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Design · head to head

Abstract vs Xara Designer Pro+

Abstract logo

Abstract

Design

Design version control and asset management

From
Free
Rated
-
Full review
Xara Designer Pro+ logo

Xara Designer Pro+

Design

Desktop publishing, web design, photo editing and graphic design in one workspace

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; Xara Designer Pro+ compatible with Windows only; the product page states no Mac version
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Abstract and Xara Designer Pro+ actually diverge.

Attributes where Abstract and Xara Designer Pro+ differ
AttributeAbstractXara Designer Pro+
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelsubscriptionone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsMacos, WebWeb
Founded2015Unknown

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Design).

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 Xara Designer Pro+

Nothing recorded that Abstract does not also cover.

What people use each for

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

Abstract

  • Design systemsnot Xara Designer Pro+
  • Version controlnot Xara Designer Pro+
  • Asset managementnot Xara Designer Pro+
  • Team collaborationnot Xara Designer Pro+

Xara Designer Pro+

  • Desktop publishing and professional layout workflowsnot Abstract
  • Web design and e-commerce site creation without codenot Abstract
  • Photo editing and image retouching for visual projectsnot Abstract
  • Graphic design and illustration in single workspacenot Abstract
  • Multi-discipline creative work with unlimited flexibilitynot 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

Xara Designer Pro+

  • Compatible with Windows only; the product page states no Mac version

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

Xara Designer Pro+

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Xara Designer Pro+ review.

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 Xara Designer Pro+ if

Nothing in the data separates Xara Designer Pro+ from Abstract on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Xara Designer Pro+ review

Questions people ask

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

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Xara Designer Pro+: Does Xara Designer Pro offer a free trial?

Yes, Xara Designer Pro offers a free trial download, allowing users to test the software before purchasing.

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