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Head-to-head · Web Annotation Tools

Hypothesis vs Pastel

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Hypothesis #1 in Web Annotation Tools 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Hypothesis
Pastel #8 in Web Annotation Tools 8.5/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Pastel

Hypothesis leads on 1 check, Pastel on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreHypothesis · 9.3/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly Pastel

Hypothesis scores higher on our rubric for web annotation tools: 9.3 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #8.

On annotation modes, Hypothesis gives you Both where Pastel offers Comments. Hypothesis leads on team seats: 1000 seats versus 2 seats.

Hypothesis is the better fit for open-source web and document annotation. Pastel is the better fit for creative teams needing video and approvals.

  • Hypothesis fits best

    Open-source web and document annotation

  • Pastel fits best

    Creative teams needing video and approvals

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Side by side

Feature Hypothesis 9.3/10 Visit ↗ Pastel 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 8.5
Ranking #1 in Web Annotation Tools #8 in Web Annotation Tools
Best for Open-source web and document annotation Creative teams needing video and approvals
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — $350/yr
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — 14 days
Deployment Cloud, Browser extension Cloud
Platforms Web, Chrome extension Web
Support Email, Tickets, Docs Email, Live chat, Docs
Integrations 7 integrations 9 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Hypothesis 3/3 · Pastel 3/3
Collaborative review ✓ ✓
Guest access ✓ ✓
Browser capture ✓ ✓
Specs
Annotation modes Both Comments
Document support Both Both
Team seats 1000 seats (best) 2 seats
Export options JSON, plain text, CSV, and HTML; import from JSON CSV, webhook, Trello, Asana, Jira, ClickUp, Monday.com, Zapier, API
Our review
Pros
  • Annotates webpages, PDFs, EPUBs, videos, and eTexts
  • Supports private, restricted, open, and public groups
  • Offers LMS integrations, APIs, import, and export options
  • Timestamped video comments and visual feedback on live websites
  • Approvals, change requests, version history, and responsive testing
  • Unlimited guest reviewers plus project-management exports and webhooks
Cons
  • Core emphasis remains text annotation
  • LMS integration is offered on paid education plans
  • Advanced analytics and auto-grading require paid plans
  • The Pro plan adds 100GB of video storage but not broader exports
  • Project-management integrations and webhook export start on Team
  • Enterprise costs $450 per month or $5,400 per year
Our verdict

Hypothesis is a web-based social annotation platform for highlighting, commenting on, and discussing digital content. It suits individuals, educators, and higher-education organizations that need collaborative review across webpages, PDFs,…

Read the review →

Pastel is a browser-based visual feedback and QA platform for agencies, freelancers, designers, developers, project managers, and marketing teams. It creates canvases from live websites or uploaded images, PDFs, videos, and emails, giving…

Read the review →
  1. HypothesisWeb Annotation Tools 9.3Free plan
  2. PastelWeb Annotation Tools 8.5Free plan · 14-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Hypothesis — where it wins

    • Annotates webpages, PDFs, EPUBs, videos, and eTexts
    • Supports private, restricted, open, and public groups
    • Offers LMS integrations, APIs, import, and export options

    Where it doesn't

    • Core emphasis remains text annotation
    • LMS integration is offered on paid education plans
    • Advanced analytics and auto-grading require paid plans

  • Pastel — where it wins

    • Timestamped video comments and visual feedback on live websites
    • Approvals, change requests, version history, and responsive testing
    • Unlimited guest reviewers plus project-management exports and webhooks

    Where it doesn't

    • The Pro plan adds 100GB of video storage but not broader exports
    • Project-management integrations and webhook export start on Team
    • Enterprise costs $450 per month or $5,400 per year
  • Hypothesis9.3/10 · Free plan

    A free, open-source annotation platform with strong education and collaboration features.

    Visit HypothesisFull verdict →
  • Pastel8.5/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

    A focused review workspace for visual comments, video proofing, and approvals.

    Visit PastelFull verdict →

More comparisons

All web annotation tools comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update