Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Blender
Score 9.2 out of 10
N/A
Blender is a free and open source 3D creation suite available in under the GNU General Public License. It supports the entirety of the 3D pipeline—modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing and motion tracking, video editing and 2D animation pipeline. Blender Cloud is a related service accessible via subscription, and is a training and content platform providing access to expertise from the Blender Institute for advancing one's use of Blender.
$11.50
per month
Canva
Score 9.1 out of 10
N/A
Canva is a popular, simple online graphic design tool. Users can import images, use templates to design banners and logos, or pay to use Canva's premium stock images/paid templates (elements starting at $1).
$12.95
per month
PicMonkey
Score 8.4 out of 10
N/A
PicMonkey, from the company of the same name in Seattle, is an application designed to help users create standout visuals for Insta posts, Facebook covers, YouTube thumbnails, web pages, holiday cards, posters or anything with a visual, offering graphics and templates, unlimited stock photos and features to support illustrative presentations.
$7.99
per month
Pricing
BlenderCanvaPicMonkey
Editions & Modules
Blender Cloud Membership
$11.50
per month
Pro
$12.95
per month
Enterprise
$30.00
Per Month Per User
Basic
$7.99
per month
Pro
$12.99
per month
Team
$33.99
per month
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
BlenderCanvaPicMonkey
Free Trial
NoNoNo
Free/Freemium Version
YesYesNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
BlenderCanvaPicMonkey
Considered Multiple Products
Blender
Chose Blender
The biggest advantage of Blender over these alternatives was how easy it was to learn, even for team members with no previous experience in 3D modeling, design, or any artistic field. The fact that it allows you to import or export files in most of the existing 3D model …
Canva
Chose Canva
PicMonkey does not provide a free option, and its template library is less than Canva's. Both platforms have a simple user interface and are suitable for beginners. Canva, on the other hand, provides more comprehensive tools for producing graphics for social media, …
Chose Canva
Canva is a user-friendly platform that beginners can learn easily. Canva is a fast way to get designs done quickly. The Templates are very good. I found the others were hard to learn, limited in design abilities, or just too expensive. I love other software options but this is …
Chose Canva
Canva is more intuitive and easier to use than Adobe PhotoShop or Illustrator. I'm not a designer, I work in Marketing so when I needed creatives made I had to outsource to our design team and try to fit my project on their calendar. I tried to learn other programs myself but …
PicMonkey
Chose PicMonkey
Adobe Photoshop is a better service with many more options, but for basic image manipulation for someone who is a beginner, PicMonkey is superior. There is almost NO learning curve. Canva has much better templates and design options, but not as many photo editing options. I …
Chose PicMonkey
I believe that PicMonkey is more user-friendly than something like Canva. I have used PicMonkey for several years (since before its name change!), so I am most comfortable with PicMonkey.
Chose PicMonkey
We find that PicMonkey is better suited for our needs, which are largely for online graphics, images, and infographics aimed at catching the attention of our audience and soliciting them to engage in our posts and email requests. Canva is better suited perhaps for the creation …
Chose PicMonkey
PicMonkey better suited my needs than Canva because it was easier to complete multiple items within one editing template. As a busy professional, I have to find time in between clients to push content out on Social Media or to email graphics to potential clients and PicMonkey …
Chose PicMonkey
Too confusing to learn and not easy to use!
Best Alternatives
BlenderCanvaPicMonkey
Small Businesses
Onshape
Onshape
Score 7.6 out of 10
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite
Score 7.3 out of 10
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite
Score 7.3 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Onshape
Onshape
Score 7.6 out of 10
GIMP
GIMP
Score 8.1 out of 10
GIMP
GIMP
Score 8.1 out of 10
Enterprises
Navisworks
Navisworks
Score 9.3 out of 10
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite
Score 7.3 out of 10
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite
Score 7.3 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
BlenderCanvaPicMonkey
Likelihood to Recommend
9.8
(25 ratings)
9.7
(174 ratings)
10.0
(6 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
-
(0 ratings)
8.0
(7 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
Usability
8.4
(2 ratings)
10.0
(14 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
Availability
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Performance
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
-
(0 ratings)
6.9
(15 ratings)
9.8
(5 ratings)
Implementation Rating
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(2 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Product Scalability
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
BlenderCanvaPicMonkey
Likelihood to Recommend
Open Source
Blender is an excellent tool for everything from simple to complex 3D animations, the creation of 3D images, etc. It performs excellently in all of these areas. In the realm of 3D modelling, animation and rendering, there is very little that Blender is not suited for.
