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Software · head to head

Abstract vs Oyster

Abstract logo

Abstract

Software

Design version control and asset management

From
Free
Rated
-
Full review
Oyster logo

Oyster

Software

Hire globally, compliantly

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • 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; Oyster employer of Record is $699 per employee per month, with the discount tied to annual billing
  • They diverge on capability: Abstract covers Version control, Oyster covers Global Employment.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Abstract and Oyster actually diverge.

Attributes where Abstract and Oyster differ
AttributeAbstractOyster
PlatformsMacos, WebWeb, Ios, Android
Founded20152020

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (subscription), free tier (Yes), 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 Oyster

  • Global Employment
  • Payroll
  • Benefits
  • Compliance
  • Contractor Management
  • Time Off
  • Expenses
  • BambooHR

Both cover

  • Slack

What people use each for

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

Abstract

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

Oyster

  • Hiring employees abroad without setting up a local legal entitynot Abstract
  • Onboarding and paying international contractorsnot Abstract
  • Getting country specific employment compliance advice for distributed 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

Oyster

  • Employer of Record is $699 per employee per month, with the discount tied to annual billing
  • A refundable deposit is required before an EOR engagement starts
  • Contractor management is free for 30 days then $29 per contractor per month
  • HR advisory through People Partner Services is billed at $300 per hour on top of the subscription
  • A currency conversion fee applies when you pay Oyster in a currency other than the contract currency
  • Payments are accepted only by direct debit or wire in USD, EUR, GBP or CAD

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

Oyster

Free
  • Contractor$29/month
    • Contractor Payments
    • Compliant Contracts
    • Invoicing
  • Employee$599/month
    • Global Employment
    • Payroll
    • Benefits

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 Oyster if

  • You need global employment.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want payroll.
Oyster review

Questions people ask

Is Abstract or Oyster better?
Neither clearly leads. Abstract starts at Free and Oyster at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Abstract or Oyster?
Abstract starts at Free and Oyster at Free.
Does Abstract or Oyster run on more platforms?
Abstract runs on Macos, Web. Oyster runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use Abstract for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 Oyster is typically brought in for.
What can Abstract do that Oyster cannot?
Abstract covers Version control, Branching & merging, Asset library, Design tokens. Oyster covers Global Employment, Payroll, Benefits, Compliance. Both handle Slack.
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