Ask any graphic designer, and they’ll tell you that both Canva and Visme have great things to offer. So it can be difficult to give a straightforward answer when you’re asked to compare Canva vs Visme.
After all, while they have a similar goal, they cater to two different kinds of clientele. But that isn’t for you to worry about.
Today, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about both platforms to help you determine which one is the right fit for you.
If you've already decided to get any of these tools, just click the button below to get them for free.
What are Canva and Visme?
Both software are designed for graphic designers of every level. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro-level designer, you’ll enjoy using the platforms. Their main selling point is making graphic design more accessible to everyone.
That basically means you’ll be able to benefit from both tools since they help you create graphic content that you can use for basically anything and everything. They’re easy to use, come with thousands of template options, and you can create nearly any kind of graphic imaginable on both platforms.
The difference between both platforms
There are two main differences between the two platforms. For one, Canva has a handy mobile application. I’ve used it countless times to create on-the-go presentations and graphic campaigns. It’s also great for those days where I can’t be bothered to get up out of bed. The mobile app is available on Android and iOS and I quite like how streamlined and easy to use it is.
Second, Visme is better suited for professional presentations. Don’t get me wrong, you can create professional graphics on Canva as well. But Visme just makes it so much easier. For example, you have a library where you can choose from slide templates.
You will be able to create slides on Canva. Plus, their new update allows you to present your slides directly on the application now. But the bulk of the work is still pretty much basic. You’ll have to add elements manually. You might get lucky with a template that features several slides, but there are basically no options for you to choose specific slide templates.
Feature comparison
I think one of the most important things that would help you make your decision is learning about the different features each platform has to offer. It’s easy to get flustered. So my best tip to you would be to take a look at your options, and weigh in exactly what you need.
After all, you shouldn’t choose a platform especially if it can’t give you exactly what you need.
Let’s take a look at each platform’s feature set.
User interface
As I mentioned before, both platforms have a great, beginner-friendly UI. I like how there’s a minimal learning curve, and that you’re just able to jump in despite the plethora of options you have at your disposal.
Let’s talk about how easy it is to navigate their respective websites first. The biggest difference between the two platforms is that when you on the Canva website, you’re automatically redirected to your selection of themes.
You’ll see the homepage of the software immediately. On the other hand, Visme starts off with an on-brand landing page telling you more about it. So you’ll have to go to the menu and click the “Create” tab.
For the most part, there really isn’t much of a difference. It’s just that Canva is quicker to navigate. Other than that, they’re quite similar and the way both software are structured makes it easy to do what you need to without thinking about it too hard.
Winner: Overall, I prefer Canva’s UI just because it’s more no-fuss. You’ll get to the right page immediately when you pull up their website, which is something I’m partial to. But if you really don’t mind it, then there’s not much you need to worry about at all.
Template library
One of the main selling points of these platforms is the extensive template library that includes hundreds of thousands of templates that can be used to create nearly any kind of graphic imaginable.
Previously, Visme had a large advantage over Canva when it came to template options. That was before the platform introduced animated features and slides.
Now, the gap is somewhat bridged by the fact that Canva has brought in animated effects. There are also slide presentation templates to choose from.
That said, Visme is still in the lead especially since you have interactive map and graph templates to choose from. The platform also presents you with more options to create professional slides and animated graphics.
For example, I also quite like how you can create dynamic charts on Visme. Either way, you get a TON of options with both platforms.
Winner: Visme wins mostly because it has more options for animations, slide presentations, and interactive maps and graphics. They’re still both pretty solid options but Visme just brings more to the table.
The editor
Both tools have an amazing drag and drop editor that is easy to use and figure out. The first time I tried using them, it took me no more than a few seconds to figure out where everything was.
That said, I prefer Canva’s editor a bit more. It’s mainly because it’s a lot more streamlined and it wins in beginner-friendliness by a small margin. And I do mean that it’s a very small margin. It’s only easier to navigate because when you log into the website and click on a template it’s the next thing you’re presented. Plus everything is just conveniently pulled up into a sidebar for you.
On the other hand, you’ll have to go through at least four clicks to see Visme’s editor. And when you’ve encountered it, it might take you a few seconds to figure out where to start or what to do first. Other than that, it should be a breeze.
Winner: Canva’s builder is slightly more user-friendly and easier to navigate. There’s basically no learning curve. Whereas with Visme, you might spend a bit of time thinking about your next steps. It isn’t a big deal especially if you don’t mind figuring out how things work for a few seconds.
Design elements
Both tools have a pretty solid element, photo, text style, and graphics library. You’ll be able to choose from thousands of options that you can use for your graphic projects. That said, Canva is pretty new when it comes to animated elements compared to Visme.
