Top Cross-Platform Design Collaboration Apps for Agencies

In the dynamic world of digital design, agencies face increasing pressure to deliver faster, more efficiently, and with greater collaboration. With clients spread across geographies and teams working remotely, the need for robust, cross-

platform design collaboration tools has become paramount. These tools not only support real-time teamwork but also ensure consistency, streamline feedback loops, and improve overall project outcomes.

This article explores the top cross-platform design collaboration apps that are reshaping the way creative agencies operate. Whether you’re managing UI/UX projects, creating marketing assets, or developing branding materials, the right app can make all the difference. Let’s dive into the essential features, benefits, and use cases of the leading platforms on the market today.

Why Cross-Platform Collaboration Tools Matter

Before we get into the tools themselves, it's important to understand why cross-platform capabilities are so critical for modern design teams.

Remote Work and Global Teams

Agencies often employ remote designers, freelancers, and clients from different parts of the world. Cross-platform tools ensure everyone can collaborate in real-time, whether they're using Windows, macOS, Linux, or mobile platforms like Android and iOS.

Workflow Continuity

Design doesn't happen in a vacuum. It involves multiple stakeholders — clients, developers, marketers — and typically spans different devices. A cross-platform tool enables seamless transitions between desktops, tablets, and smartphones without breaking the workflow.

Version Control and Feedback Integration

With several people working on a project, version control becomes crucial. Good collaboration tools offer built-in feedback systems and track changes, reducing miscommunication and repetitive revisions.

Time and Cost Efficiency

The right tool can dramatically reduce turnaround time by centralizing communications, file sharing, and design edits. It can also reduce the need for endless email threads, meetings, and manual updates.

Now, let's examine the best apps available today.

1. Figma

Overview

Figma has rapidly become the industry standard for collaborative design. As a cloud-based tool, it enables multiple users to work on the same file simultaneously. Its browser-first approach makes it fully cross-platform, requiring no installations.

Key Features

• Real-time collaboration

• Commenting and version history

• Prototyping and developer handoff tools

• Plugin support

• Design systems and asset libraries

Why Agencies Love It

Agencies appreciate Figma’s ability to keep everyone — designers, developers, and clients — on the same page. Because it’s browser-based, no one needs to worry about operating system compatibility.

Best Use Cases

• UI/UX design for apps and websites

• Rapid prototyping

• Client presentations with live feedback

Tips for Agencies

• Create team libraries for reusable components and design systems

• Use Figma’s community templates to speed up project initiation

• Leverage the comment feature to centralize client feedback

• 2. Adobe XD

Overview

Adobe XD is Adobe’s answer to modern UX/UI design, offering a powerful set of features within the Adobe Creative Cloud ecosystem. It allows for real-time coediting, cloud documents, and seamless integration with other Adobe apps like Photoshop and Illustrator.

Key Features

• Vector-based design tools

• Responsive resize

• Auto-animate transitions

• Coediting and live collaboration

• Cloud documents

Why Agencies Love It

Agencies already using Adobe tools find XD to be a natural fit. It supports both macOS and Windows, and Adobe’s ecosystem ensures smooth asset migration across tools.

Best Use Cases

• Designing high-fidelity prototypes

• Animating transitions and micro-interactions

• Collaborating with clients already in the Adobe ecosystem

Tips for Agencies

• Integrate with Creative Cloud Libraries to share brand assets

• Use Adobe XD plugins to automate tasks and improve efficiency

• Take advantage of coediting to speed up large projects

• 3. Sketch + Cloud Tools (e.g., Abstract, Plant)

Overview

Sketch is a veteran in the design world, originally macOS-only. While the native app is still limited to macOS, agencies often pair it with cloud collaboration tools like Abstract or Plant to achieve cross-platform workflows.

Key Features

• Intuitive vector editing

• Third-party plugin ecosystem

• Shared libraries

• Cloud collaboration via integrations

Why Agencies Love It

For agencies with Mac-based designers, Sketch remains a favorite due to its simplicity and design flexibility. When combined with collaboration tools, it offers a workflow similar to Figma or XD.

