Product and creative teams often deal with complex projects, tight deadlines, and constant feedback.
Keeping track of changes, approvals, and different versions can get messy fast. Emails get lost, comments go unnoticed, and final sign-offs take longer than they should.
Design approval software gives teams one place to review work, give feedback, and approve files. In this article, we’ll look at six of the best design approval software tools that make the review process clear, simple, and stress-free for both product and creative teams.
What is Design Approval Software?
Design approval software helps product design teams manage the approval process in one place.
It keeps the creative process moving by making feedback and sign-off easier and faster. These tools are built for collaborative teams working on CAD files, web designs, and many more projects that need quick input and clear approvals.
These tools support the creative process by making it easy to share files, collect feedback, and track changes.
Instead of long email threads or scattered comments in Google Docs or other apps, designers can share files in one platform.
Clients and stakeholders can view the work, request changes, and approve designs within the platform. This keeps everything organized and saves time.
External reviewers can give feedback without needing access to other tools. A mobile-friendly interface helps everyone stay involved, even on the go.
Design approval software helps teams stick to brand standards and move from idea to final sign-off without delays. Whether you work with internal teams or outside partners, it makes the entire process easier.
Cut design approval time in half by reviewing directly inside your CAD models. Use CADchat.
3 Design Approval Software For Product Teams
Product design involves many people. Designers, engineers, stakeholders, and clients all need to review and approve work.
Keeping everyone aligned can be hard, especially when feedback comes from different places and deadlines are short. This is where design approval software helps.
Let’s look at your top choices for approval software built for product teams:
1. CADchat
Best for: Engineers, manufacturers, and design teams who want an easy way to work on CAD files without confusion or delays.
CADchat is a cloud-based collaboration tool that helps product teams work together on CAD files. It allows users to share, view, and comment on CAD designs without needing expensive desktop software.
Team members can open 2D and 3D CAD files directly in their browser, making it easy to give feedback, mark revisions, and discuss updates in real time.
You can meet in real time or leave feedback anytime. Everything happens in one shared workspace, so files, comments, and decisions stay together.
Key Features
- Real-time CAD model meetings – Open and review 3D models together without screen sharing or file conversion
- Asynchronous feedback tools – Leave clear comments on CAD files anytime without needing a live meeting
- Works for non-CAD users – Let non-technical teammates view models and give feedback without special tools
- One workspace for everything – Keep all models, comments, and decisions in one place to avoid confusion
- Always up-to-date files – Work with the latest version of every CAD file and track all changes automatically
- Quick DFM and manufacturing reviews – Review designs with suppliers in real time to catch issues early
Start reviewing your CAD models with less hassle and more clarity. Try CADchat today.
2. Colab Software
Source: colabsoftware.com
Best for: Engineering teams that want quicker design reviews with smart AI feedback and easy-to-use collaboration tools.
CoLab is a browser-based design review platform used by engineering teams. It helps teams give feedback on CAD models, organize that feedback, and apply lessons from past projects. The platform uses generative AI to support design reviews and automate common tasks.
CoLab also works with major PLM systems and accepts many CAD file types, making it easier for teams to collaborate across tools.
Key Features
- Browser-based CAD reviews – View and comment on CAD models without extra tools or software
- Structured feedback tracking – Store review comments with design context in a searchable dashboard
- Lessons from past work – Use past reviews and feedback to guide current design decisions
- AI-powered design checks – Automate reviews based on checklists using generative AI
- Integrations with PLM and CAD – Connect easily with systems like Windchill, Teamcenter, and 3DXPERIENCE
3. Anark
Source: anark.com
Best for: Engineering and manufacturing teams that want a simple way to share product data and go over it faster with suppliers and partners.
Anark is a product innovation platform that helps teams work with engineering product data. It combines content, work, and knowledge management with collaboration tools.
By connecting with existing systems, it gives users access to shared technical data across teams, suppliers, and tools. This helps reduce delays, mistakes, and extra costs during design and manufacturing.
Key Features
- Content management – Share up-to-date engineering data using desktop publishing, file sharing, and automated PLM integration
- Unified communication and collaboration – Post images, videos, and messages in real time next to technical data
- Work management – Track tasks and reviews directly alongside CAD models, drawings, and instructions
- CAD publishing tools – Turn 3D CAD into accessible content with configurable templates and 3D PDF support
- Knowledge management – Store and reuse expert knowledge by creating visual instructions and structured content
3 Design Approval Software For Creative Teams
Creative teams work fast, but feedback and approvals can slow things down. Designers, marketers, and content teams often deal with messy email threads, unclear comments, and missed deadlines. It’s hard to keep track of who said what or which version is the latest.
Here are the best approval software options made for creative teams:
1. ProofHub
Source: proofhub.com
Best for: Teams handling tasks and reviewing design files with easy markup tools and version tracking.
ProofHub is an online tool for managing design reviews and feedback. It brings file sharing, markup tools, and task management into one platform. Teams can upload design files, leave comments, and track updates.
Key Features
- Markup and annotation tools – Use freehand drawing, arrows, and erasers to add feedback directly to design files
- Commenting on files – Add comments to images, GIFs, or PDFs to keep feedback clear and in context
- Version control – Track changes across file versions, compare updates, and restore earlier versions if needed
- Approval workflows – Create steps for review and approval with assigned reviewers and approval buttons
- Guest access with shareable links – Let external reviewers leave feedback using a shared link without full access to the project
2. ReviewStudio
Source: reviewstudio.com
Best for: Creative teams reviewing visual content, managing approvals, and giving clear feedback with markup and version control tools.
