Let's cut the crap: most design tool reviews are written by people who've never actually used the damn things for real work. I've spent the last 15 years testing every "game-changer" that hits the market, and 90% of them are overpriced garbage. Today, we're tearing apart Canva Pro and its top competitors—Adobe Express and Figma—based on what actually matters: getting shit done without losing your mind or your wallet.
The Meat: Where These Tools Actually Differ
1. The Asset Library: Canva's Killer vs. Everyone Else's Trash
Canva Pro's asset library is a beast. 100+ million stock photos, videos, and graphics that don't look like they were shot in 2005. Adobe Express? You get maybe 25,000 decent ones before you're paying extra. Figma? Basically zero—you're hunting on Unsplash like a peasant. But here's the annoyance: Canva's search is sometimes so dumb it feels broken. I searched for "modern office background" last week and got pictures of vintage typewriters. For a tool built on AI, that's embarrassing.
2. Collaboration: Figma's Domain vs. Canva's Lag
Figma runs circles around everyone for real-time collaboration. Multiple people can edit a design simultaneously without the whole thing crashing. Canva's collaboration feels like an afterthought—it works, but there's always a 2-3 second lag when someone else moves an element. I almost lost a client because we were both trying to fix a typo in a live presentation and Canva froze, showing them a half-finished slide. Not cool.
💡 Pro Tip: If you use Canva Pro for team projects, ALWAYS use the "version history" feature before making big changes. I've saved hours of work by reverting when someone accidentally deleted a master slide.
3. Pricing: The Hidden Fee Trap
Canva Pro costs $120/year per person. Adobe Express is $99/year but then gouges you for premium assets. Figma starts at $12/month per editor but gets expensive fast for teams. The real rip-off? Adobe's "free" plan that locks basic features like removing backgrounds behind a paywall. It's a classic bait-and-switch.
The Data: Cold, Hard Specs
| Feature | Canva Pro | Adobe Express | Figma |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (Annual) | $120/user | $99/user | $144+/user |
| Asset Library | 100M+ included | Limited, upsells | Minimal |
| Real-time Collab | Yes (with lag) | Basic | Industry best |
| Brand Kit | Unlimited | 1 kit | Via plugins |
| Export Options | PNG, JPG, PDF, MP4 | PNG, JPG, PDF | PNG, JPG, SVG, PDF |
The Verdict
Buy Canva Pro if you're a solopreneur, marketer, or small team that needs to pump out good-looking social media graphics, presentations, and basic videos FAST. The asset library alone is worth the price. Avoid it if you're doing complex UI/UX design or need flawless real-time collaboration—get Figma instead. Adobe Express? Skip it unless you're already trapped in the Adobe ecosystem and don't mind paying extra for everything.
Originally published at Nexus AI
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