Done With Canva? Here Are the Best Alternatives Worth Switching To
We tested five alternatives head-to-head so you do not have to guess.
Canva Is Great Until It Is Not
Canva changed the way people think about design. It made professional-looking graphics accessible to anyone with a browser and an idea. For millions of users, it was the first tool that made business cards, social posts, and presentations feel achievable without hiring a designer. That accessibility is real, and it deserves credit.
But accessibility has limits. Over time, many Canva users hit a wall that free tutorials and template swaps cannot fix. Features that seem included turn out to be locked behind Canva Pro. Templates that looked distinctive at first start appearing on competitors' cards. Print exports come out softer than expected, and the gap between screen preview and physical output becomes harder to ignore.
These are not edge cases. They are the most common reasons people start searching for something else. The frustration is not that Canva is bad. It is that Canva trained users to expect more than it consistently delivers, especially once a project moves beyond social media graphics into print materials like business cards.
This guide exists because switching tools is a real decision with real trade-offs. You do not want to leave one set of limitations just to land in another. We tested five alternatives against Canva across design flexibility, template quality, ease of use, print output, free tier value, and brand tools. Each platform was evaluated on its own merits, with Canva as the baseline.
The goal is simple: help you find the tool that actually fits how you work, not the one with the best marketing page.
The Most Common Reasons Users Switch Away From Canva
Key features like brand kit, background removal, and custom fonts are paywalled behind Canva Pro
Templates are overused and recognizable, making outputs feel generic rather than distinctive
High-resolution PDF export is not available on the free plan, limiting print quality
Limited typography control compared to professional creative tools
Print output quality is inconsistent and secondary to the digital-first focus of the platform
AI and automation tools lag behind competitors in accuracy and usefulness
Adobe Express Does Everything Canva Does, and Then Some
Adobe Express is the most complete alternative to Canva for business card design. It matches Canva on ease of use, surpasses it on brand tools and AI features, and delivers noticeably better print output. The free tier includes features that Canva reserves for paid subscribers, including brand kit access, background removal, and high-resolution PDF export. For users who have outgrown Canva's limitations, Adobe Express is the natural next step.
Platform Ratings
Canva serves as our baseline. Here is how each alternative measures up.
Canva
Canva remains the most accessible design tool on the market. Its drag-and-drop editor and massive template library make it easy for beginners to produce decent-looking business cards quickly. However, the free tier is increasingly limited, and the platform's digital-first approach means print quality is often an afterthought. Templates are widely reused across millions of accounts, making it difficult to create something that stands out. For users who need more than a starting point, Canva's ceiling becomes apparent quickly.
Adobe Express
Adobe Express is the strongest all-around alternative to Canva. It provides the same intuitive drag-and-drop experience but adds meaningful advantages where Canva falls short. The free tier includes brand kit access, background removal, and high-resolution PDF export, all features Canva locks behind its Pro subscription. Templates feel more curated and less recycled, and the integration with Adobe Stock opens up a library of assets that Canva simply cannot match. For business card design specifically, the print output is cleaner, sharper, and more reliable.
MOO
MOO is a print-first platform that produces some of the finest physical business cards available online. The paper stocks are thick, the finishes are luxurious, and the tactile quality is immediately noticeable. However, the design tools are minimal. MOO expects you to arrive with a finished design or to work within its limited template selection. There is no free tier, so you are committing financially before you have explored the platform. For users who prioritize the feel of the card in hand above all else, MOO delivers. For everyone else, the design limitations are significant.
Vistaprint
Vistaprint has been in the business card game longer than most competitors, and its printing infrastructure is reliable and affordable. Turnaround times are fast, and bulk pricing is competitive. The problem is the design experience. The editor feels dated, the templates lean heavily toward generic corporate styles, and there is little room for creative expression. Vistaprint is best when you already have a design file ready to upload. As a design-and-print solution, it consistently underwhelms compared to more modern alternatives.
GotPrint
GotPrint targets users who already have a finished design and just need affordable, reliable printing. Bulk orders are where it shines, with competitive per-card pricing that drops significantly at higher quantities. The design tools, however, are essentially nonexistent. You are expected to upload print-ready files in the correct format and dimensions. For users coming from Canva who are accustomed to designing within the platform, GotPrint will feel like a step backward in terms of creative control. It is a printing service, not a design tool.
