Top 5 Free Canva Alternatives to Try in 2025

Table of contents for the best free Canva alternatives:

• Why use alternatives to Canva?
• Adobe Express
• Figma
• Microsoft Designer
• Polotno Studio
• VistaCreate
• Fazit

Why use alternatives to Canva?

Although Canva is undoubtedly a powerful and user-friendly tool, there are good reasons to look for a suitable alternative to Canva. Often, the really good features, the highest-quality templates, and the best functions are only available in the paid Pro plan. This can be expensive in the long run.

The good news is that there are extremely powerful alternatives that cost you nothing or very little. These Canva-like programs not only offer a financial advantage, but also have their own unique strengths. Whether it’s specialized features, more creative freedom, or easier operation without registration, it’s worth looking beyond the horizon to find the tool that fits your individual workflow perfectly. So if you’re looking for a free alternative to Canva, you’ve come to the right place.

We present five excellent and free Canva alternatives that you can use to create impressive designs – each with its own unique strengths.

Canva Alternative 1: Adobe Express

Let’s start with Adobe Express. Even though registration is required and there is an optional payment plan, the free package already offers an enormous range of features.

• Top features: You get access to countless high-quality templates, Adobe stock photos and videos, various fonts, and even monthly free credits for Firefly’s AI image features.
• User-friendliness: The interface is clean and reminiscent of Canva in terms of operation, making it easy to get started.

Conclusion: Adobe Express is a top all-round solution for anyone who wants to achieve professional results and is in no way inferior to Canva as an alternative.

Canva Alternative 2: Figma

Originally a staple in UI/UX design, Figma has evolved into an extremely powerful and flexible tool for almost any type of graphic design and a good free alternative to Canva – this includes social media posts and thumbnails.

• Top Features: Figma shines with its vector-based workflow, sophisticated component systems, and unbeatable collaboration capabilities.
• User-friendliness: While the learning curve is a bit steeper than with pure template editors, the free version for individuals offers almost unlimited creative freedom.

Conclusion:Among the free options, Figma is definitely the power tool for anyone seeking maximum control and flexibility.

Canva Alternative 3: Microsoft Designer

A big plus of Microsoft Designer is its uncomplicated start: in most cases, you can get started directly without having to register. A Microsoft account is only required to download your creations.

• Top Features: What makes it special is its unique design approach, which convinces with the integration of DALL-E 3 AI for image generation and clever element suggestions.
• User-friendliness: Getting started is child’s play and doesn’t require registration to try it out.

Conclusion: If you value quick access and modern AI support, this is a very exciting choice.

Canva Alternative 4: Polotno Studio

Polotno Studio is an alternative to Canva aimed at anyone who likes it simple and familiar. Here you can start directly in your browser without registration and download your images easily.

• Top Features: Polotno Studio offers all the basics like free images, icons, and templates. A practical extra is the integrated QR code generator.
• User-friendliness: The structure and operation are strongly based on Canva, which makes the transition very easy.

Conclusion: A free Canva alternative for quick and appealing designs without unnecessary frills.

Canva Alternative 5: VistaCreate

Finally, VistaCreate, which many previously knew as Crello, is a direct Canva competitor. The tool focuses on a huge library of templates specifically tailored for social media and marketing.

• Top Features: Its strength lies in the gigantic selection of templates that can be quickly and easily customized.
• User-friendliness: The operation is very Canva-like and therefore highly intuitive.

Conclusion: Despite certain limitations, the free plan offers a solid basis for a variety of design tasks and is perfect for anyone who wants to quickly choose from templates.

Conclusion: Which free Canva alternative suits you?

As you can see, there are fantastic and free Canva alternatives. It is definitely worth looking beyond the obvious to find the perfect tool for your own workflow – especially if you regularly create graphics like YouTube thumbnails.

Here is a brief summary of the Canva-like programs as a decision-making aid:

• Adobe Express: The professional all-rounder.
• Figma: The power tool for maximum flexibility.
• Microsoft Designer: Quick access with strong AI support.
• Polotno Studio: Uncomplicated design that resembles Canva and works without login.
• VistaCreate: A huge selection of templates for fast work.

An appealing design is often the first step to attracting attention. If you also need professional support in creating your content, our experienced film production team will be happy to assist you. Contact us for a non-binding initial consultation.