Canva Reviews

Pros

I love the templates and how user friendly they are. I also love the fact that I can use someone's template and then customise it making it my own.

Even more important is that as an educator I can upload my lesson plans and other resources using the app and add my students to my account, so we can all work on the same project at the same time. It is very efficient and my students love it.

Cons

Some of the AI features are not as great as I would like them to be, but I am hoping that improvements will be made as they go along and continue to add new features to the site.

Pros

Impressively user-friendly interface, vast template library, and excellent options for full-fledged customization. Canva will easily make graphic design approachable for even the most novice amateurs, but the advanced features found here make it perfect for professionals. Great tool for creative projects!

Cons

It doesn't cost anything, but the free version is limited because you'll have less access to those premium templates. Sometimes collaboration tools are clunky, but the app sometimes lags behind for complicated designs.

Pros

The countless number of integrations that Canvas's software let's you choose from is AMAZING

Cons

The selection of graphics and photos is numbered unless you pay for them.

Alternatives Considered

Adobe Acrobat Reader

Reasons for Choosing Canva

The capabilities on Canva surpassed Looka in all categories except for website building

Reasons for Switching to Canva

Hands down the best integrations and graphic library to choose from.

Pros

Canva is extremely user-friendly, with an easy-to-navigate interface, AI-assistance with designs, and can be integrated with numerous apps. This makes creating unique QR codes, finding the perfect layout for various types of social media posts, and developing detailed documents easier than ever. With Canva Pro, you have access to a large library of stock videos, images, and photos.

Cons

Canva's customer support is difficult to get ahold of. You have to jump through numerous chat-robot hoops and try every trick in your Google Search handbook to get through to a real person, and oftentimes, the support agent won't resolve your issue. Third-party apps can sometimes crash without explanation and with no ETA for resolution from support staff. Additionally, many elements are not as customizable as they would be with Adobe products (but that might just be the price you pay for simpler usability).

Pros

I absolutely LOVE Canva. It by far the most used software I have.
I enjoy
- the drag and drop functionality (I used to use Photoshop which was more difficult
- the templates
- the AI features like the AI writing feature
- the automated background remover and enhance features
- the ability to easily change my logo to any color (this is so hard to do in Photoshop)
- the ability to share and edit other teammate's designs
- easy to use layouts for brochures, business cards, flyers etc.

Cons

I wish there was an option to change the export resolution but other than that Canva is amazing!

Pros

Canva has a library of design templates that I can fill in and use. There's also a large selection of photos, animations, script, (etc.) that can be added to the template.
When I open the app there is a selection of design type to choose from and a search bar. I searched "attorney" and "business card" and there were more results than I could look through. I chose one I liked and replaced the example text with my firm name. I also replaced one of the images with a custom image that I imported from my phone. I used Canvas tools to remove the background from the image and add a filter.
I was going to export the finished design and send it to a print shop, but Canva actually prints too and the prices are great. They shipped my business cards quickly and they were beautiful. Everything was exactly how I wanted it.
It's worth noting that I have little skill in the creativity department but Canva was still easy for me to use. There's no need to actually draw or even coordinate colors. It's all done and ready in the templates.

Cons

I would have appreciated more printing options (paper and finish, etc.)
Canva has free templates but most have a star with "Pro" in the corner and can't be printed without a watermark unless you pay for it or purchase a subscription. The subscription is the best value since some templates can cost more but there's no trial.

Alternatives Considered

Adobe Photoshop

Reasons for Choosing Canva

Shutterstock editor was good but it did not have enough script to choose from and I did not like the card design I came up with using it.

Switched From

Shutterstock Editor

Reasons for Switching to Canva

Canva seemed to be all in one, whereas adobe has so many different apps for each particular use. Adobe is also far more expensive and does not allow you to even browse the library without purchasing.

Pros

I love the ease of use of the product, it's user friendly and really anyone can use it easily. When I'm not sure what to do, I just browse for the answer and so far have never been stumped! Drag and drop - drag and drop - repeat. We have the paid version and absolutely love all the options, all the photos and videos.

Cons

The only thing I stumble on sometimes is the navigation. Where to find my files. Where did they go? And I have to click and click and oh there they are! They are always there though. I have folders that I have made that are a bit difficult to find sometimes.

Pros

The templates and assets you can add like gifs, graphics, music, photos, videos, etc. are great. It's nice having access to all of that in one platform/subscription.

