Canva vs Adobe Express (2025): Templates, Brand Kits, Pricing

TL;DR: Pick Canva if you want the biggest template library and smooth team collaboration. Pick Adobe Express if you already live in the Adobe world and want quick, high‑quality assets without leaving that ecosystem.

At a glance

• Templates and assets: breadth vs curation
• Brand kits and collaboration
• Background removal and AI tools
• Export options and social scheduling
• Pricing considerations (plans change—always check the official pages)

Features compared

Templates and assets

Canva’s library is massive. If you need a flyer by lunch and an Instagram carousel by dinner, you’ll probably find three dozen decent options without scrolling forever. Adobe Express leans more curated; you’ll get strong, on‑brand options, and the quality of stock elements is consistently high, especially if you use Adobe’s ecosystem already.

Takeaway: If variety is your top priority, Canva wins. If you value polished, Adobe‑style aesthetics and tighter integration with Adobe fonts/stock, Express feels more at home.

Brand kits and collaboration

Both let you save brand colors, logos, and preferred fonts, then apply them to templates. Real‑time collaboration is solid on both, with comments and basic approvals built in. Canva has a reputation for being extremely approachable for non‑designers in a team; Express keeps things simple but shines when your wider workflow is in Photoshop/Illustrator/Lightroom.

Takeaway: Teams not tied to Adobe tend to ramp faster on Canva. Adobe‑centric teams benefit from Express simply slotting into what they already use.

Background removal and AI tools

Both offer one‑click background removal and a basket of AI‑assisted helpers (text effects, resize/“magic” layouts, and more). Express benefits from Adobe’s generative tech in specific features, while Canva’s Magic tools cover a broad set of everyday creator needs. Exact AI features and limits change frequently, so expect the specifics to evolve.

Export and social scheduling

Exporting to PNG/JPG/PDF/MP4 is straightforward on both. If you schedule posts, both offer social scheduling tied to connected accounts. The details—how many accounts, which networks, and whether scheduling is included—vary by plan and change over time, so confirm before committing your workflow.

Pricing overview (high level)

Both have generous free tiers and paid plans that unlock more assets, brand features, and collaboration options. Prices and inclusions change, so check their current plan pages to avoid surprises.

Who should use which

• Canva: You want the widest template selection, quick collaboration, and a tool non‑designers can learn in an afternoon.
• Adobe Express: You already use Adobe apps, want a streamlined way to spin up on‑brand assets, and prefer Adobe fonts/stock and quick actions.

FAQ

Which has the better free plan?

It depends on your use case. Canva’s free plan gives you a very broad template library and gets many teams surprisingly far. Adobe Express’s free tier is capable and is especially handy if you’re already in the Adobe ecosystem. The specifics change—always check what’s currently included.

Can I import PSD/AI files?

Both can work with common formats, but behavior varies by file and feature. If you have complex PSD/AI files, test a sample before switching your workflow; you may still want to finish advanced edits in Photoshop/Illustrator.

Verdict

• Canva is the most approachable option for most creators and small teams thanks to massive templates and friendly collaboration.
• Adobe Express is the best fit if you’re already paying for or relying on Adobe tools and want quick, consistent outputs with minimal friction.