Canva Review: The Best Design Tool for Non-Designers

It’s not something new that Canva has revolutionized the world of design. Now, you no longer need to be an expert in complex design software to create multi-platform content for your business or project. Canva makes it possible with its practical AI tools!

As experts in presentation design, our team of designers will evaluate Canva’s new AI features, which promise to create presentation decks in seconds.

Let’s evaluate this creative software together!

Here’s a summary of our Canva review:

What is Canva?

Canva is an online design and visual communication platform that offers a free version and several paid memberships tailored to your company’s size.

Currently, Canva’s toolset includes Magic Studio, an AI-powered hub that has transformed the landscape of online design. This experience is complemented by thousands of templates and audiovisual resources that optimize everyone’s creative process.

This design platform was founded in 2013 by Australian entrepreneur Melanie Perkins. She noticed the challenges of using traditional design software, which inspired her to create a more intuitive and user-friendly solution. And wow, she nailed it!

Canva Review: All You Need to Know

In this Canva review, we want to share the most up-to-date and comprehensive information about this design tool.

Below, we detail Canva’s key features, pros and cons, pricing, main reviews, and other relevant data to help you evaluate whether it’s the right tool for you.

Key Features of Canva

Canva is a very comprehensive online design software, and here we summarize its most outstanding features:

Canva AI 2.0: This year, Canva has significantly upgraded its AI capabilities. Users can now create a wide range of assets, including fully editable designs, AI-generated images in various styles, written documents, AI-powered videos, and even code that can be transformed into functional web experiences.
Image to Video: One of Canva’s most impressive new features, Image to Video brings your static images to life by turning them into dynamic video clips. This tool is part of Canva’s image editing suite and can be found under the "Reimagine" section.
Canva Templates: One of Canva’s defining features is its extensive library of templates. These include whiteboards, workflows, presentations, social media posts, flyers, website designs, and much more.
Stock Library: Canva’s audiovisual repository is vast and varied, offering photographs, illustrations, music, and more graphic elements. Naturally, the paid version offers more content.
Brand Kits: This Canva tool includes elements such as your logos, color palette, and even your brand’s tone of voice. This feature allows you to make quick changes to your deck with a single click.
Integrated Apps: Canva has several integrated apps catering to different design needs. We highlight DALL-E, an AI image creator, and Neiro AI, a hyper-realistic video avatar creator. Also you can find integratons of Gmail, Slack, HubSpot, and more.
Remote Control: Canva’s functionality that lets you control a presentation through remote support from your mobile.

Pros and Cons of Canva

Now, Canva seems like the perfect tool for content creation, but there are also a few areas for improvement. Let’s review Canva’s pros and cons:

Pros of Canva

User-friendly tool: Canva is very intuitive; just a few attempts are enough to understand how to use it in your daily work routine.
Many features for different needs: Do you need to design visuals, create videos, and print flyers for your business? In Canva, you can do all that and more. This creative software lets you focus on learning just one design tool instead of several like before.
Many pre-designed templates: If you’re a non-designer, the templates will be your lifesaver. The best part? They are fully editable.
You can import files from different sources: You can import images in JPG, PNG, and SVG. Also, PowerPoint, Word, PDF, GIF, and MP4 files. In order to save storage space, we recommend compressing your images with TinyPNG before uploading them to Canva.
Auto-save feature: Like Google Slides, Canva automatically saves your progress in real time, so you won’t have any problems if your computer shuts down suddenly!
Great for teamwork: In Canva, you can add comments, view the change history, and, best of all, edit your file synchronously with others without the program lagging.
Accessible from anywhere and anytime: You can edit your designs without a problem on your computer, iPad, tablet, or smartphone (as long as you have internet access). The lastest update allows you to edit your creation offline, so you don’t need to worry about internet connection anymore.

Cons of Canva

Issues with text formatting: Canva offers limited options for customizing text formatting when writing content in a single box. It also lacks features for creating text shapes, such as complex curves, which are available in other design software like Adobe InDesign.
Issues with file imports: When importing a PPTX or PDF file, there may be design errors that don’t match the original file. For instance, Canva often fails to recognize layers or images inserted into shapes.
The free version is limited: Canva offers only a limited amount of stock content. Paying for the membership not only unlocks all stock assets but also gives you more tools to explore its AI capabilities.
Customer service response is slow: Users across various review platforms report that Canva’s customer service is really deficient. Additionally, finding a direct support channel isn’t easy.

Canva Pricing

Our Canva review wouldn’t be complete without a breakdown of the pricing. Take note:

Canva Basic: $0
Canva Pro: $12 per month or $120 per year (includes a 30-day free trial)
Canva Teams: $30 per month or $300 per year; for more than three users, there’s an additional $100 per user per year (a 30-day free trial is also available)
Canva Enterprise: Pricing depends on the size of your company, with discounts available for larger enterprises
Canva for Education: Free version available only to primary and secondary educators, their students, and qualifying schools
Canva for Campus: Its pricing structure is similar to Canva for Enterprise
Canva for Non-profits: Free version available for up to 50 users from non-profits, charities, and social changemakers (subject to Canva’s approval)

The cool part is that the company gives you all the benefits of Canva Pro if you are eligible for Canva for Education or Canva for Non-profits. Check the links to know all the requirements!

Canva Reviews

This graphic design software offers many features, which can lead to diverse opinions among users.

Ratings

Here is a breakdown of the scores given to Canva from the most-used review platforms today:

G2: 4.7/5 (7K reviews)
GetApp: 4.7/5 (13K+ reviews)
Capterra: 4.7/5 (13K+ reviews)
Trustpilot: 3.9/5 (5K+ reviews)

The rating scale ranges from 1 to 5, with most averaging 4.7, except for Trustpilot, which averages 3.9. Canva’s poor customer service is the main reason for this low rating.

Positive Reviews

Users highlight how easy Canva is to use and all the free graphic resources it offers.
Some users highlight tools like background removal and image outlining.
Others mention that it’s an ideal design tool for beginners, but also suitable for professionals.
Some recognize Canva as a great design software that allows them to create content for multiple platforms in only one place.
Some users also emphasize Canva’s tutorials and help articles.

Negative Reviews

Some users report difficulties canceling subscriptions or being double-charged, which is compounded by Canva’s poor customer support.
Some have trouble downloading files, stating that the button appears "grayed out".
Others have had negative experiences using Canva on mobile devices.
A few users don’t like the new AI updates, saying the platform was better before.
Several users have complained about the poor quality of Canva’s printing service or experienced issues with its express shipping.

Who is Canva for?

Canva is one of the best design tools for non-designers (if not the best).

Due to its multiple features, Canva is ideal for anyone needing quick but professional-looking designs. This target includes students, teachers, marketers, NGO workers, and small and large organizations.

Who is Canva not for?

Due to its limitations in text formatting customization, Canva is not recommended for those who need to create magazines or editorial content.

Additionally, some users have pointed out that its printing service is not of very high quality. The same happens with Canva’s delivery.

How to Create a Presentation in Canva?

Designing a presentation in Canva is quite simple. If you already have an active account, follow these steps:

Step 1: Create a new design in Canva

Go to “Create a design” and choose the Presentation format (16:9). This format is the most commonly used for online presentations.

Clicking on it will open a new blank canvas on the platform. If you don’t have a rigid brand guideline, we recommend starting by choosing a template in the search bar.

For the purposes of this Canva review, we’ll create an “onboarding presentation” as an example.

Step 2: Add all your information

Now it’s time to add all your information to your Canva presentation.

During the process, it’s valid to remove or add information. As you keep adding more data, you’ll naturally make changes to your Canva deck.

Step 3: Customize your presentation design

When designing a presentation, it’s essential to consider your color palette and other brand graphic elements. Learn how to manage this on Canva:

How to add a color palette to your Canva presentation?

Go to the "Brand" icon in Canva’s toolbar.
Hover your mouse over your color palette (if you haven’t added it yet, now’s the time to do it).
Press "Shuffle," and you’ll see the changes in seconds. Every time you press "Shuffle," you’ll see a different color mix in your deck.

How to add a brand element to your Canva presentation?

Look for the "Uploads" button in Canva’s toolbar.
Select "Upload files" and find the brand element you want to import to Canva. We recommend using a PNG file to ensure a transparent background.
Wait a few seconds and add the new element to your deck!

Pro tip: We also recommend customizing your Brand Kit in Canva, so you can have faster access to your brand assets. To do so, just:

Go to “Brand” in Canva’s toolbar.
Edit the brand elements you want. These include logos, colors, fonts, brand voice, photos, graphics, and icons.

And that’s it! Now you have a custom Brand Kit in Canva ready to be used next time.

Step 4: Present to your audience!

If you want to use Canva to present your slides, just:

Click on the "Present" button in the upper right corner of your screen.
Then, choose "Present full screen" and click "Present" one last time.

And that’s it—you’ve finished creating your first Canva presentation!

But remember, your presentation isn’t just about your slides. Make the whole experience enjoyable for your audience by using these fun icebreakers for your next presentation!

How to Make a Presentation Using AI in Canva?

Canva has innovated various processes with its new AI-powered technology, including creating presentations from scratch.

The lastest update of Canva AI allows you to create presentation decks in seconds. All you need to do is create a specific "prompt" and provide the tool with all the details via chat.

Let’s see the step-by-step to create a presentation with Canva AI:

Create a new design or go directly to Canva’s AI Presentation Maker website.
To use this AI feature, you need to click "Canva AI" of the tool bar and write the prompt for your request. For this example, we want to create an onboarding presentation for a new intern at 24Slides.
Now, wait until Canva’s AI tool loads your presentation deck.
Check the chat and follow the conversation.
Canva AI will create a editable presentation and you can ask for changes via chat. You can ask it to add charts, diagrams, or new slides, as well as update data, adjust layouts, or change background colors—all in real time.

And voila! Now you have a Canva presentation made in seconds!

You can also customize it with your brand colors by following these steps.

Curious about the final design using Canva AI? Here you have it:

24Slides Intern Onboarding Presentation by Vania Escobar

As you can see Canva AI has created the layouts and content from scratch, but there are improvements you need to do manually (in this case, the font size is too small).

At 24Slides, we believe that while AI can help you create a strong first draft, the human touch remains irreplaceable.

24Slides’ Review of Canva’s AI Features

As we mentioned before, Canva has designed new AI-powered features that can generate a slide deck in just a few seconds.

For this magic to happen, you only need to have a specific prompt and Canva’s AI Presentation Maker does the rest (all steps are detailed here).

Our design team conducted an in-depth investigation into these new Canva methods for creating decks. Here’s our final Canva review:

Canva AI 2.0 brings everything together in one workspace: While Canva AI allows you to create content in a variety of formats and sizes, it also lets you combine different content types within a single file. You can build a presentation and seamlessly add Canva Sheets, Whiteboards, videos, emails, and more—all in one place.
It innovates with conversational design. This feature serves as a starting point for any design project you have. You can ask Canva AI’s chat to add charts, diagrams, content or new slides, as well as update data or change background colors—all in real time.
The branding application is not good. This is due to Canva randomly mixing the colors from your palette. We believe this AI tool doesn’t have the artistic criteria of a human graphic designer.
It usually uses Canva’s stock images or charts. This means you will have better results if you use Canva’s AI image generators manually. In case you want to check them out, these image generators are Magic Media and Dream Lab. The Image to Video tool is a fantastic feature as well.
It allows you to edit your file offline. Canva now allows you to edit your files without an internet connection. With this latest update, your work remains accessible and protected from connectivity issues. Simply enable this feature from the toolbar located in the upper-left corner of the screen.

So, is Canva good for presentations? The answer is yes. Canva offers a range of features that make design simple and hassle-free. With its new AI tools, the process is now more personalized. Canva’s capabilities are a starting point for those who need quick designs or can’t afford to outsource design services.

However, the expertise of a professional designer cannot be fully replaced by Canva’s AI advancements. Quality graphic design requires a strategic and creative mind, something that is difficult for any AI to replace!

Canva Review chart — Check our Canva AI review.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about Canva’s features:

1. How is Canva better than PowerPoint?

Canva offers an extensive stock library, ideal if you frequently create graphics or presentations with high-quality images. Additionally, Canva gives you access to Magic Media and Dream Lab, both AI-powered content creators.

On the other hand, PowerPoint specializes in data-driven presentations, allowing you to link your Excel data very conveniently. Moreover, Copilot has certain advantages over Canva’s AI capabilities.

Both design software have innovated with different features, so it’s up to you to evaluate which one is your best option. Discover all the differences between PowerPoint and Canva in our article.

2. How to embed a video in a Canva presentation?

There are several ways to embed a video in Canva, depending on the source. Let’s take a look:

Embed a video from your computer’s files: Go to the “Uploads” button and then to “Upload files.” Wait for the video to load, go to the slide where you want to place it, and done!
Embed a video from Canva’s stock: Go to the “Elements” button and describe in a few words the video you need. Now select the “Videos” category, and you’ll find a ton of content related to your search. For Canva Pro accounts, the content options are greater.
Embed a video from Canva’s Magic Media: Go to the “Elements” button and write a more specific prompt for the video you want to create. Now select "Generate" and wait until the magic happens.

3. How to enter presentation mode in Canva?

Entering presentation mode in Canva is really simple:

Just go to “Present” (next to “Share”).
Choose the best option for you (there are four options).
Press “Present” again and start the action!

4. How to record a presentation in Canva?

In order to record a presentation in Canva, follow these steps:

Go to “Present” (next to “Share”).
Click on “Present and record” and then “Next”.
Click on “Go to recording studio.”
Decide whether to add a front video to your presentation and select the microphone source.
Start presenting your deck naturally.
Stop the recording when you feel necessary.
Finally, you can download the recording to your computer or copy the link so anyone can check your video recording in Canva.

5. How to loop a presentation in Canva?

To loop a presentation in Canva, just:

Assign a time for each slide (on the clock icon, next to “Animate”).
Go to “Present” and then select “Autoplay.”
Again, click the “Present” button, but this time at the bottom.
Done! You’ve created a loop of your Canva presentation, which will play automatically.

6. Is it possible to import a PowerPoint to Canva?

Yes, it’s possible to import a PowerPoint (PPTX) file into a Canva file:

From Canva’s home page, go to “Create a design.”
Go to “Upload” and choose your PPTX file (see image below).
Wait a few seconds, and your PowerPoint file will be uploaded!
Check your Recent Designs and click on the file you just uploaded.
Now you have a fully editable PPTX file in Canva!

Other file formats Canva accepts include PDFs or Word documents.

7. Can you convert a Canva presentation into PowerPoint?

Yes, it’s possible to convert a Canva presentation to PowerPoint. Here are the steps:

Just select the “Share” button.
Click “Download.”
Choose the “PPTX (Microsoft PowerPoint document)” option, and that’s it!

how to convert a Canva presentation into PowerPoint

8. How to make an image transparent in Canva?

To remove the background from an image in Canva:

Click on the image and select "Edit" from the toolbar that appears.
Find and select the "BG Remover" tool.
In just a few seconds, Canva will generate a version of your image with the background removed.

Pro Tip: Our expert designers recommend choosing images with strong contrast between the subject and the background. This helps Canva deliver cleaner and more accurate results.

How to make an image transparent in Canva

9. How to create a QR code on Canva?

Creating a QR code in Canva is simple:

Open any Canva design file.
Click "Apps" from the left-hand toolbar.
Type "QR" into the search bar.
Choose from the available QR code generators and customize your design!

You can quickly generate QR codes that link to your websites, portfolios, event pages, or any other online destination.

10. How to make website on Canva?

In 2026, Canva makes it easy to build and publish a website without coding. Here's how:

Visit Canva’s template library.
Type "website" into the search bar.
Choose a website template that matches your style and goals.
Customize the design and add your own content.
Once your website is ready, click "Publish Website" (next to "Share") and select "Publish."
You can customize your URL, connect your own domain, or purchase a domain through Canva.

This feature is ideal for showcasing a portfolio on Canva, promoting a personal brand, launching a small business website, or creating event landing pages with minimal effort.

Why is 24Slides Your Best Ally for Creating Presentations?

24Slides has over 10 years of experience creating engaging presentations for clients worldwide. While we recognize the usefulness of AI tools, we believe that human intervention is always necessary to make your slides stand out.

This year, we launched our new Pro subscription, enhancing our turnaround time to 10 hours! We are confident that, along with our dedicated customer service, our collaboration will elevate your growth to new heights.

While presentation design is our primary service, we also create a wide range of graphic content to complete your marketing collateral. Contact us and discover a personalized plan for you.

Not quite sure about collaborating with us? Then, our $1 promotion is waiting for you!