Adobe Illustrator vs Canva | TrustRadius

What users are saying about

Score 9.2 out of 10

Based on 690 reviews and ratings

Score 9.1 out of 10

Based on 438 reviews and ratings

Pros

Extremely robust vector editing tools are superior to most other vector graphics software. Illustrator has been the standard for two decades and continues to be.
Artboard flexibility. The addition of multiple, editable artboards a few generations ago allowed a single Illustrator file to be much more comprehensive, both for concept work and for multi-page/screen projects.
Integration with other Creative Cloud products is increasingly seamless.

Read full review

Creative Director

Frontline EducationComputer Software, 501-1000 employees

View all 66 answers on this topic

It has lovely templates if you want to start from a beautiful starting point.
You can easily customize templates are start-from-scratch on your graphics.
There are lots of free graphics to use, but you can also pay for more premium ones.

Read full review

Graphic Designer

Shishido CreativeGraphic Design, 1-10 employees

View all 96 answers on this topic

Cons

Illustrator has so many features and can feel like learning a new language if you're a beginner (thankfully, tutorial videos are everywhere).
With such a high level of sophistication, it can sometimes be tempting to use a simpler program (such as Paint) when the full suite feels like overkill.
The sheer scale of Illustrator's offerings can be daunting, so it requires some stick-to-it-iveness to not feel mired in it.

Read full review

Public Information Officer

Betty Hardwick CenterMental Health Care, 201-500 employees

View all 66 answers on this topic

Perhaps it is a function of a higher pay-tier, but the ability to export the finished product into a different filetype would be helpful. Currently, it exports into .jpg, .png, and .pdf. Being able to use .doc, .eps, or .indd would be advantageous.
Though Canva features a great font selection, it would a nice to be able to upload a font for use in the product.

Read full review

Director of Digital Marketing

407 MarketingMarketing and Advertising, 1-10 employees

View all 96 answers on this topic

Likelihood to Renew

Adobe Illustrator 9.5

Based on 2 answers

While Adobe Illustrator CC is one of the only true design software out there, it really stands heads above the other products. It's clean UI and menu structure is easy to navigate.

Read full review

Creative Director

Ada Bible ChurchReligious Institutions, 51-200 employees

View all 2 answers on this topic

Canva 5.1

Based on 2 answers

Because there are tones of different ways to use it properly. Canva provides a very satisfying user experience

Read full review

Business Owner

MiniFabrikamConsumer Services, 1-10 employees

View all 2 answers on this topic

Usability

Adobe Illustrator 7.2

Based on 4 answers

Illustrator has become easier in recent years to use with more intuitive tools and controls for them. Illustration software has improved but Adobe Illustrator has kept up and keeps the edge with its extensive toolset. Newly added collaboration tools with Adobe make it even better and the expectation is that is to continue.

Read full review

Creative Director

Links Technology SolutionsInternet, 51-200 employees

View all 4 answers on this topic

Canva 9.3

Based on 11 answers

I have seen firsthand how easy it is for new staff to get up-to-speed on design projects and quickly start using the program. We produce a lot of collateral on a regular basis, and new hires, with no experience using design software in the past, immediately felt comfortable enough with the interface and help features to start producing great looking materials.

Read full review

Verified User

C-Level Executive in Other

Performing Arts Company, 11-50 employees

View all 11 answers on this topic

Support Rating

Adobe Illustrator 8.2

Based on 29 answers

I've only had to reach out to their support team one time and they were able to answer my question fairly quickly. It must have been a common issue because they made it seem like several people had the same issue. The only down side to their support was that it took awhile to get in touch with someone.

Read full review

Verified User

Administrator in Information Technology

Education Management Company, 51-200 employees

View all 29 answers on this topic

Canva 8.2

Based on 25 answers

I don't think I've ever had to use the support for Canva because everything in the platform is so straight forward. I guess you could say that not having to reach out to anyone based on the performance of their program would qualify them for a ten out of ten rating!

Read full review

Digital Marketing Specialist - Team Lead

Select BlindsRetail, 51-200 employees

View all 25 answers on this topic

Implementation Rating

No score

No answers yet

No answers on this topic

Canva 10.0

Based on 2 answers

This question shouldn't be asked for a tool which only requires a sign-up via email/Social.

Read full review

Content Marketer

WingifyInformation Technology and Services, 51-200 employees

View all 2 answers on this topic

Alternatives Considered

Photoshop is much easier to learn and utilize, but Adobe Illustrator definitely has more features and customizations. For basic day-to-day designing, I'd choose Photoshop any day, just because of its ease of use and how simple it is to find tutorials and assistance online. For more in-depth designers, I could see how Illustrator could be a preference with more features.

Read full review

Marketing and Social Media Coordinator

Becovic Management GroupReal Estate, 11-50 employees

View all 66 answers on this topic

I would pick Canva for the ease of use for small quick projects. I would use the other programs for creating more complex projects like wall wraps or posters, etc. Canva does not have the ability to scale for projects such as a wall wrap. The precision that is required for that type of project is much better handled by the Adobe projects with Illustrator being the one I would use.

Read full review

Verified User

Professional in Marketing

Construction Company, 10,001+ employees

View all 96 answers on this topic

Return on Investment

We are now able to create original illustrations for our marketing campaigns rather than having to rely on stock graphics. A lot of our competitors don't do this, so it helps us stand out.
We are now able to create original infographics rather than having to outsource this service. We save money by doing more in-house.

Read full review

Verified User

Employee in Marketing

Computer Software Company, 51-200 employees

View all 66 answers on this topic

I managed to impress many of my clients with the speed we managed to turn around and update social media designs. This helped us retain them for longer periods of time
You can't go wrong with fancy reports, my managers always expressed their delight whenever I delivered a professional looking elegant report
Saved me a lot time that I would've spent learning more complex tools like Photoshop and Illustrator to deliver simple designs.

Read full review

Verified User

Manager in Marketing

Marketing and Advertising Company, 1001-5000 employees

View all 96 answers on this topic

Pricing Details

General

Free Trial

—

Free/Freemium Version

—

Premium Consulting/Integration Services

—

Entry-level set up fee?

No

Adobe Illustrator Editions & Modules

Edition

Annual	$20.99¹
Monthly	$31.49¹

per month

Additional Pricing Details

—

General

Free Trial

—

Free/Freemium Version

Yes

Premium Consulting/Integration Services

—

Entry-level set up fee?

No

Canva Editions & Modules

Edition

Pro	$12.95¹
Enterprise	$30.00²

Per Month
Per Month Per User

Additional Pricing Details

—

Add comparison