Zeplin Problems & Issues
Real user-reported problems, complaints, and limitations for Zeplin. Based on analysis of 12 signals.
Issues by Category
No screen version history comparison
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.
Steep learning curve for new users
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.
Limited project management capabilities
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.
Components and styleguides don't work reliably
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.
Poor asset management and search
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.
No prototyping capabilities
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.
Slow performance with large workspaces
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.
Frequent software update interruptions
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.
Billing issues and unauthorized charges
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.
No offline mode available
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.
Sketch plugin compatibility issues
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.
Inadequate customer support response
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.
Regret Patterns
Common reasons users regret choosing Zeplin.
Realized Figma Dev Mode was enough
Teams paying for both Figma and Zeplin discover that Figma's built-in Dev Mode provides sufficient handoff capabilities. They regret the additional subscription cost and complexity of maintaining two tools when one would suffice.
Billing continued after cancellation request
Users report being charged after requesting cancellation, with credit cards not being removed as expected. Resolving these billing disputes proved frustrating, leading to regret about providing payment information in the first place.
Learning curve slowed team adoption
New team members struggle with Zeplin's non-intuitive interface, requiring extensive training. Teams regret not evaluating the onboarding experience more carefully before committing to the platform.
Needed prototyping but Zeplin doesn't have it
Teams sign up expecting comprehensive design collaboration but realize Zeplin has no prototyping features. They regret not understanding the tool's focused scope and end up needing additional software.
Free tier too limited for real evaluation
Users try the free tier but find 1 project with 100 screens insufficient to properly test if Zeplin fits their workflow. They commit to paid plans based on incomplete evaluation and later regret the decision.
Version history doesn't show visual diffs
Developers expect to see what changed between design versions but discover Zeplin only stores versions without side-by-side comparison. This creates manual tracking work they didn't anticipate.
When Zeplin Breaks Down
Specific scenarios where Zeplin fails or underperforms.
Workspace grows to hundreds of projects
Performance degrades significantly as workspaces accumulate projects. Loading times increase, navigation becomes sluggish, and the interface feels unresponsive. Recent updates have improved this, but large organizations still experience issues.
Design tool updates break Zeplin plugin
When Sketch or other design tools release major updates, Zeplin plugins may stop working. Users on Sketch 2025.1.1+ report export failures. Teams must wait for Zeplin to update compatibility or delay design tool upgrades.
Team works across multiple time zones with poor connectivity
Without offline mode, team members in areas with unreliable internet cannot access specs. This creates bottlenecks when developers in certain regions can't retrieve design information during their work hours.
Per-seat costs escalate with team growth
Advanced plan at $12/seat/month becomes expensive as teams scale. A team growing from 5 to 20 people sees monthly costs jump from $60 to $240. Organizations may hit budget constraints and need to restrict access.
Need to demonstrate prototypes to stakeholders
When stakeholders request interactive prototypes or clickable mockups, Zeplin cannot deliver. Teams must scramble to create prototypes in separate tools, fragmenting their workflow and creating version sync issues.
Complex styleguides have detection errors
Components and styleguides don't always sync correctly from design tools. Some styles are not detected, leading to inconsistencies. Developers may code based on incorrect specs, creating quality issues discovered late.