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Software · head to head

Abstract vs Procreate

Abstract logo

Abstract

Software

Design version control and asset management

From
Free
Rated
-
Full review
Procreate logo

Procreate

Software

Digital illustration app made for iPad

From
$12.99/one-time
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; Procreate iPad-only application with no desktop version for Windows or macOS
  • They diverge on capability: Abstract covers Version control, Procreate covers Digital painting.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Abstract and Procreate actually diverge.

Attributes where Abstract and Procreate differ
AttributeAbstractProcreate
Starting priceFree$12.99/one-time
Pricing modelsubscriptionUnknown
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsMacos, WebiPad
Founded20152010

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 Procreate

  • Digital painting
  • Brush library
  • Layer management
  • Selection tools
  • Time-lapse recording
  • Apple Pencil
  • iPad Pro
  • Cloud services

What people use each for

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

Abstract

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

Procreate

  • Digital illustrationnot Abstract
  • Concept artnot Abstract
  • Character designnot Abstract
  • Educational artnot Abstract
  • Hobby drawingnot 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

Procreate

  • iPad-only application with no desktop version for Windows or macOS
  • Requires Apple hardware investment (iPad and Apple Pencil)
  • Cannot export to cloud storage natively, limiting cross-device workflows
  • High upfront cost when accounting for required iPad hardware

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

Procreate

$12.99/one-time
  • Procreate$12.99/one-time
    • 200+ brushes
    • Unlimited layers
    • Advanced blending modes
  • Procreate Pocket$5.99/one-time
    • iPhone version
    • Touch-optimized interface
  • Procreate Dreams$19.99/one-time
    • Animation tool
    • Frame-by-frame animation

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 Procreate if

  • You need digital painting.
  • You work on iPad.
  • You also want brush library.
Procreate review

Questions people ask

Is Abstract or Procreate better?
Neither clearly leads. Abstract starts at Free and Procreate at $12.99/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Abstract or Procreate?
Abstract has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Abstract and $12.99/one-time for Procreate.
Does Abstract or Procreate run on more platforms?
Abstract runs on Macos, Web. Procreate runs on iPad.
Can I use Abstract for free?
Yes. Abstract has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Procreate starts at $12.99/one-time.
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 Procreate is typically brought in for.
What can Abstract do that Procreate cannot?
Abstract covers Version control, Branching & merging, Asset library, Design tokens. Procreate covers Digital painting, Brush library, Layer management, Selection tools.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Procreate: Does Procreate work on desktop or only iPad?

Procreate is iPad-only. There is no desktop version for Windows or macOS, requiring users to purchase iPad hardware and Apple Pencil for use.

Source
Procreate: What companion apps are available for Procreate?

Procreate Pocket is an iPhone version at $5.99, and Procreate Dreams is an animation tool at $19.99, both one-time purchases.

Source
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