Video content plays a major role in any successful digital marketing strategy. In fact, 87% of marketing departments currently use video as a marketing tool. But that video content isn’t easy or cheap to produce. So teams have to use the right tools and strategies. While Frame.io is a popular video annotation tool, you might want to find out about some great alternatives.
Best Frame.io alternatives
Ready to explore Frame.io alternatives that better fits your needs? Here’s a closer look at some of the best Frame.io competitors on the market.
Filestage
Filestage’s video review software is a great Frame.io alternative since it makes the review and approval process easier to manage and more efficient for everyone involved. PDFs, documents, images, or videos can be uploaded and shared with reviewers in minutes.
By clicking on the shared link, reviewers can open the file in their browser and leave comments and annotations directly on the file. This video review software also offers features that allow teams and partners to collaborate in real-time on files. Integrated to-do lists and automatic due date reminders further streamline feedback processes.
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Vimeo
Vimeo started out as a video-sharing platform. But since then, it’s grown to become a formidable video workflow management and collaboration tool that empowers video creators and businesses to harmonize internal communications.
IIf you struggle with onboarding new clients to Frame.io, you might find that Vimeo is a great alternative. This tool delivers a good UX and it’s great for team collaboration. Given the popularity of this software, there are lots of high-quality walkthrough resources and guides so creative and project management teams wouldn’t have any problem with learning how to use it.
QuickReviewer
QuickReviewer works best for creative teams and advertising/marketing agencies. This tool helps internal and external stakeholders review and approve their marketing collateral faster and more accurately. If you need help streamlining your workflow, then this is an alternative to Frame.io.
Also, if you find that Frame.io dents the profitability of your projects due to its high pricing, you might want to try this alternative. A free option helps new users experiment with the platform and decide whether it’s right for them. And a lower price per month awaits.
Shotgun
Shotgun offers a connected platform that helps creative teams collaborate, collect and consolidate feedback from clients. Some of the world’s largest and most productive creative studios use this premium-level tool.
The Shotgun team has put a lot of effort into creating a collaboration platform that’s simple to use. Internal and external clients enjoy a clean UX, but that quality comes at a price: Its prices are much higher than the ones offered by Frame.io.
Hightail
Hightail helps teams collaborate on their creative content. In this spirit, the tool makes it easy for teams to preview content and collect precise feedback. Hightail also functions as a video sharing platform, so it’s designed with a host of features to support the video post-production process.
With a price of $15/month for one user, Hightail is cheaper than Frame.io. While this savings isn’t extraordinarily significant, it could help boost the profitability of your projects. And if a business pays annually, that price also comes down to $12/month.
LookAt
LookAt is a review and approval platform that’s aimed at enterprise-grade clients. This tool was designed from the ground up to cater to content creators and managers. A bonus is that the tool also directly integrates with Adobe Premiere Pro.
The collaboration platform offers several plans and pricing options created for a variety of budgets. This flexibility might make this tool a Frame.io alternative for enterprise-grade clients with lots of team members.
Workfront
Workfront is a modern work-management platform that gives project managers the ability to take control of their projects with several project management features.
Its user-friendly interface and automation capabilities make it an invaluable asset for marketing professionals striving for enhanced collaboration, productivity, and visibility across their projects.
See more Workfront alternatives in our other article.
Ziflow
Ziflow is a piece of online proofing that’s aimed at agencies and brands. This tool is aimed at providing support to creative teams by giving them a clearer way to review their content. And its annotation and comment features help the whole team leave their mark on a draft to help streamline the video editing workflow of any project.
User reviews suggest that Ziflow is somewhat easier to get a grip on than Frame.io. And if you’re conscious of price, you’ll appreciate the fact that the basic option comes in at $9/month.
If you’ve used this tool in the past and are looking for other options, check out our roundup of Ziflow competitors.
Cage
Cage helps creative teams focus on mastering media collaboration and creating a solid project workflow. This feature helps teams move projects forward quicker and produce the best work they possibly can.
Cage offers many training resources that help its users get the most from the platform so you don’t have to go through the hassle of looking for training resources online. While this feature is great at onboarding, it’s a little more complex than some of the more intuitive options out there.
InMotionNow
InMotionNow helps project managers take control of their projects. This tool offers a suite of project management features, as well as online proofing and project-request functionality.
InMotionNow offers a wider range of functionality than Frame.io. This aspect could make it a great alternative to Frame.io if you’re a project manager looking for a more comprehensive suite of features.
Vidhub
Vidhub is a video review platform that gives internal and external stakeholders the ability to send detailed, time-coded feedback on creative assets. This tool prides itself on usability and accessibility, and it believes that this feature is the key to accelerating the speed of projects.
Indeed, new users will often find that Vidhub is easier to use than Frame.io. And the way its UI and UX come together helps new users get started. But some users state that the robustness of Vidhub falters, compared to Frame.io.
