Canva vs Metricool
Canva
- Platform: Visual design and content creation
- Best For: Non-designers creating graphics and videos
- Strength: Intuitive drag-and-drop editor with vast templates
- Users: 201M+ monthly active users
Starting at $12.99/month
Metricool
- Platform: Social media across multiple platforms
- Best For: Marketers and agencies handling scheduling and analytics
- Strength: Integrated planner, AI assistant, and reporting
- Users: 5M+ brands
Starting at $18/month
Table of Contents
At a Glance
Visual Design & Content Creation
| Feature | Canva | Metricool |
|---|---|---|
| Drag-and-drop editor | ✓ Core intuitive editor for graphics, videos, presentations | ✗ No built-in design editor; integrates with Canva |
| Template library | ✓ Thousands of templates for social, marketing, print | ✗ No templates; focuses on planning not creation |
| Stock media (photos, videos, icons) | ✓ Extensive integrated library | ✗ No stock media; relies on integrations |
| AI-powered editing (e.g., background remover) | ✓ Magic Design, background remover for visuals | ✓ AI Social Media Assistant for content ideas |
| Video editing | ✓ Basic transitions, animations, audio | ✗ No video editing; scheduling only |
Social Media Management
| Feature | Canva | Metricool |
|---|---|---|
| Content scheduling | ✗ No scheduling; export and manual post | ✓ Unlimited scheduling with visual planner |
| Visual planner/calendar | ✗ No social calendar | ✓ Drag-and-drop planner with best-time suggestions |
| Platform support (Instagram, Facebook, etc.) | ✗ Designs exportable to any platform | ✓ Supports multiple networks including Reels/Stories |
| Unified inbox for messages/comments | ✗ No inbox features | ✓ Centralized engagement across platforms |
| Link-in-bio tool | ✗ Can design but no analytics | ✓ SmartLinks with multiple links and analytics |
Analytics & Reporting
| Feature | Canva | Metricool |
|---|---|---|
| Social media analytics | ✗ No analytics | ✓ Hashtag, Reels, competitor analysis |
| Competitor analysis | ✗ Not available | ✓ Up to 100 profiles per brand |
| Custom reports (PDF, PPT, CSV) | ✗ Export designs only | ✓ Customizable templates and Looker Studio connector |
| Historical data access | ✗ No data tracking | ✓ Unlimited historical data (with limits on X) |
Collaboration & Team Features
| Feature | Canva | Metricool |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time collaboration | ✓ Commenting, shared folders for designs | ✓ Team access, role-based permissions |
| Brand kits/management | ✓ Logos, colors, fonts for consistent designs | ✓ Brand-level access control |
| Approval workflows | ✗ Basic sharing only | ✓ Post approval for teams/clients |
| Multi-brand support | ✓ Team workspaces for multiple projects | ✓ Up to 50+ brands on higher plans |
Integrations & Accessibility
| Feature | Canva | Metricool |
|---|---|---|
| Cross-platform access (web, mobile, desktop) | ✓ Full apps for all | ✓ Web and mobile focus |
| Integrations (e.g., Zapier, Canva) | ✓ Exports to many tools | ✓ Google Drive, Canva, Zapier, Make |
| API access | ✗ Limited API | ✓ On Advanced/Custom plans |
| Export options | ✓ Images, PDFs, videos, links | ✓ Reports in PDF/PPT/CSV |
Pricing Comparison
Canva starts with a robust free plan and Pro at $12.99/month for premium design features, offering great value for creators. Metricool's free plan is limited, with Starter at $18/month scaling for multi-brand management, providing strong analytics value for social teams.
Canva
Canva Free
Free
Beginners testing basic design needs
- Access to core Canva editor and basic design tools
- Thousands of free templates across multiple categories
- Hundreds of thousands of free photos and graphics
- Collaboration with basic sharing options
- Limited cloud storage for designs and uploads
Canva Pro (Monthly)
$12.99/month
Individuals and small teams needing premium assets
- Everything in Free plus premium templates and elements
- Brand Kit with logos, colors, and fonts
- Background remover and other advanced editing tools
- Magic Resize for adapting designs to multiple formats
- Increased cloud storage and upload limits
Canva Pro (Yearly)
$119.99/year
Cost-conscious users wanting annual savings
- All Canva Pro features at a discounted annual rate
- Full access to premium templates, photos, and graphics
- Brand Kit and brand controls for consistent visuals
- Advanced export options and content planner tools
- Higher storage limits than the Free plan
Canva for Teams (Monthly)
From $14.99/month
Teams requiring collaboration and permissions
- Everything in Pro plus multi‑seat licensing for teams
- Team workspaces and shared folders
- Advanced collaboration and approval workflows
- Additional brand controls and permissions
- Centralized asset management for teams
Canva for Teams (Yearly)
From $149.90/year
Larger teams seeking annual discounts
- All Canva for Teams features with annual discount
- Shared Brand Kits and templates for teams
- Enhanced collaboration and commenting tools
- Centralized billing and user management
- Higher storage and usage limits for organizations
Canva for Education
Free
Teachers and students
- Access to premium features for eligible teachers and students
- Education‑specific templates and classroom resources
- Collaboration tools for group projects and assignments
- Branding options for school or class materials
- Integration with common classroom workflows
Canva for Nonprofits
Free
Eligible nonprofits
- Premium features for eligible nonprofit organizations
- Access to Pro‑level templates and elements
- Branding tools for campaigns and fundraising materials
- Collaboration for nonprofit teams and volunteers
- Increased storage compared to Free plan
Metricool
Free
$0/month
Solo users testing basic features
- Management of all social media accounts for 1 brand (excluding LinkedIn and Twitter/X)
- Planning up to 50 pieces of content per month
- Analysis of 5 competitor profiles
