Top 10 Free Alternatives to Abstract in 2025

As the digital design landscape evolves, 2025 presents a variety of powerful, free alternatives to Abstract, each boasting unique features and capabilities. This article dives into the top 10 free alternatives that you can explore for collaborative design, version control, inspection, and more.

Boost Your SEO by Getting Featured in Our Blogs and get a backlink.

We publish content about startups, education, tech, funding, etc. that ranks well not only in Google but also in Perplexity, ChatGPT, Grok and other AI tools.

👉 Get featured now!

1. Figma

Description: Figma is a powerful, web-based design and prototyping tool that emphasizes real-time collaboration. It's known for its versatility and suitability for a wide range of design tasks.
Key Features: Interactive designs, advanced transitions, collaborative prototyping, vector editing, component libraries.
Collaboration: Real-time co-editing, commenting, and version history.
Prototyping: Ability to create interactive prototypes to test user flows with animations and transitions.
Free Plan: Available with limits on projects and version history.
File Management: Cloud-based file storage and organization.
Learn more about Figma

2. Penpot

Description: Penpot is an open-source, web-based design and prototyping platform with a strong focus on bridging the gap between designers and developers.
Key Features: Vector editing, prototyping, component libraries, design handoff, and commenting.
Open Source: Offers full control over the software and customizable features.
Collaboration: Real-time collaboration with team members on the same file.
Free Plan: Fully free and open-source.
File Management: Cloud-based file storage and version control.
Explore Penpot

Get your FREE Landing Page Analysis!

Insert your landing page link and get a super useful analysis and easy fixes to get more clicks!

👉 Get Your Analysis Here!

3. Adobe XD

Description: Adobe XD is a UI/UX design tool that allows for wireframing, prototyping, and design specifications. It is part of the Adobe ecosystem but has a free plan for individuals.
Key Features: Coediting, prototyping, design specs for developers, repeat grid, component states.
Collaboration: Real-time co-editing capabilities.
Prototyping: Easy interactive prototype creation.
Free Plan: Offers basic functionality with limitations on the number of active projects and cloud storage.
Integration: Part of the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite.
Learn more about Adobe XD

4. InVision

Description: InVision is a design collaboration platform known for its interactive prototyping and collaborative features.
Key Features: Interactive prototyping, design system management, real-time collaboration, feedback and commenting.
Collaboration: Allows teams to share designs, gather feedback and collaborate in real time.
Prototyping: Supports the creation of high-fidelity interactive prototypes.
Free Plan: Offers a limited free plan suitable for individual designers and small teams.
File Management: Provides online file storage and version control.
Explore InVision

5. Zeplin

Description: Zeplin is a design handoff and collaboration tool that focuses on bridging the gap between designers and developers, allowing for easy inspection and asset export.
Key Features: Design specs, asset export, code snippets, style guides.
Collaboration: Share designs, leave comments, and gather feedback.
Integration: Integrates well with tools like Figma, Sketch, and Adobe XD.
Free Plan: Offers a free plan with one project limit.
File Management: Cloud-based project and file management.
Learn more about Zeplin

Validate your startup idea with the unique borrowed authority approach: we publish articles about your product in our blog and you get traffic and testers for your MVP

Prove Market Demand: See real organic traffic and waitlist conversions

Unlock High-Potential Keywords: Receive a curated list of top-performing keywords directly from Google Search Console data.

Estimate Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC): Gain financial foresight with an estimated CAC based on real keyword performance data.

🔗 Start validating your startup now

6. GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

Description: GIMP is a free and open-source image editing software with advanced capabilities. While not solely a design collaboration tool, it is suitable for a wide range of design tasks.
Key Features: Advanced image editing and manipulation, layer management, color grading, supports a variety of file formats including PSDs.
Open Source: Fully free with customizable features.
File Compatibility: Supports various file formats.
Free Plan: Completely free to use.
Community: Large and active online community for support and resources.
Explore GIMP