ReviewStudio is an online proofing platform made to support creative project reviews. It helps teams give clear feedback, track file versions, and manage approvals. The platform includes markup tools, task tracking, and support for many file types.
Teams can organize feedback, compare versions side by side, and move files through approval steps more smoothly.
Key Features
- Markup tools – Add feedback using freehand drawing, shapes, text, and other visual tools
- Approval management – Set up and manage approval steps with flexible options for reviewers
- Compare mode – View two versions side by side with synced navigation and visual difference tracking
- Comment threads – Keep all feedback organized in one place with threaded conversations
- Task management – Assign tasks and track progress as feedback is reviewed and resolved
3. Ziflow
source: ziflow.com
Best for: Creative and marketing teams managing high volumes of content with clear markup, approval workflows, and cross-team collaboration
Ziflow is an online proofing platform built to support high-volume content review. It helps teams manage feedback on design files, videos, and web content in one shared space.
The platform offers markup tools, approval workflows, and automation features to simplify the review process.
Key Features
- Multi-format proofing – Review images, videos, live websites, and other creative content in one place
- Markup and commenting tools – Leave clear feedback with drawing tools, comments, and attachments
- Workflow automation – Automate routing, reminders, and task assignments across review stages
- Collaboration for all stakeholders – Involve internal and external reviewers with a shared feedback space
- Compliance support – Help teams follow brand and regulatory guidelines with approval checkpoints
Run better CAD meetings without screen sharing or endless emails. Get started with CADchat.
How Approval Software Speeds Up the Design Process
Design approval software helps teams move fast without losing quality. Here’s how it helps speed up the design review process from start to finish.
Automated Approval Workflows
Automated approval workflows remove the need for manual follow-ups in the design review process. Teams can set rules for who approves what, and in what order.
Once a file is ready, the system alerts the next person in line. This helps avoid missed reviews and keeps everyone on schedule.
It’s especially useful when teams are working across time zones or dealing with tight deadlines. You don’t need to send reminders or guess who still needs to review the work.
Clear Content Feedback and Markup
Precise markup tools let reviewers highlight specific parts of a design and leave clear content feedback. Whether you’re dealing with CAD problems or layout changes, this type of detailed input cuts down back-and-forth.
Reviewers don’t just say “fix this.” They can point out exactly what needs to change. This helps design teams act quickly and accurately. It also lowers the chances of errors from vague or incomplete comments.
Easy File Sharing and Version History
Sharing files is simple. Whether it’s images, videos, or 3D design files, teams can upload, review, and compare all in one place.
When changes are made, version history keeps track of each update. This makes it easy to go back if needed or compare multiple versions side by side.
It’s useful for digital reviews and video reviews, where feedback needs to be tracked closely. Everyone stays informed, and nothing gets lost in the shuffle.
Real-Time Collaboration
Real-time collaboration means reviewers can give feedback at the same time, without waiting for someone else to finish. Teams can work together on live websites, mockups, or shared files from any location.
They can leave comments, reply to questions, and check off updates in real time. This speeds up the review process and keeps everyone involved.
It’s especially helpful for collaborative teams that need fast input across departments or locations.
Flexible for Teams and Personal Use
Design approval software fits different needs. Large product teams can manage full approval cycles, while freelancers or smaller teams can use it for personal use.
The flexibility helps teams adapt without needing extra tools, even if external reviewers like suppliers or clients are involved. This makes it easier to stay focused and deliver quality work on time.
Keep Your Team Aligned and Your Designs Moving Forward
Design reviews don’t need to be slow or messy. With CADchat, your team can meet in real time or leave feedback anytime, right on the CAD model.
Your team can open CAD files together, give feedback directly on the model, and make clear decisions without switching between tools.
Here’s why you should choose CADchat:
- Clearer communication – Keep feedback tied to the model so nothing gets lost or misunderstood
- Fewer mistakes – Catch design issues early by reviewing files with engineers and suppliers
- Faster decisions – Speed up approvals with real-time reviews and easy-to-follow comments
- Better team alignment – Make sure everyone, technical or not, is on the same page
- Time saved – Skip long email threads and avoid repeating work with version control
- Less back and forth – Reduce the need for extra meetings with async collaboration
- Easier handoffs – Share up-to-date models and feedback with manufacturers and partners
Use CADchat to bring engineers, manufacturers, and non-technical stakeholders into one shared workspace. You’ll reduce delays, improve collaboration, and make smarter design decisions, faster.
FAQ About Design Approval Software
What is a design approval?
Design approval is when someone gives the green light on creative work like graphics, videos, or digital assets. It usually happens after a review process where teams or clients leave feedback.
With design approval software and online proofing tools, teams can speed up this step, track versions, and manage approvals all in one platform.
What is approval software?
Approval software helps product teams, creative agencies, marketing teams, and other groups manage the review and approval workflow for projects.
It handles everything from client feedback to version control, making sure digital content and files get reviewed, marked up, and signed off with its approval features.
These approval tools also support various file formats, offer annotation tools, and help streamline collaboration across diverse teams.
How to get design approval?
To get design approval, share your creative assets and CAD files using approval workflow software or a review tool that supports online proofing. Clients or team members can leave feedback, use markup tools, make bug reports, and suggest changes.
Once the review process is complete and all changes are done, you’ll receive final approval. Built-in features like automatic reminders, precise feedback, and control access help save hours in creative projects.
Which is the best design software?
The best design software depends on your needs, but many creative teams and design agencies rely on Adobe Creative Cloud for design files and digital assets.
When paired with project management tools or approval software like Adobe Workfront or other proofing tool options, it helps improve workflow efficiency, reduce review time, and handle complex projects with multiple reviewing roles and client collaboration.
