Best Markup.io alternatives for web designers (2025 comparison)

If you're here, you've probably noticed that Markup.io isn't what it used to be. The 172% price jump from $29 to $79/month in early 2025 left many designers scrambling for alternatives — especially after the free plan vanished entirely.

I get it. Markup was a solid tool for gathering website feedback from clients. But when pricing suddenly triples and you're left wondering if there's a better option out there, it's time to explore what else exists.

The good news? There are some excellent alternatives that not only match Markup's core features but often surpass them — without the sticker shock.

Let's dive into the five best Markup.io alternatives for web designers in 2025.

Why designers are leaving Markup.io

Before we jump into alternatives, let's talk about why so many teams are looking elsewhere:

• Massive price increase: The jump from $29 to $79/month (or $948/year) priced out freelancers and small agencies.
• No free plan: The previously generous free tier is gone, forcing even casual users to pay.
• Limited features: Some competitors now offer better responsive testing, CSS inspection, and collaboration tools.
• Slow performance: Users report sluggish load times and occasional bugs that disrupt workflow.

If you relied on Markup for client reviews, these changes likely pushed you to reconsider your options. And honestly, that might be a blessing in disguise.

What to look for in a website feedback tool

Not all annotation tools are created equal. Here's what matters most when choosing a Markup alternative:

• Visual feedback: Pin comments directly on live websites with context.
• Responsive testing: Preview and annotate across mobile, tablet, and desktop breakpoints.
• CSS inspection: Quick access to styles without opening DevTools.
• Client-friendly: No login required for reviewers, simple interface.
• Affordable pricing: Reasonable costs that won't drain your budget.
• Fast performance: Quick loading and smooth collaboration.

With that in mind, let's look at the top alternatives.

1. Huddlekit — The modern Markup replacement

If you're looking for a tool that feels like Markup but better, Huddlekit is your answer.

Built specifically for web designers and developers, Huddlekit combines visual feedback, multi-breakpoint testing, and CSS inspection into one seamless platform. It's what Markup should have evolved into.

Key features

• True responsive testing: Switch between mobile, tablet, and desktop views with real device breakpoints
• Built-in CSS inspector: Hover over any element to see typography, spacing, colors, and more
• No login required for clients: Share a link and clients can leave feedback instantly
• Visual commenting: Pin comments directly on live websites with full context
• Organized by page and device: All feedback sorted automatically
• Fast performance: No lag, no waiting, just smooth collaboration

Pros

• Clean, intuitive interface that doesn't overwhelm
• Significantly more affordable than Markup
• CSS inspection without opening DevTools
• Side-by-side breakpoint reviews
• Collaboration with team members
• Works on most live or staging website
• No login required for clients

Cons

• Newer product with smaller user base compared to established tools
• Feature set focused on core functionality (no bloat)

Pricing

Workspace-based: $19/month with 3 users included. This is the Pro plan — less than half the cost of Markup's new pricing.

Best for

Designers, agencies, and teams who want powerful feedback features without complexity, bloating or budget-breaking costs.

2. Pastel — Good free option for solo designers

Pastel has quietly become one of the most popular Markup alternatives, largely thanks to its generous free plan.

Key features

• Unlimited canvases: Unlimited projects even on the free tier
• Unlimited guest reviewers: Perfect for client work without seat limits
• 72-hour commenting window: Creates urgency for faster feedback
• Automatic client tutorials: Built-in walkthrough when clients open the link
• Comments grouped by page: Keeps feedback organized and contextual
• Version control: Track multiple revision rounds easily

Pros

• Most generous free plan available
• Super simple interface that's easy to learn
• No bugs or weird glitches reported
• Easy client onboarding with automatic tutorials
• Screenshots automatically captured with each comment
• Works well for straightforward design reviews

Cons

• 72-hour commenting window on free plan (requires upgrade for flexibility)
• Limited breakpoint options compared to competitors
• Need to create new canvas for each revision round on free tier
• Paid plans are more expensive than some alternatives

Pricing

User-based: Free plan available with limitations. Paid plans start at $29/month per user (billed annually).

Comparison to Huddlekit Pro: For 3 users, you'd pay $87/month — 4.5x more expensive than Huddlekit.

Best for

Freelancers and solo designers on a budget who want a solid free option and can work within the 72-hour feedback window.

3. Ruttl — Fast and user-friendly

Ruttl is known for being fast — both in performance and workflow. It's stripped down to the essentials, which means less clutter and faster reviews.

