Software · head to head
Zeplin vs Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Illustrator
Software
Professional vector graphics software
- From
- $22.99/month
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Zeplin has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Zeplin the free plan is limited to 1 project and 100 screens and works only in a personal workspace; Adobe Illustrator listed on UK G-Cloud as part of Adobe Creative Cloud (which bundles Illustrator) at £58 to £80 per licence per month, via reseller ServiceKey
- They diverge on capability: Zeplin covers Design specs, Adobe Illustrator covers Vector drawing.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Zeplin and Adobe Illustrator actually diverge.
| Attribute | Zeplin | Adobe Illustrator |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $22.99/month |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web, Desktop, Mobile | Windows, Macos, Ios |
| Founded | 2014 | 1982 |
Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), 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 Zeplin
- Design specs
- Asset export
- Code snippets
- Design tokens
- Comments
- Version control
- Handoff workflow
- Accessibility checks
Only in Adobe Illustrator
- Vector drawing
- Bezier tools
- Shape tools
- Typography
- Gradients & effects
- Symbols & instances
- Artboards
- 3D capabilities
Both cover
- Figma
- SOC2
- GDPR
- Encryption
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Zeplin
- Handing off design specs from Figma or Sketch to developersnot Adobe Illustrator
- Sharing screens, assets and style guides with an engineering teamnot Adobe Illustrator
- Reviewing and commenting on design versionsnot Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Illustrator
- Logo designnot Zeplin
- Vector illustrationnot Zeplin
- Icon designnot Zeplin
- Print designnot Zeplin
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
Adobe Illustrator
- Listed on UK G-Cloud as part of Adobe Creative Cloud (which bundles Illustrator) at £58 to £80 per licence per month, via reseller ServiceKey
Pricing, plan by plan
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
Adobe Illustrator
$22.99/month- Single App$22.99/month
- Illustrator desktop app
- 100GB cloud storage
- Adobe Fonts
- All Apps$59.99/month
- All Creative Cloud apps
- 100GB cloud storage
- Adobe Stock trial
Which should you pick?
Choose Zeplin if
- You need design specs.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Desktop, Mobile.
- You also want asset export.
Choose Adobe Illustrator if
- You need vector drawing.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Ios.
- You also want bezier tools.
Questions people ask
- Is Zeplin or Adobe Illustrator better?
- Neither clearly leads. Zeplin starts at Free and Adobe Illustrator at $22.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Zeplin or Adobe Illustrator?
- Zeplin has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Zeplin and $22.99/month for Adobe Illustrator.
- Does Zeplin or Adobe Illustrator run on more platforms?
- Zeplin runs on Web, Desktop, Mobile. Adobe Illustrator runs on Windows, Macos, Ios.
- Can I use Zeplin for free?
- Yes. Zeplin has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Adobe Illustrator starts at $22.99/month.
- What is Zeplin best used for?
- Zeplin is most often used for handing off design specs from figma or sketch to developers, sharing screens, assets and style guides with an engineering team, reviewing and commenting on design versions. Of those, handing off design specs from figma or sketch to developers and sharing screens, assets and style guides with an engineering team are not what Adobe Illustrator is typically brought in for.
- What can Zeplin do that Adobe Illustrator cannot?
- Zeplin covers Design specs, Asset export, Code snippets, Design tokens. Adobe Illustrator covers Vector drawing, Bezier tools, Shape tools, Typography. Both handle Figma, SOC2, GDPR, Encryption.