Figma vs Zeplin: Which for Design Handoff?

TLDR

Use Figma Dev Mode for most teams; add Zeplin for strict version control at scale. Figma's native Dev Mode provides CSS inspection, asset export, and design spec extraction without additional tooling costs, making it ideal for solo developers and small teams. Zeplin adds value for large distributed teams requiring strict design approval workflows, version control, and multi-tool support (Sketch + Figma).

Key takeaways:

• Figma Dev Mode is built-in, no extra tool required, ideal for most teams under 10 people
• Zeplin specializes in handoff with strict versioning, better for distributed teams over 10 members
• Both tools provide similar CSS quality; choice depends on workflow needs, not code output
• Cost analysis: Figma Pro $12/editor vs Zeplin $8/seat (but Zeplin requires Figma too)
• Use Figma alone unless you need version control, multi-tool support, or design approval workflows

Head-to-Head Comparison Table

Here's how Figma Dev Mode and Zeplin compare across the features developers care about most:

Pricing Breakdown:

Figma Dev Mode: The Built-In Option

Figma Dev Mode is Figma's native developer handoff feature, available on Figma Pro plans ($12/editor/month). It transforms the design interface into a developer-focused inspection tool.

What it does well:

• Native integration — No separate tool to learn or pay for, developers access designs directly in Figma
• Real-time updates — When designers change designs, developers see updates immediately without export/import steps
• CSS code extraction — Inspect panel shows CSS properties (color, spacing, typography, shadows) for any element
• Asset export — Download icons, images, and graphics in SVG, PNG, or JPG formats with 1x, 2x, 3x exports
• Component navigation — Jump between component instances and main components to understand design system structure

Limitations:

• Limited version control — Version history exists but lacks approval workflows and screen-level versioning
• Requires Figma Pro — Free Figma accounts can't use Dev Mode (viewers need paid seats)
• Cluttered interface — Developers see full design environment, not a focused handoff interface
• No dedicated integrations — Relies on community plugins for VS Code, Jira, Storybook connections

Developer perspective: Figma Dev Mode works great when you're the only developer or working on a small team (under 10 people). The lack of version control isn't a problem when you can just ask the designer "is this ready to build?" in Slack. The real-time nature prevents the "I built the wrong version" problem common with static exports.

Zeplin: The Specialized Handoff Tool

Zeplin is a dedicated design handoff tool ($8/seat/month) that imports designs from Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, and other design tools. It creates a developer-focused environment separate from the design tool.

What it does well:

• Strict version control — Screen versioning with approval workflows, prevents building unfinished designs
• Focused handoff UI — Developers see only approved screens, not work-in-progress or design experiments
• Better for distributed teams — Designers in one timezone export to Zeplin, developers in another timezone start work without coordination
• Official integrations — VS Code extension, Jira issues, Storybook component linking, Slack notifications
• Multi-tool support — Import from Sketch, Figma, XD in one project, useful for teams migrating tools or using multiple design sources
• Design token export — Style guide generation with exportable CSS, SCSS, or JSON format

Limitations:

• Extra tool in workflow — Designers must export to Zeplin, adding a step between design and development
• Additional cost — $8/seat/month on top of existing Figma subscription (67% cost increase)
• Import step required — Changes in Figma don't appear in Zeplin until designer re-exports
• Less real-time — Developers might build from outdated Zeplin screens if designer forgot to update export

Developer perspective: Zeplin shines in large teams (20+ people) or distributed teams across time zones. The version control prevents the "designer changed it while I was building it" problem. The dedicated handoff interface means you're not distracted by design layers, prototypes, and other designer-focused features you don't need.

Developer Perspective: Code Quality

Let's compare actual CSS output from both tools inspecting the same button component.

