Comparison · 8 shared capabilities
Canva vs Figma
They overlap on 8 things. Canva is stronger at 3 of them, Figma at none, and they're roughly equal on 5. If you pay for both, check whether you use the parts that don't overlap.
Canva
Template-based online design tool for social posts, presentations, print and short videos.
From $12/mo Verified
Figma
Browser-based collaborative design platform for interfaces, prototypes, whiteboards, slides and simple sites.
From $3/seat/mo Verified
Capability by capability
| Capability | Canva | Figma |
|---|---|---|
| Build a business website | PartialNo CMS or blog | PartialBeta product |
| Collaborate on designs in real time | Core featureApproval workflows and admin controls need Business, Teams or Enterprise | Core featureEditing needs a paid seat for most work beyond drafts |
| Create presentation decks | StrongPPTX export can shift fonts and layouts | StrongSmaller template library than PowerPoint or Canva |
| Create YouTube thumbnails | Core featureBackground remover needs Pro or above | WorkaroundNo thumbnail templates or stock photos built in |
| Design social media graphics | Core featureFree plan watermarks premium elements | PartialNo built-in stock library comparable to Canva |
| Generate images from text | PartialFree AI allowance is small | PartialCredit caps; Starter capped at 150/day and 500/month |
| Maintain brand templates and brand kits | Core featureFree has only 1 Brand Kit limited to 3 colours | StrongOrg-wide libraries need Organization or Enterprise |
| Manage design and media assets | PartialNot a full DAM: limited metadata, rights tracking and approval history | PartialNot a DAM for photos, video or finished files |
| Design print collateral (menus, flyers, posters) | Core featureNo full CMYK colour workflow or spot colours like InDesign | — |
| Edit and retouch photos | PartialBackground remover and most AI photo tools need Pro or above | — |
| Schedule social media posts | PartialNeeds Pro or above | — |
| Edit videos | PartialNot suited to long-form editing | — |
| Design and prototype app or web interfaces | — | Core featureFree Starter plan is limited to drafts and restricted product access |
| Create vector graphics and logos | — | StrongLess depth than Illustrator for complex illustration or print artwork |
Choose Canva if…
- • you need strong design social media graphics
- • you need strong create youtube thumbnails
- • you need strong maintain brand templates and brand kits
- • you rely on design print collateral (menus, flyers, posters) (the other doesn't do it)
- • you rely on edit and retouch photos (the other doesn't do it)
- • you rely on schedule social media posts (the other doesn't do it)
- • you rely on edit videos (the other doesn't do it)
- • Brand kits plus locked brand templates let a whole team produce on-brand work without a designer
- • Real-time collaboration, comments and approvals in a tool everyone already knows
Choose Figma if…
- • you rely on design and prototype app or web interfaces (the other doesn't do it)
- • you rely on create vector graphics and logos (the other doesn't do it)
- • Industry-standard for UI design; clients, developers and hires expect Figma files
- • Component libraries and design systems built over years
Fit levels are editorial judgements based on each product's documented features. See each tool page for sources and verification dates.