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Canva
They are suited to serve the non-profit space, offering premium features at no charge for up to 50 users. They provide tools for non-graphic designers that help to create appealing and attractive pieces. For those who are unsure about where to start with a project, Canva offers templates that can be edited to suit the current need.
Read full review
PicMonkey
I would definitely recommend PicMonkey! It is diverse for the average person or the business professional. If you need to edit pictures, create graphics, or implement marketing media this is the tool to use! It may not be enough for someone who needs something a bit more advanced like Photoshop, but in my experience it has covered everything I need.
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Pros
Open Source
  • Creating complex polygonal geometries is very easy in Blender.
  • Edit Mode and Sculpt Mode helps in creating non uniform surfaces for objects like rocks, surfaces, terrains etc.
  • Blender can use various external plugins to make it work in more smoother way. For example to import any 3d object one can use sketchfab plugin and easily import the free assets from web after logging in.
  • Blender has a better rendering engine known as Cycles, it is far more better than any other stock rendering engine which can generate realistic lightning, shadows and reflections.
  • The animations can easily be generated with blender animation toolbar and also it incorporate any other animations made in any other software.
  • The bone generation and its behavior of animations can be achieved easily in blender.
Read full review
Canva
  • It helps you find the right design and helps you start with the right template
  • It helps in creating for all platforms, basically you need to create the design only once and Canva takes care of the rest by resizing the design for whichever platform you want to publish it to.
  • It also comes with a content planner which is extremely helpful for obvious reasons. It relieves you from the hassle of posting when the right time hits.
  • There's a Brand feature which is also extremely fascinating as it helps you store all your brand information (even color) at the same place.
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PicMonkey
  • Simple & easy to use.
  • Plenty of content - always make something unique.
  • Organized.
  • Inexpensive.
  • Always improving & adding new content.
  • Search bar.
Read full review
Cons
Open Source
  • It's really a hard question, but it could be: a game engine. Older versions used to have it; I would use it to simulate machines game-like.
  • I'm struggling to find another one; maybe the fact that it is so powerful and has so many features that learning it can be daunting; better documentation WITH examples and/or a map of Blender capabilities would help to know where you are in terms of knowledge and the planning the roadmap to where you want to go.
  • Precision modeling. Coming from CAD and using Blender as part of my design workflow, I'd love to be able to model inside Blender as I model with CAD tools. At this moment, it's simply impossible.
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Canva
  • I have a hard time coming up with any improvements, perhaps increase the number of free elements to use in design.
  • Maybe, Canva should check if you start editing a previous document to see if you want to change the current design or create a new one as a clone of the current document (design).
  • I'm sorry, I really can't think of a 3rd. Overall, I really like working in Canva.
Read full review
PicMonkey
  • Changes to toolkit / use buttons are sometimes difficult to keep up with
  • Separating free items (fonts, images, etc.. ) from those requiring upgrade
  • Explanation of sizing tools / pixels is difficult to understand and apply
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Likelihood to Renew
Open Source
No answers on this topic
Canva
The ease of use makes Canva a powerful tool for manipulating images, creating original content, and testing ideas without requiring the involvement of graphic design or more time-intensive image editing software such as Photoshop. While it doesn't have the full functionality of a mature software, such as Photoshop, The speed and simplicity of Canva makes it a necessity in a business of any size
Read full review
PicMonkey
No answers on this topic
Usability
Open Source
Because while it's a pretty good piece of software, the default built-in commands, the interface layout, and certain functions aren't as logical in their way of being arranged and executed. This, of course, doesn't diminish its use or effectiveness in your field of work, but it is quite awkward at first. A big advantage is that Blender lets you customize the interface however you want as well as keyboard shortcuts and several general program parameters.
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Canva
It is super easy to use, but it could be limiting if you're on a small device. It is easier on a bigger device because you can resize graphics and text easier than with your fingers on a small device. I do think it's perfect and easy for non-designers who don't have any training. As long as you have a good eye for visuals, Canva is a wonderful substitute for graphics programs on-the-go.