Figma Dev Mode CSS output:

/* Figma Dev Mode - Primary Button */
.button-primary {
  display: flex;
  padding: 12px 24px;
  justify-content: center;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 8px;
  border-radius: 8px;
  background: #0066FF;
  color: #FFFFFF;
  font-family: Inter;
  font-size: 16px;
  font-weight: 600;
  line-height: 24px;
}

Zeplin CSS output:

/* Zeplin - Primary Button */
.button-primary {
  width: 140px;
  height: 48px;
  padding: 12px 24px;
  border-radius: 8px;
  background-color: #0066FF;
  font-family: Inter;
  font-size: 16px;
  font-weight: 600;
  line-height: 1.5;
  color: #FFFFFF;
  text-align: center;
}

Key differences:

• Figma shows flexbox properties (display: flex, justify-content, align-items), Zeplin shows fixed dimensions (width: 140px)
• Figma uses gap: 8px for icon spacing, Zeplin doesn't detect gap property
• Zeplin calculates line-height as ratio (1.5), Figma shows pixel value (24px)
• Both provide hex colors and require conversion to CSS variables for production use

Reality check: Both tools require cleanup. Neither gives you production-ready CSS. You still need to:

• Convert px to rem units
• Replace hex colors with CSS variables or design tokens
• Adjust class names to match your component system (.btn-primary not .button-primary)
• Add hover, focus, and disabled states (not visible in static inspection)

The CSS quality difference is negligible. Choose based on workflow needs, not code output.

When to Use Figma Alone

Figma Dev Mode is sufficient for these scenarios:

Solo developers and freelancers: You're the only developer implementing designs. You can communicate directly with the designer in Slack or email. Version control isn't critical because you build fast and iterate quickly. Adding Zeplin would be overkill and waste $8/month.

Small teams (2-5 developers): Your team is co-located or works in the same timezone. Designers and developers collaborate closely with daily standups. You can ask "is this screen ready to build?" in real-time. The cost of adding Zeplin ($40-80/month for 5-10 seats) doesn't justify the version control benefit.

Already on Figma Pro: Your design team already pays for Figma Pro. Dev Mode comes included. Adding Zeplin would increase tooling costs by 67% without proportional value for straightforward handoff workflows.

Need simplicity: Your team values minimizing tool sprawl. Fewer tools means less onboarding, fewer logins, simpler workflows. If Figma covers your needs, don't add complexity.

Fast iteration cycles: Your team ships features daily or weekly. Designers and developers work in parallel with constant communication. The overhead of exporting to Zeplin would slow down your velocity.

When to Add Zeplin

Zeplin provides value in these scenarios:

Large distributed teams (10+ developers): Your developers are spread across multiple time zones. Designers finish work before developers start their day. Zeplin's version control ensures developers always build from approved screens, not work-in-progress designs. The async handoff workflow prevents building wrong versions.

Strict design approval workflows: Your organization requires design sign-off before development starts. Product managers, design leads, or stakeholders need to approve screens before developers see them. Zeplin's approval workflows enforce this process, preventing premature implementation.

Multiple design tools (Sketch + Figma): Your team uses both Sketch (legacy projects) and Figma (new projects). Zeplin imports from both, providing a unified handoff interface. Developers don't need to context-switch between different design tools.

Need version control and audit trails: Your team must track when designs changed and who approved them. This is common in enterprise, healthcare, or regulated industries requiring design documentation. Zeplin's screen versioning provides audit trails Figma lacks.

Large component libraries: Your design system has 100+ components across multiple projects. Zeplin's style guide and component organization make it easier for developers to discover existing components before building new ones. Figma's component organization is designer-focused, not developer-focused.

Want dedicated developer integrations: Your workflow includes VS Code, Jira, Storybook, and Slack. Zeplin's official integrations connect these tools directly. Figma requires community plugins that may break or lack features.

