Softwr

Design Tools · head to head

Abstract vs ADP

Abstract logo

Abstract

Design Tools

Design version control and asset management

From
Free
Rated
-
Full review
ADP logo

ADP

Accounting & Finance

Always Designing for People

From
$29/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; ADP no pricing is published; every quote is custom and driven by employee count and which services are taken
  • They diverge on capability: Abstract covers Version control, ADP covers Payroll.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Abstract and ADP actually diverge.

Attributes where Abstract and ADP differ
AttributeAbstractADP
Starting priceFree$29/month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsMacos, WebWeb, Ios, Android
CategoryDesign ToolsAccounting & Finance
Founded20151949

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 ADP

  • Payroll
  • Tax services
  • HR management
  • Time & attendance
  • Benefits administration
  • QuickBooks
  • Sage
  • Oracle

What people use each for

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

Abstract

  • Design systemsnot ADP
  • Version controlnot ADP
  • Asset managementnot ADP
  • Team collaborationnot ADP

ADP

  • Payroll processing and tax filingnot Abstract
  • HR administration and employee recordsnot Abstract
  • Time and attendance trackingnot Abstract
  • Benefits administrationnot Abstract
  • Talent management on the mid-market and enterprise productsnot 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

ADP

  • No pricing is published; every quote is custom and driven by employee count and which services are taken
  • Split into three separate products by company size, RUN for 1 to 49 employees, Workforce Now for 50 and above, and Lyric HCM for enterprise, so growing across a threshold means changing product rather than plan

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

ADP

$29/month
  • Essential$79/month
    • Payroll
    • Tax filing
    • Direct deposit
  • Enhanced$139/month
    • HR tools
    • Background checks
    • Job posting

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 ADP if

  • You need payroll.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want tax services.
ADP review

Questions people ask

Is Abstract or ADP better?
Neither clearly leads. Abstract starts at Free and ADP at $29/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Abstract or ADP?
Abstract has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Abstract and $29/month for ADP.
Does Abstract or ADP run on more platforms?
Abstract runs on Macos, Web. ADP runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use Abstract for free?
Yes. Abstract has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. ADP starts at $29/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 ADP is typically brought in for.
What can Abstract do that ADP cannot?
Abstract covers Version control, Branching & merging, Asset library, Design tokens. ADP covers Payroll, Tax services, HR management, Time & attendance.
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