Software · head to head
Abstract vs Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Illustrator
Software
Professional vector graphics software
- From
- $22.99/month
- Rated
- -
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 Illustrator listed on UK G-Cloud as part of Adobe Creative Cloud (which bundles Illustrator) at £58 to £80 per licence per month, via reseller ServiceKey
- They diverge on capability: Abstract covers Version control, Adobe Illustrator covers Vector drawing.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Abstract and Adobe Illustrator actually diverge.
| Attribute | Abstract | Adobe Illustrator |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $22.99/month |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Macos, Web | Windows, Macos, Ios |
| Founded | 2015 | 1982 |
Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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 Illustrator
- Vector drawing
- Bezier tools
- Shape tools
- Typography
- Gradients & effects
- Symbols & instances
- Artboards
- 3D capabilities
Both cover
- Figma
- SOC2
- GDPR
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Abstract
- Design systemsnot Adobe Illustrator
- Version controlnot Adobe Illustrator
- Asset managementnot Adobe Illustrator
- Team collaborationnot Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Illustrator
- Logo designnot Abstract
- Vector illustrationnot Abstract
- Icon designnot Abstract
- Print designnot 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 Illustrator
- Listed on UK G-Cloud as part of Adobe Creative Cloud (which bundles Illustrator) at £58 to £80 per licence per month, via reseller ServiceKey
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 Illustrator
$22.99/month- Single App$22.99/month
- Illustrator desktop app
- 100GB cloud storage
- Adobe Fonts
- All Apps$59.99/month
- All Creative Cloud apps
- 100GB cloud storage
- Adobe Stock trial
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.
Choose Adobe Illustrator if
- You need vector drawing.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Ios.
- You also want bezier tools.
Questions people ask
- Is Abstract or Adobe Illustrator better?
- Neither clearly leads. Abstract starts at Free and Adobe Illustrator 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 Illustrator?
- Abstract has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Abstract and $22.99/month for Adobe Illustrator.
- Does Abstract or Adobe Illustrator run on more platforms?
- Abstract runs on Macos, Web. Adobe Illustrator runs on Windows, Macos, Ios.
- Can I use Abstract for free?
- Yes. Abstract has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Adobe Illustrator 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 Illustrator is typically brought in for.
- What can Abstract do that Adobe Illustrator cannot?
- Abstract covers Version control, Branching & merging, Asset library, Design tokens. Adobe Illustrator covers Vector drawing, Bezier tools, Shape tools, Typography. Both handle Figma, SOC2, GDPR.