Are you looking to create some stunning infographics to capture your audience’s attention? If so, you might be considering using a graphic design tool like Adobe Photoshop or Canva. Both of these options are highly regarded in the industry, but how do they compare? Don’t worry, we’re here to help you make a decision by comparing the two on various benchmarks. Whether your needs are specific or you’re just having trouble choosing between the two, we’ll give you our verdict to help you out. Let’s get started!
Both software possess excellent Graphic Designing capabilities. However, they share some differences in what they offer. Adobe Photoshop flaunts professional editing features with deeper functionalities. It is the market incumbent well-suited for intensive edits. Photographers, visual artists, and professionals find their requirements met in this cutting-edge tool. Furthermore, its vector drawing and manipulating features are icing on the cake for artists. In contrast, Canva is a much more casual tool. The USP of this software is its predefined sizes for every social media handle. With Canva, creating thumbnails for YouTube or designing an infographic for your Instagram is a breeze. It showcases a wide collection of templates, elements, text styles, and backgrounds. You can use and customize these assets for quick and professional designs.
Chances are, you probably just got into Graphics Designing. The best thing about Canva is that you can create some compelling designs with no background knowledge. It has a beginner-friendly interface with ready-made elements that can save your time and effort. In contrast, Adobe Photoshop has a steep learning curve. There are a myriad of options in the toolbar that are relatively difficult to learn and master. To create decent designs applicable to your company or business, you must spend a significant amount of time familiarizing yourself with the software. You have to enroll in courses or watch tutorials for hours if you want to conquer its complexities.
Adobe Photoshop is PC exclusive software. This fully-fledged tool must be installed on your system and demands some minimum performance requirements from the PC. It takes up storage but can be used offline. Whereas Canva, as a web application, can be accessed by your browser without the need to store or install. You begin by signing up and all your designs are stored in the web servers. However, the downside is that you cannot work on your designs offline. Canva is also available as a mobile application which offers identical features with working offline as a bonus.
Almost any system that can run a web browser is an ideal fit for designing with Canva. It is lightweight web software that can run smoothly even on entry-level devices. However, with Adobe Photoshop, your PC must meet the minimum system requirements. Some of these include a 2 GB Ram, 2Ghz processor of Intel or AMD, and a 64-bit operating system running Windows 7 or later. Thus, you require at least a mid-level PC to work on Photoshop without issues. Many users have experienced crashes and lags trying to run it in a low budget system.
Canva is basically a free designing tool. However, with a little investment, you can dive into the true potential the app has to offer. The free version provides 8k+ templates, 100+ design types, and limited stock images. Whereas, by paying an annual $9.95 for the pro plan, you can get access to 400k+ templates and 75 million+ stock images among many other features. There is also a $30 Enterprise plan designed for larger brands. Adobe Photoshop starts at $9.99/month for the photography plan with a limitation of 20GB. The unlimited plan starts at $20.99 monthly. It is very expensive compared to Canva but provides many professional features for power users.
Figma is a powerful design and prototyping tool that has become increasingly popular in recent years. It allows designers to create and collaborate on a wide range of projects, from wireframes and mockups to interactive prototypes and animations.
One of the key features of Figma is its ability to collaborate in real-time with team members. This means that designers can work together on the same project at the same time, making it easier to share ideas and get feedback.
Another advantage of Figma is its extensive library of design resources and templates. This includes a wide range of UI kits, icon sets, and other assets that can help designers save time and create professional-looking designs.
Figma also offers a range of advanced features for prototyping and animation. With Figma, designers can easily create interactive prototypes that allow users to experience how a product will function before it is built. This can be especially helpful for testing and iterating on designs.
Overall, Figma is an incredibly useful tool for designers and teams looking to create and collaborate on high-quality designs. Its real-time collaboration, extensive library of resources, and advanced prototyping and animation capabilities make it a top choice for many professionals in the industry.
Figma is a design and prototyping tool, while Canva and Photoshop are both primarily image editing and graphic design tools. Figma is specifically geared towards creating and collaborating on designs for digital products such as websites and mobile apps, while Canva and Photoshop are more general-purpose tools that can be used for a wide range of design projects, including print design and marketing materials.
Collaboration
Figma is designed for real-time collaboration, allowing multiple team members to work on the same design at the same time. Canva also has collaboration features, but they are not as extensive as Figma’s. Photoshop is a single-user tool and does not have built-in collaboration features.
Prototyping and animation
Figma has a range of advanced features for creating interactive prototypes and animations, which can be useful for testing and demonstrating how a product will function. Canva and Photoshop do not have these capabilities.
Design resources
Both Figma and Canva offer a library of design resources and templates, such as UI kits and icon sets, which can save designers time and help them create professional-looking designs. Photoshop does not have a built-in library of resources, but it does have a wide range of tools and features for creating and editing graphics.
Adobe, the software giant known for its creative tools such as Photoshop and Illustrator, recently made headlines when it announced that it had acquired Figma, a popular design and prototyping tool, for $20 billion.
Figma has gained a significant following in recent years for its real-time collaboration features, extensive library of design resources, and advanced prototyping and animation capabilities. The acquisition is seen as a strategic move for Adobe, as Figma’s focus on digital product design complements Adobe’s existing suite of creative tools and expands its presence in the growing market for design software.
Adobe plans to integrate Figma’s technology into its Creative Cloud platform and continue to operate Figma as a standalone product. The acquisition is expected to close in the second quarter of 2022, subject to regulatory approvals.
The acquisition of Figma is a major development in the world of design software and could have significant implications for both Adobe and Figma users. It will be interesting to see how Adobe integrates Figma’s technology and how the acquisition will shape the future of design tools.
When it comes to graphic design tools, Figma is great for creating and collaborating on digital product designs, but it may not be the best choice for everyone. Canva is a more general-purpose design tool that is easier for non-designers to use, and it offers a great value for the money. Photoshop is a more advanced tool with a wider range of features, but it can be harder for beginners to learn. If you’re working professionally in visual arts, Photoshop might be the better choice, but for most people looking to create attractive ads, banners, or infographics on the go, Canva is the way to go. So, which one is your favorite?