Top 45 Creative Proofing Tools 

In an era where content is king and digital platforms dominate, the importance of producing impeccable creative work cannot be overstated. Whether it's a marketing campaign, a digital publication, or a simple blog post, the smallest oversight can compromise the integrity of your brand and message. Enter creative proofing tools: the unsung heroes of the digital age. 

These tools are not just about catching typos or design inconsistencies; they're about ensuring that every piece of content aligns with the brand's vision, resonates with the target audience, and stands out in a saturated market. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve deep into the top 45 creative proofing tools that are shaping the future of content creation and review.

Top 10 Editor’s Picks

Here’s our pick for the best creative proofing tools. 

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1. Artwork Flow

Artwork Flow offers an online proofing solution tailored for creatives. The platform supports proofing for over 160 file formats, including videos, and boasts high-speed rendering capabilities. Users can zoom up to 6000% and load large files instantly, regardless of their size or the number of pages. 

The platform promotes cross-team collaboration by centralizing feedback and comments, ensuring teams remain synchronized throughout projects. Additionally, Artwork Flow provides tools to streamline the approval process, allowing users to set up custom workflows and checklists to expedite creative reviews. 

The platform also emphasizes the importance of maintaining brand consistency by enabling users to easily spot errors like incorrect brand colors, typefaces, and grammatical mistakes. But that’s not all. Artwork Flow also allows you to go beyond just proofing and caters to your entire creative operations through features like scaling, workflows, and brand asset management. 

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Pros

• Supports over 160 file formats including videos, catering to a wide range of creative assets. 
• Offers quick rendering even at extreme zoom levels, ensuring detailed reviews.
• Centralizes feedback and comments, promoting cross-team collaboration.
• Offers different types of proofing tools such as spell check, annotate, markup, measurement scale, etc. 
• Allows users to set up custom workflows and checklists for streamlined approvals.
• Tools to spot branding errors, ensuring consistent branding across creatives.

Reviews:

• I can definitely vouch for the proofing software. Its smart proofing tool points out typos, errors, and compliance issues without me having to go through each asset. It’s exactly like having an editor on standby at any time of the day. (Source)
• I like that the reviewers of my work can leave all their comments right on the creative. We used to do design reviews through calls, emails, and Slack. Now everything I need to know is in one place (Source)

Cons

• Videos may take longer to load depending on their size.
• Reporting function is manual.

Reviews

• Reporting function is manual (though dashboard can be used to look at data); but sending reports on email is not possible automatically 

Pricing 

Pro: $55/user/month

Enterprise: Available on request.

Why you should choose this tool 

Artwork Flow is specialized in asset proofing. It offers robust features for asset management and is ideal for teams that deal with a large volume of creative assets.

2. Ziflow

Ziflow is an online proofing platform designed to streamline the review and approval process for creative content. It offers automated workflows, and integrates seamlessly with popular project management apps. It enhances collaboration, centralizes feedback, and expedites marketing projects by automating the review process.

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Pros 

• Ziflow offers the ability to see previous versions of projects and compare them with updates, ensuring revisions are made as intended.
• The platform supports multiple layers of approvals across departments, ensuring high-quality results before delivery to the client.
• Users can toggle between different screen sizes, ensuring a perfect experience across all devices and providing feedback at each level.

Reviews:

• My favorite features of Ziflow are the array of tools available for precise review and changes to the text, in addition to the extremely useful central dashboard. Live notification, @tags and versioning of files are super-valuable tools when reviewing translation proof for all sorts of publications: academic, graphic layouts, plain text documents. (Source)

Cons

• Users have reported receiving too many notifications for each piece of feedback, which can be overwhelming and lead to missed critical comments.
• There are challenges in integrating feedback from Ziflow into other platforms, requiring manual transfer of comments.

Reviews:

• From a reviewer's standpoint, my only complaint would be that the tools within proofing are a bit difficult to find. I added a section in my own help documentation to my team on how to find them and expand the comment sidebar to ease any possible frustrations. (Source)
• I've used it for reviewing imagery, videos, emails, social assets, print pieces, posters, signs and more. It's robust enough to not only handle a variety of files and formats, but it also gives you plenty of options on comments — from text to visuals. So you can always make your feedback crystal clear. It also gives you one central place to comment and keep track of the versions.

Other proofing tools don't allow this collaboration as elegantly. I've also been able to review large-volume projects, with hundreds and hundreds of banners, and Ziflow has made it efficient.(Source)

Pricing 

• Free 
• Business: $40
• Enterprise: Available on request

Why you should choose this tool 

Ziflow is perfect for marketing teams that need advanced workflow automation. It streamlines the proofing and approval processes, allowing for efficient project management.

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Also Read: Benefits of Online proofing software for creative teams

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3. Workfront by Adobe

Adobe Workfront offers a comprehensive proofing and approval solution that streamlines the review process across various digital assets, ensuring faster delivery.

Pros 

• Easy to track changes and streamline the proofing process with version control. 
• Designers can easily understand what changes need to be made with the markup and comment tools. 

Reviews

• “The side-by-side comparison and version tracking make it easy to track changes across multiple iterations of the same work product.” (Source)
• “Workfront Proof allows me to easily go in and edit copy. It's programmed for common markups like "insert," "replace," and "Delete," you can highlight text to make a comment on, outline images, and use arrows to indicate if you want to move something.” (Source)

Cons

• The interface is complex and buggy, which makes it difficult to make adjustments
• The ask for approval feature may send too many notifications frequently. 

