Have a tough time deciding between Canva and PhotoShop? This article is a complete guide to help you choose the design tool you need between these two.
Canva is most designers’ go-to for quick designs because of its pre-made templates and simple interface. However, if you want to create high-quality designs with lots of details, Photoshop is a better choice.
Canva vs Photoshop: Which Is Simpler to Use?
Photoshop is an all-in-one software for professional designers: it has everything you need to create impressive designs. Professional designers prefer Photoshop to Canva because of its versatility.
Photoshop lets you manipulate colors, textures, image perspective, lighting, and more if you know how to use it.
Canva’s features, on the other hand, aren’t as advanced as Photoshop, but it’s significantly simpler to navigate. If you want to recreate a design with Canva, simply search for a similar template and tweak it a little, and you’ll have the design, or something similar.
Photoshop might be more versatile, but Canva is simpler to use. So if you’re a newbie grasping the concept of graphic design, Canva is a better option.
Accessibility and Sync
Canva is a cloud-based design software; for any changes you make to be saved, you must be connected to the internet. If you’re already online and your internet goes down, you can keep editing, but it won’t be saved until your internet comes back on. So, when it does, it will automatically sync the changes.
An upside to using Canva is its sync and features across all devices. Whether you’re using Canva on your mobile or the web version, your designs are synced. The features you have access to on the web version are the same as those on your mobile; that’s not the case with Photoshop.
In contrast, Photoshop allows you to edit, save, and download designs both online and offline. You could create your designs in Photoshop offline from start to finish, and you wouldn’t have to worry about losing the changes you made because you were offline. Photoshop’s only requirement for an internet connection is to activate it.
Photoshop automatically saves your designs locally as PSD files, so your designs are always with you as long as you have your device. To be safe, you can sync your Drive with Photoshop and export your designs from there. If you decide to change your desktop, your designs will remain in the cloud.
Photoshop Vs Canva: Device Requirement
If you’re using Photoshop you need a really fast microprocessor, so the app can function without lagging, you need at least 2GHz and a RAM of at least 8 GB. So, it’s understandable that Photoshop doesn’t provide a full-fledged mobile version.
What you get for mobile is the photo editor and Lightroom, which allow you to edit images. However, your device must have at least 4G and enough storage space to run these apps without lagging.
Photoshop for mobile does not have as many advanced features as the desktop app. Your desktop and iPad are the only devices that will allow you to fully utilize Photoshop features.
Photoshop vs Canva: Features and Tools
Canva is designed for design novices, making it simple to edit and manipulate images and designs. For example, it has a one-click background tool, auto image resizing, animation, and other features to help you create amazing designs with minimal effort.
Photoshop has an incredible collection of design tools and features to help you create the most beautiful and detail-oriented designs possible. It has a larger color palette with gradients, tones, and shadows to make your design stand out. It also has a variety of brush types and sizes for drawing.
Although Canva has a brush tool, it is inferior to Photoshop. On Canva, you’d have to rely on filters for photo edits and lighting, but Photoshop allows you to create the effect you want for your designs manually.
If you add an image on top of your Canva design but want it to be behind it, you must use the “send backward’ feature, whereas Photoshop allows you to create layers and toggle between them to organize your design.
Yes, Canva and Photoshop both have similar features, but Photoshop tools are superior.
Canva vs Photoshop: Pricing
Both Photoshop and Canva offer free trials, allowing you to test which works best for you. Canva has a 30-day trial period, while Photoshop has a 7-day trial period.
Also, Canva offers a forever free plan, while Photoshop does not. Canva’s free plan only provides the basic features; so if you intend to use Canva long-term or professionally, you’ll need to upgrade to the Pro Plan.
Canva’s Pro plan supports up to 5 users, which allows you to sign in on five different devices. It also means you can collaborate with your team in real-time with this plan.
Photoshop costs $9.99 monthly if you pay for a full year outright and $20.99 if opt for the monthly plan. If you’d like full access to adobe creative cloud, it cost $54.99 monthly.
Canva may be less expensive, but Photoshop is more valuable. The Adobe Creative Cloud subscription grants you access to advanced features you need for all your creating designs and editing photos.
File Formats
SVG is the most important design file format because it allows you to use your designs on the web. Canva and Photoshop both allow you to export files in a variety of formats, including SVG, but Photoshop has a larger file format selection.
You can also save your design as an MP4 file on Canva.
For example, if you create a four-page design in Canva, you can turn it into a video and even add sound to it. This is not possible with Photoshop.
Photoshop vs Canva: Users
Canva users are mostly educators and small business owners. It has amazing templates curated specifically for tutors, making it simple for tutors to summarize lessons into presentations or convert them into videos. Canva’s also free for educators.
Because Photoshop has advanced photo editing features, it’s only natural that the majority of its users are professional photographers and graphic designers.
It also has an attractive plan for the creative cloud; it’s no surprise that most design agencies choose it because it provides more value—they have access to all the tools they need with a single subscription.
Canva vs Photoshop: Pros and Cons
Canva Pros
- No learning curve required
- Offers a forever free plan
- Sync across all devices
- Doesn’t require a powerful processor to work
- Easier to Navigate
- Less Expensive
- Longer free trial period
Canva Cons
- Only works online
- Doesn’t offer advanced tools and features
Photoshop Pros
- Paid plans offer more value
- Advanced photo editing abilities
- Suitable for honing advanced design skills
- An impressive collection of design tools and features
- Offline access
Photoshop Cons
- Steep learning Curve
- Requires large RAM and microprocessor
- Short free trial period
- No free plan
Final Verdict: Photoshop or Canva?
Photoshop is more suitable for professionals and its paid plans offer more value and tools needed to create complex and unique designs. In contrast, Canva is easier to use and less expensive.
So, if you want to create unique designs, and improve your design and photo editing skills, choose Photoshop. But if you want an easy-to-navigate platform to create simple and cool designs, go for Canva.
Read Next: Canva vs AdobeSpark: Which Designs Better?
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