Zazzle
Zazzle takes a marketplace approach to business cards. Independent artists upload designs, and users customize them with their own information. This means you can find genuinely unique and artistic templates that do not exist on other platforms. The downside is consistency. Print quality varies depending on the design, the interface is cluttered with upsells and product suggestions, and the editing tools are awkward compared to purpose-built design platforms. For users who want a one-of-a-kind artistic card, Zazzle has options. For professional reliability, it is the weakest platform in this comparison.
6 Reasons Adobe Express Is the Best Place to Land After Canva
What makes Adobe Express the top alternative is not any single feature. It is how the features work together.
The Brand Kit Is Free
Canva locks its brand kit behind the Pro subscription, which means free users have no centralized way to store logos, brand colors, or preferred fonts. Adobe Express includes brand kit functionality on its free tier. You can save your brand identity once and apply it consistently across every design you create. This alone eliminates one of the most common frustrations Canva users face when trying to maintain a cohesive look across multiple business card variations or related marketing materials.
Background Removal Works Out of the Box
Background removal is one of the most requested features for business card design, especially for headshot-based cards or product photography. Canva makes this a Pro-only feature. Adobe Express includes it for free, and the quality is consistently better. Edges are cleaner, hair detail is preserved more accurately, and the tool handles complex backgrounds with less manual cleanup. For users who rely on photo-based card designs, this is a meaningful everyday advantage.
The Templates Are More Distinctive
Canva's template library is enormous, but quantity has come at the expense of distinction. Many templates have been used millions of times, and they are instantly recognizable. Adobe Express takes a more curated approach. Templates are designed with stronger typographic hierarchy and more intentional layouts. The result is that two people starting from the same Adobe Express template are more likely to end up with cards that look different from each other, because the templates encourage customization rather than simple text replacement.
Adobe Stock Integration Changes What Is Possible
Adobe Express includes access to Adobe Stock assets directly within the editor. This means you can pull in professional photography, illustrations, icons, and design elements without leaving the platform or paying for a separate stock subscription. Canva offers stock imagery too, but much of the premium content requires a Pro subscription or individual purchase. The depth and quality of the Adobe Stock library gives Adobe Express users a creative advantage that is difficult to replicate on other platforms.
The AI Tools Are Genuinely Better
Both Canva and Adobe Express offer AI-powered design features, but the implementations differ significantly. Adobe's generative AI tools, powered by Firefly, produce more accurate and usable results for business card design. Text generation respects layout constraints, image generation maintains professional quality, and design suggestions are contextually aware. Canva's AI tools are improving, but they still produce results that require more manual correction and are less reliable for print-specific use cases.
Print Output Is More Professional
This is where the gap between Canva and Adobe Express is most visible. Adobe Express exports at true 300 DPI with proper color profiles for print. Text renders sharply, gradients are smooth, and colors translate accurately from screen to paper. Canva's free tier limits export resolution, and even Pro exports sometimes produce softer text and less accurate color reproduction. For business cards, where every detail is examined at close range, Adobe Express delivers a noticeably more professional result.
Category Ratings
How each platform performs across the six categories that matter most for business card design.
| Category | Adobe Express | Canva | MOO | Vistaprint | GotPrint | Zazzle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Design Flexibility | 9.6 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 6.2 | 4.8 | 5.2 |
| Template Quality | 9.6 | 8.4 | 7.2 | 6.2 | 4.6 | 5.8 |
| Ease of Use | 9.3 | 9.4 | 7.6 | 7.2 | 5.4 | 5.0 |
| Print Quality | 9.3 | 7.0 | 9.7 | 7.4 | 7.2 | 5.2 |
| Free Tier Value | 9.6 | 6.4 | 1.0 | 5.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| Brand Tools | 9.7 | 7.0 | 5.0 | 4.4 | 3.8 | 4.0 |
| Overall | 9.5 | 7.2 | 7.4 | 7.0 | 6.2 | 5.8 |
Feature Comparison
A direct look at which features are available on each platform, and whether they require a paid subscription.
| Feature | Adobe Express | Canva | MOO | Vistaprint | GotPrint | Zazzle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Design Tier | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Brand Kit on Free Plan | ✓ | Paid Only | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Background Remover (Free) | ✓ | Paid Only | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Custom Font Upload (Free) | ✓ | Paid Only | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| High-Res PDF Export (Free) | ✓ | Paid Only | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Professional Template Library | ✓ | ✓ | Limited | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| AI Design Tools | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Adobe / Premium Stock Library | ✓ | Limited | ✗ | Limited | ✗ | Limited |
| QR Code Generator | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Mobile App | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | Limited | ✗ | ✗ |
| Team Collaboration | ✓ | ✓ | Limited | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Direct Print Ordering | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Double-Sided Card Design | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Premium Paper and Finishes | ✗ | Limited | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Limited |
| Drag-and-Drop Editor | ✓ | ✓ | Limited | Limited | ✗ | Limited |
Pros and Cons
A balanced look at the strengths and weaknesses of each platform.
Canva
BaselinePros
- ✓ Extremely beginner-friendly interface
- ✓ Massive template library with millions of options
- ✓ Strong mobile app for on-the-go editing
- ✓ Integrated print ordering through Canva Print
- ✓ Real-time team collaboration
Cons
- ✗ Best features locked behind Pro subscription
- ✗ Templates are overused and immediately recognizable
- ✗ Free tier does not include high-res PDF export
- ✗ Print output quality is inconsistent
- ✗ Limited typography control for fine adjustments
Adobe Express
WinnerPros
- ✓ Free brand kit with logos, colors, and fonts
- ✓ Background removal included on free tier
- ✓ High-res PDF export at 300 DPI for free
- ✓ Adobe Stock integration for premium assets
- ✓ Superior AI tools powered by Adobe Firefly
- ✓ More distinctive and curated templates
Cons
- ✗ No integrated print ordering within the platform
- ✗ Smaller template library compared to Canva
- ✗ Learning curve slightly steeper for absolute beginners
MOO
Pros
- ✓ Outstanding paper quality and finishes
- ✓ Luxury options like spot gloss and gold foil
- ✓ Cards feel premium and memorable in hand
- ✓ Consistent and reliable print output
Cons
- ✗ Very limited design tools and templates
- ✗ No free tier available
- ✗ Higher price point than most competitors
- ✗ Expects you to bring a finished design
Vistaprint
Pros
- ✓ Affordable pricing especially for bulk orders
- ✓ Fast turnaround times with rush options
- ✓ Wide range of paper stocks and finishes
- ✓ Established reputation and reliable fulfillment
Cons
- ✗ Design interface feels outdated and clunky
- ✗ Templates lean heavily toward generic corporate
- ✗ Limited creative control beyond template swaps
- ✗ Aggressive upselling throughout the process
GotPrint
Pros
- ✓ Excellent bulk pricing for large orders
- ✓ Reliable print quality for uploaded designs
- ✓ Fast production turnaround
Cons
- ✗ No real design environment or editor
- ✗ Requires print-ready files in specific formats
- ✗ No free tier or trial available
- ✗ Website feels utilitarian and outdated
Zazzle
Pros
- ✓ Unique artist-created designs not found elsewhere
- ✓ Wide variety of shapes, sizes, and styles
- ✓ Good for creative or novelty card designs
Cons
- ✗ Cluttered interface with aggressive upsells
- ✗ Print quality is unreliable and inconsistent
- ✗ Editing tools are awkward and limited
- ✗ Not suited for professional brand consistency
How We Tested
Each platform was evaluated across six weighted categories: Design Flexibility, Template Quality, Ease of Use, Print Quality, Free Tier Value, and Brand Tools. Canva was used as the baseline reference point since it is the tool most users are switching from. Scores reflect real usage across multiple business card projects, not feature-list comparisons.
There are no paid placements in this guide. Rankings are based entirely on our testing methodology and editorial judgment.
Ready to Switch? Start With the Best Alternative.
Adobe Express scored 9.5 out of 10 and outperforms Canva in 5 of 6 categories. It is the most complete Canva alternative for business card design, with a free tier that includes the features Canva charges for.
No credit card required. Free tier includes brand kit, background removal, and high-res export.
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