# Zeplin Problems & Issues 2026 - Why Teams Switch to Figma

Source: https://www.tryorbye.com/products/zeplin
Last analyzed: 2026-02-13

## What it is

Zeplin is a design collaboration and handoff platform that bridges the gap between designers and developers. It enables teams to share design specifications, styleguides, and assets, producing CSS codes and specs for every component used in the design.

## Common problems

- **Billing issues and unauthorized charges** (pricing): Trustpilot and Product Hunt users report serious billing problems including credit cards not being removed when requested, continued charges after cancellation requests, and unjustified billing for projects that don't belong to them. One user explicitly warned others not to give the company a credit card.
- **Steep learning curve for new users** (usability): Multiple reviewers on Capterra and G2 report that Zeplin is not intuitive to use and requires significant time investment to learn. Users unfamiliar with design tools find onboarding particularly challenging, often needing external tutorials to get productive.
- **No screen version history comparison** (usability): Zeplin doesn't show version history of screens, so users can't see what changes have been made in the latest version compared to previous versions. This creates extra workload for developers who need to manually track design changes across iterations.
- **Limited project management capabilities** (usability): Users consistently note that Zeplin is 'pretty much just for handing off designs' and doesn't help with bigger picture project management. Teams needing comprehensive workflow tools find Zeplin insufficient and must supplement with additional software.
- **Sketch plugin compatibility issues** (integrations): Users on Sketch Community Forum report that the Zeplin plugin no longer exports artboards in newer Sketch versions (2025.1.1+), even after reinstalling. Export failures with large artboards and complex vector images are common, requiring workarounds.
- **Slow performance with large workspaces** (performance): Hacker News users describe Zeplin as 'a little slow'. Large flows with high numbers of screens cause lag, and navigating between layers or screens creates noticeable performance delays. Workspaces with hundreds of projects experience loading issues.
- **No prototyping capabilities** (usability): Unlike competitors such as InVision and Figma, Zeplin lacks advanced prototyping features. Users who need to create interactive prototypes must use additional tools, adding complexity to the design workflow.
- **Inadequate customer support response** (support): Trustpilot reviewers report not receiving necessary assistance when bringing billing and technical matters to support. Users describe customer service as frustrating and unresponsive, particularly regarding billing disputes.
- **Poor asset management and search** (usability): Users find it difficult to sort and search for assets within Zeplin. The communication tools are described as 'just okay', and asset management features are better served by other design apps according to multiple reviewers.
- **Components and styleguides don't work reliably** (usability): Components and styleguides don't always work as expected. Some styles are not detected properly, leading to inconsistencies between the design source and what Zeplin displays to developers.
- **No offline mode available** (reliability): When users need to work offline, Zeplin is not an option. The tool requires constant internet connectivity, which is problematic for designers and developers who travel or work in areas with unreliable connections.
- **Frequent software update interruptions** (performance): Users report that nearly every time they open Zeplin there's a software update pending. These frequent interruptions disrupt workflow and frustrate users who just want to quickly check design specs.

## What users like

- **Excellent design-to-development handoff**: Zeplin excels at streamlining the design handoff process, providing precise specs, assets, and code snippets that enhance team productivity. Developers can access CSS, Swift, Android XML, and React Native code directly from designs.
- **Strong design tool integrations**: Zeplin integrates well with popular design tools including Sketch, Figma, Adobe XD, and Photoshop. The VS Code extension allows developers to access specifications without leaving their coding environment.
- **Clear styleguide generation**: Users praise Zeplin's ability to create comprehensive styleguides with colors, typography, spacing, and components. This reduces back-and-forth communication between designers and developers significantly.
- **Reliable and easy to set up**: Once past the initial learning curve, users find Zeplin reliable and straightforward. The setup process is quick, and the tool works consistently without fancy gimmicks that complicate usage.
- **Unlimited free reviewers**: All Zeplin plans include unlimited reviewers for free, allowing stakeholders to view and comment on designs without adding to seat costs. This makes it economical for involving larger teams.
- **Developer-friendly annotations and flows**: Zeplin's annotation and flow features help document design decisions and user journeys clearly. Developers appreciate being able to see the full context of designs rather than isolated screens.