Reviews:

• Workfront's forms and client interface are a small complex, which might make it troublesome to utilize proficiently. Computer program issues can happen, and on the off chance that they are not redressed, they seem cause issues or lead to terrible choices within the future” (Source)
• The "ask for approval' feature is good but tends to send out too many reminder emails about making a decision, too frequently. (Source)

Why you should choose this tool 

Adobe Workfront is a comprehensive solution for complex projects. It integrates seamlessly with Adobe Creative Cloud, making it a go-to for teams already invested in Adobe's ecosystem.

Pricing 

Available upon request

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Also Read: Version control feature: Artwork Flow 

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4. Filestage

Filestage provides a centralized platform for teams to review and approve digital content, ensuring clear feedback and faster turnarounds.

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Pros

• Streamlines the review process by grouping comments in a list and sending automated email reminders to reviewers. 
• Ideal solution for organizations looking for less expensive proofing software. 

Reviews:

• I love that Filestage streamlines our review process. It takes a cumbersome string of revision emails, and saves all of the changes in one place. I love that I can set due dates for my reviewers that send automatic email reminders for completion. (Source)
  
  
• For organizations that are looking for a less expensive way to streamline their design approval/proofing process, this is the ideal solution.
  
  You can trial a monthly plan before deciding on a more long-term plan. That way you are able to really see if this process is useful to the business or it can be a guide for developing your own internal systems. (Source)

Cons

• Email alerts may not come through sometimes. 

Reviews:

• It may be a user error, but email alerts sometimes don't come through. However, it is easy to go into the platform, especially using single sign-on, and find the project you are looking for. (Source)

Pricing 

• Free version 
• Basic: € 49 
• Professional: € 249 

Enterprise solutions available upon request. 

Why you should use this tool 

Filestage is user-friendly and focuses on simplicity. It offers straightforward file proofing capabilities, making it ideal for smaller teams with straightforward needs.

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Also Read: How to Drive Efficient Creative Reviews with Online Proofing

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5. GoVisually

GoVisually offers a platform for annotating and reviewing PDFs, ensuring clear communication and efficient feedback collection

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Pros 

• Streamlines the review process and makes it easy for clients and teams to collaborate
• It’s possible to create multiple artwork versions and post unlimited reviews. 

Reviews:

• I have eliminated the emails going back and forth about changes to their design. This is way easier. Before, clients wouldn't know where to start when giving feedback and this makes it super easy and saves time as well. (Source)
• The ability to easily add multiple versions of artwork is a game changer. That functionality paired with the fact that reviews are unlimited and free is a HUGE reason why GoVisually is the best solution for creative proofing & approval.  (Source)

Cons

• Not possible to compare different artwork versions
• It’s difficult to see real-time proofing updates. 
• No support for interactive PDFs

Reviews:

• It would be great if the product would support interactive PDFs for digital products so that links and interactive parts of a PDF could be checked by a client within the interface. (Source)
• The browser will not show reviews or updates in real time. It makes you refresh the page constantly to check proofing progress... or check email. But if I wanted to spend my day checking emails, I wouldn't need GV. I would simply proof via email. (Source)

Pricing 

• Solo annual: $20/month
• Solo monthly: $25/month
• Team annual: $10/month
• Team monthly:$12/month

Why you should use this tool 

GoVisually is cost-effective and easy to use. It offers real-time collaboration features, making it suitable for teams that require quick turnarounds.

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Also Read: How to Annotate a PDF File

6. ProofHub 

ProofHub offers tools for reviewing graphics, documents, and more, with features like file versioning, markup tools, and real-time comments.

Pros 

• Unlimited users and simple pricing. Teams don’t have to follow a pay-per-user or contract model.
• Reviewers can review artwork from anywhere with markup tools. 

Reviews:

• A major advantage that ProofHub offers as compared to popular tools like Basecamp, Asana, Trello, etc is its simple pricing—No contracts. No per-user fees. Unlimited users. (Source)
• The tool lets team members share vital information within seconds with features like Instant chat while Online proofing lets collaborators review and approve digital documents from anywhere through markup tools. (Source)

Cons

• Could integrate more with popular tools. 
• The app may be laggy at times. 

Reviews:

• I wish it soon offers integrations for apps like Zapier, Zendesk, Pocket, etc. (Source)
• I have had some issues with the mobile app which could be more responsive. The app lags sometimes and you don’t get granular control over notifications, which can be quite annoying. (Source)

Pricing 

• Essential: $45/month
• Control: $89/month

Why you should choose this tool 

ProofHub is versatile, offering both project management and proofing tools. It's suitable for marketing teams that require a comprehensive solution for their creative projects.

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Also Read: Manage Artwork with Artwork Flow’s Free Online Proofing Tools

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7. QuickReviewer

QuickReviewer streamlines the creative workflow by allowing teams to review and comment directly on various media types without software installation.

Pros 

• Allows teams to create workspaces to give permissioned access to files. 
• Share files for proofing even with reviewers who don’t have a QuickReviewer account. 

