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Zeplin VS Backlog

Compare Zeplin VS Backlog and see what are their differences

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Zeplin logo Zeplin

Collaboration app for UI designers & frontend developers

Backlog logo Backlog

Built for teams that move fast — Backlog is the all-in-one project management solution with exactly what you need, and nothing you don’t.
  • Zeplin Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-19
  • Backlog Kanban Board
    Kanban Board //
    2026-01-22
  • Backlog Gantt Chart
    Gantt Chart //
    2026-01-22
  • Backlog Code Review
    Code Review //
    2026-01-22
  • Backlog Backlog Dashboard
    Backlog Dashboard //
    2026-01-22
  • Backlog Bug Tracking
    Bug Tracking //
    2026-01-22
  • Backlog Task List View
    Task List View //
    2026-01-22

Built for teams of all sizes, it helps you manage sprints, client projects, and internal requests without the clutter of disconnected tools.

Visualize work with Kanban boards or Gantt charts, break down complex projects with subtasks, and customize task fields to fit your team’s workflow. Built-in Git and SVN support let developers manage code right alongside their tasks, while wikis, file sharing, and real-time notifications keep everyone on the same page.

Whether you’re replacing legacy tools or streamlining your tech stack, Backlog is quick to roll out, easy to use, and flexible enough to support cross-functional collaboration at any scale.

Zeplin

Website
zeplin.io
Pricing URL
Official Zeplin Pricing
$ Details
-
Release Date
-
Startup details
Country
United States
Edit details

Backlog

Website
nulab.com
Pricing URL
Official Backlog Pricing
$ Details
freemium $35 / Monthly (For growing teams, up to 30 users, 5 projects, 1 GB storage.)
Release Date
2004 January
Startup details
Country
Japan
City
Fukuoka
Founder(s)
Masanori Hashimoto, Shinsuke Tabata
Employees
100 - 249
Edit details

Zeplin features and specs

  • Ease of Collaboration
    Zeplin facilitates seamless collaboration between designers and developers by providing a shared space where they can access design specifications, assets, and resources.
  • Design Consistency
    By offering detailed design specifications and exportable assets, Zeplin ensures consistency across different development platforms and helps maintain a unified design system.
  • Automated Asset Export
    Zeplin automatically generates assets in various formats and resolutions, which saves time and reduces the likelihood of errors during the handoff process.
  • Integration with Design Tools
    Zeplin integrates seamlessly with popular design tools like Sketch, Adobe XD, Figma, and Photoshop, making it easy for designers to upload and manage their projects.
  • Version Control
    The platform offers version control for design projects, enabling teams to track changes, revert to previous versions, and ensure they're always working with the most up-to-date designs.

Possible disadvantages of Zeplin

  • Pricing
    Zeplin's subscription model can be costly for smaller teams or individual freelancers, especially when compared to other design handoff tools available in the market.
  • Limited Prototyping Features
    Unlike some other design collaboration tools, Zeplin lacks advanced prototyping features, which might necessitate the use of additional tools for complete design validation.
  • Learning Curve
    New users may require some time to learn Zeplin’s interface and features, which could be a challenge for teams that need to quickly onboard and get up to speed.
  • Dependency on Design Tools
    Zeplin relies heavily on imported designs from other tools rather than allowing for direct design creation within its platform. This dependency could be a limitation for teams looking for an all-in-one solution.
  • Limited Free Tier
    The free version of Zeplin is quite limited in terms of the number of projects and collaborators, which might not be sufficient for larger teams or complex projects.

Backlog features and specs

  • Comprehensive Project Management
    Backlog provides a wide range of project management features including task tracking, Gantt charts, and burndown charts which help teams to plan, execute, and monitor their projects efficiently.
  • Integrated Bug Tracking
    The platform includes robust bug tracking tools that allow for detailed tracking, reporting, and resolution of software bugs which is crucial for development teams.
  • Collaboration Tools
    Backlog offers several collaboration features such as wikis, file sharing, and comment threads to facilitate team communication and knowledge sharing.
  • Customizable Workflow
    Users can customize workflows to reflect their team's processes, which makes the tool adaptable to different project management styles.
  • Multiple Integrations
    Backlog integrates with numerous other tools including Git, SVN, and Slack, allowing teams to streamline their workflow and use their preferred tools.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The platform offers an intuitive and easy-to-navigate user interface, making it accessible even for less tech-savvy users.
  • Mobile Application
    Backlog offers a mobile application for both iOS and Android, allowing team members to stay updated and manage tasks on the go.

