Best Pastel alternative for website feedback in 2026

Pastel (usepastel.com) has been a popular choice for website feedback, especially among freelancers drawn to its generous free plan. But as teams grow, limitations become apparent — the 72-hour feedback window, per-user pricing on paid plans, and lack of advanced features.

If you've outgrown Pastel's constraints or want more powerful feedback tools, this guide covers the best alternatives for 2026.

Why teams look for Pastel alternatives

Pastel works well for basic needs, but several limitations push teams toward other options:

• 72-hour feedback window on free plan: Comments expire quickly, forcing rushed reviews.
• Per-user pricing scales poorly: At $29/user/month, costs add up fast for growing teams.
• Limited responsive testing: Basic breakpoint options compared to dedicated tools.
• No CSS inspection: Can't check typography, spacing, or colors without DevTools.
• Basic feature set: Lacks inspect mode, advanced task management, and integrations.

For teams ready to level up their feedback workflow, alternatives offer more value.

What makes a good Pastel alternative

When evaluating alternatives, consider what Pastel lacks that you need:

• Better pricing structure: Team-based vs. per-user pricing saves money at scale.
• No time restrictions: Feedback that doesn't expire after 72 hours.
• Advanced features: CSS inspection, responsive testing, task management.
• Integration options: Connections to your existing workflow tools.
• Similar ease of use: No-installation setup that clients can use without training.

Best Pastel alternatives compared

1. Huddlekit — Best overall Pastel replacement

Huddlekit offers everything Pastel does well — no-installation setup, client-friendly experience — plus the advanced features Pastel lacks.

Key differences from Pastel:

• No time restrictions: Feedback stays available as long as you need it.
• Automatic debugging details: Browser, viewport, device type, and element metadata captured with every comment.
• Review more than websites: Collect feedback on documents, images, and videos — not just live sites.
• Built-in Kanban board: Organize feedback into tasks and track progress across all projects.
• Team-based pricing: $19/month includes 3 members vs. Pastel's $87 for the same team.
• CSS inspection built-in: Check typography, spacing, and colors without DevTools.
• Responsive preview: Review sites across mobile, tablet, and desktop simultaneously.

Pricing: Free plan available. Pro starts at $19/month with 3 team members included.

Pros:

• No time restrictions on feedback
• Team-based pricing saves money
• Responsive testing built-in
• CSS inspection included
• Free plan available

Cons:

• Newer tool with smaller user base
• Fewer integrations than some alternatives

Verdict: If you've outgrown Pastel's 72-hour limit or per-user pricing, Huddlekit offers better value with more features.

Best for: Teams who love Pastel's simplicity but need more features and better pricing as they grow.

"After 20 years of designing websites, I can confidently say that Huddlekit is an exceptional product for the modern designer." — David, Web Designer @ Héroes del Diseño

2. Marker.io — Best for technical teams

Marker.io focuses on detailed bug reporting with technical metadata that Pastel doesn't capture.

Key differences from Pastel:

• Session replay: Watch what users did before reporting issues.
• Console log capture: Automatic JavaScript error logging.
• Environment data: Browser, OS, and screen information included.
• Requires installation: Unlike Pastel, needs a JavaScript snippet.
• Higher price point: Starts at $59/month vs. Pastel's $29/user.

Pricing: Starts at $59/month for 3 team members.

Pros:

• Comprehensive technical debugging
• Session replay and console logs
• Strong dev tool integrations

Cons:

• Requires JavaScript installation
• Higher price point
• More technical than needed for design feedback

Best for: Development teams who need detailed technical context for debugging that Pastel can't provide.

3. BugHerd — Best for task management

BugHerd combines feedback collection with built-in project management features.

Key differences from Pastel:

• Integrated Kanban board: Manage feedback as tasks without leaving the tool.
• Client collaboration mode: Simplified interface for non-technical reviewers.
• Technical metadata: Captures browser and OS information.
• Requires JavaScript installation: Unlike Pastel's URL-based approach.
• Team pricing: $39/month for 5 members vs. Pastel's per-user model.

Pricing: Starts at $39/month for 5 team members.

Pros:

• Built-in task management
• Team-based pricing
• Strong integrations

Cons:

• Requires JavaScript installation
• No responsive testing
• More expensive than some alternatives

Best for: Agencies who want feedback collection and task management in one tool.

4. Ruttl — Best for design collaboration

Ruttl offers unique live editing features that neither Pastel nor most competitors provide.

Key differences from Pastel:

• Live CSS editing: Make style changes during reviews and export the code.
• Video comments: Record walkthrough explanations for feedback.
• Similar per-user pricing: $10/user vs. Pastel's $29/user — significantly cheaper.
• Requires installation: Needs JavaScript added to sites.
• More design-focused: Built specifically for visual design feedback.

Pricing: Starts at $10/month per user.

Pros:

• Live CSS editing capabilities
• Video comments included
• More affordable than Pastel per-user

Cons:

• Requires JavaScript installation
• Per-user pricing model
• Limited debugging features

Best for: Designers who want to experiment with CSS during reviews and need more affordable per-user pricing.

5. Userback — Best for SaaS product teams

Userback expands beyond project feedback into ongoing product feedback collection.

Key differences from Pastel:

• Broader feature set: Surveys, NPS, feature voting, and roadmaps included.
• Session replay: Watch user sessions to understand context.
• More automation: Trigger different forms based on user actions.
• Higher complexity: More features means steeper learning curve.
• Widget installation required: Needs JavaScript embedded on your site.

Pricing: Free plan available. Paid plans start at $49/month.

Pros:

• Comprehensive feedback suite
• Session replay included
• Good for ongoing user feedback

Cons:

• Requires JavaScript installation
• More complex than needed for project reviews
• Higher price point

Best for: SaaS product teams who need ongoing user feedback collection beyond project-based reviews.

When to stick with Pastel

Pastel remains a good choice if:

• You're a solo freelancer who can work within the free plan limits
• The 72-hour feedback window fits your review workflow
• You don't need CSS inspection or advanced responsive testing
• Simple commenting is all you require
• You prefer Pastel's specific interface and workflow

When to switch to an alternative

Consider switching if:

• The 72-hour limit is frustrating → Try Huddlekit
• Per-user pricing is too expensive → Try Huddlekit or BugHerd
• You need CSS inspection → Try Huddlekit or Ruttl
• You want responsive testing → Try Huddlekit
• You need technical debugging → Try Marker.io or Userback
• You want live CSS editing → Try Ruttl
• You need integrated task management → Try BugHerd

Migrating from Pastel

Switching from Pastel is simple since both tools work via URL:

1. Complete any active reviews within Pastel's time window if needed
2. Set up your new workspace in your chosen alternative
3. Invite team members with their email addresses
4. Share new review links with clients for upcoming projects

With Huddlekit, the transition is seamless — same no-installation approach, just more features and better pricing. View our pricing to see how much you'll save, or contact us if you have questions.

Conclusion

Pastel's free plan is genuinely useful for solo freelancers, but the 72-hour limit and per-user pricing create friction as teams grow. When you're paying $87/month for 3 users and still missing features like CSS inspection and responsive testing, it's time to explore alternatives.

Huddlekit offers the natural upgrade path — same easy setup, no scripts required, but with team-based pricing that saves money and advanced features that improve your workflow.

Try it free and see how much smoother your feedback process can be. Start with Huddlekit's free plan or reach out to discuss your specific needs.