Design & UI comparison
Canva vs Microsoft Designer
Our pick: Canva scores 9.4/10 against 7.6/10 for Microsoft Designer. Here's how they differ and which one fits your needs.
VS
At a glance
| Canva | Microsoft Designer | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 9.4/10 | 7.6/10 |
| Best for | Small businesses, Educators, Marketing teams | Small businesses, Students, Casual users |
| Type | Graphic design | Graphic design |
| Pricing | Free plan | Free plan |
| Starting price | $15/mo | Free |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, Windows, Mac | Web, iOS, Android, Windows |
| Launched | 2013 | 2023 |
Key features
Canva
- Magic Design
- Magic Edit and Grab
- Brand Kit
- Templates library
- Canva Docs and Sheets
- Presentations
Microsoft Designer
- Prompt-to-design
- AI image generation
- Restyle and erase
- Templates
- Microsoft 365 integration
Canva: pros and cons
Pros
- Extremely easy to use
- Vast template and asset library
- Free for education and nonprofits
Cons
- Less precise than professional design tools
- Best AI features need Pro
Microsoft Designer: pros and cons
Pros
- Free with a Microsoft account
- Quick results for simple graphics
Cons
- Limited advanced controls
- Fewer templates than rivals
Verdict: Canva or Microsoft Designer?
Choose Canva if you're small businesses or educators or marketing teams and value extremely easy to use.
Choose Microsoft Designer if you're small businesses or students or casual users and value free with a Microsoft account.
Overall we rate Canva slightly higher. Both are worth trying, and at least one has a free plan or trial. See all Design & UI tools for more options.
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