Cons

The export quality. Despite selecting the highest quality exports, there is still some blur with certain images when posted on social media. Now this could be due to posting through Hootsuite, I'm not sure if there is compression happening, but I have noticed it even when not posting through Hootsuite. It's enough of an issue for us to leave Canva, just something I've noticed. Another thing I dislike, is that Canva is setup for RGB colorways, not CMYK, so if you're planning on printing the files, there will be a difference in color due to the color profile not being in CMYK. I also am proficient with Adobe programs, so use those for printing products/high quality documents, images, etc. And then use Canva for social media posts where high-quality isn't as important, and it's more helpful to have easy access to stock icons, graphics, etc.

Alternatives Considered

Adobe Creative Cloud

Reasons for Switching to Canva

Canva was easier for people to use in our company who don't have any experience with Adobe products. Canva is so easy to learn. We still have an Adobe subscription for higher quality asset needs.

Pros

Everything, i love canva!!! Ive been using canva for me and my team since 2021 and i will continue to renew my subscription because what you get with canva is absolutely worth every single penny.

Cons

Lack of tutorials on integrations and also hoe to leverage the various ai tools

Pros

For content creation I love the brand kit

Cons

That some features are only accessible with Canva Pro

Pros

The quality of the included templates is amazing making it very quick to customise and produce your own publicity

Cons

The display area for the elements is very small and cannot be expanded so it can take a long time to find the best element to use

Pros

use Canva daily to edit videos for my Instagram reels and create class assignments. One of the things I like most about Canva is its ease of use and wide variety of templates. It’s super convenient for video editing, and the templates for different projects (like the Journey Map template I recently used) make everything so much faster and easier to complete.

Cons

While Canva is excellent overall, I wish it had more advanced features, especially for video editing. For example, I couldn’t find a typewriter effect for text, which would be useful. Also, when it comes to highlighting text, Canva’s options feel more limited compared to other platforms like PicsArt or MS, which offer more variety in text effects and highlights.

Pros

Canva is so easy to use, it’s almost laughable. It’s like the platform has its own little mind, just waiting to whip up the perfect design for whatever I need. I mean, pick a template (Canva got one for everything—flyers, posts, resumes, you name it), throw in some text, change a few colors if I’m feeling adventurous, and voilà! In less time than it takes to make a cup of coffee, I’ve got a design that looks like it came out of a professional studio.

Canva is everywhere. It’s on my laptop when I’m working from home, on my phone when I’m out and an idea pops into my head, and even on my tablet when I want to make a few quick tweaks on the go. I can start something on my laptop, pop out for a coffee, and keep working on my phone like it’s no big deal. It’s like having a pocket-sized design studio with me at all times—and honestly, I didn’t know I needed that kind of flexibility until Canva handed it to me.

So yeah, Canva has turned me into something of a designer, even though I never planned on being one. And you know what? I’m not looking back.

Cons

Now, I’d be lying if I said Canva could do it all. It’s amazing, yes, but it’s not exactly Picasso’s studio. Its magic is in how simple it is, but that also means I don’t get to control every little detail. The free version, has a few annoyances. Canva knows it’s good, and it wants you to pay for the full experience. So you’ll see some juicy templates and icons locked up behind that tempting “Pro” upgrade.

And then there’s the issue of originality. Canva’s templates are everywhere. Once I start using it, I recognize them all over the place. If I don’t get creative with my edits, my work could end up looking a bit cookie-cutter. That said, a little effort can go a long way to make your design stand out. But it’s something to keep in mind if I want my work to feel truly unique.

Pros

What I love most about Canva is its versatility. I can use it for both my nanny agency and my doula services to create everything from professional social media graphics to informative brochures, all without needing any formal design skills. The drag-and-drop interface, along with its extensive library of templates, makes designing quick and easy.

Cons

The one downside I’ve encountered is that some premium elements require additional fees, which can add up over time if you’re frequently using premium assets. Also, the need for an internet connection can be limiting if I’m working on the go without access to Wi-Fi.

Pros

I love canva, there are so many elements available, they make it really easy to use their program. They have tons of design templates available for you, and really help you to stay unique and creative. The search function allows me to find my projects easily. I can change a design size and make a copy within 1 second. canva is amazing!

