Abstract
Hiver
| Feature | Abstract | Hiver |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | From $13/mo | Free / from $19/mo |
| Free Plan | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Rating | 4 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Best For | design-teams, agencies, enterprise-design, product-teams | small-teams, gmail-users, support-teams, startups |
| Founded | 2015 | 2011 |
| Version Control | ✓ | ✗ |
| Branching | ✓ | ✗ |
| Design Reviews | ✓ | ✗ |
| Collections | ✓ | ✗ |
| Inspect | ✓ | ✗ |
| Integrations | ✓ | ✗ |
| Shared Inboxes | ✗ | ✓ |
| Email Assignment | ✗ | ✓ |
| Collision Detection | ✗ | ✓ |
| Analytics | ✗ | ✓ |
| Automations | ✗ | ✓ |
| Sla Management | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ Abstract Pros
- Version control for design
- Great for teams
- Design reviews
- Branching
✗ Abstract Cons
- Sketch-focused
- Expensive
- Steep learning curve
✓ Hiver Pros
- Works inside Gmail
- Easy adoption
- Shared inboxes
- Good for email teams
✗ Hiver Cons
- Gmail-only
- Limited outside email
- Fewer features than full helpdesks
The Verdict
Abstract is built for design teams and agencies, with a focus on version-control and branching. Hiver targets small teams and gmail users and leads with shared-inboxes and email-assignment.
On pricing, Abstract is the clear winner for budget-conscious users — starting at $13/mo compared to $19/mo for Hiver. That $6/mo difference adds up quickly for growing teams.
Hiver has a free plan, which gives it a meaningful edge for individuals and small teams exploring their options. Abstract requires a paid subscription from day one.
Hiver edges out on user ratings (4.4 vs 4). While both are well-regarded, that gap reflects real differences in user satisfaction worth considering.
Bottom line: Hiver has a slight overall edge — but if version control for design matters most to you, Abstract may still be the right call.