## Pricing

- **Free**: $0 (free) — hidden costs: Only owners can publish/delete designs, no Flow Boards
- **Basic 1 Pack**: $13.75 (monthly) — hidden costs: No Flow Boards or advanced permissions, price shown is annual (pay upfront)
- **Basic 12 Pack**: $118.25 (monthly) — hidden costs: Annual billing required for discount, no Flow Boards
- **Advanced**: $12 (monthly) — hidden costs: Per-seat pricing adds up quickly with larger teams, 2 months free only on annual
- **Enterprise**: yearly — hidden costs: Custom pricing requires sales call, long-term contract likely required

## Who should and shouldn't use it

- **Solo freelancers on tight budgets** — Depends: The free tier allows only 1 project with 100 screens, which may be enough for small client work. However, freelancers handling multiple clients simultaneously will quickly hit limits and need paid plans starting at ~$165/year.
- **Small design-dev teams (2-5 people)** — Good fit: Zeplin shines for small teams needing streamlined design handoff. Unlimited free reviewers keep costs down, and the styleguide features reduce miscommunication. The learning curve is manageable for small groups.
- **Enterprise teams with complex security needs** — Good fit: Enterprise plan offers SSO/MFA, SCIM provisioning, activity logs, and dedicated support with 24-hour SLA. Teams requiring compliance and advanced security controls will find these features essential.
- **Teams needing prototyping capabilities** — Avoid: Zeplin lacks any prototyping features. Teams that need to create interactive prototypes, test user flows, or present clickable mockups should consider Figma, InVision, or dedicated prototyping tools instead.
- **Developers working primarily with Figma** — Depends: With Figma Dev Mode offering native handoff features, many teams question whether Zeplin adds value. However, Zeplin offers better design protection (frozen snapshots) and VS Code integration that some dev teams prefer.
- **Remote teams needing offline access** — Avoid: Zeplin has no offline mode. Teams with members who travel frequently or work in areas with unreliable internet will find this limitation frustrating, as all design specs require active connectivity.
- **Frontend engineering teams** — Good fit: Developers appreciate Zeplin's code snippet generation for CSS, Swift, Android, and React Native. The VS Code extension integration allows accessing specs without context-switching, improving development efficiency.
- **Project managers seeking full workflow tools** — Avoid: Zeplin is focused purely on design handoff and doesn't provide project management features. PMs needing task tracking, timelines, or comprehensive project oversight should use dedicated PM tools alongside Zeplin.

## Alternatives

- **Avocode**: Teams switch to Avocode for better organization and wider design tool support. Gain: cleaner UI with better search, supports Photoshop/AI/XD/Figma/Sketch, easier navigation. Trade-off: no free plan available, pricing may be higher.
- **Sketch Measure**: Budget-conscious Sketch teams switch to free Sketch Measure plugin. Gain: completely free, generates spec sheets directly from Sketch. Trade-off: no cloud collaboration, manual export process, less polished than Zeplin.
- **Figma** (https://www.tryorbye.com/products/figma): Teams switch to Figma for all-in-one design and handoff in a single platform. Gain: real-time collaboration, built-in Dev Mode, no separate handoff tool needed, significant cost savings. Trade-off: Dev Mode doesn't freeze designs like Zeplin, so specs can change during development.
- **InVision** (https://www.tryorbye.com/products/invision): Teams switch to InVision for better prototyping and broader design capabilities. Gain: interactive prototypes, user testing features, more comprehensive design workflow. Trade-off: InVision Inspect is best for smaller projects, less robust for enterprise handoff.
- **Abstract** (https://www.tryorbye.com/products/abstract): Sketch-heavy teams switch to Abstract for design version control. Gain: Git-like versioning for design files, better collaboration history, branching workflows. Trade-off: primarily Sketch-focused, less useful for Figma teams.
- **Figma** (https://www.tryorbye.com/products/figma): Teams already using Figma switch to native Dev Mode to consolidate tools. Gain: no separate subscription, everything in one place, real-time updates. Trade-off: designs aren't frozen for handoff, developers may see work-in-progress changes.

