Alternatives · Pastel
Pastel alternative: Symu 2 vs Pastel
Symu 2 and Pastel both let you review a website by URL without installing a script, and both can connect to Claude over MCP. Symu 2 is a single $19/month plan with unlimited projects, screens and team members, built around comments that carry full element context for AI coding agents. Pastel has a free plan and a longer track record.
Symu 2 vs Pastel at a glance
| Symu 2 | Pastel | |
|---|---|---|
| How feedback is captured | Paste a URL; server-side proxy, nothing installed on the site | Add a website, image or file to a canvas by URL or upload |
| Client account needed | No, share link and a name | No, unlimited guest reviewers on the Free plan |
| Device preview | Desktop, tablet and mobile switcher; breakpoint stored per comment | Responsive preview available |
| MCP for AI agents | Yes: list, read with selector, XPath, HTML and breakpoint, reply, resolve, markdown export | Yes: connector for Claude to read canvases and comments, reply and resolve |
| Copy comment as AI prompt | Yes | Not verified |
| Tasks and workflow | Comments become tasks with statuses, a workflow board and an activity feed | Statuses and labels on comments |
| Design uploads | Images, PDF, Photoshop plugin, Chrome extension | Images, PDF, video and more |
| Free plan | 14-day trial, no card | Free plan with 1 active canvas |
| Paid pricing | $19/month + VAT, unlimited projects and members | Pro $35/month (2 users, 3 active canvases); Team $119/month (5 users, unlimited active canvases) |
As of November 2026. Pastel details come from Pastel’s public plans page and help center. Always confirm on usepastel.com.
Choose Symu 2 if
- You want one flat price and unlimited projects, screens and team members.
- You work with AI coding agents and want every comment to carry selector, XPath, HTML snippet, URL and breakpoint.
- You like comments that become tasks on a workflow board, not just threads on a canvas.
- You want website feedback and design review in the same tool.
Choose Pastel if
- You want a permanent free plan for a single active project.
- You prefer a tool that has been collecting website feedback for longer and has a larger user base.
- You mostly review video, images and documents alongside websites.
What is similar
Both tools load a website from a URL instead of asking you to install a script, both let guests comment without an account, and both now connect to Claude over MCP. Because both rely on a proxy-style approach, both share its limits: pages behind a login or with strict bot protection may not load.
Other comparisons: BugHerd, Marker.io. Overview: best website feedback tools in 2026. Try Symu 2 free for 14 days on your own site.
What is the best Pastel alternative?
It depends on what you need. If you want a flat $19/month plan with unlimited projects and team members and comments that give AI coding agents exact element context over MCP, Symu 2 is a strong alternative. If you mainly want a free plan for one active canvas, Pastel’s free tier may be enough.
Does Pastel have an MCP server?
Yes. Pastel documents a connector for Claude that lets it read canvases and comments, reply and resolve them (checked November 2026). Symu 2 also has an MCP server; its comments additionally store the selector, XPath, HTML snippet, page URL and breakpoint.
How does Symu 2 pricing compare with Pastel?
Symu 2 has one plan at $19/month plus VAT with a 14-day trial. Pastel lists a Free plan with one active canvas, Pro at $35/month for 2 users and 3 active canvases and Team at $119/month (November 2026, check Pastel’s plans page for current prices).
Do both tools work without a script on the website?
Both load the website by URL instead of requiring a snippet on the site. Both can therefore be used on a site you do not control, within the limits of what a proxy can display.
See how Symu 2 works on your own website.
Paste a URL, invite a client and let your AI read the feedback. 14 days free, then $19/month.