Softwr

Software · head to head

Abstract vs Paylocity

Abstract logo

Abstract

Software

Design version control and asset management

From
Free
Rated
-
Full review
Paylocity logo

Paylocity

Software

HR and payroll solutions to drive employee engagement

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; Paylocity the Internet Archive's capture of Paylocity's homepage on 3 January 2021 named a wide suite of modules, including Payroll, On Demand Payment, HR Edge, Recruiting, Performance Management, Compensation Management and a Learning Management System, all sold via 'Request a Demo' with no price figures published.
  • They diverge on capability: Abstract covers Version control, Paylocity covers Payroll.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Abstract and Paylocity actually diverge.

Attributes where Abstract and Paylocity differ
AttributeAbstractPaylocity
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelsubscriptionquote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsMacos, WebWeb, Ios, Android
Founded20151997

Identical on both: 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 Paylocity

  • Payroll
  • HR Management
  • Benefits Administration
  • Time and Labor
  • Talent Management
  • Employee Engagement
  • Microsoft Teams
  • Google Workspace

Both cover

  • Slack

What people use each for

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

Abstract

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

Paylocity

No use cases recorded yet. See the Paylocity review.

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

Paylocity

  • The Internet Archive's capture of Paylocity's homepage on 3 January 2021 named a wide suite of modules, including Payroll, On Demand Payment, HR Edge, Recruiting, Performance Management, Compensation Management and a Learning Management System, all sold via 'Request a Demo' with no price figures published.

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

Paylocity

On request
  • Core Payroll$undefined/month
    • Payroll Processing
    • Tax Services
    • Direct Deposit
  • Complete HCM$undefined/month
    • All Core features
    • HR
    • 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 Paylocity if

  • You need payroll.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want hr management.
Paylocity review

Questions people ask

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

Related pages

More on Abstract

More on Paylocity

Keep looking

Other head to heads