I’ve been using Canva, but I’m looking for free alternatives with similar design tools. I need something easy to use for creating graphics but won’t cost anything. Does anybody have suggestions?
1. Desygner
Homepage: https://desygner.com/
Pros:
- Drag-and-drop editor similar to Canva.
- Free tier offers tons of templates.
- Integrated stock photo library with free assets.
- Mobile-friendly; you can design on the go.
Cons: - Some templates, icons, and images are gated behind a premium paywall.
- Limited font options in the free version.
Features:
- Pre-built templates for social media, flyers, ads, and more.
- Custom size design creation.
- Collaborative editing features.
- Compatible with PDF editing.
User Reviews:
Reviews praise its ease of use for beginners and how versatile it is. However, some users feel annoyed about limitations on free exports (watermarks in some cases). Another pleasant surprise for users seems to be the ability to edit existing design PDFs.
Verdict: A solid alternative to Canva that provides almost everything you’d expect. If the slightly limited free tier doesn’t bother you, this app is more than adequate for most design needs.
2. Crello (Now VistaCreate)
Homepage: https://create.vista.com/
Pros:
- Canva-like experience with intuitive tools.
- Large collection of free templates.
- No experience needed — beginner-friendly design.
Cons: - Some premium assets can be listed in free templates, forcing you to swap them out.
- Lacks a heavy-duty drawing or custom-curation tool.
Features:
- Over 70 design formats including social media graphics, presentations, logos, etc.
- Motion designs and animations included in the free tier.
- Collaboration tools.
User Reviews:
Users emphasize how Crello caters well to startups, bloggers, and social media enthusiasts. Some users, however, mention issues with customer support when upgrading to the Pro plan.
Verdict: Crello/VistaCreate delivers on ease of use. While its free tier might nudge you towards paid features occasionally, it’s still one of the best free Canva alternatives.
3. Snappa
Homepage: https://snappa.com/
Pros:
- Clean, no-clutter interface.
- Great for marketing creatives.
- Free high-resolution downloads with no watermark.
Cons: - Only 3 downloads per month under the free plan.
- Somewhat limited template aesthetic diversity.
Features:
- Free templates optimized for blogs, social media posts, and ad creatives.
- Includes background remover even on the free tier.
- Integration with stock photo libraries like Unsplash.
User Reviews:
People admire its simplicity but frequently mention frustrations with the free tier’s restricted downloads since the limit can be too low for regular users.
Verdict: Snappa is perfect for one-off or occasional projects, but you’ll quickly outgrow the free plan if you’re creating regularly.
4. Adobe Express
Homepage: https://www.adobe.com/express/
Pros:
- Backed by Adobe’s design expertise.
- Access to Adobe Stock (some free assets included).
- Solid advanced features like color palettes and filters.
Cons: - While free, it’s heavily geared towards luring users into the paid Adobe ecosystem.
- Requires a functional internet connection, as there’s no offline access.
Features:
- Templates, fonts, and icons optimized for branding.
- Cloud integration via Creative Cloud.
- Multi-page projects supported.
User Reviews:
Users tend to rave about its feature set, but many complain about Adobe aggressively reminding them to upgrade to a paid plan. Some report initial confusion with the layout being more complex than Canva for beginners.
Verdict: Best for those already familiar with Adobe’s ecosystem or who need more polished, professional outputs.
5. Fotor
Homepage: https://www.fotor.com/
Pros:
- Strong focus on photo editing along with graphic design.
- Free one-click design features.
- Wide array of unique templates.
Cons: - Ads in the free version can be intrusive.
- Limited advanced customization options in text and shapes.
Features:
- AI-driven design enhancement tools.
- Supports collages and image retouch editing.
- Save designs to cloud for access across devices.
User Reviews:
It’s praised by casual designers and photo editors who find the easy AI tools helpful. Frustration arises due to ads and the inability to fully use some templates without premium upgrades.
Verdict: A sweet Canva alternative if photo editing and AI tweaking are top priorities for your projects.
6. Piktochart
Homepage: https://piktochart.com/
Pros:
- Specialized for infographics, reports, and data-heavy visuals.
- Free tier supports great customization.
- Fast customization with drag and drop interface.
Cons: - Limited template range for social media graphics.
- Slight learning curve for complete newcomers.
Features:
- Wide array of charts, graphs, and maps for data visualization.
- Export designs in multiple formats, from PNG to PDF.
- Versatile templates for non-graphic projects like resumes.
User Reviews:
Many love how tailored it is for businesses and marketers in particular. That said, social media creators often mention that it lacks the pizzazz needed for trendy online content.
Verdict: Go for Piktochart if your work revolves around clean data visualization but doesn’t lean heavily toward artsy designs.
7. Photopea
Homepage: https://photopea.com/
Pros:
- Fully browser-based with no need for installation.
- Compatible with PSD, AI, and Sketch files.
- Advanced customization features resembling Photoshop.
Cons: - Steeper learning curve than Canva.
- No preset templates for quick designs.
Features:
- Advanced editing options like layers, masking, and blending.
- Save files as PSD for further editing or export as PNG/JPG.
- Fully free and open to all browser users.
User Reviews:
Highly liked by users who want Photoshop-level editing at no cost. Beginners often avoid Photopea because they find its layout intimidating.
Verdict: This isn’t an exact Canva replacement but is invaluable if you want precise graphics editing beyond Canva’s reach.
8. Easil
Homepage: https://www.easil.com/
Pros:
- Sleek templates for marketing and biz collaterals.
- Drag-and-drop simplicity.
- Team-focused tools for group projects.
Cons: - Complex features require upgrades.
- Limited export file flexibility.
Features:
- “Brand Kit” tools for consistent brand design across assets.
- Pre-built infographic templates.
- An assortment of styled text presets for creative typography.
User Reviews:
Users compliment its innovative approach towards team branding but criticize Easil for gatekeeping basic features like font customization behind a paywall.
Verdict: Perfect for brand managers and small teams.
9. Gravit Designer
Homepage: https://www.designer.io/en/
Pros:
- Full vector design capabilities.
- Works offline or online.
- Free version includes robust export options.
Cons: - Lacks ready-made Canva-esque templates.
Features:
- Full vector graphic designing for precision.
- Supports layering, gradients, and effects.
- Cross-platform, running smoothly in browsers and as a downloadable app.
User Reviews:
Praised by advanced users familiar with vector tools. Beginners often feel overwhelmed with the lack of a starting template library.
Verdict: Great for technical designers wanting control, but not ideal for quick creative fixes.
10. Stencil
Homepage: https://getstencil.com/
Pros:
- Super minimalist and fast for social media posts.
- Large collection of royalty-free stock photos.
Cons: - Limited features for free users (max 10 images per month).
- Can’t handle complex projects.
Features:
- Especially optimized for speedy post creation.
- Over 5 million images included for free tier users.
- Preset sizes for platforms like Facebook and Pinterest.
User Reviews:
Users love its speed and reliance on fewer steps compared to Canva. However, frequent creators nearly always outgrow the free tier within weeks.
Verdict: Stencil is ideal if social media is your primary concern and you’re working on tight schedules.
Final Thoughts
If Canva isn’t cutting it or you don’t want to upgrade, Desygner and Crello probably come closest to matching Canva’s versatility, while apps like Photopea or Gravit Designer are for those wanting more granular control. For rapidfire creative needs, Stencil and Snappa dominate because they’re snappy and punchy for small projects. Pick based on what suits your specific workflow!