Quick Overview
- 1#1: Ziflow - Cloud-based platform for streamlined creative review, feedback, and approval workflows across marketing assets.
- 2#2: Filestage - Review and approval software designed for marketing teams to manage feedback on all creative assets efficiently.
- 3#3: Frame.io - Collaborative media review and approval tool optimized for video, audio, and creative content.
- 4#4: Approval Studio - Online proofing and approval platform for print, packaging, and digital creative assets.
- 5#5: GoVisually - Visual feedback and approval tool for websites, designs, and marketing materials with easy stakeholder reviews.
- 6#6: Adobe Workfront - Enterprise work management solution with robust creative planning, review, and approval processes.
- 7#7: Wrike - Work management platform featuring customizable approval workflows for creative teams.
- 8#8: Bynder - Digital asset management system with integrated review and approval capabilities for brand assets.
- 9#9: Asana - Project management tool with built-in approval requests and workflows for creative projects.
- 10#10: monday.com - Customizable work operating system supporting creative approval automations and team reviews.
Tools are selected and ranked based on features, user experience, reliability, and value, ensuring they meet the needs of teams managing marketing, media, and brand assets.
Comparison Table
Creative approval software simplifies feedback, revision, and final sign-off for creative teams, ensuring projects move efficiently from concept to completion. This comparison table explores leading tools—including Ziflow, Filestage, Frame.io, Approval Studio, GoVisually, and more—highlighting key features, collaboration strengths, and usability to help readers find the right fit for their workflow.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ziflow Cloud-based platform for streamlined creative review, feedback, and approval workflows across marketing assets. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 2 | Filestage Review and approval software designed for marketing teams to manage feedback on all creative assets efficiently. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 3 | Frame.io Collaborative media review and approval tool optimized for video, audio, and creative content. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 4 | Approval Studio Online proofing and approval platform for print, packaging, and digital creative assets. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 5 | GoVisually Visual feedback and approval tool for websites, designs, and marketing materials with easy stakeholder reviews. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 6 | Adobe Workfront Enterprise work management solution with robust creative planning, review, and approval processes. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.3/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 7 | Wrike Work management platform featuring customizable approval workflows for creative teams. | enterprise | 7.9/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 8 | Bynder Digital asset management system with integrated review and approval capabilities for brand assets. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 9 | Asana Project management tool with built-in approval requests and workflows for creative projects. | enterprise | 7.1/10 | 6.5/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 10 | monday.com Customizable work operating system supporting creative approval automations and team reviews. | enterprise | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.0/10 |
Cloud-based platform for streamlined creative review, feedback, and approval workflows across marketing assets.
Review and approval software designed for marketing teams to manage feedback on all creative assets efficiently.
Collaborative media review and approval tool optimized for video, audio, and creative content.
Online proofing and approval platform for print, packaging, and digital creative assets.
Visual feedback and approval tool for websites, designs, and marketing materials with easy stakeholder reviews.
Enterprise work management solution with robust creative planning, review, and approval processes.
Work management platform featuring customizable approval workflows for creative teams.
Digital asset management system with integrated review and approval capabilities for brand assets.
Project management tool with built-in approval requests and workflows for creative projects.
Customizable work operating system supporting creative approval automations and team reviews.
Ziflow
specializedCloud-based platform for streamlined creative review, feedback, and approval workflows across marketing assets.
Intelligent automated workflows with rule-based routing, escalations, and deadlines that dynamically adapt to project needs
Ziflow is a leading creative review and approval platform that streamlines the entire proofing workflow for marketing, creative, and agency teams. It enables secure sharing of assets like images, videos, PDFs, and web content, with real-time annotations, version comparisons, and automated approval routing. The platform integrates seamlessly with tools like Adobe Creative Cloud, Slack, and DAM systems, providing detailed reporting and audit trails for compliance-heavy industries.
Pros
- Exceptional proofing tools supporting 50+ file types with pixel-perfect annotations and video frame-by-frame review
- Powerful automated workflows, conditional routing, and stakeholder management to eliminate bottlenecks
- Robust integrations with 100+ apps including Adobe, Jira, and DAMs for seamless creative pipelines
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for large teams and lacks a robust free tier
- Advanced customization requires some initial setup time
- Mobile app is functional but less feature-rich than desktop experience
Best For
Large creative agencies, marketing departments, and brands managing high-volume, multi-stakeholder review processes.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing with plans starting at ~$39/user/month (billed annually) for Essentials, scaling to Enterprise with custom features.
Filestage
specializedReview and approval software designed for marketing teams to manage feedback on all creative assets efficiently.
Parallel review workflows allowing multiple stakeholders to approve simultaneously without bottlenecks
Filestage is a cloud-based creative review and approval platform that enables teams to upload files like videos, images, PDFs, and web pages for streamlined feedback and sign-off workflows. It supports time-coded comments, parallel reviews, and version control to minimize revisions and email chains. Designed for marketing, agencies, and creative teams, it integrates with tools like Slack, Jira, and Adobe Creative Cloud for efficient collaboration.
