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Design · head to head

Xara Designer Pro+ vs Zeplin

Xara Designer Pro+ logo

Xara Designer Pro+

Design

Desktop publishing, web design, photo editing and graphic design in one workspace

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: Xara Designer Pro+ compatible with Windows only; the product page states no Mac version; Zeplin the free plan is limited to 1 project and 100 screens and works only in a personal workspace
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Xara Designer Pro+ and Zeplin actually diverge.

Attributes where Xara Designer Pro+ and Zeplin differ
AttributeXara Designer Pro+Zeplin
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelone-timesubscription
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebWeb, 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 Xara Designer Pro+

Nothing recorded that Zeplin does not also cover.

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.

Xara Designer Pro+

  • Desktop publishing and professional layout workflowsnot Zeplin
  • Web design and e-commerce site creation without codenot Zeplin
  • Photo editing and image retouching for visual projectsnot Zeplin
  • Graphic design and illustration in single workspacenot Zeplin
  • Multi-discipline creative work with unlimited flexibilitynot Zeplin

Zeplin

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

Where each one falls short

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

Xara Designer Pro+

  • Compatible with Windows only; the product page states no Mac version

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

Xara Designer Pro+

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Xara Designer Pro+ review.

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 Xara Designer Pro+ if

Nothing in the data separates Xara Designer Pro+ from Zeplin on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Xara Designer Pro+ 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 Xara Designer Pro+ or Zeplin better?
Neither clearly leads. Xara Designer Pro+ 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, Xara Designer Pro+ or Zeplin?
Zeplin has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Xara Designer Pro+ and Free for Zeplin.
Does Xara Designer Pro+ or Zeplin run on more platforms?
Xara Designer Pro+ runs on 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. Xara Designer Pro+ starts at On request.
What is Xara Designer Pro+ best used for?
Xara Designer Pro+ is most often used for desktop publishing and professional layout workflows, web design and e-commerce site creation without code, photo editing and image retouching for visual projects, graphic design and illustration in single workspace. Of those, desktop publishing and professional layout workflows and web design and e-commerce site creation without code are not what Zeplin is typically brought in for.
What can Xara Designer Pro+ do that Zeplin cannot?
Zeplin covers Design specs, Asset export, Code snippets, Design tokens.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Xara Designer Pro+: Does Xara Designer Pro offer a free trial?

Yes, Xara Designer Pro offers a free trial download, allowing users to test the software before purchasing.

Source
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
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
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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