You’ll also find a greater selection of interactive maps, graphs, and charts on Visme compared to Canva. So it all really depends on what you’ll be using the platforms for specifically. I like how you’re able to pick and choose from stylized images and videos that you can incorporate into your campaigns as well.
Another thing you should be aware of is that I really like the way Visme has structured their libraries. It’s easy to navigate because everything is clearly categorized. Whereas in Canva, you’ll have to perform specific searches to find the right elements. In some cases, tags are not properly attributed to some designs so they don’t show up for their most obvious search terms.
For example, I tried searching for a pumpkin on Canva. And on a different search, a pumpkin graphic showed up even though it didn’t appear in my initial search result. It can get confusing. So I really like how you can navigate through different specific categories on Visme which makes the job a lot easier.
Winner: Visme’s larger interactive map, graphs, and charts library sets are just a step above Canva. That said, if you don’t use these or animated elements, you shouldn’t notice much of a difference. Besides, Canva has a large repository of attractive elements that gets updated consistently thanks to its growing pool of creators.
Animation
As I mentioned, Canva is quite new when it comes to animated graphics. It does have a decent selection of animated elements and there are a few motion effects to choose from so you can create GIFs and more on the platform.
However, the features are still pretty basic. It’s safe to think of your options as comparable to the early versions of Microsoft Powerpoint’s intro and outro effects. There is also a lack of more complex animated elements. Most of them perfect blink in and blink out sequences.
In fact, most of the animated elements on Canva look a lot like stickers you use on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook. While this may not be a particularly bad thing, it won’t do much for more professional presentations.
On the other hand, Visme has a lot of great animated elements to choose from. The library contains more professional-looking graphics.
I don’t mean to say that they’re professionally designed. What I mean is that they’re better suited for professional projects like business reports, team visual aids, client analytics, and class reports.
Winner: I have to say that it depends on what you want to use the programs for. Do you want something that’s better designed for professional settings? Then Visme should be your top choice. On the other hand, Canva isn’t shabby itself. There are thousands of animated elements to choose from. They’re just presented more as stickers than animations.
Branding
I like how both platforms allow you to save on-brand settings. For example, you can upload your logos for easy access. You can also set branded color palettes so you can create branded content more easily.
The main difference between the branding tools is that you’re not able to save brand fonts on Visme. You’ll still be able to upload your own fonts. However, you’ll have to scroll through the font list to find the fonts you need.
On the other hand, Canva allows you to set three fonts for your brand. This makes it easier especially if you create a lot of typographic content and don’t want to be hassled by scrolling or searching for the right font.
Winner: Canva wins by a small margin since its branding kit is much more refined compared to Visme. I really like how you’re able to save fonts for easy access since the font list can get pretty confusing. There are about a hundred options after all.
Visme vs Canva pricing plans
Both platforms offer a free forever plan with limited access to certain elements and templates. That said, they also offer premium plans that give you access to everything on the platform.
Let’s take a look at their paid offers below.
Canva pricing plans
Canva has two options when it comes to its Pro version. You can either pay annually or on a month-to-month billing cycle. Obviously, you’ll save a good amount of money if you opt for the annual option.
Annual: $119.99 per year
Monthly: $12.99 each month
Visme pricing plans
On the other hand, you’ll have three plan options on Visme in addition to the free plan. You’ll also be able to choose between paying annually or monthly billing. That said, if you opt for the annual payment, you’ll be able to save four months worth of payment. It’s a great discount if you ask me.
One of their plan options caters to Enterprises. However, you will need to contact their sales team to get a quote since it’s custom-tailored to your needs.
On the standard plan, you’ll pay $25 a month or $180 a year on annual billing. The business plan is $49 a month or $348 when paid annually.
Benefits and drawbacks
Any software will have its own set of pros and cons. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise to you that both Canva and Visme have their own positives and negatives. Here’s a quick overview for your reference.
Canva pros and cons
Pros
Cons
Visme pros and cons
Pros
Cons
Canva vs Visme: Which is better?
I’ll be 100% honest. It totally depends on your needs. But I am quite partial to Canva. I can get everything I need to get done via the handy mobile app which I use more times than I care to admit while I’m relaxing on my bed or having breakfast.
I like how it’s more affordable as well. That said, you might be more inclined to choose Visme despite its heftier price tag if you need a graphic software for more professional settings. Or if you create a lot of animated slides and videos.
Either way, you won’t say that you’ve overpaid for any of these services. They’re both amazing and user-friendly.
It’s just a matter of your preferences and budget.
