Choosing the right design and marketing platform is one of the most important decisions a small business owner can make. With high-quality visuals and branding becoming increasingly crucial for success, tools like Canva have taken the spotlight by making design accessible to everyone. However, Canva isn’t the only option out there.
If you’re on the hunt for design tools better suited to your needs, you’re in luck. This blog will guide you through the top Canva competitors for small business owners, breaking down features, pricing, and use cases to help you make an informed decision.
Get ready to explore your options and find the perfect tool to elevate your brand presence and streamline your creative process.
Why Choosing the Right Design Tool Matters
For small businesses, strong branding and marketing materials can mean the difference between blending in or standing out. But hiring a professional designer isn’t always an option, especially when you’re running a tight budget. This is where easy-to-use design platforms step in.
The right design tool empowers you to create everything from social media graphics to flyers and logos — without needing to be a Photoshop pro. Canva is a popular choice, but depending on your requirements, there might be other platforms that align better with your business goals and budget.
Key Canva Competitors for Small Business Owners
While Canva has set a high standard, several competitors offer unique features and pricing structures that may fit your business needs better. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top contenders.
Adobe Express
Adobe Express, previously known as Adobe Spark, is a powerful tool for small business owners who want professional-level designs but don’t want to pay for Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator.
Key Features
- Thousands of customizable templates for social media, presentations, and more
- Integration with Creative Cloud for existing Adobe users
- Access to Adobe Fonts and stock images
Pricing
- Free Plan available with limited features
- Premium Plan starts at $9.99/month
Best For
Small business owners already familiar with Adobe products who want easy integration.
Visme
Visme is an all-in-one design tool that focuses on creating professional presentations, infographics, and charts — making it ideal for small businesses needing visually compelling reports.
Key Features
- Drag-and-drop editor
- Collaboration tools for teams
- Data visualization tools with dynamic charts
Pricing
- Free Plan with basic features
- Paid plans start at $12.25/month for individuals
Best For
Businesses focused on creating data-heavy content like sales reports, pitches, or presentations.
Crello (now VistaCreate)
Crello, recently rebranded as VistaCreate, is a Canva-like platform that caters to small business owners needing quick, professional visuals.
Key Features
- Extensive library of templates and animations
- Easy-to-use interface with drag-and-drop functionality
- Pre-sized templates for various social media platforms
Pricing
- Free Plan with over 50,000 templates
- Pro Plan starts at $10/month
Best For
Marketing professionals driven by social media campaigns and online branding.
PicMonkey
PicMonkey is another Canva competitor that shines when it comes to photo editing and graphic design for digital and print projects.
Key Features
- Advanced photo editing options
- Collaborative features for teams
- Pre-designed templates for various needs
Pricing
- Basic Plan: $7.99/month
- Pro Plan: $12.99/month
Best For
Small business owners focused on photo-heavy projects or those who require advanced editing functionality.
Snappa
Snappa is a lesser-known but highly effective alternative for small businesses focused on creating quick, high-impact designs.
Key Features
- Simple, user-friendly interface
- Built-in stock photo library
- Pre-sized templates for ads and banners
Pricing
- Free Plan for basic users
- Pro Plan starts at $10/month
Best For
Small business owners who need simple, quick designs and don’t want a steep learning curve.
Quick Comparison Chart
|
Tool |
Key Focus |
Free Plan |
Starting Paid Plan |
Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Adobe Express |
Professional-level tools |
Yes |
$9.99/month |
Existing Adobe users |
|
Visme |
Presentations & infographics |
Yes |
$12.25/month |
Data-heavy projects |
|
VistaCreate |
Social media graphics |
Yes |
$10/month |
Social media marketing |
|
PicMonkey |
Photo-centric designs |
No |
$7.99/month |
Advanced photo editing |
|
Snappa |
Quick, simple designs |
Yes |
$10/month |
Fast, beginner-friendly design tasks |
Small Business Success Stories
Alice’s Bakery (VistaCreate)
Alice, the owner of a small bakery in Portland, used VistaCreate to build a consistent social media presence, leading to a 40% increase in sales within three months. The pre-sized Instagram templates made it incredibly easy to create cohesive, eye-catching posts.
GreenTech Solutions (Visme)
A boutique tech consulting firm, GreenTech Solutions, used Visme to deliver dynamic and polished presentations. “We deal with a lot of complex data, and Visme made it easy to simplify and visualize our findings,” said CEO Jordan Lee.
Pet Haven Grooming (PicMonkey)
Sarah, who runs a pet grooming business, found PicMonkey invaluable for before-and-after pet photos. She noted that the ability to quickly edit and collage images helped her attract more clients than she could have imagined.
Recommendations for Different Business Needs
- Social Media Focused Businesses: Choose VistaCreate for its tailored templates and animations.
- Data-Heavy Businesses: Opt for Visme to craft professional presentations and reports.
- Photo-Centric Branding: PicMonkey is ideal for industries like fashion, beauty, and pet care, where visuals matter the most.
- Quick Design Needs: Go with Snappa for straightforward editing and pre-sized layouts.
- Existing Adobe Users: Adobe Express makes the most sense if you’re already in the Adobe ecosystem.
Elevate Your Brand with the Right Design Tool
Finding the right canvas (pun intended!) for your small business can seem daunting, but the right design tool empowers you to create professional visuals without the stress or expense of hiring a designer.
Take the time to evaluate your business needs, budget, and branding goals against the features of these top Canva competitors. With every post you publish or presentation you deliver, you’ll be building a stronger brand and connecting with your audience more effectively.