Best Use Cases

• Brand and UI design

• Design system development

• Offline or desktop-first workflows

Tips for Agencies

• Use Abstract for version control and team collaboration

• Pair with Zeplin for developer handoff

• Consider hybrid workflows where Sketch is used for design and Figma for feedback

• 4. Canva for Teams

Overview

While traditionally seen as a lightweight design tool, Canva has matured into a powerful platform for agencies, particularly for content and marketing-focused work. Its “Teams” feature enhances collaboration with shared folders, templates, and commenting.

Key Features

• Drag-and-drop design interface

• Brand kits and shared templates

• Real-time collaboration

• Integration with stock assets

• Supports web, desktop, and mobile

Why Agencies Love It

Canva simplifies the process of producing social media graphics, presentations, and marketing collateral. It’s also incredibly easy to onboard clients or non-design stakeholders.

Best Use Cases

• Social media campaigns

• Pitch decks and internal presentations

• Quick marketing materials

Tips for Agencies

• Set up brand kits for each client to maintain visual consistency

• Use “Magic Resize” to repurpose designs across formats

• Assign access levels to control who can edit vs. comment

• 5. Miro

Overview

Though not a traditional design tool, Miro excels as a visual collaboration platform. It’s used for brainstorming, wireframing, mind mapping, and more. It works across all major platforms and integrates with tools like Slack, Figma, and Google Drive.

Key Features

• Infinite canvas

• Pre-built templates

• Real-time sticky notes and drawing

• Video chat and embedded comments

• Cross-platform support

Why Agencies Love It

Miro brings cross-functional teams together in an intuitive, visual space. Designers, strategists, and clients can contribute simultaneously, making it ideal for early project stages.

Best Use Cases

• Discovery workshops

• Wireframing and ideation

• Client feedback and alignment

Tips for Agencies

• Use Miro boards to map project timelines and responsibilities

• Embed Figma frames or XD prototypes for context-rich discussions

• Organize regular collaborative workshops using templates

• 6. InVision

Overview

InVision has evolved from a prototyping tool into a full-fledged design collaboration suite with Freehand, its online whiteboard feature, and integrations with tools like Jira and Slack.

Key Features

• Clickable prototypes

• Feedback and comment tools

• Freehand for whiteboarding

• Version control

• Multi-device previews

Why Agencies Love It

InVision bridges the gap between design and development, offering excellent handoff capabilities. Freehand enables real-time visual thinking and planning across teams.

Best Use Cases

• Interactive client presentations

• Prototyping mobile and web apps

• Sprint planning and retrospectives

Tips for Agencies

• Use Freehand to host collaborative ideation sessions

• Link screens with hotspots for interactive demos

• Sync designs directly from Sketch or Photoshop

• 7. Zeplin

Overview

Zeplin is not a design tool per se but a design delivery platform. It takes finalized designs from tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD and translates them into developer-friendly specs.

Key Features

• Design-to-development handoff

• Style guides and design systems

• Asset export automation

• Cross-platform support

Why Agencies Love It

Zeplin ensures pixel-perfect implementation of designs by bridging the gap between designers and developers. It reduces the back-and-forth caused by unclear specs.

Best Use Cases

• Handoff from design to dev teams

• Maintaining consistent front-end implementation

• Collaborative documentation of design systems

Tips for Agencies

• Define global variables in style guides

• Train developers on reading Zeplin specs

• Connect Zeplin to Jira for better workflow tracking

• 8. Notion for Creative Operations

Overview

Notion isn’t a design tool but a versatile platform for project and knowledge management. When paired with design apps, it becomes a central hub for documentation, task tracking, and collaboration.

Key Features

• Embedded content support (Figma, Miro, etc.)

• Kanban boards and databases

• Real-time commenting

• Template support

• Cross-platform apps

Why Agencies Love It

Notion helps keep everyone aligned by combining project management, documentation, and creative resources in one place.

Best Use Cases

• Project wikis

• Creative briefs and campaign planning

• Cross-functional collaboration

Tips for Agencies

• Create templates for recurring project types

• Embed live designs or prototypes for context

• Use database filters to manage multiple client projects

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. The right collaboration tool depends on your agency’s size, workflow, and