Analysis of Zeplin

Overall verdict

  • Zeplin is generally considered a good tool, especially for teams seeking better collaboration between designers and developers. Its features are highly appreciated for accuracy and efficiency in implementing design visions. However, its usefulness might depend on specific team needs and workflows.

Why this product is good

  • Zeplin is a popular tool among designers and developers for its ability to bridge the gap between design and development processes. It excels in organizing design files, annotations, and specifications, making it easier for development teams to implement designs accurately. It integrates seamlessly with design tools like Figma, Sketch, and Adobe XD, and provides features like automated design specs, style guides, and assets that streamline the workflow. Its collaborative features allow for efficient communication and feedback loops between team members.

Recommended for

    Zeplin is best suited for designers and developers working in teams where clear design specifications and organized collaboration are critical. It's particularly beneficial for teams using Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD who want to ensure precise design implementation and reduce misunderstandings between design and development departments.

Analysis of Backlog

Overall verdict

  • Backlog is considered a good choice for teams and organizations, especially those that require a balanced mix of collaboration and project management features. It is particularly useful for teams that need an integrated approach to managing tasks and tracking project progress.

Why this product is good

  • Backlog (backlog.com) is a project management and collaboration tool that's praised for its user-friendly interface, robust features, and ability to seamlessly integrate with other tools. It offers functionalities like task management, bug tracking, version control, and file sharing, which make it versatile for teams looking to streamline their workflows. The platform is also visually intuitive, which helps in keeping all team members on the same page.

Recommended for

    Backlog is recommended for software development teams, marketing teams, and any organization looking for a tool that supports collaborative work while providing comprehensive project management features. It's particularly beneficial for small to medium-sized businesses or teams within larger organizations that need customizable workflows and have a need for integrated version control.

Zeplin videos

+ Add

Zeplin Basics: Design Systems

More videos:

  • Demo - Zeplin Demo: What is Zeplin? (Video)

Backlog videos

+ Add

The Ultimate Jira Alternative? Unlimited Users for $1000/year!

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to customize your workflow in Backlog
  • Tutorial - Getting started with Backlog
  • Demo - Manage projects with Backlog

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Zeplin and Backlog)

Zeplin

Backlog

Design Tools
100 100%
Design Tools
0% 0
Project Management
0 0%
Project Management
100% 100
Prototyping
100 100%
Prototyping
0% 0
Task Management
0 0%
Task Management
100% 100

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing Zeplin and Backlog.

What makes your product unique?

Backlog's answer:

Backlog combines project management with issue tracking and version control in one simple, intuitive platform. Unlike tools that focus on just tasks or just code, Backlog bridges the gap between teams and developers, making collaboration seamless for everyone.

Why should a person choose your product over its competitors?

Backlog's answer:

Backlog is affordable, built for all skill levels, and designed to be powerful without being overwhelming. Teams can manage projects, track bugs, review code, and collaborate visually (with Gantt charts, Kanban boards, and wikis) all in one place. It’s easier to get started with than many enterprise tools, but it still scales to handle complex projects.

How would you describe the primary audience of your product?

Backlog's answer:

Our core audience includes software development teams, IT departments, and project managers who need both project visibility and technical depth. At the same time, marketing, design, and business teams also rely on Backlog to stay connected with developers in a shared workspace.

What's the story behind your product?

Backlog's answer:

Backlog was created by Nulab, a Japan-based software company, to make teamwork easier and more enjoyable. We needed a tool where developers and non-developers could work together without friction. Since its launch, Backlog has grown into a global product that helps thousands of teams deliver projects more efficiently.

Who are some of the biggest customers of your product?

