Adobe XD vs Zeplin

Overview

Zeplin

Stacks977

Followers633

Votes22

Adobe XD

Stacks1.3K

Followers947

Votes56

Adobe XD vs Zeplin: What are the differences?

Introduction:

Adobe XD and Zeplin are two popular design and collaboration tools used in web and app development. While they both serve the purpose of translating design files into code, there are key differences between them that make them unique in their own ways.

Design vs. Handoff: Adobe XD is primarily a design tool that allows users to create and prototype design layouts, wireframes, and interactive experiences. On the other hand, Zeplin focuses more on the handoff aspect of design, allowing designers to collaborate with developers by providing them with accurate design specifications and code snippets.
Integration with Design Tools: Adobe XD is seamlessly integrated with other Adobe Creative Cloud apps, such as Photoshop and Illustrator, making it easier for designers to import and work with assets from different design tools within the same ecosystem. Zeplin, on the other hand, is a standalone tool that can be used alongside any design tool by simply exporting the design files to Zeplin.
Compatibility with Different Platforms: Adobe XD is available for both Mac and Windows operating systems, providing flexibility for designers using different platforms. Zeplin, on the other hand, is a web-based tool that can be accessed on any platform with a modern web browser, ensuring cross-platform compatibility.
Collaboration and Communication: Adobe XD offers limited collaboration features, allowing multiple designers to work on the same design file simultaneously, but lacks more advanced collaboration functionalities. Zeplin, on the other hand, focuses on enhancing collaboration between designers and developers by providing features like commenting, style guides, and version control, making the design handoff process more efficient and streamlined.
Development Environment Integration: Zeplin provides code snippets and style guides that are directly integrated into various development environments, making it easier for developers to reference and implement the design specifications. Adobe XD, although it allows for exporting assets and specifications, does not provide the same level of integration with development environments.
Pricing Structure: Adobe XD offers a freemium pricing model, with a free version for individual designers and subscription-based plans for teams and enterprises. Zeplin, on the other hand, offers a free plan with limited features, along with paid plans that provide additional functionalities and options for larger teams.

In summary, Adobe XD is primarily a design and prototyping tool with integration into other Adobe Creative Cloud apps, while Zeplin focuses on the collaboration and handoff aspect of design, providing developers with accurate design specifications and code snippets within a web-based platform. Adobe XD is more platform agnostic, providing desktop apps for both Mac and Windows, while Zeplin is a web-based tool accessible on any platform. Zeplin offers more advanced collaboration features and integration with development environments, and its pricing structure differs from Adobe XD's freemium model.

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Advice on Zeplin, Adobe XD

Bobby

Feb 14, 2020

Needs advice

Hello, I want to start an unlimited graphic design service. (yes, yet another one, but bear with me)

It’s the second week that I’m working on this project, my goal is to test the market as soon as possible.

One element that is missing is the solution to handle communication between the clients and the designers.

• Mandatory: it needs to communicate instructions, progress/status, and design files (exported from Adobe Illustrator or similar). • Optionally it would also display the design inside the app so the files don’t need to be opened. • Optionally it would let the client easily mark the design where he wants revision.

• Mandatory: it needs to have unlimited clients and unlimited projects (I’ll have hundreds of clients and each will have at least one project) • Optionally it would auto-assign a new project to the first available designer, or let the designers choose themselves which project they want to work on • Optionally it would have groups (corresponding to a subscription plan) with different clients and different designers in each • Optionally it would communicate with other apps so that client and designer management tasks (access, payment, etc) can be automated

I’m open to all suggestions, not just the selection above. Ultimately I guess I’ll have a custom app developed on a no-code platform, but to begin with I need something simple and ready.