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PicMonkey
PicMonkey's usability is outstanding! I was able to learn how to edit my photos and create graphics in a short period of time. Between the tutorials and the amazing user interface, I felt like a pro! PicMonkey is very detailed but not so overwhelming that you miss out on great features.
Read full review
Reliability and Availability
Open Source
No answers on this topic
Canva
I have yet to encounter Canva being offline in at least 6 years of using it regularly. They also announce well in advance if there may be upgrades to the code and the hours during which there may be issues accessing the service.
Read full review
PicMonkey
No answers on this topic
Performance
Open Source
No answers on this topic
Canva
I haven't ever had issues with a slow-loading site and there haven't been any lag issues within the software. There have been maybe a handful of times over the past six years where I have tried to upload a large image and it will slow down as it loads the last megabyte, but I have yet to have the system time out or require any interference by me
Read full review
PicMonkey
No answers on this topic
Support Rating
Open Source
No answers on this topic
Canva
Overall, Canva is easy to use, easy to train others to use, allows for creativity with a professional look without enormous associated costs. The mobile apps works almost as easily, but at a minimum allows for easy review and downloading in a pinch. Really, anyone can learn to use Canva quickly and will immediately benefit from the results.
Read full review
PicMonkey
I personally never really need support with PicMonkey. It works great, and I can find what I need. There may have been a few times when I've Googled for an answer related to PicMonkey, but I've not had a question answered.
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Implementation Rating
Open Source
No answers on this topic
Canva
Remember to download the mobile app onto your phone for easy image manipulation on the go. Adding company colors, logos, and typefaces to your company account is an easy process. When images are uploaded, these can also be shared between accounts within a company, as can canvases you've created for easy editing among teams.
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PicMonkey
No answers on this topic
Alternatives Considered
Open Source
We've only used the consumer (non-pro) version of SketchUp, which we love, but is very limited in features and output capabilities compared to Blender. While Blender's learning curve is MUCH steeper than SketchUp, it feels like truly complete, professional design software.
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Canva
Canva is faster and easy to use. There aren't complex menus like Adobe products and everything is generally intuitive. Menus are mostly open and visible or relatively small. Small changes to the program add to it's usability rather than detract. I also appreciate that Canva helps the user become more creative through use. By giving you editable examples through templates you can choose to re-design something ir create something from scratch w/ a similar concept or feel. Canva often gives me ideas that I can implement into my design or into the entire project even. I also like how Canva is intuitive in it's approach. The program gives you suggestions when it comes to graphics, etc. without getting in your way if you know what you already want
Read full review
PicMonkey
Adobe Photoshop is a better service with many more options, but for basic image manipulation for someone who is a beginner, PicMonkey is superior. There is almost NO learning curve. Canva has much better templates and design options, but not as many photo editing options. I like to use a combination of PicMonkey and Canva for my small-business marketing needs.
Read full review
Scalability
Open Source
No answers on this topic
Canva
Very easy to add accounts and share content between them. Collaboration is also easy to manage and can be done on a project-by-project basis. The cloud-based software means it is incredibly fast to add a coworker and have them editing images within minutes. A live internet connection is required to access Canva so this is something to consider if expecting to use the software while on journeys without access to wifi etc
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PicMonkey
No answers on this topic
Return on Investment
Open Source
  • As it is a beginner-friendly software with increasing demand in the animation sector again, it positively impacts the business.
  • Except in some specific cases, no one will use Blender on their own at a professional level.
  • When I was a beginner, it took me a lot of time to learn, consequently designing the creation. But if we want to learn to master Blender, we can do it. As long as we have time and a lot of willpower, since, we repeat, it is not a simple program and hides thousands of tools and possibilities.
Read full review
Canva
  • As far as ROI is concerned, Canva has proven itself time and time again as having a positive impact for business.
  • Just yesterday, I had to prepare an hour-long presentation on the fly; the great reviews of the presentation and the materials (all made in Canva) only served to advertise for Canva and it proves that Canva is a smart investment.
  • I don't think in the time that I have been a Canva pro user that I can say that my ROI has been negatively impacted. Highest recommendation. The software more the casually pays for itself time and time again.
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PicMonkey
  • We see an increase in user engagement when we use these graphics online.
  • We see more tangible interactions with our materials.
  • We hear positive feedback about our branding and marketing.
Read full review
ScreenShots