Figma vs Canva Comparison: Features, Use Cases, Pricing

Vlad Solomakha

Vlad Solomakha

Sep 9, 2024

Sep 9, 2024

Both Figma and Canva are popular design tools that offer distinct feature sets. We’ll compare them in terms of their design features, pricing, and ideal use cases.

Both Figma and Canva are popular design tools that offer distinct feature sets. We’ll compare them in terms of their design features, pricing, and ideal use cases.

Jump to

Title

Title

Overview

Figma

Figma is a web-based design tool tailored for professional UI/UX designers and the creation of user interface designs.

Known for its collaboration features, it has become popular among design teams for working on big projects.

Canva

Canva is a design tool popular for its simplicity and is widely used by non-designers.

It allows you to create social media graphics, presentations, and marketing materials with no design experience.

Figma vs Canva Features

Design Features

Figma

  • Advanced vector editing and control over design elements.

  • Components and libraries for consistent design systems.

  • Prototyping tools for creating interactive design flows.

  • Real-time design collaboration and feedback.

  • Whiteboarding with FigJam and presentations design with Figma Slides.

Canva

  • Drag-and-drop interface designed for easy customization of templates.

  • Wide range of templates for quick designs, including social media posts, flyers, and logos.

  • Basic photo editing and design customization stock graphic assets, icons and various free fonts.

  • Tools to create text documents, whiteboards, presentations, and website designs.

Collaboration Features

Figma

  • Real-time collaboration that allows multiple users to work on the same file, view changes live, and leave feedback.

  • Version control and design history, so you can easily revert to earlier iterations.

  • Developer mode for seamless transitions from design to development.

Canva

  • Basic real-time collaboration is available, with team members able to comment and edit templates.

  • Focuses on easy sharing options for quick feedback and adjustments in collaborative teams.

  • Simple integration with social media platforms for publishing designs directly from Canva.

Integrations and Community

Figma

  • Figma has a large and active community of designers. It offers thousands of free templates, plugins, and resources.

  • Great plugin ecosystem, for missing features. From photo editing and effects to advanced design to code integrations.

  • Integrates with tools like Slack, Jira, and Asana, making it easy to fit into existing design workflows.

Canva

  • Canva’s large user base has a growing community that creates tutorials, templates, and design tips for beginners.

  • Powerful extensions ecosystem, almost everything you might need in regards to design editing can be done with extensions.

  • While Canva lacks advanced integrations, it does connect with social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for publishing designs instantly.

Figma vs Canva Use Cases

Figma

  • UI/UX Designers: Great if you need to design complex web or mobile interfaces.

  • Design Teams: Real-time collaboration and developer handoff tools make it ideal for large teams working on digital products.

  • Prototyping and Interactive Designs: Figma excels at creating interactive, high-fidelity prototypes for user testing.

Canva

  • Non-Designers: Individuals looking to create posters, invitations, presentations, and more without diving deep into design tools.

  • Small Businesses: Ideal for creating quick, professional-looking marketing materials without the need for a dedicated designer.

  • Social Media Managers: Canva’s easy-to-use templates make it perfect for producing consistent social media content.

Figma vs Canva Pricing

Figma

  • The free version has a limited number of files and doesn't allow you to share your design prototypes.

  • Paid plans start at $12/editor/month. They unlock unlimited files, team libraries, and features that allow full collaboration.

  • FigJam for whiteboarding and Figma Slides are billed separately.

Canva

  • The free version is quite strong. It offers thousands of templates, graphics, and elements for everyday design needs.

  • The Pro plan costs $12.99/month per user, with access to additional premium templates, unlimited storage, and team features.

  • All tools, like whiteboarding, and presentations are under one plan.

Conclusion

Ultimately, your choice will depend on your specific needs. Figma if you need to design professional user interfaces. Canva if needed to create visually appealing marketing content. Both are wonderful tools, but serve different purposes.

