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Design Tools · head to head

Abstract vs Adobe After Effects

Abstract logo

Abstract

Design Tools

Design version control and asset management

From
Free
Rated
-
Full review
Adobe After Effects logo

Adobe After Effects

Film & TV

Visual effects and motion graphics software

From
$22.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Abstract has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Abstract the product appears to be gone. Its documentation path 404s, goabstract.com no longer resolves, and abstract.com now belongs to an unrelated venture capital firm; Adobe After Effects the Internet Archive's capture of Adobe's After Effects page on 1 January 2022 priced the standalone app at US$20.99 per month, with the full Creative Cloud All Apps bundle at US$52.99 per month; current prices may differ.
  • They diverge on capability: Abstract covers Version control, Adobe After Effects covers Motion graphics.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Abstract and Adobe After Effects actually diverge.

Attributes where Abstract and Adobe After Effects differ
AttributeAbstractAdobe After Effects
Starting priceFree$22.99/month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsMacos, WebWindows, Macos
CategoryDesign ToolsFilm & TV
Founded20151990

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Abstract

  • Version control
  • Branching & merging
  • Asset library
  • Design tokens
  • Collaboration
  • File management
  • Comments
  • Activity tracking

Only in Adobe After Effects

  • Motion graphics
  • Visual effects
  • 2D and 3D compositing
  • Animation tools
  • Keying and rotoscoping
  • Color correction
  • Text animation
  • Particle systems

Both cover

  • Cloud deployment

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Abstract

  • Design systemsnot Adobe After Effects
  • Version controlnot Adobe After Effects
  • Asset managementnot Adobe After Effects
  • Team collaborationnot Adobe After Effects

Adobe After Effects

  • Motion graphics creationnot Abstract
  • Visual effects compositingnot Abstract
  • Title sequencesnot Abstract
  • Commercial advertisingnot Abstract
  • Social media contentnot Abstract

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Abstract

  • The product appears to be gone. Its documentation path 404s, goabstract.com no longer resolves, and abstract.com now belongs to an unrelated venture capital firm
  • Built around Sketch files, so it never covered teams that moved to Figma

Adobe After Effects

  • The Internet Archive's capture of Adobe's After Effects page on 1 January 2022 priced the standalone app at US$20.99 per month, with the full Creative Cloud All Apps bundle at US$52.99 per month; current prices may differ.

Pricing, plan by plan

Abstract

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 1 shared library
    • Basic version control
    • 2 team members
  • Pro$12/month
    • Unlimited libraries
    • Full version control
    • Unlimited team members
  • Enterprise$50/month
    • Everything in Pro
    • Advanced admin controls
    • Compliance & security

Adobe After Effects

$22.99/month
  • After Effects Single App$22.99/month
    • Motion graphics and VFX
    • 3D design space
    • Data-driven animation

Which should you pick?

Choose Abstract if

  • You need version control.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Macos, Web.
  • You also want branching & merging.
Abstract review

Choose Adobe After Effects if

  • You need motion graphics.
  • You work on Windows, Macos.
  • You also want visual effects.
Adobe After Effects review

Questions people ask

Is Abstract or Adobe After Effects better?
Neither clearly leads. Abstract starts at Free and Adobe After Effects at $22.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Abstract or Adobe After Effects?
Abstract has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Abstract and $22.99/month for Adobe After Effects.
Does Abstract or Adobe After Effects run on more platforms?
Abstract runs on Macos, Web. Adobe After Effects runs on Windows, Macos.
Can I use Abstract for free?
Yes. Abstract has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Adobe After Effects starts at $22.99/month.
What is Abstract best used for?
Abstract is most often used for design systems, version control, asset management, team collaboration. Of those, design systems and version control are not what Adobe After Effects is typically brought in for.
What can Abstract do that Adobe After Effects cannot?
Abstract covers Version control, Branching & merging, Asset library, Design tokens. Adobe After Effects covers Motion graphics, Visual effects, 2D and 3D compositing, Animation tools. Both handle Cloud deployment.
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