Buffer vs Canva
A side-by-side look at Buffer and Canva: what each costs to start, whether there is a free plan, how easy they are to pick up, and which features and integrations they cover.
Which should you choose?
Choose Buffer if
- Solo creators and small businesses scheduling a few channels
- Small agencies managing several clients
- Teams that want predictable pricing and a simple workflow
Choose Canva if
- Marketers and small businesses producing social and print graphics quickly
- Non-designers who need presentations, flyers and short videos
- Teams that want shared brand kits and approved templates
Cheapest to start
Not confirmed
Free plan
Buffer, Canva
Highest editor rating
Canva · 4.6
| Compare | Buffer |
|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes |
| Starting price | From $6/mo |
| Editor rating | 4.1 |
| Ease of use | Very easy (5/5) |
| Category | Marketing |
| Pricing model | Free plan for 3 channels; Essentials is $6 per channel per month ($5 annually), Team $12 per channel ($10 annually), Agency from $120 per month for 10 channels ($100 annually). |
| Plans |
|
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| Integrations | Canva, Facebook & Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, Zapier |
| Best for |
|
| Pros |
|
| Cons |
|
| AI assistant | Yes |
| AI content generation | No |
| API access | No |
| Background removal | No |
| Brand kit | No |
| Browser extension | Yes |
| Calendar view | Yes |
| Comments & mentions | No |
| Desktop app | No |
| Mobile app | Yes |
| Photo editing | No |
| Real-time collaboration | No |
| Reporting & dashboards | Yes |
| Roles & permissions | Yes |
| Social media scheduling | Yes |
| Stock media library | No |
| Templates | No |
Common questions
- Does Buffer or Canva have a free plan?
- Both do. Buffer and Canva each offer a free tier, so you can try either without paying.
- How long is the Buffer and Canva free trial?
- Buffer offers a 14-day free trial, and Canva offers a 30-day free trial.