Quick Overview
- 1#1: Figma - Collaborative design platform that streamlines UI/UX workflows from ideation to prototyping and handoff.
- 2#2: Frame.io - Cloud-based video review and approval platform optimizing creative media workflows for teams.
- 3#3: Miro - Online whiteboard for visual collaboration, brainstorming, and planning creative projects.
- 4#4: Milanote - Visual organization tool for moodboards, research, and planning creative workflows.
- 5#5: Adobe Workfront - Enterprise work management platform with proofing and automation for creative teams.
- 6#6: Monday.com - Customizable work OS for building and automating creative project workflows.
- 7#7: Asana - Work management tool with timelines, portfolios, and approvals for creative processes.
- 8#8: Wrike - Work management software featuring request forms, proofing, and analytics for creatives.
- 9#9: ClickUp - All-in-one platform with docs, whiteboards, and custom workflows for creative teams.
- 10#10: Notion - All-in-one workspace for databases, wikis, and Kanban boards in creative planning.
We selected and ranked these tools based on core features like collaboration and automation, user experience, industry relevance, and overall value, ensuring they meet the diverse needs of creative professionals.
Comparison Table
This comparison table examines leading creative workflow software tools, such as Figma, Frame.io, Miro, Milanote, and Adobe Workfront, to simplify the process of selecting the right platform for collaborative design, project management, or visual workflows. It outlines key features, strengths, and ideal use cases, helping readers identify which tool best fits their team’s needs and goals.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Figma Collaborative design platform that streamlines UI/UX workflows from ideation to prototyping and handoff. | creative_suite | 9.7/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | Frame.io Cloud-based video review and approval platform optimizing creative media workflows for teams. | specialized | 9.3/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 3 | Miro Online whiteboard for visual collaboration, brainstorming, and planning creative projects. | creative_suite | 8.9/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 4 | Milanote Visual organization tool for moodboards, research, and planning creative workflows. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 5 | Adobe Workfront Enterprise work management platform with proofing and automation for creative teams. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.3/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 6 | Monday.com Customizable work OS for building and automating creative project workflows. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 7 | Asana Work management tool with timelines, portfolios, and approvals for creative processes. | enterprise | 8.0/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 8 | Wrike Work management software featuring request forms, proofing, and analytics for creatives. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 9 | ClickUp All-in-one platform with docs, whiteboards, and custom workflows for creative teams. | other | 8.1/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.0/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 10 | Notion All-in-one workspace for databases, wikis, and Kanban boards in creative planning. | other | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.6/10 | 9.0/10 |
Collaborative design platform that streamlines UI/UX workflows from ideation to prototyping and handoff.
Cloud-based video review and approval platform optimizing creative media workflows for teams.
Online whiteboard for visual collaboration, brainstorming, and planning creative projects.
Visual organization tool for moodboards, research, and planning creative workflows.
Enterprise work management platform with proofing and automation for creative teams.
Customizable work OS for building and automating creative project workflows.
Work management tool with timelines, portfolios, and approvals for creative processes.
Work management software featuring request forms, proofing, and analytics for creatives.
All-in-one platform with docs, whiteboards, and custom workflows for creative teams.
All-in-one workspace for databases, wikis, and Kanban boards in creative planning.
Figma
creative_suiteCollaborative design platform that streamlines UI/UX workflows from ideation to prototyping and handoff.
Real-time multiplayer collaboration that allows multiple users to edit designs simultaneously like Google Docs for UI/UX work
Figma is a cloud-based collaborative design platform that empowers teams to create, prototype, and hand off user interfaces with real-time multiplayer editing. It combines vector design tools, interactive prototyping, and developer-friendly features like auto-layout and code export into a single, browser-accessible workspace. Ideal for streamlining creative workflows, Figma supports everything from wireframing and high-fidelity mockups to team brainstorming via FigJam whiteboards.
Pros
- Unparalleled real-time collaboration for seamless team workflows
- Vast plugin ecosystem and native tools for prototyping and design
- Free tier with robust features for individuals and small teams
Cons
- Performance can lag with very large or complex files
- Limited offline editing capabilities
- Some advanced enterprise features require higher-tier plans
Best For
Collaborative design teams, UI/UX designers, and product managers needing an all-in-one tool for ideation, prototyping, and handoff.
Pricing
Free Starter plan (unlimited personal files); Professional $12/user/month (team libraries, version history); Organization $45/user/month (advanced security); Enterprise custom pricing.
Frame.io
specializedCloud-based video review and approval platform optimizing creative media workflows for teams.
Frame-accurate, in-context commenting and markup directly on video timelines for hyper-precise feedback.
Frame.io is a cloud-based video collaboration platform that streamlines creative workflows by enabling teams to upload, review, annotate, and approve video content in real-time without large file downloads. It offers frame-accurate feedback tools, version control, customizable review pages, and deep integrations with editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, and DaVinci Resolve. Designed for post-production, marketing, and film teams, it centralizes feedback to accelerate project delivery and reduce revisions.
