The Best Frame.io Alternatives for Video Review & Approval (2026)

Frame.io popularized online video review. For many teams, it was the first step away from email attachments and timestamped notes.

But in 2026, video production has changed.

Creative teams now manage:

• Multi-channel campaigns

• AI-generated video variants

• Distributed editors and reviewers

• Complex approval chains

• Interdependent deliverables across teams

This has exposed a critical limitation: Frame.io solves review, not production.

This guide compares the best Frame.io alternatives in 2026 and explains why many teams are moving away from “review-only” tools toward production management platforms like Kreatli.

What Teams Actually Need Beyond Frame.io in 2026

Before comparing tools, it is important to reset the evaluation criteria.

Most teams do not need “another Frame.io” - they need:

• Visibility across projects

• Structure around deliverables

• Ownership and accountability

• Workflow stages beyond review

• Context around why work exists

Video review is only one step in the production lifecycle.

Categories of Frame.io Alternatives (2026)

Not all alternatives compete on the same axis. They fall into four categories.

1. Review and Proofing Tool Copycats

These tools mimic Frame.io’s core functionality.

Examples

• Filestage

• Wipster

• Ziflow

Filestage

Filestage is a proofing tool designed for reviewing creative assets, including videos, images, and documents. It supports structured review steps and approvals, making it popular with marketing teams managing feedback-heavy workflows.

Strengths

• Structured review and approval steps

• Supports multiple asset types beyond video

• Clear sign-off process for stakeholders

Limitations

• Approval-centric, not production-centric

• Limited visibility into upstream work and execution

• Does not scale well for complex, multi-asset campaigns

Wipster

Wipster is a video review and approval tool aimed at simplifying feedback for video teams. It offers commenting, version tracking, and sharing links for stakeholders.

Strengths

• Simple, lightweight video review experience

• Easy sharing with internal and external reviewers

• Low learning curve for small teams

Limitations

• Minimal workflow and status modeling

• Limited support for complex review chains

• Not designed for managing production at scale

Ziflow

Ziflow is an online proofing platform supporting video, design, and document reviews. It emphasizes automated workflows, markup tools, and enterprise-ready approval logic.

Strengths

• Advanced approval automation and routing

• Strong markup and annotation tools

• Enterprise-friendly permission controls

Limitations

• Proofing-focused rather than production-focused

• Complex setup for creative teams

• Limited visibility beyond approval stages

2. Project Management Tools Not Fit for Video Reviews

Some teams attempt to replace Frame.io using PM tools.

Examples

• ClickUp

• Monday

• Notion

ClickUp

ClickUp is a general project management platform that includes limited video preview and commenting features. Some teams attempt to use it as a Frame.io replacement to consolidate tools.

Strengths

• Robust task and project management features

• Flexible views and customization options

• Can centralize non-creative work in one system

Limitations

• Weak native video review experience

• Task-first model does not match creative production flows

• Poor handling of large media files and versions

Monday

Monday.com is a work management platform focused on task tracking, workflows, and team collaboration across projects. It is highly customizable for operations and project management but is not purpose-built for creative production workflows.

Strengths

• Flexible and visual project management with customizable boards and timelines

• Supports multiple views (Kanban, Gantt, calendar) for team planning

• Built-in automations and integrations with other tools

Limitations

• Minimal native video review or frame-accurate commenting capabilities

• Task-centric model struggles with complex creative deliverables and asset relationships

• Requires significant configuration to model production workflows effectively

Notion

Notion is an all-in-one workspace combining documents, databases, and lightweight project tracking. It excels at documentation and internal knowledge management but requires significant setup to function as a production system.

Strengths

• Extremely flexible for documentation, wikis, and structured content

• Databases can be adapted for tasks, content calendars, or simple workflows

• Clean UI that teams enjoy using for planning and notes

Limitations

• No native production workflow logic or approval flows

• File handling and media collaboration are limited

• Requires heavy manual configuration to replicate structured project management

3. Storage and Transfer Tools Misused for Review

Some teams rely on file tools instead of review platforms.

Examples

• Dropbox

• Google Drive

Dropbox

Dropbox is a cloud storage platform designed for file syncing, sharing, and backup. It is excellent for storing and distributing files but offers minimal workflow or project context.

Strengths

• Reliable file syncing and version history

• Simple sharing with external collaborators

• Widely adopted and easy for non-technical users

Limitations

• No task management or project structure

• Feedback, approvals, and discussions happen outside the platform

• Files are disconnected from production stages or responsibilities

Google Drive

Google Drive is a cloud-based file storage and collaboration platform tightly integrated with Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides. It works well for real-time document collaboration but lacks production management capabilities.

Strengths

• Real-time collaboration on documents and spreadsheets

• Strong search and sharing controls

• Seamless integration with Google Workspace tools

Limitations

• Not designed for managing creative production workflows

• Media files and feedback are poorly contextualized

• No native concept of deliverables, stages, or ownership beyond folders

4. Kreatli - Production Management Platform (New Category)

This is where Kreatli sits.

Instead of asking,
“How do we review videos?”
production management platforms ask,
“How do we run creative production end to end?”

Why Kreatli Is Not a Frame.io Copycat

Kreatli is not a review tool.

It is production management software built for creative teams.

1. Deliverables First, Not Files

Strengths

• Provides explicit ownership, version history, and status per deliverable

• Avoids task-list fragmentation by tying execution directly to creative outputs

• Makes asset relationships (cutdowns, variants, localizations) clear across campaigns

2. Workflow Stages and Production Visibility

Strengths

• Standardizes execution across teams and asset types

• Enables real-time visibility into status and bottlenecks

• Supports consistent handoffs and accountability

3. Centralized Feedback and Approvals

Strengths

• Feedback is asset-centric, not tool-centric

• Clear approval status per deliverable and version

• Supports multiple stakeholders with role-based review flows

4. Integrated Asset Context (Not Just Storage)

Strengths

• Version clarity and history tied to live production context

• One source of truth across teams and stakeholders

• Eliminates mismatched feedback across siloed systems

When Frame.io Still Makes Sense

Frame.io may still be suitable if:

• You only need basic video review

• You have a small team

• Production complexity is low

• You accept fragmented tooling

For most scaling teams, these conditions no longer apply.

When Teams Outgrow Frame.io

Teams typically move on when:

• They manage multiple campaigns

• They produce dozens of assets per week

• They need visibility beyond review

• They want fewer tools, not more

This is the inflection point where production management becomes necessary.

Recap: Choosing the Right Frame.io Alternative in 2026

Frame.io alternatives fall into three groups:

• Review tool copycats

• PM tools with weak media support

• Storage tools misused for collaboration

Kreatli represents a different category entirely:
production management software built for creative teams.

If video review is your bottleneck, use a review tool.
If production coordination is your bottleneck, use a production platform.

FAQ: Frame.io Alternatives

What is the best alternative to Frame.io in 2026?
It depends on whether you need review-only functionality or full production management.

Is Frame.io enough for large teams?
Not typically, due to limited workflow and visibility features.

How is Kreatli different from Frame.io?
Kreatli manages the entire production lifecycle, not just review and approval.

Can Kreatli replace multiple tools?
Yes. Kreatli is designed to reduce tool sprawl by centralizing production workflows.

Final Recommendation

If you are comparing tools that all look like Frame.io, you are asking the wrong question.

The real question is whether you want to review videos or run video production.

Kreatli is built for the latter.