Review:

• I like the flexibility and options to create workspaces and share them with my team. The workspace option is nice because not everyone wants to give access to everything all of the time. I particularly love that it supports Adobe files and connects with PS and InD (Source)
• I've been waiting for a tool like that I can use to share files for online proofing without having to worry if he/she has an account or not. There is no learning curve, anyone who knows how to run the laptop can use this software. (Source)

Cons

• Cannot set deadlines intuitively and create automated reminders. 
• No feature to add attachment to comments

Reviews:

• Setting a deadline for a proof isn’t intuitive. You have to right click on a file to choose that option, and it doesn’t give you the option to set reminders. As a feature request, I would like to send automated reminders before the deadlines. It would also be better if you move or add the deadline option to the share file window. (Source)
• It would be good to add attachments to comments. (Source)

Pricing 

• Free version with 100 MB storage
• Essentials: $8/month
• Pro: $20/month
• Pro+: $35/month

Why you should choose this tool 

QuickReviewer is focused on speed and efficiency. It offers quick file uploads and real-time collaboration, making it ideal for teams on tight deadlines.

8. Wipster Online Proofing Platform

Wipster offers video review and approval software with features for real-time feedback, media management, and collaboration

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Pros 

• User-friendly for clients and allows them to easily add feedback in a timely manner to storyboards, style frames, or video through in-app comments. This helps improve turnaround time. 
• Gives project update notifications directly on Slack instead of giving them through emails. 

Reviews:

• We use Wipster daily to get feedback on storyboards, style frames and videos we are creating for our clients. Wipster allows our clients to open a video or storyboard and make comments and feedback exactly where the input is relevant. In-app comments and discussions can be made by all team members and stakeholders working on the video or storyboard.
  Wipster is an invaluable app for the day-to-day running of our studio and has been an instrumental tool in helping create the productions that make our clients happy.
  Another great feature is that we linked Wipster to our studio's Slack account. Whenever a client or team member makes a comment or an update to the production we are notified on Slack - which has proven to be very useful too. (Source)

Cons

• Commenting on videos can sometimes be difficult on mobile. 
• Smaller images may appear larger when previewed. 

Reviews:

• The use of the application on a mobile device can sometimes be a little tricky. Reviewing videos and commenting on them could be made easier on a mobile device to truly take advantage of the tool.
• I don't like that some smaller images are previewed much larger than their original size when uploaded, and this makes the images appear blurry. It's frustrating to have to inform our clients to zoom out to a certain size on a preview for it to match the size it should be, and look less blurry. (Source)

Pricing 

• Teams: $25/month
• Enterprise: Contact sales team

Why you should choose this tool

Wipster is tailored for video content. It offers frame-accurate commenting, making it a must-have for marketing teams focused on video production.

9. ReviewStudio

 ReviewStudio offers a suite of markup tools, task management, and automated workflows to streamline the review process for various creative assets.

Pros 

• Allows teams to collect client feedback in an organized manner 
• Superfast onboarding and great customer support

Reviews:

• Collecting feedback from clients had been a struggle before we started using ReviewStudio. Now, our clients can collect and add their feedback all in one place which keeps things tidy and organized. Clients also have told us that they love how they can add comments directly onto a proof, without having to, say, describe what part of the proof they are critiquing, as they used to have to do when we were not working with a proofing software. (Source) 
• Onboarding is superfast because the platform is very intuitive for clients and our employees. (Source)
• The whole team is super responsive. When I spotted a small bug and let them know about it, the next day, the bug was fixed. (Source)

Cons

• It’s not possible to create a successor version with unresolved comments. 
• No search functionality for archived projects. 
• Users complain that the mobile interface can be improved

Reviews:

• Missing option to copy open items to a successor version to keep track of open unresolved issues during the review process. (Source)
• The only thing I'd like to improve is how the archiving works. It would be great if there's a button in your project to archive once it's done. And a search function can be added for the archived projects so it's easy to find any archived projects based on client/other keywords. (Source)
• The zoom in/out functions could be better. It would be great if I could use it on my mobile, but it is not as easy as a desktop. Also, if there could be more colours to choose from for markups that would be good. (Source)

Pricing 

• Pro: $20/month
• Team: $65/month
• Studio: $140/month
• Agency: $280/month

Why you should choose this tool 

ReviewStudio is an all-in-one proofing solution. It offers a range of markup tools and integrates with popular project management software, making it versatile for various team needs.

10. PageProof 

PageProof offers an online proofing platform for designers and marketing teams, emphasizing security, compliance, and a wide range of supported file types.

Pros 

• Intuitive UI reduces the learning curve and makes it easy for teams to learn about the tool.
• Ad-hoc reviewers can use the tool without going through a complex onboarding process. 

Reviews:

• There are 3 things we like best about PageProof.
  1. UI and how it functions - very well thought out and super easy to use.

                 2. Integration with monday.com - goes right into our workflow,

                  3. Customer service - always responsive!

It makes our proofing process effortless. Our clients like using it - the UI is clean and efficient. (Source)

• It's web-based multi-platform ease of use and ad-hoc adding reviewers without a lengthy setup or onboarding process. The UI is superb, a great mix of clean simplicity with some advanced features under the hood. (Source)

Cons

• Limited folder management options to retrieve files
• Pricing limitations. 

Reviews

• I would like more folder management options(sub-folders) to retrieve old files easily. So that means we can have a folder with sub-folders if possible. (Source)
• The 2 x list limit on 'Team' pricing tier seems overly restrictive. (Source)

Pricing 

Available on request. 