Pros
- Frame-accurate annotations and timestamped feedback for precise reviews
- Seamless integrations with major NLEs like Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro
- Robust security, version control, and customizable approval workflows
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers can be expensive for small teams or solo users
- Primarily video-focused, with limited support for non-video assets
- Storage and bandwidth limits on lower plans may require upgrades
Best For
Video production teams, post-production houses, and marketing agencies needing efficient remote review and approval processes.
Pricing
Free plan for basics; Pro at $15/user/month (annual); Team at $25/user/month; Enterprise custom with advanced features.
Miro
creative_suiteOnline whiteboard for visual collaboration, brainstorming, and planning creative projects.
Infinite canvas that provides unlimited space for expansive creative workflows without the constraints of traditional slides or pages
Miro is an online visual collaboration platform that functions as an infinite digital whiteboard, enabling teams to brainstorm, diagram, and manage creative workflows in real-time. It supports a wide range of activities including mind mapping, wireframing, user journey mapping, and agile planning with customizable templates and interactive tools like sticky notes, voting, and timers. Designed for remote and hybrid teams, Miro integrates seamlessly with tools like Slack, Jira, and Figma to enhance creative processes from ideation to execution.
Pros
- Infinite canvas for unrestricted brainstorming and visualization
- Robust real-time collaboration with multiplayer editing and commenting
- Extensive library of templates and integrations with popular tools
Cons
- Performance can lag on very large or complex boards
- Advanced features have a learning curve for new users
- Pricing scales quickly for larger teams on premium plans
Best For
Remote creative teams, designers, and product managers who need a versatile visual space for ideation, workshops, and workflow mapping.
Pricing
Free plan for basic use; Starter at $8/user/month, Business at $16/user/month (billed annually), Enterprise custom.
Milanote
specializedVisual organization tool for moodboards, research, and planning creative workflows.
The infinite, zoomable canvas that mimics a physical wall for pinning and connecting ideas visually
Milanote is a visual collaboration platform designed for creative workflows, offering an infinite canvas where users can organize ideas, images, notes, links, and videos into customizable boards. It supports moodboarding, project planning, research collection, and team brainstorming with drag-and-drop simplicity. Ideal for turning chaotic thoughts into structured visual maps, it fosters creativity without rigid templates.
Pros
- Infinite zoomable canvas for flexible visual organization
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface with rich media support
- Strong real-time collaboration and pre-built creative templates
Cons
- Limited advanced task management and automation features
- Free plan has restrictive storage and board limits
- Fewer integrations with productivity tools compared to competitors
Best For
Creative professionals like designers, marketers, and writers who prefer visual brainstorming and moodboarding over linear note-taking.
Pricing
Free plan with limits; Pro at $9.99/user/month or $99/year; Teams from $12/user/month with advanced sharing.
Adobe Workfront
enterpriseEnterprise work management platform with proofing and automation for creative teams.
Seamless Creative Cloud integration enabling direct proofing, annotations, and version control within Adobe apps like Photoshop and Illustrator
Adobe Workfront is an enterprise-grade work management platform that helps creative, marketing, and professional services teams plan, track, and deliver projects efficiently. It excels in resource management, custom workflows, proofing, and approvals, with seamless integrations into the Adobe Creative Cloud suite for direct collaboration on assets like Photoshop files. The tool provides robust reporting, capacity planning, and automation to handle complex creative workflows at scale.
Pros
- Deep integration with Adobe Creative Cloud for in-app proofing and feedback
- Advanced resource management and scenario planning tools
- Comprehensive reporting and customizable dashboards
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users due to extensive features
- Enterprise pricing can be prohibitive for small teams
- Interface feels overwhelming for simple workflows
Best For
Large enterprises and creative agencies managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects with heavy Adobe tool usage.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; typically starts at $30-40/user/month for base plans, scaling with users, features, and add-ons—contact sales required.
Monday.com
enterpriseCustomizable work OS for building and automating creative project workflows.
Visual, drag-and-drop boards with infinite customization for building unique creative workflow stages
Monday.com is a highly visual work management platform that enables teams to create customizable boards, automations, and dashboards for streamlining workflows. It excels in creative workflows by supporting task tracking, file sharing, approvals, and collaboration on projects like content calendars, design sprints, and campaign planning. With native integrations for tools like Figma, Adobe XD, and Google Workspace, it centralizes creative processes while offering real-time updates and progress visualization.
Pros
- Highly customizable boards and columns for tailored creative pipelines
- No-code automations to reduce manual work in approvals and notifications
- Rich template library including creative project management options
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly with users and add-ons
- Advanced customizations have a learning curve
- Limited native creative asset editing tools
Best For
Creative teams and agencies handling collaborative projects like design reviews, content production, and marketing campaigns.
Pricing
Free plan for 2 seats; paid plans start at $9/user/month (Basic), $12 (Standard), $19 (Pro), billed annually.