Notism
Notism is another review and approval platform that helps creative professionals deliver fast yet precise feedback. This tool also accommodates notes and sketches, which allows team members to really express their ideas.
However, the functionality of Notism and Frame.io are considerably different. Specifically, Notism users will find they can quickly turn static screens into interactive prototypes, which is a powerful feature that could be a dealbreaker for some marketing teams.
Widen Collective
Widen is a review and approval tool that’s aimed at midsize to large businesses that focus on marketing. This cloud-based digital asset management software helps large teams keep their materials on-brand and compliant.
The key difference between Widen and Frame.io is the focus. Widen places a stronger emphasis on digital asset management, and it helps larger companies liberate access to their important collaterals.
ReviewStudio
ReviewStudio helps agencies, marketing teams, and production studios centralize feedback and approvals. Users are empowered to directly leave comments on collaterals from both desktop and mobile devices.
Lots of users praise ReviewStudio, in terms of its usability and accessibility. If you find that the Frame.io experience causes you some issues, ReviewStudio could be a viable alternative. You’ll also find that this tool offers a variety of training materials.
Cospective
Cospective offers two video review solutions: cineSync and Frankie. Both of these tools are premium options. The first is aimed at the world’s largest film and television production studios, while the second is aimed at creative studios.
Cospective tools as two alternatives to Frame.io place a strong emphasis on quality and functionality. If your team has outgrown Frame.io in these ways, you might want to explore cineSync and Frankie in more depth. But these premium features come at a significant price.
Aproove
Aproove is an online proofing tool that’s aimed at busy marketing teams. This professional platform empowers users to leave accurate and constructive comments, in order to speed up their collaboration and project completion.
Aproove distinguishes itself from Frame.io by offering support for lots of file types, including Adobe Creative Suite files, Office documents, and movies. If you find that Frame.io doesn’t support a format that’s key for you, Aproove might.
SyncSketch
SyncSketch offers real-time functionality for media collaboration in the cloud. Team members are empowered to leave accurate feedback, and project managers can use this tool to manage their media in a secure environment.
This tool places a strong emphasis on ease of use. If you feel that Frame.io throws up too many barriers to entry, you might prefer this option. SyncSketch also makes it very easy for new team members to join and start collaborating in no time.
Jumpshare
Jumpshare gives creative professionals the ability to share their work with their teams within seconds. In addition, creative professionals can share a number of file types, which allows them to get direct feedback from colleagues and external stakeholders.
Jumpshare is simpler to use than Frame.io. And with a starting price of $9.99/mo for each user, it’s also cheaper. But some users might find that the tool is less robust, in terms of features. So it’s really a matter of exploring each tool in depth.
Wipster
Wipster helps project managers get internal and external stakeholders on the same page. Like Frame.io, this platform exclusively focuses on video, in order to help content teams deliver better video faster.
While this focus is great for video departments, you might need a tool that can handle additional file formats. In that case, you might want to explore more Frame.io alternatives.
BLUE Online Proofing
BLUE Online Proofing is a key part of the Blue software suite. This tool helps remove complexity from the review and approval process for multiple stakeholders. It achieves this goal by focusing on ease of use and intuitive UX.
This focus on usability makes this solution simpler than Frame.io. Blue also offers a number of additional software solutions, which could be ideal for some users. But others might find that they don’t want to enter into the Blue ecosystem.
Screenlight
Screenlight was built on the premise that untangling creative feedback can often be far too disruptive and time-consuming. So this tool aims at helping creative teams capture the clearcut feedback they need to drive their projects forward.
Production companies and editors use this tool to collaborate on video projects. At $24/mo for each user, this tool is slightly more expensive than Frame.io. That being said, some users praise Screenlight for its simple onboarding process.
Kollaborate
Kollaborate is a cloud workflow platform that gives professionals the ability to review videos in one place. This tool offers real-time feedback, and it facilitates synced viewing sessions with colleagues.
This tool also offers a self-hosting option for studios and production houses that need more customization options and unparalleled security. If you’re concerned about Frame.io’s lack of pricing plans, you’ll find lots of pricing options available here.
Ashore
Ashore is a design approval system that caters to creative agencies, freelancers, and design teams. This tool facilitates improved collaboration between creatives and stakeholders by offering a host of feedback and approval features.
Ashore is much cheaper than Frame.io, and it places a stronger emphasis on usability. These two positives make this a great Frame.io alternative, but you might find that the functionality is somewhat less robust.
GoProof
GoProof is a platform that helps teams expedite the review of digital content. This tool also offers integration with Adobe Creative Cloud software, so it can provide further opportunities for teams to work as efficiently as possible.
GoProof’s integrations with Frame.io distinguishes it from the other options on this list. If your creative team works with those tools, you might find that this review platform is for you. In terms of drawbacks, GoProof can be more complex, and it requires specialist knowledge.