Key features

• Real-time editing: Make live CSS changes during reviews
• Video comments: Record walkthroughs for complex feedback
• File attachments: Add mockups or references directly in comments
• Multiple breakpoints: Mobile and desktop views
• Text and visual comments: Pin feedback directly on elements
• Simple interface: Minimal learning curve

Pros

• Affordable entry-level pricing
• Fast performance with quick load times
• Video commenting for detailed feedback
• Live CSS editing during review sessions
• Straightforward, no-bloat interface
• Good for teams that want simplicity

Cons

• Occasional bugs with password-protected sites
• No side-by-side breakpoint testing
• More basic feature set compared to premium tools
• Some issues with hidden elements
• No built-in CSS inspection tool

Pricing

User-based: Starting at $10/month per user.

Comparison to Huddlekit Pro: For 3 users, you'd pay $30/month — more expensive than Huddlekit despite fewer features.

Best for

Designers who want a lightweight, budget-friendly tool and don't need advanced features like detailed CSS inspection or extensive breakpoint testing.

4. BugHerd — Purpose-built for bug tracking

BugHerd is less about design feedback and more about bug management. If you're running QA on a live site and need to track issues systematically, BugHerd is a solid choice.

Key features

• Visual bug tracking: Pin bugs directly on pages like sticky notes
• Browser and OS detection: Automatically captures technical context
• Task management: Assign, prioritize, and track bug fixes
• Two-way integrations: Connects with Jira, Trello, Asana, and more
• Client feedback mode: Simple interface for non-technical users
• Screenshot capture: Automatic visual documentation

Pros

• Robust bug tracking and task management
• Automatic technical context capture (browser, OS, console errors)
• Strong integration ecosystem with dev tools
• Client-friendly simplified feedback mode
• Excellent for QA and UAT testing
• Reliable performance and uptime

Cons

• More expensive than design-focused alternatives
• Feature set leans heavily toward developers
• Overkill if you only need design feedback
• Interface can feel complex for simple reviews
• Higher learning curve for non-technical users

Pricing

Workspace-based: Starting at $39/month with 5 users included.

Comparison to Huddlekit Pro: For a comparable 3-user setup, BugHerd costs $39/month — 2x more expensive than Huddlekit.

Best for

Development agencies and teams who need comprehensive bug tracking and technical context alongside client feedback.

5. Webvizio — Feature-rich Markup replacement

Webvizio is one of the closest full-featured replacements for Markup. It combines visual feedback with task management and bug tracking in a single platform.

Key features

• Responsive browsing: Test across different screen sizes
• Task management: Built-in project tracking and assignments
• Video recordings: Record walkthrough feedback
• Password-protected site support: Works with staging environments
• Integration options: Connects with popular PM tools
• Bug tracking: Comprehensive issue management

Pros

• Most feature-complete Markup alternative
• Responsive testing with multiple breakpoints
• Works well with password-protected staging sites
• Built-in project management reduces tool sprawl
• Good integration ecosystem
• Video feedback option for complex issues

Cons

• No free plan available for testing
• Interface can feel cluttered for simple feedback needs
• More expensive than minimal alternatives
• Steeper learning curve due to feature breadth
• May be overkill for freelancers or small projects

Pricing

Workspace-based: Starting at $17/month per workspace with promotional discounts available.

Comparison to Huddlekit Pro: Similar price point at $17/month vs Huddlekit's $19/month, though Webvizio includes more project management features.

Best for

Agencies and larger teams who want an all-in-one platform for feedback, bug tracking, and task management without juggling multiple tools.

Which Markup alternative should you choose?

Here's the quick decision guide:

• Want the best overall tool? → Huddlekit — Modern, fast, affordable, and built for designers.
• Need a free option? → Pastel — Generous free tier with some limitations.
• Want something lightweight? → Ruttl — Simple and affordable.
• Focused on bug tracking? → BugHerd — Purpose-built for dev teams.
• Need full project management? → Webvizio — All-in-one platform.

The real cost of scattered feedback

Here's what most designers don't calculate: the time cost of bad feedback tools.

Every vague Slack message ("can you make it pop more?"), every screenshot hunt, every "which version are we talking about?" moment — it all adds up.

A week of messy feedback can easily burn 5-10 hours of billable time. That's $500-$1,000 lost if you bill at $100/hour. Suddenly that $19/month tool doesn't seem expensive anymore.

The right feedback tool doesn't just save time. It saves your sanity, improves client relationships, and helps you ship better work faster.

Final thoughts

Markup.io's pricing change forced a lot of designers to rethink their workflow — and honestly, that's not a bad thing. The alternatives we've covered aren't just cheaper. Many are genuinely better.

If you're tired of juggling Slack threads, screenshots, and version confusion, it's time to try something purpose-built for modern web design feedback.

Start with Huddlekit if you want a tool that just works. Each alternative has its strengths depending on your specific needs and budget.

Whatever you choose, you'll be better off than clinging to overpriced tools that don't respect your budget.