no extra cost.

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
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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