## FAQ

### Is Zeplin worth the price in 2026?

Zeplin provides good value for teams that specifically need design-to-development handoff with frozen snapshots. However, teams already using Figma may find the built-in Dev Mode sufficient, making Zeplin an unnecessary additional cost. The free tier is quite limited (1 project, 100 screens), so most serious users will need paid plans starting at $165/year.

### What are Zeplin hidden costs?

Hidden costs include: per-seat pricing that adds up with team growth (Advanced plan), annual billing required for advertised discounts, project pack purchases that may not match your actual needs, and potential upgrade requirements as your screen count grows. Some users report billing issues with charges continuing after cancellation requests.

### Why is Zeplin slow?

Zeplin can be slow when dealing with large workspaces (hundreds of projects), complex flows with many screens, or large artboards with intricate vector graphics. The desktop client also requires frequent updates that interrupt workflow. Recent updates have improved performance, but users with extensive design systems may still notice lag.

### What is the best Zeplin alternative?

The best alternative depends on your needs. Figma with Dev Mode is ideal for teams wanting an all-in-one solution. InVision suits teams needing prototyping. Avocode offers better organization and broader tool support. For Sketch users wanting version control, Abstract is worth considering. Many teams are consolidating to Figma to reduce tool sprawl.

### Can I cancel Zeplin anytime?

Yes, you can cancel your Zeplin subscription anytime and continue using the Free plan. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your billing period. However, Zeplin does not offer refunds for cancellations per their Terms of Service. Some users have reported difficulties with billing after cancellation, so verify your card is removed.

### Does Zeplin work offline?

No, Zeplin does not have offline mode. All features require an active internet connection. Users working offline cannot access design specs, styleguides, or assets. This is a significant limitation for designers and developers who travel or work in areas with unreliable connectivity.

### Is Zeplin better than Figma for handoff?

Zeplin offers advantages for handoff: frozen design snapshots prevent changes during development, dedicated developer interface is less overwhelming than full design tools, and VS Code integration reduces context-switching. However, Figma Dev Mode keeps everything in one platform and is included with Figma subscriptions, making it more cost-effective for existing Figma users.

### Why are people leaving Zeplin?

Common reasons for leaving Zeplin include: Figma's built-in Dev Mode eliminating the need for a separate tool, billing issues and customer support frustrations, the learning curve for new team members, lack of prototyping features, and the desire to consolidate design tools. Teams using Figma increasingly question the value of a separate handoff tool.

### Does Zeplin show version history?

Zeplin stores version history for screens (30 days on Free, 1 year on paid plans), but users cannot easily compare what changed between versions side-by-side. This lack of visual diff creates extra work for developers trying to understand what designers modified in each iteration.

### Is Zeplin good for small teams?

Zeplin works well for small design-development teams (2-5 people) who need clear handoff workflows. Unlimited free reviewers keep costs manageable, and the styleguide features reduce miscommunication. However, solo freelancers may find the free tier too limited, and teams needing prototyping will need additional tools.

### What features does Zeplin lack?

Zeplin lacks: prototyping capabilities, offline mode, visual version comparison, comprehensive project management, native Linux/Windows apps (desktop client only), and advanced asset management. Users describe it as focused purely on handoff, not a full design collaboration suite.

### Is Zeplin customer support good?

User experiences with Zeplin support are mixed. TrustRadius rates support 9.2/10, but Trustpilot reviews report issues with billing disputes not being resolved satisfactorily. Enterprise customers get dedicated success managers and 24-hour SLA, but standard users may experience slower response times.

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Try or Bye aggregates problem patterns from user reviews, forums, and app stores. Methodology: https://www.tryorbye.com/methodology