Figma is great for professional UI/UX designers or teams working on digital products, offering advanced design capabilities, real-time collaboration, and robust prototyping tools.

Canva, on the other hand, is tailored more toward non-designers and small businesses looking to quickly create social media posts, marketing materials, or presentations.

Overview

Figma

Figma is a web-based design tool tailored for professional UI/UX designers and the creation of user interface designs.

Known for its collaboration features, it has become popular among design teams for working on big projects.

Canva

Canva is a design tool popular for its simplicity and is widely used by non-designers.

It allows you to create social media graphics, presentations, and marketing materials with no design experience.

Figma vs Canva Features

Design Features

Figma

  • Advanced vector editing and control over design elements.

  • Components and libraries for consistent design systems.

  • Prototyping tools for creating interactive design flows.

  • Real-time design collaboration and feedback.

  • Whiteboarding with FigJam and presentations design with Figma Slides.

Canva

  • Drag-and-drop interface designed for easy customization of templates.

  • Wide range of templates for quick designs, including social media posts, flyers, and logos.

  • Basic photo editing and design customization stock graphic assets, icons and various free fonts.

  • Tools to create text documents, whiteboards, presentations, and website designs.

Collaboration Features

Figma

  • Real-time collaboration that allows multiple users to work on the same file, view changes live, and leave feedback.

  • Version control and design history, so you can easily revert to earlier iterations.

  • Developer mode for seamless transitions from design to development.

Canva

  • Basic real-time collaboration is available, with team members able to comment and edit templates.

  • Focuses on easy sharing options for quick feedback and adjustments in collaborative teams.

  • Simple integration with social media platforms for publishing designs directly from Canva.

Integrations and Community

Figma

  • Figma has a large and active community of designers. It offers thousands of free templates, plugins, and resources.

  • Great plugin ecosystem, for missing features. From photo editing and effects to advanced design to code integrations.

  • Integrates with tools like Slack, Jira, and Asana, making it easy to fit into existing design workflows.

Canva

  • Canva’s large user base has a growing community that creates tutorials, templates, and design tips for beginners.

  • Powerful extensions ecosystem, almost everything you might need in regards to design editing can be done with extensions.

  • While Canva lacks advanced integrations, it does connect with social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for publishing designs instantly.

Figma vs Canva Use Cases

Figma

  • UI/UX Designers: Great if you need to design complex web or mobile interfaces.

  • Design Teams: Real-time collaboration and developer handoff tools make it ideal for large teams working on digital products.

  • Prototyping and Interactive Designs: Figma excels at creating interactive, high-fidelity prototypes for user testing.

Canva

  • Non-Designers: Individuals looking to create posters, invitations, presentations, and more without diving deep into design tools.

  • Small Businesses: Ideal for creating quick, professional-looking marketing materials without the need for a dedicated designer.

  • Social Media Managers: Canva’s easy-to-use templates make it perfect for producing consistent social media content.

Figma vs Canva Pricing

Figma

  • The free version has a limited number of files and doesn't allow you to share your design prototypes.

  • Paid plans start at $12/editor/month. They unlock unlimited files, team libraries, and features that allow full collaboration.

  • FigJam for whiteboarding and Figma Slides are billed separately.

Canva

  • The free version is quite strong. It offers thousands of templates, graphics, and elements for everyday design needs.

  • The Pro plan costs $12.99/month per user, with access to additional premium templates, unlimited storage, and team features.

  • All tools, like whiteboarding, and presentations are under one plan.

Conclusion

Ultimately, your choice will depend on your specific needs. Figma if you need to design professional user interfaces. Canva if needed to create visually appealing marketing content. Both are wonderful tools, but serve different purposes.

Figma is great for professional UI/UX designers or teams working on digital products, offering advanced design capabilities, real-time collaboration, and robust prototyping tools.

Canva, on the other hand, is tailored more toward non-designers and small businesses looking to quickly create social media posts, marketing materials, or presentations.