Why you should choose this tool 

PageProof is designed for simplicity and ease of use. It offers encrypted proofing and is ideal for teams concerned with security.

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Also Read: Top Online Proofing Software for Project Managers

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Best creative proofing software for enterprises

11. ProofStuff 

ProofStuff, developed by ShopWorx, is an online proofing platform specifically designed to simplify the review and approval process for creative projects. It offers a centralized space where teams can collaboratively review designs, provide feedback, and track changes, ensuring that the final output aligns with the desired vision.

Highlights

• Engage with team members and stakeholders in real-time to discuss and refine designs.
• Easily manage and switch between different iterations of a design, ensuring that no feedback is lost.
• Utilize markup tools to provide specific and clear feedback directly on the design.

Pricing

Available on request

Why you should choose this tool 

ProofStuff is an online proofing tool that integrates with ShopWorx business software. It offers features like version tracking and is ideal for print and promotional product companies.

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Also Read: How to Drive Efficient Creative Reviews with Online Proofing

12. Hive 

Hive is a comprehensive project management solution tailored for the unique needs of creative teams. It integrates collaboration, proofing, and approval tools into one platform, streamlining the workflow from concept to completion.

Highlights

• Directly review and annotate designs and visuals within the platform.
• Seamlessly collect and address feedback, ensuring that designs meet the desired criteria.
• Maintain a clear record of design evolutions, facilitating easy comparisons and revisions.

Price

• Solo: Free
• Teams: $12/month/user
• Enterprise: Price available on request

Why you should choose this tool 

Hive is a versatile project management tool with proofing and approval features. It offers real-time collaboration, making it ideal for teams that require quick decision-making.

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Also Read: How To Get Your Creative Team To Use Project Management Tools?

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13. Review Studio

ReviewStudio offers a dedicated environment for designers and creatives to collaborate on projects. It emphasizes a seamless review and approval process, ensuring that feedback is clear, actionable, and integrated directly with the content.

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Pros

Allows businesses to scale their proofing process as they grow. 

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Reviews

The ability to improve and scale our proofing and review process has been invaluable (Source)

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Cons

The proofing viewer is not very intuitive

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Reviews:

The proofing viewer was a little different than our previous solution, and there were several features we did not understand. (Source)

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Pricing

• Pro: $20/month
• Team: $65/month (7 users)
• Studio: $140/month (20 users)
• Agency: $280/month (50 users)
• Enterprise: Pricing available upon request

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Why you should choose this tool  

ReviewStudio is an all-in-one proofing solution. It offers a range of markup tools and integrates with popular project management software, making it versatile for various team needs

14. ProjectHuddle

ProjectHuddle stands out as a feedback and collaboration tool that allows stakeholders to provide direct feedback on live websites and design mockups. It bridges the gap between designers and clients, ensuring that feedback is precise and actionable.

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Highlights

• Manage a plethora of ongoing projects simultaneously. 
• Provide feedback directly on live web designs, ensuring that comments are contextually relevant.
• Navigate through different iterations of mockups, comparing and refining as needed.

Pricing

• Lifetime: $599
• Standard: $99/year
• Professional: $149/year

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Why you should choose this tool 

ProjectHuddle is designed for web designers and developers. It allows for client feedback directly on the website, making it perfect for web-focused marketing teams.

15. Wrike 

Wrike's online proofing solution is crafted for marketers and creative professionals. It emphasizes efficiency, allowing teams to share designs, collect feedback, and make revisions in a streamlined manner. The platform also boasts integrations with popular creative tools, further enhancing its utility.

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Highlights

• Share designs and gather feedback in a visual format, promoting clarity.
• Integrate seamlessly with creative tools like Adobe Creative Cloud, Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, and Dropbox.
• Tag stakeholders for quick feedback and approvals. 

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Pricing

• Free plan
• Team: $9.80/user/month
• Business: $24.80/user/month
• Enterprise and Pinnacle: Available on request

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Why you should choose this tool 

Wrike is a robust project management tool with online proofing features. It offers real-time editing and approvals, making it suitable for large, complex projects.

16. Lytho

Lytho's proofing tool is designed for both creatives and stakeholders. It streamlines the collection and resolution of proofing feedback, creates an audit trail for accountability, and educates stakeholders about the creative process. 

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Highlights

• Intuitive annotation tools for clear communication.
• Direct messaging between reviewers within the proof.
• Automated reminders for stakeholders.
• Comment resolution controls for relevant and constructive review conversations.
• Review routes for controlling visibility.
• Adobe Creative Cloud plugin for direct asset addition and review from InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator.

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Pricing

Available on request

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Why you should choose this tool 

Lytho is focused on brand consistency and offers online proofing tools. It's ideal for marketing teams that need to maintain brand guidelines across various assets.

17. Kollaborate

Kollaborate offers video collaboration with real-time feedback from colleagues and clients. It provides password-protected links, viewing statistics, and annotation capabilities for videos. The platform also supports synced viewing sessions.

Highlights

• Video annotation for clear feedback..
• Multi-stage approval with chained approvals.
• Digital approvals with preview and mark-up capabilities.

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Price

• $7/monthor $60 annual subscription
• $25 month or $180 annual subscription 
• $40/month or $300 annual subscription 

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Why you should choose this tool 

Kollaborate.tv is tailored for video and film production. It offers frame-accurate comments and versioning, making it a must-have for video-focused teams.

