Top 10 Free Alternatives to Abstract in 2025

Here are ten free alternatives to Abstract, catering to various needs in design collaboration and version control. Each entry includes key data points such as features, collaboration capabilities, and platform compatibility.

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1. Figma

Description: A powerful, browser-based design tool that allows real-time collaboration.
Key Features:
Real-time collaborative design
Prototyping capabilities
Component libraries
Version history
Developer handoff features
Data Points:
Free Plan: Yes, with limitations on projects and team members.
Collaboration: Excellent, with multiplayer editing.
Prototyping: Robust features for creating interactive prototypes.
Version Control: Has version history, but not as detailed as dedicated VCS.
Platform: Browser-based, works on any OS.
Learn more about Figma

2. Penpot

Description: An open-source, web-based design and prototyping platform.
Key Features:
Open-source and self-hosted
Real-time collaboration
Vector editing tools
Prototyping capabilities
Developer-friendly output
Data Points:
Free Plan: Yes, fully open source.
Collaboration: Real-time, multi-user editing.
Prototyping: Basic interactive prototyping available
Version Control: Basic version control features, not as robust as VCS
Platform: Web-based, works on any OS.
Explore Penpot

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3. Git (with GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket)

Description: A distributed version control system (VCS) widely used for code but adaptable for design files.
Key Features:
Branching and merging for different design iterations
Detailed version history
Collaboration through pull requests
Rollback capabilities
Can handle large binary files
Data Points:
Free Plan: Yes, free for public repositories or small private repos.
Collaboration: Excellent for team-based workflows, not real-time editing.
Prototyping: No direct prototyping, focuses on file versioning.
Version Control: Highly robust, industry standard.
Platform: Command line based, with GUI clients available for all OS.
Learn more about Git

4. Mercurial

Description: A free, distributed source control management system, similar to Git, suitable for design projects.
Key Features:
Fast and powerful for projects of any size
Supports various workflows
Extensible with plugins
GUI clients like TortoiseHG
Can handle binary files
Data Points:
Free Plan: Yes, fully open-source.
Collaboration: Excellent for team workflows, not real-time editing.
Prototyping: Not a prototyping tool, focuses on version control.
Version Control: Robust, suitable for binary files.
Platform: Command-line and GUI clients for Windows, Mac, and Linux
Discover Mercurial

5. Helix Core (Perforce)

Description: Version control system that handles large binary files well.
Key Features:
Centralized asset management
Handles large files quickly
Supports Adobe and 3D programs
Free for up to 5 users
Data Points:
Free Plan: Yes, for up to 5 users.
Collaboration: Strong for team-based version control, not real-time editing.
Prototyping: No direct prototyping capabilities.
Version Control: Industry-standard, highly robust for design assets.
Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux.
Learn more about Helix Core

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6. Notion

Description: An all-in-one workspace that can be used for project management, documentation, and collaborative design workflows.
Key Features:
Organizes project plans, design briefs, notes, etc.
Flexible structure and customizable pages
Real-time collaboration
Task management
Can integrate with other design tools
Data Points:
Free Plan: Yes, with limitations on the number of blocks and guests.
Collaboration: Good, with real-time editing.
Prototyping: Basic integration, can embed prototypes from other tools.
Version Control: Limited version history on page edits.
Platform: Web, Desktop and Mobile Apps.
Explore Notion

7. Miro

Description: An online collaborative whiteboarding platform.
Key Features:
Real-time collaboration
Extensive templates for design thinking
Diagramming tools
Easy to use interface
Visual presentation
Data Points:
Free Plan: Yes, for up to 3 editable boards.
Collaboration: Excellent real-time collaboration.
Prototyping: No direct prototyping capabilities.
Version Control: Basic version history of board changes
Platform: Web-based, works on any OS.
Discover Miro

8. Filestage

Description: A design feedback and approval tool.
Key Features:
Centralized feedback for design reviews
Version tracking for designs.
Organized feedback gathering.
Project management features
Streamlines design approvals
Data Points:
Free Plan: No, but a free trial is usually available.
Collaboration: Designed for collaborative review and approval.
Prototyping: No direct prototyping capabilities.
Version Control: Tracks different versions of design files.
Platform: Web-based.
Learn more about Filestage

9. Google Fonts

Description: An open-source library of fonts.
Key Features:
Maintains consistency in design
Enhances design projects
Free
Available through an API
Easy to integrate into design workflows
Data Points:
Free Plan: Yes, fully free for all.
Collaboration: Facilitates consistency across design teams.
Prototyping: Not a prototyping or version control tool.
Version Control: Not a version control tool.
Platform: Web-based.
Discover Google Fonts

10. Open Peeps/Humaaans

Description: Free illustration libraries for adding people to design projects.
Key Features:
Customizable illustrations
Unique, personalized design
Open-source
Versatile for various projects
Improves collaboration through visual elements
Data Points:
Free Plan: Yes, fully free and open source.
Collaboration: Adds consistency across teams.
Prototyping: No direct prototyping capabilities.
Version Control: Not a version control tool.
Platform: Files can be downloaded and used in various design tools.
Explore Open Peeps, Learn more about Humaaans

This list provides a starting point for finding suitable alternatives to Abstract. Each option offers different strengths, so consider your team's needs and workflow when making a decision.

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FAQ

1. What is Figma and its key features?

Figma is a powerful, browser-based design tool that allows real-time collaboration. Key features include real-time collaborative design, prototyping capabilities, component libraries, version history, and developer handoff features. Learn more about Figma

2. What are the advantages of using Penpot?

Penpot is an open-source, web-based design and prototyping platform. It offers real-time collaboration, vector editing tools, prototyping capabilities, and is developer-friendly. Discover Penpot

3. How does Git work as a design version control tool?

Git is a distributed version control system widely used for code but adaptable for design files. It supports branching and merging, detailed version history, collaboration through pull requests, rollback capabilities, and can handle large binary files. Explore Git with GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket

4. Can Mercurial be used for design projects?

Yes, Mercurial is a free, distributed source control management system suitable for design projects. It supports fast and powerful workflows, is extensible with plugins, and handles binary files efficiently. Learn more about Mercurial

5. What are the features of Helix Core by Perforce for design version control?

Helix Core (Perforce) handles large binary files well, offers centralized asset management, supports Adobe and 3D programs, and is free for up to 5 users. Discover Helix Core

6. How can Notion be used in design workflows?

Notion is an all-in-one workspace for project management, documentation, and collaborative design workflows. It organizes project plans, design briefs, and notes, supports real-time collaboration, task management, and integrates with other design tools. Learn more about Notion

7. What is Miro and its purpose in design?

Miro is an online collaborative whiteboarding platform that supports real-time collaboration, extensive templates for design thinking, diagramming tools, and visual presentations. Discover Miro

8. What does Filestage offer for design projects?

Filestage is a design feedback and approval tool that centralizes feedback, tracks design versions, organizes reviews, and streamlines approvals. Explore Filestage

9. How does Google Fonts benefit design projects?

Google Fonts is an open-source library of fonts that maintains consistency in design, enhances projects, and integrates easily into design workflows. Learn more about Google Fonts

10. What are Open Peeps/Humaaans used for in design?

Open Peeps/Humaaans are free illustration libraries for adding customizable people illustrations to design projects, enhancing collaboration through visual elements. Discover Open Peeps | Explore Humaaans

References

About the Author

Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.

Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).

She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.

For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.

About the Publication

Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.

Mission and Purpose

Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.

Key Features

The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:

Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials

Impact and Growth

Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:

3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
100+ startup tools built
5,000+ pieces of articles and news written

Partnerships

Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.

Recognition

Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.