Fe/male Switch: Your Startup Facilitator & Incubator for Women

Top 10 Open Source Alternatives to Zeplin in 2025: A Comprehensive Comparison

As Zeplin continues to be a popular tool for design handoff, the emergence of open-source alternatives has been noteworthy. These alternatives offer various features that cater to design and developer teams seeking flexibility, collaboration, and customization in their workflows. This article delves into the top 10 open-source alternatives to Zeplin, highlighting their key features and capabilities for 2025.

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1. Figma (with Dev Mode)

Open Source Aspect: Figma itself is not open-source. However, its API and plugin ecosystem are very open, allowing for many community-developed integrations.
Data Points:
Design & Prototyping: Offers comprehensive design and prototyping features with real-time collaboration.
Dev Mode: Designed to bridge the gap between designers and developers by providing code snippets, specs, and asset exports.
Cross-Platform: Runs in the browser and has desktop apps for Mac and Windows.
Collaboration: Enables real-time collaboration with commenting and feedback directly in the design files.
Popularity: Widely adopted by both designers and developers. Explore Figma

2. Miro

Open Source Aspect: Miro itself is not open-source, but it integrates with many open-source workflows.
Data Points:
Online Whiteboard: Primarily a virtual whiteboard for brainstorming, planning, and visual collaboration.
Templates: Offers a wide range of pre-made templates.
Integrations: Integrates with popular business tools.
Collaboration: Facilitates real-time collaboration with features such as comments, chat, screen sharing, and video chat.
Versatility: Aids in collaborative design discussions and planning. Learn more about Miro

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3. Abstract

Open Source Aspect: Not open-source but popular for version control of design files.
Data Points:
Version Control: Focuses on version control for design files, similar to Git for code.
Collaboration: Allows design teams to collaborate and manage design systems.
Project Management: Supports project management functionalities.
File Management: Geared towards managing and organizing design files.
Workflow: Improves the design workflow and facilitates a better handoff process. Discover Abstract

4. InVision

Open Source Aspect: Not open-source, but often cited as a Zeplin alternative.
Data Points:
Prototyping Focus: Strong in creating high-fidelity, interactive prototypes.
Collaboration: Enables team collaboration with feedback and comments directly on design files.
Design Handoff: Provides design specs and makes sharing designs with developers easier.
Workflow: Aids in the design workflow by enabling interactive prototypes.
All-in-one: An all-in-one platform for prototyping, collaboration, and design workflow. Explore InVision

5. Sketch

Open Source Aspect: Not open-source but has an open plugin system and developer API.
Data Points:
Product Design Tool: Used for creating, testing, and collaborating on ideas.
Features: Includes color variables, layouts, shared libraries, vector editing, and plugins.
Collaboration: Allows contributors to edit, inspect, and comment on designs or assets.
Ecosystem: Robust community and plugin system.
Design Handoff: Often used with tools like Zeplin for detailed specs. Learn more about Sketch

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6. Adobe XD

Open Source Aspect: Not open-source, but popular with design handoff capabilities.
Data Points:
All-in-one UX/UI: An all-in-one UX/UI design tool.
Features: Includes designing, prototyping, and collaboration.
Collaboration: Enables team members to collaborate on projects.
Design Handoff: Built-in tools for sharing designs with developers.
Integration: Works well within the Adobe ecosystem. Explore Adobe XD

7. Mockplus

Open Source Aspect: Not open-source but an all-in-one tool for design collaboration.
Data Points:
Prototyping Focus: Designed for rapid prototyping, wireframing, and team collaboration.
Design Handoff: Provides a smoother design handoff process with auto-generated specs.
Markup Tools: Offers manual markup tools for accurate specifications.
Interactions: Allows users to create and test interactions on real devices.
All-in-One: Tool for rapid prototyping, wireframing, and team collaboration. Discover Mockplus

8. Sympli

Open Source Aspect: Not open source but aimed at handoff and collaboration.
Data Points:
Automated Documentation: Focuses on automated design documentation and version control.
Integration: Integrates with Jira, Sketch, Xcode, and Slack.
Design to Code: Helps transition design specifications into code.
Collaboration: Geared toward enhancing collaboration between design and development teams.
Smooth Transitions: Promotes seamless transitions from design to code. Learn more about Sympli

9. Humaaans

Open Source Aspect: An open-source library of customizable illustrations.
Data Points:
Illustration Library: Collection of free illustrations for designs.
Customizable: Allows for adjustments to characters and designs to fit specific needs.
Collaboration Tool: Supports design thinking and creative collaboration.
Flexibility: Usable for any design project.
Ease of Use: Easy to integrate into any design workflow. Find Humaaans illustrations online.

10. Penpot

Open Source Aspect: An open-source design and prototyping platform.
Data Points:
Design Focus: Intended for teams collaborating on user interfaces.
Collaboration: Allows teams to work together on projects.
Cross-Platform: Web-based and runs on any operating system.
Features: Similar features to Figma and Sketch.
Open Source: Fully open-source, allowing for community contributions and customization. Discover Penpot

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FAQ

1. Is there an open-source alternative to Figma in 2025?

Yes, Penpot is a fully open-source design and prototyping platform with features similar to Figma and Sketch. Learn more about Penpot

2. Can Miro be used in conjunction with open-source workflows?

Miro itself is not open-source, but it's often used in conjunction with open-source design and development workflows. Discover Miro

3. What is a good tool for version control of design files similar to Git?

Abstract is a popular tool for version control of design files, allowing teams to collaborate and manage design systems effectively. Explore Abstract

4. Which tool provides design handoff functionality similar to Zeplin but within the Adobe ecosystem?

Adobe XD offers built-in design handoff tools for sharing designs with developers and integrates well within the Adobe ecosystem. Learn more about Adobe XD

5. Are there any design tools that focus on rapid prototyping and team collaboration?

Mockplus is an all-in-one tool designed for rapid prototyping, wireframing, and team collaboration. Discover Mockplus

6. What's a good open-source library of customizable illustrations for design projects?

Humaaans is an open-source library of customizable illustrations, allowing users to adjust characters and designs to fit their specific needs.

7. What tool is focused on automated design documentation and version control for teams?

Sympli focuses on automated design documentation and version control and integrates seamlessly with other design and collaboration software. Explore Sympli

8. Is there a tool that gives detailed code snippets and specs for developers, similar to Zeplin?

Figma, with the addition of its "Dev Mode," provides detailed code snippets, specs, and asset exports, bridging the gap between designers and developers. Learn more about Figma

9. Which tool is excellent for creating high-fidelity, interactive prototypes?

InVision excels in creating high-fidelity, interactive prototypes for web and mobile applications and allows team collaboration and feedback on design files. Discover InVision

10. Does Sketch offer design handoff functionality?

While Sketch has its own design handoff capabilities, it's often used with tools like Zeplin or alternatives for more detailed specs. Explore Sketch

References

About the Author

Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.

Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).

She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.

For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.

About the Publication

Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.

Mission and Purpose

Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.

Key Features

The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:

Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials

Impact and Growth

Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:

3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
100+ startup tools built
5,000+ pieces of articles and news written

Partnerships

Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.

Recognition

Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.

Violetta Bonenkamp

2025-08-26 07:46 Top Alternatives