18. Screendragon

Screendragon is a leading project, resource, and workflow management solution tailored for the needs of marketing, agency, and professional services teams. It offers a platform to manage projects, people, processes, and content all in one place. The software is trusted by various world-leading organizations and is known for its flexibility, scalability, and integration capabilities.

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Highlights

Offers features like file sharing, collaborative feedback, version control, and approval workflows.

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Pricing

Starting from $20/month

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Why you should choose this tool

ScreenDragon is designed for marketing operations and offers proofing tools. It's suitable for teams looking for a comprehensive solution that includes budgeting and resource planning.

19. Acquia DAM

Acquia DAM Workflows is designed to streamline collaboration, reviews, and approvals with online proofing. It connects the online proofing process to the digital asset management (DAM) system, aiming to make the process flexible and user-friendly. The goal is to reduce the time spent on administrative tasks like sending emails and to focus more on producing quality work.

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Highlights

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• Allows for direct input on mockups and drafts to produce the best work.
• Supports proofing of images, multi-page PDFs, and videos to minimize errors and enhance creative collaboration.
• Users can annotate content with markup tools to indicate specific areas on a proof that need changes.
• View and reply to comments directly on the proof.
• Compare proofs side-by-side and view previous feedback to ensure it was accurately incorporated. There's also an auto-compare feature to highlight differences between versions.

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Pricing

Available on request

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Why you should choose this tool 

Acquia offers a range of solutions including content collaboration. While not a dedicated proofing tool, it's ideal for teams invested in Drupal-based projects

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20. Deltek ConceptShare

Deltek ConceptShare is an online proofing software designed to streamline the review and approval of marketing and creative work. It aims to help creative teams deliver more content at a faster pace and reduced cost. The software is tailored for both in-house creative teams producing content for marketing campaigns and agencies responsible for delivering digital marketing campaigns.

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Highlights

• Streamlines the review and approval process, allowing teams to deliver content faster and at a reduced cost.
• Provides clear, actionable feedback with intuitive features for marking up and commenting directly onto assets.
• Ensures alignment among the review team with well-defined parameters, deadlines, automatic reminders, and notifications.
• Offers detailed tracking and auditing of the process, ensuring compliance with organizational and brand policies.

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Why you should choose this tool 

Deltek ConceptShare is focused on streamlining the review process. It offers customizable workflows and is ideal for teams that require a structured review process.

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21. iAnnotate Enterprise

iAnnotate is a tool designed for reading, marking up, and sharing PDFs and more, specifically tailored for iPad and iPhone users. It emphasizes the power of annotations as a means to process and retain information, offering a comprehensive set of tools for various annotation tasks.

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Also read: How to Annotate a PDF File: A Handy Guide for Online and Offline Documents

Highlights

• iAnnotate provides a wide range of tools to highlight, draw, stamp, underline, and more, all optimized for touch-based interactions.
• Supports access to files stored both on-device and in various cloud storage solutions like Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox. It can also handle Microsoft Office files, Google Docs, and images by automatically converting them to PDF.
• Offers granular control over sharing, allowing users to determine what to share and with whom. This ensures that the right content reaches the right audience.
• With iAnnotate, users can transition to a paperless workflow, as evidenced by the app's claim of saving over 380,953 trees and having billions of annotations made by its user base.

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Pricing

Available on request

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Why you should choose this tool 

Folia iAnnotate is designed for document proofing. It offers robust annotation tools, making it suitable for teams dealing with a lot of textual content.

22. Aproove

Aproove is an online proofing software designed to assist marketing teams, brands, and corporations in streamlining their content review and approval processes. The software emphasizes the importance of centralizing content review, providing real-time collaboration across a vast array of media formats, and ensuring compliance while saving both time and money.

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Highlights

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•  Aproove can handle a wide range of file types, including PDF, Image, Interactive, HTML, Video, and Audio.
• The interface is designed for seamless mark-up and collaboration, with minimal to no training required for reviewers.
• Aproove works at the page level, ensuring that decisions on individual proofs are accurate, even for multi-page documents.
•  Allows for easy classification of review notes, with the ability to filter, sort, and report on note classifications.

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Pricing

Available on request

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Why you should choose this tool 

Aproove offers enterprise-level online proofing software. It's suitable for large teams that require advanced features like automated workflows and compliance tracking.

23. SyncSketch

SyncSketch is a platform designed for visual collaboration, catering to professionals in visual effects, animation, and gaming. It aims to enhance remote workflows by providing a space where users can review and collaborate on visual content seamlessly.

Highlights

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• Designated presenters can lead the review, with the option to include multiple observers in the session.
• Enables feedback from mobile devices, ensuring flexibility in the review process.
• Generates a comprehensive PDF summary of reviews, including screenshots with all annotations and comments.
• Users can easily compare any item to a previous version or reference footage for better context.

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Pricing

• Indie: $9/month
• Team: $19/month
• Enterprise: Schedule call. 

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Why you should choose this tool 

SyncSketch is tailored for animation and visual effects. It offers frame-by-frame annotation, making it ideal for teams in the animation industry.

24. Screenlight

Screenlight is a platform designed for video review and approval. It focuses on streamlining the process of capturing clear and concise feedback for video projects, making it easier for creatives to drive their projects forward without the hassle of disorganized feedback.

