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Software · head to head

Abstract vs Zeplin

Abstract logo

Abstract

Software

Design version control and asset management

From
Free
Rated
-
Full review
Zeplin logo

Zeplin

Software

Design handoff and developer collaboration

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; Zeplin the free plan is limited to 1 project and 100 screens and works only in a personal workspace
  • They diverge on capability: Abstract covers Branching & merging, Zeplin covers Design specs.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Abstract and Zeplin actually diverge.

Attributes where Abstract and Zeplin differ
AttributeAbstractZeplin
PlatformsMacos, WebWeb, Desktop, Mobile
Founded20152014

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

  • Branching & merging
  • Asset library
  • Collaboration
  • File management
  • Activity tracking
  • Notion
  • Zapier
  • SSO

Only in Zeplin

  • Design specs
  • Asset export
  • Code snippets
  • Handoff workflow
  • Accessibility checks
  • Adobe XD
  • GitLab
  • Trello

Both cover

  • Version control
  • Design tokens
  • Comments
  • Sketch
  • Figma
  • Slack
  • Jira
  • GitHub
  • SOC2
  • 2FA
  • GDPR

What people use each for

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

Abstract

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

Zeplin

  • Handing off design specs from Figma or Sketch to developersnot Abstract
  • Sharing screens, assets and style guides with an engineering teamnot Abstract
  • Reviewing and commenting on design versionsnot 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

Zeplin

  • The free plan is limited to 1 project and 100 screens and works only in a personal workspace
  • Free plan AI reviews are capped at 3 per week
  • Role based permissions require the Advanced plan or higher
  • Single sign on, multi factor authentication, activity logs and invoiced billing are Enterprise only
  • Priority 24 hour support is Enterprise only
  • Basic plan caps screens at 1,000 per project and is priced per project rather than per seat
  • Enterprise pricing is by quote with no published rate

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

Zeplin

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 1 project
    • 1 workspace
    • Basic specs
  • Starter$19/month
    • Unlimited projects
    • Multiple workspaces
    • Advanced specs
  • Professional$49/month
    • Everything in Starter
    • Team collaboration
    • Admin controls

Which should you pick?

Choose Abstract if

  • You need branching & merging.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Macos, Web.
  • You also want asset library.
Abstract review

Choose Zeplin if

  • You need design specs.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Desktop, Mobile.
  • You also want asset export.
Zeplin review

Questions people ask

Is Abstract or Zeplin better?
Neither clearly leads. Abstract starts at Free and Zeplin at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Abstract or Zeplin?
Abstract starts at Free and Zeplin at Free.
Does Abstract or Zeplin run on more platforms?
Abstract runs on Macos, Web. Zeplin runs on Web, Desktop, Mobile.
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 Zeplin is typically brought in for.
What can Abstract do that Zeplin cannot?
Abstract covers Branching & merging, Asset library, Collaboration, File management. Zeplin covers Design specs, Asset export, Code snippets, Handoff workflow. Both handle Version control, Design tokens, Comments, Sketch.
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