Softwr

Design Tools · head to head

Abstract vs Hive

Abstract logo

Abstract

Design Tools

Design version control and asset management

From
Free
Rated
-
Full review
Hive logo

Hive

Project Management

Project management built for speed

From
On request
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; Hive the free plan is capped at 200 MB of storage
  • They diverge on capability: Abstract covers Version control, Hive covers Tasks.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Abstract and Hive actually diverge.

Attributes where Abstract and Hive differ
AttributeAbstractHive
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsMacos, WebWeb, Ios, Android, Desktop
CategoryDesign ToolsProject Management

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), founded (2015).

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 Hive

  • Tasks
  • Gantt view
  • Kanban
  • Time tracking
  • Forms
  • Zoom
  • Google Drive
  • Dropbox

Both cover

  • Slack

What people use each for

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

Abstract

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

Hive

  • Project and task management with multiple project viewsnot Abstract
  • Coordinating work, proofing and resourcing for teamsnot 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

Hive

  • The free plan is capped at 200 MB of storage
  • The Starter plan at $5 per user per month is limited to 10 projects
  • Eight capabilities are sold as $5 per user add ons on the Teams plan, including CRM, timesheets, proofing, resourcing, advanced dashboards, external users and SSO
  • Buying SSO plus a few of those add ons therefore costs more than the $12 base seat itself
  • AI credits are metered monthly at 1,000, 3,000 and 5,000 by 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

Hive

On request
  • FreeFree
    • Basic features
    • 10 users
  • Teams$12/month
    • Unlimited users
    • Time tracking
    • Automations

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 Hive if

  • You need tasks.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Desktop.
  • You also want gantt view.
Hive review

Questions people ask

Is Abstract or Hive better?
Neither clearly leads. Abstract starts at Free and Hive at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Abstract or Hive?
Abstract has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Abstract and On request for Hive.
Does Abstract or Hive run on more platforms?
Abstract runs on Macos, Web. Hive runs on Web, Ios, Android, Desktop.
Can I use Abstract for free?
Yes. Abstract has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Hive starts at On request.
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 Hive is typically brought in for.
What can Abstract do that Hive cannot?
Abstract covers Version control, Branching & merging, Asset library, Design tokens. Hive covers Tasks, Gantt view, Kanban, Time tracking. Both handle Slack.
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