Pastel and Pinpt both tackle "show staging to the client, collect feedback." The difference is where comments live and which interface each role uses.

This post walks through a realistic agency workflow: does link sharing or desktop review create less friction for your team?

Short answer

Pastel offers fast link sharing and low setup. Pinpt offers a desktop model with DOM-anchored notes, breakpoint compare, and a review board when you want depth without a widget or permanent embed. The question is not "which is better" but which friction profile fits.

Typical Pastel workflow

1. Design or staging URL is added to Pastel.
2. Client gets a link and opens it in the browser.
3. Comments collect on the page; the team gets notified.
4. After revisions, a new version link is shared.

Pros: Low account friction, fast sharing, familiar for design-led teams.Cons: DOM context and breakpoint compare on live dev staging may not match desktop depth. Long projects grow a chain of links.

Typical Pinpt workflow

1. Staging URL opens in the workspace (desktop app).
2. Reviewer clicks an element; the note anchors to the DOM.
3. Status tracked in inbox and on the review board.
4. Mobile, tablet, and desktop compared side by side.

Pros: No snippet on the client site. Agency and client share the same note context.Cons: Reviewers install the desktop app (minutes with an invite).

Feature table: Pinpt vs Pastel.

Side by side: where friction differs

Who should stay on Pastel?

• Design mockup and static page review is most of the work.
• Client wants "just click a link" and refuses app install.
• Team already standardized on Pastel after Figma.

Who should evaluate Pinpt?

• Sign-off happens on live DOM staging.
• Agency avoids third-party scripts on client sites.
• You want to move agency staging sign-off off email.
• QA needs breakpoint gaps on one screen (QA teams page).

Migration checklist (Pastel → Pinpt pilot)

1. Pick one staging project (high visibility, limited pages).
2. Write the sign-off definition: pages, breakpoints, who approves.
3. Create a Pinpt workspace; invite the client.
4. Collect round one in Pinpt; prioritize on the board.
5. After two weeks: measure approval time and reopened items.

Start at the Pinpt download page and contact form.

Common mistakes

• Two parallel sources of truth: open items in both Pastel and Pinpt multiply.
• Forgetting to update the staging URL: approval happens on an old build.
• Skipping a 10-minute install walkthrough for the client on day one.

Shareable recap

• Pastel = fast link; Pinpt = desktop + DOM notes + board.
• Neither requires an embed; depth and sign-off flow differ.
• Pilot one staging project and measure approval time.
• Compare: pinpt.io/en/vs/pastel

Read next

• Website feedback without a widget
• Marker.io alternative guide
• New web project process: get a website built

Questions? Contact us.

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Pinpt is a beta product by DorukLabs.