Highlights

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• Screenlight offers an intuitive interface for clients and team members to provide feedback directly on video projects.
• Users can upload their work, share it with stakeholders, and gather the necessary feedback in one unified platform.
• The platform facilitates remote collaboration with creatives and clients globally, making it easier to share media and deliver master files.
• Screenlight's capabilities extend beyond just review, allowing users to share large media files directly, negating the need for other large file transfer services.

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Why you should choose this tool

Screenlight.tv is a video review and approval platform. It offers time-coded comments and is perfect for teams that work extensively with video content.

25. CrossCap

CrossCap's online proofing software is designed for marketing teams, offering a platform for clear, concise, and contextual feedback on creative assets.

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Highlights

• Provides ease of management and quality control over different versions and proof cycles.
• Real-time access to changes enhances productivity and accuracy.
• Documented user comments and sign-offs ensure accountability and measure engagement.
• Archives create an audit trail, preventing data loss.

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Pricing 

Available on request

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Why you should choose this tool 

CrossCap offers online proofing as part of its marketing management platform. It's ideal for teams that require a holistic approach to marketing, from planning to proofing.

26. Marker.io

Marker.io is a visual website feedback and bug reporting tool that integrates with various platforms like Jira, Trello, Asana, and Github. It allows users to annotate and mark up bugs and feedback directly from websites.

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Highlights

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• Speeds up QA testing with visual annotations.
• Facilitates bug reporting by connecting websites to bug trackers.
• Offers session replay to understand user interactions.
• Enhances communication and collaboration with stakeholders, reducing client emails and streamlining feedback.

Pricing

• Starter: $39/month
• Team: $99/month
• Company $259/month

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Why you should choose this tool

Marker.io is designed for web development and design. It allows for capturing visual feedback directly on websites, making it suitable for web-focused teams.

27. ProofQuick

ProofQuick is an online proofing solution tailored for the yellow page industry. It allows customers to review, edit, and approve their proofs without the need for any special software

Highlights

• Provides a cost-effective and accurate method for sending Yellow Page proofs for online approval.
• Enables timely proof approval and revision, resulting in significant cost and time savings.
• Offers an easy startup process with no software to install or download.
• Supports various file formats, including PNG, PDF, JPG, GIF, and EPS.

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Pricing

Available on request

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Why you should choose this tool 

ProofQuick is a web-based proofing solution for advertising and media. It offers features like ad placement visualization, making it ideal for teams in the advertising sector. 

Best creative proofing software for small and mid-market segment 

Here are 20 tools that small and mid-market businesses can use. 

28. Global Vision

GlobalVision is a quality inspection software tailored for regulated industries. It's designed to drive efficiency across the entire proofreading workflow, ensuring critical content is proofread at scale and remains compliant throughout the review process

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Pros 

• Excellent customer support
• Robust and user-friendly 

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Reviews:

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• GlobalVision does its best to make products that are robust and user-friendly at the same time. (Source)
• Global Vision support is extremely responsive to ensuring customers receive everything they need to get the most out of their product. The training, support and communication is top tier. (Source)

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Cons

• Accuracy feature can give few false positives
• Software may be laggy at times. 

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Reviews:

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• The software may be very precise, but accuracy tends to give a few false positives when pushing the software to the limit; i.e., 10,000 word-count pharmaceutical insert comparisons.
• The software can be slow, depending on the size of the files we are using. (Source)

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Pricing

Available on request.  

Why you should choose this tool

GlobalVision is specialized in automated quality control. It's perfect for teams that require high accuracy and consistency in their creative assets.

29. Air

Air is a platform designed for creative teams to streamline the review and approval process. It eliminates lengthy feedback loops and allows teams to discuss revisions and request changes clearly and directly. 

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Highlights

• Offers visual proofing tools for accurate feedback.
• Enables commenting, annotation, and tracking of version history for iterative design improvements.

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Pricing

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• Free: 0
• Plus: $83.33
• Pro: $250 
• Enterprise: Custom

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Why you should choose this tool

Air.inc is focused on visual collaboration. It offers a visually pleasing interface and is ideal for teams that prioritize a user-friendly experience.

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Also read: Compare Artwork Flow and Air.inc - The Best Artwork Management Solutions

30. Approval Studio

Approval Studio is a dedicated proofing tool designed for creative teams. It enhances collaboration, project management, and offers features like annotations, side-by-side comparison, real-time collaboration, and automatic versioning.

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Pros

Easy to find files and send feedback 

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Reviews:

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Our customers find it easy to markup a proof and send feedback to our design team (Source)

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Cons

• Doesn’t integrate with many tools. 
• Doesn’t let you review videos. 

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Reviews:

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• I'm looking forward to more integrations with more different tools (Source)
• Would be great if Approval Studio had a possibility to review videos as well. (Source)

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Pricing

Available on request

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Why you should choose this tool

Approval Studio is a professional-grade tool offering detailed analytics. It's suitable for teams that require deep insights into their proofing processes.

31. Oroson 

Oroson serves as a centralized platform for client-facing professionals in marketing and branding agencies. It consolidates visual work and client feedback, aiming to reduce lengthy email threads and potential miscommunications.

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Pros

• Intuitive UI
• Can be used to proof a wide variety of file formats. 