Pros
- Precise time-coded feedback for videos and audio
- Customizable workflows with parallel approvals
- Robust integrations with popular creative and project tools
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers required for advanced features
- Limited built-in editing capabilities
- Mobile app lacks full desktop functionality
Best For
Marketing agencies and creative teams handling high volumes of multimedia assets that need fast, organized feedback loops.
Pricing
Starter plan at $29/user/month (billed annually), Pro at $69/user/month, Enterprise custom; 14-day free trial available.
Frame.io
specializedCollaborative media review and approval tool optimized for video, audio, and creative content.
Frame Markers for timestamped, frame-by-frame annotations directly on video timelines
Frame.io is a cloud-based video collaboration platform tailored for creative teams to upload, review, and approve video content efficiently. It offers frame-accurate annotations, version control, customizable review pages, and seamless integrations with tools like Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects. This makes it a powerhouse for streamlining feedback loops in video production, marketing, and post-production workflows.
Pros
- Frame-accurate markers and annotations for precise feedback
- Deep integrations with Adobe Creative Cloud and other editing software
- Robust version control and approval workflows with customizable permissions
Cons
- Pricing escalates quickly for larger teams or high storage needs
- Steeper learning curve for advanced features like collections and portfolios
- Primarily video-focused, with less optimization for static image or document approvals
Best For
Video production teams, agencies, and post-production houses seeking precise, collaborative review and approval processes.
Pricing
Free plan with limits; Pro at $15/user/month (billed annually), Team at $25/user/month, Enterprise custom.
Approval Studio
specializedOnline proofing and approval platform for print, packaging, and digital creative assets.
Interactive prototype proofing for HTML/CSS/JS files with pixel-perfect annotations and live previews
Approval Studio is a cloud-based creative proofing and approval platform that enables teams to review, annotate, and approve digital assets like images, videos, PDFs, and interactive prototypes in real-time. It offers version control, custom workflows, and collaborative tools to streamline feedback from stakeholders, reducing email chains and miscommunications. The software integrates with tools like Figma, Adobe Creative Cloud, Slack, and Jira, making it ideal for creative agencies and marketing teams managing complex approval processes.
Pros
- Supports a wide range of file formats including videos, 360° images, and interactive prototypes
- Robust version comparison and history tracking to avoid confusion
- Seamless integrations with design and project management tools
Cons
- Advanced customization may require a learning curve for non-technical users
- Pricing scales quickly for larger teams or high-volume usage
- Limited built-in automation compared to some enterprise competitors
Best For
Mid-sized creative agencies and marketing teams handling multi-format proofs with distributed stakeholders.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month for the Lite plan (3 users, limited proofs); Pro at $89/month (unlimited proofs, more users); Enterprise custom pricing; 14-day free trial.
GoVisually
specializedVisual feedback and approval tool for websites, designs, and marketing materials with easy stakeholder reviews.
Live website proofing with overlaid comments and frame-by-frame navigation for pixel-perfect feedback on dynamic sites.
GoVisually is a cloud-based visual proofing and approval platform tailored for creative teams to review designs, websites, PDFs, and images efficiently. It enables precise feedback through annotations, comments, and stamps directly on visuals, with features like version history, approvals, and unlimited reviewers. The tool integrates with tools like Slack, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Figma to streamline workflows and reduce email back-and-forth.
Pros
- Intuitive interface for quick setup and sharing
- Unlimited reviewers and projects on all plans
- Precise annotation tools including drawing and measurement
Cons
- Limited advanced automation and AI features compared to top competitors
- Fewer native integrations with enterprise tools
- Reporting and analytics are basic
Best For
Small to medium-sized creative agencies and marketing teams seeking a simple, affordable tool for visual feedback and approvals.
Pricing
Starts at $25/month (Solo), $39/user/month (Team), $49/user/month (Business), with Enterprise custom pricing; 14-day free trial.
Adobe Workfront
enterpriseEnterprise work management solution with robust creative planning, review, and approval processes.
Native Adobe Creative Cloud integration for direct asset preview, annotation, and roundtrip editing without file exports
Adobe Workfront is an enterprise-grade work management platform designed to handle complex project workflows, including creative proofing and approval processes. It offers a dedicated Proofing module for reviewing assets like images, videos, and PDFs with markup tools, version tracking, and multi-stage approvals. The software integrates deeply with Adobe Creative Cloud, enabling seamless collaboration for marketing and creative teams, while automating notifications and reporting for efficient sign-offs.
Pros
- Powerful proofing tools with precise markup and version control
- Seamless integrations with Adobe Creative Cloud and other enterprise apps
- Scalable workflows for large teams with automation and reporting
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to extensive customization options
- High cost makes it less accessible for small teams
- Interface can feel cluttered for simple approval tasks
Best For
Large enterprises and marketing agencies with complex, high-volume creative review processes needing Adobe ecosystem integration.