Backlog's answer:

Backlog is trusted by teams at Buzzfeed, Rakuten, and SoftBank, along with thousands of startups, agencies, and enterprises worldwide. Whether it’s a small consultancy or a large global brand, Backlog helps teams of all sizes manage projects with clarity and collaboration.

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

Backlog's answer:

Backlog's backend is written using the programming language Scala. This robust foundation helps Backlog run smoothly, even when managing large projects or complex tasks.

User comments

Share your experience with using Zeplin and Backlog. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Zeplin and Backlog

Zeplin Reviews

Top 5 Zeplin Alternative
As aforementioned, Zeplin suffers some inherent drawbacks that may dent designers’ hopes for faster, easy, and reliable UI design. To avert such scenarios, you don’t have to get stuck with Zeplin as there are numerous other top-notch Zeplin alternatives. The following are some of the top 5 Zeplin alternatives.
Source: mockitt.wondershare.com
Top 6 Figma Alternatives: Prototyping and UI/UX Tools
Zeplin is super affordable. It offers 2 plans: Team, which costs $8.00 per user per month, and Establishment, which costs $16.00 monthly. Zeplin also provides a feature-limited Free Plan and Enterprise Plan.
Source: fronty.com
9 Best InVision Alternatives to Switch to in 2024
Zeplin is a workspace collaboration tool to document what to build and how designs should behave in a central collaborative place for the entire dev team.
Source: designmodo.com
10 Best Adobe XD Alternatives (Free & Paid)
Zeplin is a smart Adobe XD alternative for code lovers. It is a code-based design app where you can source all your components from Storybook, Github, Bitbucket, SourceForge, and other repositories, so they are always code-ready. The app also integrates seamlessly with team collaboration and project management tools like Trello, Proofhub, Monday, Jira, and Slack, offering...
Source: justcreative.com
Top 10 Free Adobe XD Alternatives in 2021
One of the top alternatives to Adobe XD is Zeplin, a code-based design tool where your components can be sourced from GitHub, Storybook, and other repositories so they're always code-ready. You can view summaries of your components within your designs and easily see code snippets for how to initialize them. There are also extensive integrations with project management and...
Source: mockitt.wondershare.com

Backlog Reviews

  1. dolcemediterranea
    Good system

    I'm on the free plan, all the basic options to run a project are there and the mail notification/comment system works very well. The user interface is good. My only complaint is that you cannot have more than one person assigned to a task. It's their philosophy and they say that if you want to have more assignees you should either duplicate the task or create subtask (only for paid plans).

    Competitors: Jira, Trello
    Pros:    User friendly interface|Free basic plan
    Cons:    Cannot have more people assigned to a task
6 Best Jira Alternatives | 25+ Personally Tested Apps (2026)
My top alternative to Jira is Backlog by Nulab. It’s a standout platform for teams that want to unify project planning, issue tracking, and code management—all in one place. By combining Gantt charts, Kanban boards, Git/SVN integration, built-in wikis, and bug tracking, Backlog helps reduce tool switching and accelerate delivery.
Source: thebusinessdive.com
12 Best JIRA Alternatives in 2019
Backlog is an all-in-one project management tool built for developers. It's a popular alternative to Jira, with a much simpler and intuitive interface. Development teams use Backlog to work with other teams for enhanced team collaboration and high-quality project delivery.
Source: www.guru99.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Zeplin should be more popular than Backlog. It has been mentiond 23 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Zeplin mentions (23)

View more

Backlog mentions (3)

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Zeplin and Backlog, you can also consider the following products

Invision - Prototyping and collaboration for design teams

Jira - The #1 software development tool used by agile teams. Jira Software is built for every member of your software team to plan, track, and release great software.

Axure - The most powerful way to plan, prototype and hand off to developers, all without code. Download a free trial and see why professionals choose Axure RP 9.

monday.com - The most intuitive platform to manage projects and teamwork

Balsamiq - Balsamiq. Rapid, effective and fun wireframing software.

Asana - Asana project management is an effort to re-imagine how we work together, through modern productivity software. Fast and versatile, Asana helps individuals and groups get more done.

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