Cost Analysis

Real-world team scenarios:

Scenario 1: Startup with 1 designer, 2 developers

• Figma Pro: $12/month (designer only, developers use free viewer)
• Zeplin: $24/month ($8 × 3 seats: 1 designer + 2 developers)
• Verdict: Use Figma alone, save $24/month ($288/year)

Scenario 2: Agency with 3 designers, 8 developers

• Figma Pro: $132/month ($12 × 11 seats)
• Zeplin: $88/month ($8 × 11 seats, added cost)
• Verdict: Depends on client workflows. If clients approve designs in Zeplin, the $88/month is worth it. If internal only, use Figma alone.

Scenario 3: Enterprise with 10 designers, 40 developers

• Figma Pro: $600/month ($12 × 50 seats)
• Zeplin: $400/month ($8 × 50 seats, added cost)
• Verdict: Add Zeplin. The $400/month is justified by version control preventing developer rework, distributed team coordination, and design approval workflows at this scale.

Break-even analysis: Zeplin pays for itself if it prevents just 5 hours of developer rework per month (building wrong versions, implementing unfinished designs). At $100/hour developer rate, that's $500 wasted vs $400 Zeplin cost for 50 seats. For large teams, the ROI is clear.

Our Recommendation

Use Figma Dev Mode for most teams. It covers 90% of design handoff use cases without additional tooling costs. Add Zeplin only if you have specific needs: strict version control, distributed teams across time zones, multiple design tools, or enterprise approval workflows.

When starting a new project:

1. Start with Figma Dev Mode (you already have it)
2. Identify pain points: Are developers building wrong versions? Do designers and developers miss each other across time zones? Is version tracking a problem?
3. Add Zeplin only if pain points persist after 2-4 weeks
4. Trial Zeplin for 1 month with your largest project before rolling out company-wide

How HandoffPro complements both tools: Whether you use Figma or Zeplin, HandoffPro fills a different gap: generating implementation-ready design specifications and design token systems from UI screenshots. While Figma and Zeplin help developers inspect designs, HandoffPro automates the translation from design to code-ready specifications. Use HandoffPro to extract design tokens, then implement them in your React or Vue app using the specs from Figma Dev Mode or Zeplin.

For a comprehensive understanding of design handoff fundamentals, see our complete guide to design handoff. For more details on optimizing Figma workflows, see our complete Figma developer handoff guide. If you're exploring Zeplin specifically, read our Zeplin design handoff workflow guide. And for ensuring complete specifications regardless of tool, check our design specification checklist for developers.

FAQ

Q: Should I use Figma or Zeplin for design handoff?

A: Use Figma Dev Mode for most teams, especially solo developers and small teams already on Figma Pro. Add Zeplin only if you need strict version control, support multiple design tools (Sketch + Figma), or have large distributed teams requiring design approval workflows. Figma covers 90% of use cases without additional tooling costs.

Q: Is Zeplin worth the extra cost if I already have Figma?

A: Zeplin is worth the extra cost ($8/seat/month) only for teams with specific needs: strict version control with design approval workflows, distributed teams across multiple time zones, or multi-tool environments (using both Sketch and Figma). For teams exclusively on Figma with straightforward handoff needs, the extra cost isn't justified.

Q: Can Zeplin and Figma work together?

A: Yes, Zeplin imports designs from Figma. The typical workflow is: designers create in Figma, export to Zeplin for version control and developer handoff, developers inspect specs in Zeplin. This adds an extra step but provides strict versioning and a dedicated handoff interface separate from the design environment.

Q: Which tool gives cleaner CSS code for developers?

A: Both tools provide similar CSS quality. Figma Dev Mode shows CSS directly from design properties, while Zeplin offers slightly better formatting with more readable output. The difference is minimal. Both require developers to convert px values to rem and adapt generic class names to your component system.

Q: What team size works best with Figma alone vs Figma plus Zeplin?

A: Teams under 10 people work well with Figma alone. Teams with 10-30 members benefit from Zeplin if they have distributed workflows or strict approval processes. Teams over 30 typically need Zeplin's version control and role-based permissions to manage design handoff at scale without workflow chaos.