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Reviews:

• The software is incredibly intuitive, myself and the set up team found it easy to navigate and quickly saw the benefits of using it to streamline client and internal feedback. (Source)
• The fact the tool can also work with a wide number of medium types means we could use this across a number of projects, from digital ads to print brochures to videos. (Source)

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Cons

May take some time to upload files. 

Reviews

Takes a few seconds to upload files though so could be a bit quicker (Source)

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Pricing

Available on request

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Why you should choose this tool 

Oroson is designed for interactive content. It supports a wide range of file types and is ideal for teams working on diverse creative projects.

32. Nifty 

NiftyPM is a holistic project management solution that consists of proofing and approval solutions that optimize the approval process.

Highlights

• Offers dedicated tools to expedite the approval process for creatives.
• Allows for the centralization of files and streamlines approvals.
• Provides tools for custom development workflows, issue management, and more.

Pricing

• Free
• Starter: $39/month
• Pro: $79/month
• Business $124/month

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Why you should choose this tool 

NiftyPM is tailored for marketing and communication. It offers robust project management features alongside proofing tools, making it a comprehensive solution for marketing teams.

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Why you should choose this tool 

Hightail is excellent for large file sharing and collaboration. It offers secure file transfer and tracking features, making it ideal for teams that handle large multimedia files.

33. IntelligenceBank Marketing Software

IntelligenceBank offers a platform for creative collaboration, allowing users to annotate and markup creative assets. It provides a date-stamped and reportable audit trail of all feedback and comments.

Highlights

• Tag colleagues with @mentions, add notes, text, freehand drawing, or shapes to images, videos, PDFs, Microsoft Office files, and HTML links.
• Comment, markup, annotate, and collaborate on live websites or staging sites.
• Compare multiple versions of an asset side by side, highlighting differences.

Pricing

Starts at $5,250 per month. 

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Why you should choose this tool 

IntelligenceBank is feature-rich and offers advanced proofing and markup tools. It's suitable for teams that require a high level of customization and control over their creative workflows.

34. KROCK.io

KROCK.IO is a specialized online proofing platform crafted to optimize the client approval process. By offering structured visual feedback tools, it eliminates the chaos of unorganized email threads and ensures that feedback is clear, concise, and actionable.

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Pros

• Upload and review videos easily
• Control who gets to see the feedback. 

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Reviews:

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• The upload and review process does everything that Video Reviewer did and much more. The ability to assign Status, and @mentions to target comments and create Storyboards (with import and export added as a feature request) takes it to another level. (Source)
• “[I] can definitely recommend this platform that gives the opportunity to control the projects at different stages, leave comments that are visible only to the team while making some adjustments, and alert your team of a review need.” (Source)

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Cons

• Notifications don’t have sound.
• Cannot sketch out comments on videos. 

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Reviews:

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• It would be great to add some sounds of notifications. (Source)
• We’re still waiting for the mobile release and being able to sketch out comments on illustrations and videos. (Source)

Pricing

• 7-day free trial 
• Solo: $15/month
• Team: $50/month

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Why you should choose this tool 

Krock.io is designed for creative teams and offers real-time collaboration. Its intuitive interface makes it easy for team members to provide and receive feedback quickly.

35. GoProof 

GoProof brings the power of online proofing directly into the Adobe Creative Cloud environment. It's designed to simplify the life of designers by allowing them to share and receive feedback on their creative works without the need for exporting or converting files.

Pros

Intuitive interface

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Reviews:

Our reviewers love the easy commenting tools, that they can download a pdf (if the proof-sender clicked the box), and that they can review proofs wherever they are.

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Cons

Mobile interface isn’t smooth. 

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Reviews

The one issue we have is with the mobile interface. However, collaborating on documents and videos together makes up for the very small number of dislikes.

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Pricing

Available on request

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Why you should choose this tool 

GoProof is Adobe CC integrated, making it a seamless addition for teams already using Adobe products. It offers version control and collaborative proofing in one platform.

36. RoboHead

RoboHead offers tools that streamline the review process. It centralizes feedback and provides clear annotation tools, which ensures that creative teams can work efficiently and  reduce the time from creation to approval.

Highlights

• Comment on virtually any file type like websites, images, PDFs, videos, etc.
• Get centralized feedback without sifting through emails or searching for individual reviews.
• Provides annotation tools for precise comments on images, videos, and PDFs.

Pricing

Available on request

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Why you should choose this tool 

RoboHead is focused on feedback and reviews. It offers customizable review forms and automated reminders, making it ideal for teams that require structured feedback processes.

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37. Ceros

Ceros is an interactive content marketing platform that bridges the gap between traditional content design and interactive digital experiences. It offers a suite of tools that enable marketers and designers to collaboratively create, review, and refine content in real-time.

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Highlights

• Enables instant feedback during content development.
• Provides a live view of content for immediate proofing.
• Ensures design consistency and accuracy.
• Allows for testing and refining dynamic content elements.
• Facilitates quick proofing using tailored templates.

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Pricing

Available on request

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Why you should choose this 

Ceros Mark-up is tailored for interactive content. It offers real-time collaboration and is perfect for teams working on web-based or interactive designs.

38. zipBoard

zipBoard is a visual feedback and bug tracking tool designed for web developers, designers, and eLearning creators. It offers a centralized platform for teams to collaborate, review, and get approvals on digital content.

