Softwr

Software · head to head

Canva vs Float

Canva logo

Canva

Software

Design anything. Publish anywhere.

From
Free
Rated
-
Float logo

Float

Software

Resource management for agencies and teams

From
$6/month
Rated
-

The short version

  • Only Canva has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Canva requires active internet connection, no offline editing capability; Float web-only platform without native desktop applications
  • They diverge on capability: Canva covers Drag-and-drop editor, Float covers Resource scheduling.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Canva and Float actually diverge.

Attributes where Canva and Float differ
AttributeCanvaFloat
Starting priceFree$6/month
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
Founded20132011

Identical on both: platforms (Web, iOS, Android), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Canva

  • Drag-and-drop editor
  • Templates library
  • Stock photos & elements
  • Text effects
  • Animation
  • Collaboration
  • Brand kit
  • Resize tool

Only in Float

  • Resource scheduling
  • Capacity planning
  • Time tracking
  • Project planning
  • Reports
  • Asana
  • Jira
  • Teamwork

Both cover

  • Slack

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Canva

  • Social media graphicsnot Float
  • Presentationsnot Float
  • Marketing materialsnot Float
  • Documentsnot Float
  • Video editingnot Float

Float

  • Schedulingnot Canva
  • Appointment bookingnot Canva
  • Time trackingnot Canva
  • Resource managementnot Canva
  • Team coordinationnot Canva

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Canva

  • Requires active internet connection, no offline editing capability
  • No vector pen tool or advanced vector editing features
  • No CMYK color management or print-ready bleed controls
  • Cannot export to PSD (Photoshop) or AI (Illustrator) formats
  • Large user base means many templates see repeated use, reducing design uniqueness

Float

  • Web-only platform without native desktop applications
  • No offline mode for resource planning
  • Limited reporting customization on lower-tier plans
  • No built-in payroll or invoicing features

Pricing, plan by plan

Canva

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 1.6M+ templates
    • 5GB storage
    • 50 AI credits/month
  • Pro$18/month
    • 141M+ premium assets
    • Magic Studio
    • 500 AI credits/month
  • Business$25/user-month
    • Unlimited brand kits
    • Team collaboration

Float

$6/month
  • Starter$6/month
    • Resource scheduling
    • Time off
    • Basic reports
  • Pro$10/month
    • Time tracking
    • Budget tracking
    • Advanced reports

Which should you pick?

Choose Canva if

  • You need drag-and-drop editor.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want templates library.

Choose Float if

  • You need resource scheduling.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want capacity planning.

Questions people ask

Is Canva or Float better?
Neither clearly leads. Canva starts at Free and Float at $6/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Canva or Float?
Canva has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Canva and $6/month for Float.
Does Canva or Float run on more platforms?
Canva runs on Web, iOS, Android. Float runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use Canva for free?
Yes. Canva has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Float starts at $6/month.
What is Canva best used for?
Canva is most often used for social media graphics, presentations, marketing materials, documents. Of those, social media graphics and presentations are not what Float is typically brought in for.
What can Canva do that Float cannot?
Canva covers Drag-and-drop editor, Templates library, Stock photos & elements, Text effects. Float covers Resource scheduling, Capacity planning, Time tracking, Project planning. Both handle Slack.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Canva: Is Canva really free?

Yes. The free plan is permanent with no trial or credit card required. It includes 1.6M+ templates, 5GB storage, 50 Magic Studio AI credits/month, and basic collaboration.

Source
Float: What does Float pricing start at?

Float's Starter plan begins at $7 per user per month for basic resource scheduling and capacity management. The Pro plan costs $12 per user per month with advanced features like estimates and actuals tracking.

Source
Canva: What requires internet connection?

Canva is web-based and requires an active internet connection to use. It cannot be used offline and may experience slowness or freezing on poor connections.

Source
Float: Is Float independent or backed by investors?

Float is independent and self-funded. The company is a B Corp certified since 2024 and is profitable. It has never raised venture funding and operates with a fully remote team.

Source
Canva: Can I export to professional formats like PSD or AI?

No. Canva does not support export to Adobe PSD or Illustrator AI formats. Export options are limited to PNG, PDF, MP4, and other basic formats.

Source
Float: What platforms does Float support?

Float is a web-based platform accessible through modern browsers. It provides visual resource management, scheduling, capacity planning, time tracking, and forecasting tools.

Source
Canva: How many AI credits do I get?

Free tier includes 50 Magic Studio credits per month for AI image generation, copywriting, and background removal. Pro and higher tiers get 500 credits/month.

Source

Related pages

Other head to heads