Pricing
Starts at $30/user/month (Team, billed annually); Pro ($48/user/month) includes advanced proofing; Enterprise is custom-priced.
Wrike
enterpriseWork management platform featuring customizable approval workflows for creative teams.
Proofing & Review with pixel-perfect annotations, real-time collaboration, and multi-format support (including video and interactive proofs)
Wrike is a comprehensive work management platform that supports creative approval workflows through its dedicated Proofing & Review tools, enabling teams to upload assets, annotate feedback, and manage approvals in a collaborative environment. It integrates robust project management features like customizable dashboards, Gantt charts, and automated workflows to streamline creative reviews alongside broader task tracking. Ideal for marketing and creative teams, Wrike facilitates version control, stakeholder feedback, and sign-off processes to reduce bottlenecks in content production.
Pros
- Powerful proofing tools with annotations, comments, and version comparison for creative assets
- Customizable approval workflows and automation to fit complex team processes
- Strong integrations with Adobe Creative Cloud, Slack, and other creative tools
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to extensive features, overwhelming for simple approval needs
- Higher pricing may not suit small teams or basic creative reviews
- Proofing features, while solid, lack some advanced AI-driven capabilities of specialized tools
Best For
Mid-to-large creative and marketing teams requiring integrated project management with robust approval workflows.
Pricing
Free plan available; paid plans start at $10/user/month (Team), $25/user/month (Business), with Enterprise custom pricing (billed annually).
Bynder
enterpriseDigital asset management system with integrated review and approval capabilities for brand assets.
Advanced workflow automation with dynamic routing and brand compliance checks during approvals
Bynder is a robust digital asset management (DAM) platform with advanced creative approval workflows, enabling teams to upload, review, annotate, and approve assets like images, videos, and designs in a centralized hub. It supports multi-stage approvals, version control, and automated notifications to streamline collaboration across marketing, creative, and legal teams. While primarily a DAM solution, its approval tools integrate seamlessly with asset organization and distribution features.
Pros
- Powerful multi-stage approval workflows with conditional routing
- Seamless integration with creative tools like Adobe and Figma
- Strong version control and audit trails for compliance
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-enterprise users
- High cost limits accessibility for SMBs
- Overly complex for simple approval needs
Best For
Enterprise marketing and creative teams managing high volumes of digital assets with complex approval processes.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing; typically starts at $450/user/year or $25,000+ annually, contact sales for quotes.
Asana
enterpriseProject management tool with built-in approval requests and workflows for creative projects.
Rules automation for triggering multi-step approval workflows based on task status or form submissions
Asana is a versatile work management platform designed to help teams organize tasks, projects, and workflows using lists, boards, timelines, and custom fields. For creative approvals, it supports basic processes through task assignments, status updates (e.g., 'Review', 'Approve', 'Reject'), threaded comments for feedback, and automation via Rules and Forms. However, it lacks specialized features like inline asset previews, video scrubbing, or markup tools found in dedicated creative review software, requiring custom setups for effective use.
Pros
- Highly flexible for custom approval workflows
- Excellent real-time collaboration and commenting
- Seamless integrations with tools like Adobe Creative Cloud and Slack
Cons
- No native asset preview or annotation tools
- Requires significant setup for creative review processes
- Limited advanced approval automation in lower tiers
Best For
General project management teams needing simple, integrated task-based approvals without specialized creative review needs.
Pricing
Free Personal plan; Starter at $10.99/user/month, Advanced at $24.99/user/month (billed annually); Enterprise custom.
monday.com
enterpriseCustomizable work operating system supporting creative approval automations and team reviews.
No-code automations that trigger approvals, rejections, and notifications based on custom criteria
monday.com is a highly customizable work operating system that can be adapted for creative approval workflows through boards, automations, and status tracking. It supports file uploads, collaborative commenting, assignee notifications, and automated approval gates, making it suitable for managing feedback on designs, videos, and other assets. While versatile for general project management, it requires setup to function effectively as a dedicated creative approval tool.
Pros
- Highly customizable boards and workflows for tailored approval processes
- Powerful no-code automations for notifications and multi-stage reviews
- Seamless integrations with tools like Adobe Creative Cloud and Google Workspace
Cons
- Lacks native creative-specific features like video frame markup or version comparison
- Steep initial setup for complex approval pipelines
- Pricing escalates quickly for teams needing advanced capabilities
Best For
Creative teams in mid-to-large organizations seeking a flexible all-in-one platform for approvals integrated with broader project management.
Pricing
Free plan available; paid plans start at $9/user/month (Basic, billed annually) up to $19/user/month (Pro), with Enterprise custom pricing.
Conclusion
Among the top 10 creative approval tools, Ziflow leads with streamlined workflows across diverse marketing assets, while Filestage and Frame.io stand as strong alternatives—Filestage for efficient team feedback, Frame.io for collaborative media review. Each offers unique strengths, ensuring flexibility to match specific creative needs.
Upgrade your review process by trying Ziflow first; its intuitive design and robust features are sure to elevate your team's efficiency.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison