Rashida BealIf you’ve been using Canva for your design projects, you’ve probably heard about the big price hike coming in March.
With prices set to rise by up to 300%, many users, especially those who don’t need the fancy new AI features, are wondering if it’s time to explore other options.
But don’t worry—just because Canva’s getting more expensive doesn’t mean you have to pay more to keep creating amazing designs.
We’ve tested out dozens, and here are our top picks for affordable Canva competitors.
Our Favorite Cost-Effective Canva Alternatives
- Penji: Best for unlimited, hassle-free professional design work.
- Adobe Express: Best for easy, pro-quality designs with Adobe integration.
- Pixlr: Best for quick, no-fuss browser-based editing.
- Snappa: Best for fast, simple graphic design on the go.
- Visme: Best for interactive presentations and infographics.
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We offer this website completely free to our visitors. To help pay the bills, we’ll often (but not always) set up affiliate relationships with the top providers after selecting our favorites. However, we do our best not to let this impact our choices. There are plenty of high-paying companies we’ve turned down because we didn’t like their product.
An added benefit of our relationships is that we always try to negotiate exclusive discounts for our visitors.
Less-Expensive Canva Competitors
Name | Best For | Rating (out of 5) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penji | Unlimited, hassle-free, professional design services | $399/month | |
| Adobe Express | Easy, pro-quality designs with Adobe integration | Free or 9.99/month for premium | |
| Pixlr | Quick, no-fuss browser-based editing | Free or $7.99/month for premium | |
| Snappa | Fast, simple graphic design on the go | Free or $10/month for premium | |
| Visme | Interactive presentations and infographics | Free or $15/month for premium |
How We Ranked Canva Competitors
Here’s what we considered to determine the ratings of each Canva alternative:
- Ease of Use: We prioritized tools that offer an intuitive interface and minimal learning curve. We picked tools that both beginners and experienced users can jump in and create with ease.
- Design Features: We focused on platforms that offer a balance of templates, customization options, and unique design elements.
- Price and Value: Affordability is important, so we evaluated the pricing structure of each tool. We carefully considered whether the features offered were worth the cost, and highlighted free plans when available.
- Versatility:We looked for competitors that serve a variety of creative needs beyond just graphic design.
- Speed and Performance: Fast and responsive tools made the cut, especially those that handle large files or complex projects with ease.
1. Penji
Unlimited, hassle-free professional design work – 4.5 / 5 stars
Penji is a bit different from other Canva alternatives I’ve used because it's actually an unlimited graphic design service.
Instead of doing the designs yourself, you submit requests to a team of professional designers who handle everything for you. What I like about Penji is that it takes the workload off your plate if you're not confident in your design skills or just don’t have the time.
You can submit an unlimited number of design requests each month, and the turnaround is very quick. It’s a great option if you need consistent, high-quality designs but don’t want to manage a design team or pay a full-time designer.
Pros
- Unlimited design requests: For a flat monthly fee, you can request as many designs as you want-perfect for businesses that need ongoing graphic design support.
- Professional-quality designs: The designers at Penji deliver high-quality, polished work.
- Fast turnaround: Most projects are completed in 24-48 hours.
- No hiring or managing designers: You simply submit your design briefs, and Penji takes care of the rest-super convenient.
- Collaboration features: Easily communicate with designers through their platform to provide feedback and revisions.
Cons
- Not a DIY tool: If you prefer hands-on design work like you’d do in Canva, Penji isn’t the right fit since everything is done for you.
- Monthly subscription cost: It can save you money in the long run, but the subscription fee may be more than what you’d spend on Canva or other tools if you only need occasional design work.
- Limited to graphic design: Penji focuses on static designs like logos, social media posts, and marketing materials—not videos or animations.
- Creative control is indirect: Some designs require iterations of feedback, though you can request revisions to make sure you get what you want.
For more detailed information, check out our honest review of Penji and get your 25% discount today!
2. Adobe Express
Easy, pro-quality designs with Adobe integration- 4.5 / 5 stars
Adobe Express (formerly Adobe Spark) is another excellent Canva alternative that I've enjoyed for quick content creation.
What I liked most is how it blends the ease of Canva with Adobe’s powerful design pedigree. You can create social media graphics, videos, and even web pages using pre-built templates or starting from scratch.
It’s perfect for someone who doesn’t need the level of complexity that Adobe Photoshop offers. Adobe Express also integrates seamlessly with Adobe Creative Cloud, which is a bonus if you’re already part of the Adobe ecosystem. It’s user-friendly but still gives you a polished, professional result.
Pros
- Free plan available: You get a lot of basic functionality for free, including access to some great templates and tools.
- Easy to use: The interface is intuitive and less overwhelming compared to Adobe's Photoshop or Illustrator.
- High-quality templates: Adobe Express offers stunning, professional-grade templates that really make your designs stand out.
- Mobile-friendly: The mobile app is smooth and powerful, making it easy to create on the go.
- Great for beginners and pros alike: While it's beginner-friendly, the ability to integrate with Adobe Creative Cloud can make it even more valuable for those with more design experience.
Cons
- Limited customization: You get less control compared to Adobe’s flagship tools or even Canva in some cases.
- Not ideal for collaboration: Adobe Express is mostly a solo tool—there’s not a lot of focus on team collaboration.
- Smaller template library than Canva: While the templates are beautiful, they don’t offer as many options as Canva.
- Premium features locked behind a paywall: The free plan is solid, but many of the better features (like branding tools and premium templates) are only available with a paid subscription.
3. Snappa
Fast, simple graphic design on the go- 4 /5 stars
Snappa is another Canva alternative that I’ve found pretty user-friendly and efficient, especially as someone who values simplicity and quality.
What I like most about Snappa is how fast you can whip up designs. It’s lightweight, runs smoothly, and offers a variety of ready-made templates. I found it perfect for quick social media graphics, blog images, or ads.
Unlike Canva, Snappa feels more streamlined for smaller, quick-turnaround projects where you don’t need endless customization options. The drag-and-drop interface makes it easy for non-designers to jump right in and create something professional right away.
Pros
- Super simple to use: Snappa’s user interface is intuitive and easy for beginners.
- No learning curve: Even without any design experience, you can get started immediately.
- Free version available: You can access basic features for free, making it a budget-friendly option for casual users.
- Direct social media integration: Design and post directly to platforms like Facebook and Twitter for maximum convenience.
- Fast performance: I never noticed any lag or delays, even when using larger images.
Cons
- Limited customization options: Snappa’s options feel pretty basic compared to Canva or other alternatives.
- Smaller template library: While there are plenty of templates, it doesn’t have the extensive variety that Canva offers.
- Collaboration tools lacking: Snappa is more focused on individual users, so team collaboration is not as seamless.
- Image export limits on free plan: The free plan limits you to just a few downloads per month, so you may need to upgrade if you’re doing multiple projects.
4. Visme
Interactive presentations and infographics 4 /5 stars
Visme stands for its versatility for design. It’s ideal for presentations, infographics, and reports, which is something I found useful for more data-driven projects.
While it offers plenty of templates for social media posts and other graphics like Canva, Visme shines in helping you create professional, visually appealing presentations and business materials.
The platform’s drag-and-drop editor is easy to use, and there’s a solid selection of assets, though it’s not quite as large as Canva’s. One of the cool features I liked was the ability to incorporate animations and interactive elements into your designs—something Canva doesn’t offer at this price point.
Pros
- Great for presentations and infographics: If you need to create business materials like reports, infographics, or presentations, Visme’s templates are top-notch.
- Interactive elements: You can add animations and clickable features, making it perfect for creating more dynamic, engaging content.
- Easy to use: The interface is user-friendly, and the drag-and-drop editor is intuitive.
- Wide range of templates: There are plenty of high-quality templates, especially for business-related content.
- Collaboration tools: Visme makes it easy to share projects with team members, get feedback, and make real-time edits.
Cons
- Smaller graphic design library: I Visme doesn’t have quite the template variety that Canva offers.
- Free plan is limited: The free plan is more restrictive, especially when it comes to template variety and download options.
- Learning curve for advanced features: While the basic tools are simple to use, the more advanced options (like interactivity) take some time to master.
- Fewer integrations: Compared to Canva, Visme has fewer third-party integrations, which can make workflow a little less seamless.
5. Pixlr
Best for quick, no-fuss browser-based editing- 4/ 5 stars
Pixlr is a solid Canva alternative that is highly impressive for a free (or cheaper) option. I really enjoyed its unique blend of simplicity and advanced tools.
You can either use Pixlr X, their beginner-friendly editor, or Pixlr E if you need something more robust for detailed work. One of the things I appreciated was the ability to edit directly in the browser without needing to download anything—super convenient when you’re bouncing between devices or working on the go.
While it's not as full-featured as Canva, especially in terms of templates and collaboration features, it’s a good, no-fuss option for quick, straightforward editing.
Pros
- Free and affordable plans: Pixlr offers both a free version and a more budget-friendly paid option compared to Canva.
- Browser-based editing: No need to install software—edit straight from any device.
- Two editing modes: Pixlr X for simple tasks, and Pixlr E for more advanced edits.
- Quick performance: I found the editor smooth and responsive, even with larger files.
- Solid feature set for image editing: Great for retouching, adding filters, and basic graphic design work.
Cons
- Fewer templates: Compared to Canva, Pixlr's library of pre-designed templates is much more limited.
- Learning curve with Pixlr E: The advanced editor can feel a bit overwhelming at first if you’re not familiar with graphic design software.
- Limited collaboration features: Not ideal if you need to work on projects with a team.
- Ad-supported free version: The free plan comes with ads, which can be a bit distracting.
What is Canva?
I’ve been using Canva for years, and it’s honestly one of the most versatile design tools out there.
Canva’s drag-and-drop interface makes it ridiculously easy to put together something that looks professional. One of the things I love most is the huge library of templates, fonts, and images, which saves so much time. Plus, the collaborative features allow me to work with my team in real time. Canva has made design accessible, even if you’re not a pro, and I rely on it for almost everything visual.
Check out our guide on types of graphic design for marketing!
Why Consider a Canva Alternative?
After using Canva for years, I’ve realized that while it’s an amazing tool, it’s not always perfect for every project. Sometimes, I need more advanced customization options or a tool that’s more focused on specific design types. Plus, Canva’s premium features can get a little pricey if you’re looking for budget-friendly alternatives.
That’s when I started exploring other options. Whether you want more control over your designs, need a platform tailored to a particular style, or just want something that better fits your budget, Canva alternatives may be better. It’s worth trying out different tools to see what works best for your unique design needs.
Which Inexpensive Canva Alternative Should I Choose?
Choosing the right Canva alternative really depends on what you’re looking for in a design tool. I’ve experimented with a few, and what I’ve learned is that each one has its own strengths.
If you need quick and easy edits, Pixlr is great for fast photo touch-ups. For more business-focused projects like presentations or infographics, Visme really shines. If you want to take the design load off completely, Penji offers unlimited professional designs without the effort. It all comes down to your specific needs—whether it’s budget, features, or the type of design you’re working on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a cheaper alternative to Canva?
Yes, there are cheaper alternatives like Pixlr and Snappa, which offer lower-cost or free plans, depending on your design needs.
Does Canva have a free version?
Yes, Canva offers a free version with access to basic templates, images, and design tools, but advanced features require a paid plan. Some competitors offer more in their free versions than Canva.
Which is the best Canva competitor?
It depends on your needs. For business presentations, Visme stands out, while tools like Adobe Express and Snappa are great for general design.
What is a free alternative to Canva?
Pixlr and Snappa are excellent free alternatives with basic design tools and templates, perfect for quick edits or simple graphics.
Is Canva still the best?
Canva is still a top choice for many due to its ease of use and versatility, but other platforms might be better suited for specific design needs.
Is a graphic design service like Penji better than Canva?
It depends, but those seeking professional designs on a regular basis may benefit more from Penji’s unlimited graphic design service than a DIY design tool like Canva. Check out our comparison on how Penji stacks up to Design Pickle.
Geoff Cudd
Stefan Schulz