Cons

I honestly can't think of a con to canva, it does everything it is supposed to do. The only thing I could think of is that some people say it's limited with the designs, but personally I think they offer an incredibly wide range of templates, designs, and elements. Maybe a wider music selection would be nice.

Pros

It allows me to create almost anything I need, despite the fact that I am not a professional designer. It's fabulously friendly,easy to use, the learning curve is very gentle. I love the newly integrated AI tools and the fact that I can bring digital assets that I created in other software and assemble a completely new design in Canva really quickly. It's a creative powerhouse that feels incredibly friendly and helpful. And while the paid version is the best, you can create practically any digital product you want just using the free version.

Cons

I did so many projects in it and it was(is!) so helpful and practical that I really can't fault it.

Pros

What I like most about Canva is its combination of powerful design tools with a user-friendly and accessible interface. Here are some of the key aspects that make Canva stand out.

Cons

While Canva is a powerful and versatile tool, there are some aspects that may be less appreciated. Limitations on Advanced Customization, internet dependency, premium features.

Pros

What I like most about Canva is its intuitive and easy-to-use interface, as well as the variety of ready-made templates for different types of designs. This makes the creative process much easier, allowing you to create visual pieces quickly and professionally, even without much knowledge of graphic design. The diversity of elements, images and fonts available is also a positive point, as it offers a lot of flexibility to customize projects.

Cons

What I liked least about Canva is the limitation of some advanced features, which are only available to users of the paid version, such as access to a greater variety of graphic elements and the removal of image backgrounds.

Pros

Canva is a great product especially for someone who is just beginning a business online as it's easy to use and comes with templates which are simple to edit and customise.

Cons

The graphics are not in HD quality ... not even for paid members which is very upsetting!

Pros

What I like most about Canva is how easy it is to use and how many design templates it offers. Even if you’re not a professional, you can still create really cool and professional-looking designs quickly. The customizable branding options are great for keeping everything consistent.

Cons

The biggest downside of Canva is that the free version has some limitations. You can’t access all the premium templates and design elements unless you pay, which can be frustrating if you need more advanced features.

Pros

Canva's versatility, user-friendly interface, and vast library of resources make it an excellent tool for creative projects.

Cons

One potential downside of Canva could be limitations in customization compared to more advanced design software, particularly for complex or highly specific projects.

Pros

I've been using Canva for almost a decade, for everything from creating social media post images and Pinterest pins to producing professional-quality logos and printables for my online parenting blog/related ventures. Upgrading to the Pro plan was well worth the money because of the additional graphic/image options and added features, such as the ability to set/save custom brand palettes, fonts, etc. Once you know how to use it, it's super-easy to generate professional looking results every time, even without a lot of design background - so easy, I've taught my kids and their peers to use it for school and personal projects. The constant addition of new features (easy ability to curve text, background remover tool, and even AI generative capabilities) ensure it keeps growing in value over time.

Cons

The only downside to Canva is that it has a somewhat steep learning curve if you're learning how to use it for the first time on your own. It's not as intuitive as I would like, or as other graphic creation programs I've used; when I've had kids use it for the first time without much guidance from me, they have had the same experience. However, once you know how to use it, it's a powerful tool that delivers fast results.

Pros

To start, it's incredibly user-friendly. The tools are intuitive and require minimal exploration, unlike many offline applications. One of its standout features is the abundance of resources available—icons, images, and text templates of various sizes and fonts are just a few clicks away. This saves a significant amount of time, especially when deadlines are looming. We turn to it whenever we're pressed for time and need professional-looking designs quickly, whether for internal announcements or fun events. Plus, it's surprisingly affordable and versatile, suitable even for some business purposes. Need to whip up a T-shirt design in a hurry? It's got you covered, providing measurements with just a simple search.

Cons

The simplicity and streamlined UI/UX of the platform do come with a trade-off: some fundamental tasks are unexpectedly slightly more complicated than they should be. For instance, drawing a simple line requires navigating to the shapes section, selecting a suitable line, and then modifying it to fit your needs. While still manageable, the absence of a dedicated "pencil" tool means adding a few basic drawing functionalities wouldn't go amiss.

Pros

the ease of creating designs and editing, helping those who do not have as much knowledge in editing and art

Cons

Could have more free elements without the watermark

Pros

Canva is simple and beginner-friendly, offering a wide variety of programs for graphic design enthusiasts.

Cons

It needs more resources to match Photoshop for static images, reducing time spent on workarounds.