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Software · head to head

Abstract vs Boulevard

Abstract logo

Abstract

Software

Design version control and asset management

From
Free
Rated
-
Full review
Boulevard logo

Boulevard

Software

Client experience platform for salons

From
$175/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; Boulevard pricing is charged per location, so a multi site business pays the full plan fee for each site
  • They diverge on capability: Abstract covers Version control, Boulevard covers Intelligent scheduling.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Abstract and Boulevard actually diverge.

Attributes where Abstract and Boulevard differ
AttributeAbstractBoulevard
Starting priceFree$175/month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsMacos, WebWeb, Ios, Android, Api
Founded20152016

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 Boulevard

  • Intelligent scheduling
  • Client profiles
  • Point of sale
  • Inventory management
  • Staff management
  • Gift cards & packages
  • Two-way messaging
  • Business analytics

Both cover

  • SOC2
  • Cloud deployment

What people use each for

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

Abstract

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

Boulevard

  • Appointment booking and client management for salons, spas and medspasnot Abstract
  • Running point of sale and card payments alongside schedulingnot Abstract
  • Automated client messaging, intake forms and marketing campaignsnot 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

Boulevard

  • Pricing is charged per location, so a multi site business pays the full plan fee for each site
  • The Essentials plan caps the business at 5 professionals; unlimited professionals require the Premier plan
  • Text and email allowances are metered per plan, with email blasts charged at $0.01 each beyond the plan allocation
  • Forms cost from $65 per month per location unless you are on the top Prestige plan
  • QuickBooks integration is an add on at $45 per month per location
  • ePrescribe is $45 per prescriber on top of the plan
  • Enterprise pricing is by consultation with no published rate

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

Boulevard

$175/month
  • Essential$175/month
    • Appointment booking
    • Client management
    • Point of sale
  • Premier$325/month
    • Everything in Essential
    • Advanced booking
    • Marketing tools
  • Prestige$undefined/month
    • Everything in Premier
    • Multi-location
    • API access

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 Boulevard if

  • You need intelligent scheduling.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Api.
  • You also want client profiles.
Boulevard review

Questions people ask

Is Abstract or Boulevard better?
Neither clearly leads. Abstract starts at Free and Boulevard at $175/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Abstract or Boulevard?
Abstract has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Abstract and $175/month for Boulevard.
Does Abstract or Boulevard run on more platforms?
Abstract runs on Macos, Web. Boulevard runs on Web, Ios, Android, Api.
Can I use Abstract for free?
Yes. Abstract has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Boulevard starts at $175/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 Boulevard is typically brought in for.
What can Abstract do that Boulevard cannot?
Abstract covers Version control, Branching & merging, Asset library, Design tokens. Boulevard covers Intelligent scheduling, Client profiles, Point of sale, Inventory management. Both handle SOC2, Cloud deployment.
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