Workgroups DaVinci
Workgroups DaVinci is an all-in-one project management and workflow solution. This tool aims at helping creative and marketing teams more effectively manage the review and approval of their creative assets.
If your business handles projects for enterprise clients and you need collaboration software to help streamline and optimize the entire video production and review process, then this tool would be an excellent solution for your creative team. Its focus is also different from Frame.io: Teams can use Workgroups DaVinci as an end-to-end productivity solution for their projects.
With Oroson, you can structure a project to fit your team’s entire workflow from start to finish, upload assets, and add collaborators and reviewers. There is no sign-up required for reviewers which makes onboarding smooth and seamless. Oroson puts all of the information and feedback you need into a single environment that’s easy to navigate and highly visual.
However, while it’s an excellent alternative to Frame.io as it allows an unlimited number of users per project and other benefits, and also makes it easy for users to get feedback in real-time, starting from $99/month, it is a rather expensive option.
Techsmith Video Review
Techsmith Video Review, like the name implies, is a video review and collaboration tool that helps creative teams get clear feedback from stakeholders and streamline their review process.
As one of the Frame.io alternatives, this platform helps you get specific, actionable feedback from your team members and clients on your video projects. In addition, you can manage as many as 25 video projects at a time and there are no bandwidth or file-size limits on the videos to download.
This collaborative platform is also available for download on mobile, enabling you to review your video content on any device at any time and anywhere. Plus, it’s also easier to use and significantly more affordable than Frame.io. With the rate of $155.72 per year per user, allowing up to 15 reviewers, it’s a steal.
Frame.io vs. Filestage
If you’re looking for a free Frame.io alternative, Filestage is a great place to start. Unlike Frame.io’s free plan, which limits you to two users, Filestage let’s you invite unlimited teammates to collaborate with.
Both tools let you comment and annotate on videos, images, designs, documents, and audio files. But Filestage also supports live websites and interactive HTML like banner ads and emails.
You can see a breakdown of each tool’s pricing below.
Frame.io pricing
- Free – Up to two users, 2 GB storage, and two projects
- Pro, from $13/user per month – Up to five users, 2 TB storage, unlimited projects
- Team, from $22/user per month – Up to 15 users, 3 TB storage
- Enterprise, custom pricing – Advanced security features
Filestage pricing
- Free – Unlimited users, 2 GB storage, and two projects
- Basic, from $49/month – Unlimited users, 250 GB storage, 10 active projects
- Professional, from $249/month – Unlimited users, 25 active projects, compare versions
- Enterprise, custom pricing – Advanced security features
Which tool is right for you?
When choosing between Frame.io and Filestage, your decision will come down to a few key questions:
- How many team members do you want to collaborate with? Frame.io charges per team member, while Filestage charges per team. So while Frame.io may seem cheaper on the face of it, it could work out more expensive when you add up the monthly fee for each of your users.
- How much storage do you need? Frame.io offers more storage on its intermediate plans, with 2 TB and 3 TB of storage vs. 250 GB for Filestage. But it’s worth noting that 250 GB is the equivalent of around 192 hours of HD video. So if you’re unlikely to fill all that space, storage won’t be a dealbreaker for you.
- What extras do you need? Frame.io offers 4K video playback. Filestage lets you add comments and annotations while comparing versions side by side. Frame.io has an Apple TV app. Filestage has downloadable review reports to save your approval history. The point is that each of these tools include features you’ll use every day, and others you’ll never touch. So explore them in detail to check that you’re choosing the right one for your needs.
Why should you look for Frame.io alternatives?
Frame.io is a popular video collaboration tool. This slick piece of software is primarily used by midsize and large companies that need to privately upload, review, and share media throughout their organizations.
This tool offers features that accelerate feedback and approvals. It can also act as a hub that offers secure, cloud-based storage for creative assets. While it’s popular and powerful, there are some key reasons you might want to look for an alternative.
Relative steep learning curve
For many people, Frame.io isn’t the easiest tool on the market, in terms of usability. It can be difficult to start using some of the more advanced features, and new users might struggle to get it off the ground.
Difficult to onboard new clients
Frame.io also requires that every user create an account before he or she can start leaving feedback. This extra step adds a layer of friction to the process, and it might jeopardize the way your stakeholders adopt the tool.
Expensive price per seat
Frame.io is relatively expensive, compared to some of the other options on the market. So it might not be viable for many teams. This tool starts at $19/month for one seat, and it’s $49/mo for a three-person package. It also offers customized enterprise solutions.
Conclusion
This article aimed to provide a comprehensive list of alternatives to Frame.io as a collaboration platform for marketing teams, creatives, and video agencies.
Some of the presented collaboration tools offer a free trial, are mobile-friendly, relatively cheaper, and easier to use than Frame.io. So regardless of what your unique needs and requirements for video collaboration tools may be, we are sure you will find at least one software on here that will match your needs and fit easily with your creative team and stakeholders.