7. Canva

Description: Canva is a user-friendly online design platform known for its templates and easy drag-and-drop interface. While not specifically for design collaboration, it facilitates collaborative design work, especially for marketing materials.
Key Features: Templates, drag-and-drop interface, design elements, social media graphics.
Collaboration: Allows for real-time co-editing and sharing of designs.
Prototyping: Basic prototyping is available through linking elements.
Free Plan: Offers a free version with limited features, templates, and storage.
File Management: Cloud-based file storage and organization.
Learn more about Canva

8. Notion

Description: Notion is an all-in-one workspace that can manage project plans, design briefs, and meeting notes. It's not a dedicated design tool but supports team collaboration and organization around design projects.
Key Features: Document management, note-taking, task management, collaborative workspace, customizable templates.
Collaboration: Shared workspaces for real-time collaboration, project documentation.
Project Management: It offers tools to organize, manage, and track design projects and tasks.
Free Plan: Offers a free plan for individuals and teams.
File Management: Cloud-based file storage and organization.
Explore Notion

9. Miro

Description: Miro is an online collaborative whiteboard platform that facilitates brainstorming, diagramming, and team ideation. While not specifically for design files, it enables visual collaboration for design-related processes.
Key Features: Digital whiteboard, brainstorming, diagramming, sticky notes, real-time collaboration.
Collaboration: Facilitates real-time collaboration and team brainstorming.
Project Management: Allows for the visual mapping of workflows and processes.
Free Plan: Offers a free plan with limited boards and team members.
File Management: Cloud-based board storage and organization.
Learn more about Miro

10. Git/GitHub/GitLab (for version control of design assets)

Description: While not a design tool, Git (with platforms like GitHub or GitLab) is crucial for managing design file versions. It helps teams track changes, collaborate, and revert to previous versions.
Key Features: Version control, branching, merging, collaboration, change tracking.
Collaboration: Allows for branching, merging, and tracking changes.
Integration: Integrates with design tools via plugins and workflows.
Free Plan: Free for public repositories with some limitations.
File Management: Code repository with file tracking and version history.
Explore GitHub
Explore GitLab

Join ElonaHunt (like ProductHunt but for women) and explore the coolest women-focused startups out there!

Discover your next big inspiration and connect with like-minded female entrepreneurs!

👉 Join the Hunt Here

FAQ

What are some free alternatives to Abstract for design and prototyping in 2025?

Some free alternatives to Abstract include Figma, Penpot, Adobe XD, InVision, and Zeplin. Each offers unique features and collaboration tools suitable for various design tasks. Explore Figma | Discover Penpot | Learn about Adobe XD | InVision details | Zeplin features

Can you use Figma for real-time collaboration?

Yes, Figma supports real-time co-editing, commenting, and version history, allowing teams to collaborate effectively on design projects. Discover Figma's features

Is Penpot completely free to use?

Yes, Penpot is open-source and fully free, providing comprehensive design and prototyping capabilities without subscription fees. Learn about Penpot

What features does Adobe XD offer in its free plan?

Adobe XD's free plan includes basic functionality with limitations on the number of active projects and cloud storage, along with coediting, prototyping, and design specs for developers. Explore Adobe XD

How does InVision facilitate design collaboration?

InVision allows teams to share designs, gather feedback, and collaborate in real time, making it a robust platform for interactive prototyping and collaborative work. Learn more about InVision

What makes Zeplin a good choice for design handoff?

Zeplin excels in design handoff, offering design specs, asset export, code snippets, and style guides, which make it easy for developers to implement designs accurately. Explore Zeplin

Does GIMP support the same file formats as other design tools?

Yes, GIMP supports a variety of file formats, including PSDs, making it versatile for advanced image editing and manipulation. Learn about GIMP

Can Canva be used for collaborative design work?

Yes, Canva supports real-time co-editing and sharing of designs, which is particularly useful for marketing materials and social media graphics. Discover Canva

Is Notion a good tool for managing design projects?

Notion is an excellent tool for managing design projects, offering a collaborative workspace, document management, note-taking, and task management features. Learn more about Notion

How does Miro support visual collaboration?

Miro offers a digital whiteboard platform ideal for brainstorming, diagramming, and mapping out workflows, facilitating real-time collaboration for design-related processes. Explore Miro

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.