Asana
enterpriseWork management tool with timelines, portfolios, and approvals for creative processes.
Timeline view with dependency mapping for planning complex creative schedules and deadlines
Asana is a comprehensive work management platform designed to organize tasks, projects, and team workflows into structured systems using lists, boards, timelines, and calendars. It excels in tracking creative processes like content calendars, design approvals, and campaign planning with dependencies, custom fields, and automations. While versatile for collaborative teams, it integrates with creative tools like Adobe Creative Cloud and Figma to enhance asset handling and feedback loops.
Pros
- Flexible project views (boards, timelines, calendars) for visualizing creative workflows
- Powerful rules and automations to streamline repetitive tasks like approvals
- Extensive integrations with creative tools like Slack, Google Workspace, and design apps
Cons
- Limited native proofing and annotation tools for creative reviews
- Advanced features require higher-tier plans, increasing costs
- Interface can feel cluttered with multiple projects and customizations
Best For
Marketing and creative agency teams managing structured project pipelines with task dependencies and team collaboration.
Pricing
Free basic plan; Premium at $10.99/user/month, Starter at $13.49/user/month, Advanced at $24.99/user/month (billed annually).
Wrike
enterpriseWork management software featuring request forms, proofing, and analytics for creatives.
Visual proofing with redlining and version comparison for seamless creative reviews
Wrike is a comprehensive work management platform designed to streamline project tracking, collaboration, and resource allocation across teams. It supports creative workflows with features like visual proofing, customizable request forms, and automation blueprints tailored for marketing and design processes. The tool integrates seamlessly with creative software such as Adobe Creative Cloud and Figma, enabling efficient asset review and approval cycles.
Pros
- Robust proofing and approval tools for creative assets
- Highly customizable workflows and automation blueprints
- Extensive integrations with design and productivity apps
Cons
- Steep learning curve for complex setups
- Interface can feel overwhelming for small teams
- Advanced features locked behind higher-tier plans
Best For
Mid-to-large creative agencies and marketing teams managing complex, approval-heavy projects with distributed collaborators.
Pricing
Free plan for basics; paid tiers start at $9.80/user/month (annual) for Team, $24.80 for Business, and custom Enterprise pricing.
ClickUp
otherAll-in-one platform with docs, whiteboards, and custom workflows for creative teams.
ClickUp Whiteboards for infinite-canvas visual brainstorming and workflow mapping
ClickUp is an all-in-one productivity platform designed to manage creative workflows through customizable tasks, visual tools like whiteboards and mind maps, and collaborative docs. It supports ideation, planning, execution, and review stages with multiple views (Kanban, Gantt, timeline) and automation for streamlining approvals and asset handoffs. While versatile for creative teams, its general-purpose nature requires setup to optimize for design, content, or video production pipelines.
Pros
- Highly customizable hierarchies, fields, and views tailored to creative pipelines
- Built-in whiteboards, docs, and AI for ideation and real-time collaboration
- Extensive templates and integrations for creative tools like Figma and Adobe
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to overwhelming feature set
- Performance lags with large creative asset libraries or complex workspaces
- Not natively optimized for asset management or version control like dedicated creative tools
Best For
Creative agencies or teams handling complex, multi-stage projects who want an all-in-one customizable platform.
Pricing
Free plan available; paid plans start at $7/user/month (Unlimited), $12/user/month (Business), with Enterprise custom pricing.
Notion
otherAll-in-one workspace for databases, wikis, and Kanban boards in creative planning.
The modular block system for endlessly nested, customizable pages with databases, embeds, and synced content.
Notion is an all-in-one workspace tool that combines note-taking, databases, task management, and wikis into highly customizable pages built from modular blocks. For creative workflows, it enables users to create mood boards, content calendars, kanban boards, and project trackers with embedded media, databases, and real-time collaboration. Its flexibility supports everything from ideation and brainstorming to organized execution, making it a versatile hub for creative teams.
Pros
- Infinite customization via blocks, databases, and templates
- Seamless real-time collaboration and sharing
- Powerful all-in-one integration of notes, tasks, and media embeds
Cons
- Steep learning curve for complex setups
- Performance slowdowns with very large workspaces
- Lacks advanced native design or prototyping tools
Best For
Creative teams and solo professionals needing a highly flexible, customizable space for ideation, planning, and project management.
Pricing
Free personal plan; Plus at $10/user/month (annual), Business at $18/user/month (annual), Enterprise custom.
Conclusion
The reviewed creative workflow tools each offer unique strengths, but Figma emerges as the top choice, excelling in connecting UI/UX design ideation, prototyping, and handoff seamlessly. Frame.io and Miro stand out as excellent alternatives—Frame.io for optimizing video workflows, Miro for visual collaboration—providing tailored solutions for diverse needs.
Start with Figma to transform your creative process: its collaborative power turns ideas into polished outputs, making every workflow more efficient and impactful. Try it today to experience the difference.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison