Abstract
Procreate
| Feature | Abstract | Procreate |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | From $13/mo | From $12.99/mo |
| Free Plan | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Rating | 4 / 5 | 4.8 / 5 |
| Best For | design-teams, agencies, enterprise-design, product-teams | digital-artists, illustrators, concept-artists, hobbyists |
| Founded | 2015 | 2011 |
| Version Control | ✓ | ✗ |
| Branching | ✓ | ✗ |
| Design Reviews | ✓ | ✗ |
| Collections | ✓ | ✗ |
| Inspect | ✓ | ✗ |
| Integrations | ✓ | ✗ |
| Digital Painting | ✗ | ✓ |
| Brushes | ✗ | ✓ |
| Layers | ✗ | ✓ |
| Animation Assist | ✗ | ✓ |
| Time Lapse | ✗ | ✓ |
| Color Tools | ✗ | ✓ |
| Apple Pencil Support | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ Abstract Pros
- Version control for design
- Great for teams
- Design reviews
- Branching
✗ Abstract Cons
- Sketch-focused
- Expensive
- Steep learning curve
✓ Procreate Pros
- One-time purchase price (no subscription)
- Incredibly responsive and natural brush engine
- Massive brush library with custom brush creation
- Animation assist for frame-by-frame animation
✗ Procreate Cons
- iPad-only (no desktop or Android version)
- No vector support (raster only)
- Limited text and layout tools
The Verdict
Abstract is built for design teams and agencies, with a focus on version-control and branching. Procreate targets digital artists and illustrators and leads with digital-painting and brushes.
Both tools come in at similar price points ($13/mo for Abstract, $12.99/mo for Procreate), so pricing won't make the decision for you.
Neither tool offers a free plan, so factor the subscription cost into your decision from the start.
Procreate edges out on user ratings (4.8 vs 4). While both are well-regarded, that gap reflects real differences in user satisfaction worth considering.
Feature-wise, Procreate offers broader built-in capabilities (7 features vs 6), while Abstract takes a more focused approach — which can mean a simpler, faster onboarding experience.
Bottom line: Procreate has a slight overall edge — but if version control for design matters most to you, Abstract may still be the right call.