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Software · head to head

Abstract vs Remote

Abstract logo

Abstract

Software

Design version control and asset management

From
Free
Rated
-
Full review
Remote logo

Remote

Software

The new standard for global employment

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; Remote employer of Record costs $699 per employee per month, charged per head with no volume tier published
  • They diverge on capability: Abstract covers Version control, Remote covers Global Payroll.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Abstract and Remote actually diverge.

Attributes where Abstract and Remote differ
AttributeAbstractRemote
PlatformsMacos, WebWeb, Ios, Android
Founded20152019

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 Remote

  • Global Payroll
  • EOR Services
  • Contractor Management
  • Compliance
  • Benefits
  • Equity Management
  • HRIS
  • BambooHR

Both cover

  • Slack

What people use each for

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

Abstract

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

Remote

  • Employing staff in countries where you have no legal entity through an employer of recordnot Abstract
  • Paying and managing international contractors with compliant agreementsnot Abstract
  • Running payroll and HR records for a distributed workforcenot 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

Remote

  • Employer of Record costs $699 per employee per month, charged per head with no volume tier published
  • Global Payroll carries an implementation fee to set up entities plus a recurring payroll delivery fee on top of the $29 per employee per month rate
  • Contractor Management Plus is $99 per contractor per month against $29 for the standard tier
  • The Equity product is limited to Delaware C-Corps
  • The PEO product bills in USD only and requires a US bank account
  • Remote states it collects reserve payments in high risk circumstances, so an upfront deposit is possible

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

Remote

Free
  • Contractor Management$29/month
    • Contractor Payments
    • Compliance
    • Contracts
  • Employer of Record$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 Remote if

  • You need global payroll.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want eor services.
Remote review

Questions people ask

Is Abstract or Remote better?
Neither clearly leads. Abstract starts at Free and Remote at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Abstract or Remote?
Abstract starts at Free and Remote at Free.
Does Abstract or Remote run on more platforms?
Abstract runs on Macos, Web. Remote 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 Remote is typically brought in for.
What can Abstract do that Remote cannot?
Abstract covers Version control, Branching & merging, Asset library, Design tokens. Remote covers Global Payroll, EOR Services, Contractor Management, Compliance. Both handle Slack.
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