Reminder: it is only for graphic design, between my designers and my clients

169k views169k

Comments

Detailed Comparison

Zeplin	Adobe XD
Collaboration app for designers & developers. Supports Sketch and Photoshop (on beta!).	A vector-based tool developed and published by Adobe Inc for designing and prototyping user experience for web and mobile apps.
Connected Components; Bring development context to designs	Voice prototyping; Responsive Resize; Auto-Animate
Statistics
Stacks 977	Stacks 1.3K
Followers 633	Followers 947
Votes 22	Votes 56
Pros & Cons
Pros 7 Free 7 Avoid the insanity of extract this info from Photoshop 2 HTML 2 CSS 2 SVG Cons 8 SVG	Pros 15 Free 10 Interactive Prototypes 8 Vector 8 Clean Design 8 Reusable elements/components Cons 6 No dark theme
Integrations
Adobe Photoshop Sketch Slack	Adobe Illustrator Adobe Photoshop

What are some alternatives to Zeplin, Adobe XD?

Figma

Figma is the first interface design tool with real-time collaboration. It keeps everyone on the same page. Focus on the work instead of fighting your tools.

Sketch

Easily create complex shapes with our state-of-the-art vector boolean operations and take advantage of our extensive layer styles.

Adobe Photoshop

It is the best in the world of graphic design and image processing software that will realize any of your ideas. Create and enhance photos, illustrations and 3D graphic objects.

Blender

It is the free and open source 3D creation suite. It supports the entirety of the 3D pipeline—modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing and motion tracking, even video editing and game creation.

ProtoPie

It is the easiest tool used to turn your UI/UX design ideas into highly interactive prototypes for mobile, desktop, web, all the way to IoT. ProtoPie runs on macOS & Windows and the player app is on iOS and Android.

Readymag

Readymag—an online platform for website creation focused on design & creativity. Advanced typography. Powerful animations. Code injection & third-party tool integrations.

Inkscape

It is professional quality vector graphics software which runs on Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. This software can be used to create or edit vector graphics such as illustrations, diagrams, line arts, charts, logos and complex paintings.

Affinity Designer

No bloat, no gimmicks, just all the tools you need, implemented how you always dreamed. It is a stripped back, pro-end workhorse that will always get your job done. It was created to thrive on the electric pace of the latest computing hardware. Live, responsive and incredibly fluid, it’s simply a joy to use.

Affinity Photo

It is born to work hand-in-hand with the latest powerful computer technology, it’s fully-loaded photo editor integrated across macOS, Windows and iOS.

Overflow.io

Create interactive user flows and stunning design presentations to engage your audience in synchronous or asynchronous design critique.

Related Comparisons

Adobe XD vs Zeplin: What are the differences?

Introduction:

Design vs. Handoff: Adobe XD is primarily a design tool that allows users to create and prototype design layouts, wireframes, and interactive experiences. On the other hand, Zeplin focuses more on the handoff aspect of design, allowing designers to collaborate with developers by providing them with accurate design specifications and code snippets.
Integration with Design Tools: Adobe XD is seamlessly integrated with other Adobe Creative Cloud apps, such as Photoshop and Illustrator, making it easier for designers to import and work with assets from different design tools within the same ecosystem. Zeplin, on the other hand, is a standalone tool that can be used alongside any design tool by simply exporting the design files to Zeplin.
Compatibility with Different Platforms: Adobe XD is available for both Mac and Windows operating systems, providing flexibility for designers using different platforms. Zeplin, on the other hand, is a web-based tool that can be accessed on any platform with a modern web browser, ensuring cross-platform compatibility.
Collaboration and Communication: Adobe XD offers limited collaboration features, allowing multiple designers to work on the same design file simultaneously, but lacks more advanced collaboration functionalities. Zeplin, on the other hand, focuses on enhancing collaboration between designers and developers by providing features like commenting, style guides, and version control, making the design handoff process more efficient and streamlined.
Development Environment Integration: Zeplin provides code snippets and style guides that are directly integrated into various development environments, making it easier for developers to reference and implement the design specifications. Adobe XD, although it allows for exporting assets and specifications, does not provide the same level of integration with development environments.
Pricing Structure: Adobe XD offers a freemium pricing model, with a free version for individual designers and subscription-based plans for teams and enterprises. Zeplin, on the other hand, offers a free plan with limited features, along with paid plans that provide additional functionalities and options for larger teams.

Adobe XD vs Zeplin

Overview