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Software · head to head

Signal vs Zeplin

Signal logo

Signal

Software

Speak Freely

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: Signal signal must be installed on a phone before the desktop app can be used, so there is no phone-free desktop-only account; Zeplin the free plan is limited to 1 project and 100 screens and works only in a personal workspace
  • They diverge on capability: Signal covers End-to-end encryption, Zeplin covers Design specs.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Signal and Zeplin actually diverge.

Attributes where Signal and Zeplin differ
AttributeSignalZeplin
Pricing modelfreesubscription
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, AndroidWeb, Desktop, Mobile
Founded20102014

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 Signal

  • End-to-end encryption
  • Disappearing messages
  • Screen security
  • Group chats
  • Voice calls
  • Video calls
  • File sharing
  • No data collection

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.

Signal

  • Private messagingnot Zeplin
  • Secure group communicationnot Zeplin
  • Confidential conversationsnot Zeplin
  • Journalism communicationnot Zeplin
  • Family messagingnot Zeplin

Zeplin

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

Where each one falls short

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

Signal

  • Signal must be installed on a phone before the desktop app can be used, so there is no phone-free desktop-only account

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

Signal

Free
  • FreeFree
    • End-to-end encrypted messaging
    • Voice and video calls
    • Group chats

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 Signal if

  • You need end-to-end encryption.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android.
  • You also want disappearing messages.
Signal 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 Signal or Zeplin better?
Neither clearly leads. Signal 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, Signal or Zeplin?
Signal starts at Free and Zeplin at Free.
Does Signal or Zeplin run on more platforms?
Signal runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android. Zeplin runs on Web, Desktop, Mobile.
Can I use Signal for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Signal best used for?
Signal is most often used for private messaging, secure group communication, confidential conversations, journalism communication. Of those, private messaging and secure group communication are not what Zeplin is typically brought in for.
What can Signal do that Zeplin cannot?
Signal covers End-to-end encryption, Disappearing messages, Screen security, Group chats. Zeplin covers Design specs, Asset export, Code snippets, Design tokens.
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