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Highlights

• Visual feedback on web pages, images, PDFs, and eLearning courses.
• Bug tracking with annotated screenshots.
• Collaborative discussions on feedback threads.
• Version tracking and comparison.
• Workflow management for reviews and approvals.

Pricing

Users must contact the sales team once the free trial is over. 

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Why you should choose this tool 

zipBoard is an online proofing tool that offers visual feedback and bug tracking. It's ideal for teams that are also involved in web development and design.

39. Ashore

Ashore is a proofing software designed to streamline the approval process. It offers a range of features to make the review and approval of creative content efficient and intuitive. The platform supports all major file types and provides tools for feedback, versioning, and more.

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Highlights

• Supports all major file types for proofing.
• Threaded comments and markup tools for precise feedback.
• Contextual commenting tied to specific points on the content.
• Markup tools including rectangles and arrows for clarity.
• Mentions, comment threads, and checklists for organized feedback.
• Version stacking to group all versions of a proof.
• Side-by-side comparison of different versions.
• Video messages integration with Loom for enhanced feedback.
• Customizable labels and support for multiple languages.
• Comprehensive reporting on approval activities.

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Pricing

• Standard: €10/user/month
• Pro:  €20/user/month

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Why you should choose this tool 

Ashore is designed for automating the graphic production process. It offers features like 3D flip and automated PDF correction, making it suitable for print-focused teams.

40. Picter

Picter is a platform designed for content-driven collaboration. It provides a centralized hub for teams to work together, share projects with clients, and set individual permissions. While the main focus is on collaboration, it inherently supports proofing and review processes.

Highlights

• Centralized environment for easy content access and review.
• Contextual feedback directly alongside visual content.
• Precise feedback tools for images and videos.
• Streamlined finalization with a collaborative approval button.
• Custom links for content presentation and review invitations.

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Pricing

• Standard: $14/user/month
• Pro:  $26/user/month

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Why you should choose this tool 

Picter is a comprehensive solution for marketing workflows. It offers project management alongside proofing tools, making it a one-stop-shop for marketing teams.

41. BLUE Online Proofing

BLUE Software is an online proofing platform that facilitates simultaneous viewing, comparison, and annotation of artwork for various deployments, including print, video, and online.

Highlights

• Review and route high-resolution files over limited bandwidth networks.
• Secure, browser-based proofing without the need for plug-ins.
• Multi-lingual annotations and deep zoom capabilities.
• Features like "Text compare", barcode checking, font verification, and content assessment.
• Intuitive user interface with visibility into review cycles and changes.
• Options for video file review, 3D file review, electronic signature, and text comparison.

42. WebProof 

WebProof is designed to make the correction phase easier for everyone involved in a project. It offers a platform where everything takes place online in an organized manner, ensuring control over assignments.

Highlights

• Enhances flexibility by allowing users to proof on mobile devices
• Edit directly in the InDesign file via WebProof.
• Immediate status overview of assignments.
• Automatic notifications about assignment updates.

Pricing

Available upon request

43. Workgroups DaVinci Proof 

Workgroups DaVinci is a proofing tool that combines collaboration, annotation, and project management functionalities. It aims to control the creative and content development process from start to finish.

Highlights

• Manage proof status, set up advanced routing, and manage reviewers.
• Compatible with all file formats.
• Real-time communication, consolidated annotations, and sidebar chat.

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Pricing 

• Teams under 20: $55/user/month
• Teams with more than 20 members: Pricing available upon request

44. Pastel

Pastel is designed to facilitate visual feedback directly on websites. It offers a platform where users can create a canvas out of any website and communicate their feedback effectively.

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Pros 

Simple and intuitive user interface

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Reviews

Super easy to comment and call out specific features, text edits, and open to live collaboration between client, developers and designers (Source)

Cons

Can be slow at times

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Reviews

It can be slow, and sometimes toggling between comment view, live view, etc is not super intuitive  (Source)

Pricing

• Free plan
• Solo: $24/month
• Studio: $83/month
• Enterprise: $350/month

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Why you should choose this tool 

Use Pastel is designed for website feedback. It allows teams to collect client feedback directly on live websites, making it ideal for web-focused marketing teams.

45. InVision Freehand

InVision Freehand is built for collaborative design, connecting every phase of the design process. It offers a hub for stakeholders and users to be directly involved in the design process.

Highlights

• Integrates with design tools like Figma, Adobe XD, and Sketch artboards directly. 
• Collect comments directly in website design prototypes.

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Pricing

• Free plan 
• Freehand Pro: $4/user/month
• Freehand Enterprise: Pricing available on request

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Why you should choose this tool 

is focused on interactive and freeform collaboration. It offers drawing and annotation tools, making it suitable for brainstorming and initial design phases.

Wrapping up

In today's dynamic digital landscape, the importance of efficient creative proofing cannot be overstated. Having explored 45 of the industry's leading creative proofing tools, it's evident that there's a solution tailored for every need, be it for individual designers or large-scale agencies. 

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As the creative process continues to evolve, these tools stand out as essential assets, ensuring precision, streamlining feedback, and ultimately driving the production of high-quality content.

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If Artwork Flow’s proofing features stood out to you, we have more to offer! Get started with Artwork Flow today to access unified creative operations, brand asset management, and more.