- Access to analytics with 3 months of historical data
- AI Social Media Assistant with 5 credits per brand per month
- Connection of 1 profile per supported social network and web/blog
- Basic planner with best times and social calendar
- Basic SmartLinks and web/blog real-time analytics
Starter (up to 5 brands)
$18/month
Small teams managing few brands
- Management of all social media accounts for up to 5 brands (excluding Twitter/X without add-on)
- Unlimited* scheduled posts per month, subject to fair use policy
- LinkedIn connection for personal and company profiles
- Access to Twitter/X via paid add-on per account
- Analysis of up to 100 competitor profiles
- Downloadable reports in PDF and PPT formats
- Multiple SmartLinks link-in-bio pages with analytics
- AI Social Media Assistant with 20 credits per brand per month
- Analytics with unlimited historical data (except X/Twitter limits)
- Google Drive and Canva integrations
Starter (up to 10 brands)
$31/month
Growing teams with more brands
- All features of Starter (up to 5 brands)
- Management of all social media accounts for up to 10 brands (excluding Twitter/X without add-on)
- Unlimited* scheduled posts per month across brands
- Extended capacity for competitor analysis and reporting
Advanced (up to 15 brands)
$45/month
Agencies needing team features
- All features of Starter plans
- Management of all social media accounts for up to 15 brands (excluding Twitter/X without add-on)
- Unlimited team and client access
- Role-based permissions and brand-level access control
- Post approval system for client and internal workflows
- Customizable templates for reports
- Looker Studio connector for advanced reporting dashboards
- Zapier and Make integrations for workflow automation
- MCP AI connection and enhanced AI features
- API access for custom integrations
Advanced (up to 25 brands)
$72/month
Mid-sized agencies
- All features of Advanced (up to 15 brands)
- Management of all social media accounts for up to 25 brands (excluding Twitter/X without add-on)
- Higher capacity for multi-brand analytics and reporting
Advanced (up to 50 brands)
$139/month
Large agencies
- All features of Advanced (up to 25 brands)
- Management of all social media accounts for up to 50 brands (excluding Twitter/X without add-on)
- Scalable collaboration for larger agencies and in-house teams
Custom (50+ brands)
Custom
Enterprises
- All features of the Advanced plan
- Management of more than 50 brands with custom limits
- Custom number of brands and publication limits
- Integration capabilities tailored to enterprise needs
- Priority support and onboarding options
- Full access to Looker Studio connector, API, and automation integrations
Feature Deep Dive
Content Creation Capabilities
Canva
Strengths
- Drag-and-drop editor accessible to non-designers
- Extensive template library for social media and marketing
- Integrated stock photos, videos, icons, and AI tools like Magic Design
- Brand Kits for consistent visuals across projects
- Support for graphics, videos, presentations, and websites
Workflow
Select template → Customize with drag-and-drop → Apply Brand Kit → AI edit (e.g., remove background) → Export or share
Metricool
Strengths
- AI Social Media Assistant for post ideas and captions
- Visual planner for organizing content ideas
- Integrations with Canva and Adobe Express for creation
- SmartLinks for link-in-bio pages with custom designs
- Hashtag and content suggestions based on analytics
Workflow
Use AI Assistant for ideas → Integrate with Canva for visuals → Plan in calendar → Schedule with best times
Canva dominates in direct visual content creation with its editor and library, ideal for producing assets from scratch. Metricool supports creation via AI and integrations but focuses on planning and optimization rather than building. Use Canva for design-heavy needs; Metricool complements it for social-specific ideation.
Scheduling & Automation
Canva
Strengths
- Content planner tools in Pro/Teams for basic organization
- Magic Resize for quick format adaptations
- Export/share links for easy distribution
Limitations
- No native social scheduling or automation
- Manual posting required after export
- No best-time or recurring features
Metricool
Strengths
- Drag-and-drop visual planner with best-time suggestions
- Unlimited scheduling (fair use) across platforms
- Post approval workflows and automation via Zapier
- AI assistant for scheduling optimization
- Support for Stories, Reels, and multi-format posts
Limitations
- Twitter/X requires add-on
- No design automation; relies on external tools
Metricool is far superior for social scheduling and automation with its planner, best times, and integrations. Canva lacks these, focusing on creation—export designs and use another tool for posting. For automated social workflows, Metricool wins; for pre-scheduling design, pair with Canva.
Analytics & Reporting
Canva
Strengths
- Basic performance tracking for shared designs
- Collaboration comments for feedback loops
Limitations
- No social analytics or competitor insights
- No customizable reports
- Focus on design usage, not engagement metrics
Metricool
Strengths
- Comprehensive social analytics including Reels/Stories
- Competitor analysis up to 100 profiles
- Custom PDF/PPT/CSV reports with templates
- Looker Studio connector for dashboards
- Unlimited historical data and AI insights
Limitations
- X/Twitter analytics limited without add-on
- Advanced reporting on higher tiers
Metricool provides deep social analytics and reporting, essential for performance tracking and strategy. Canva offers none in this area, suitable only for design feedback. Choose Metricool for data-driven social management; Canva for creative processes without metrics needs.
Collaboration & Team Features
Canva
Strengths
- Real-time editing and commenting on designs
- Shared folders and team workspaces
- Brand controls and permissions for consistency
- Multi-seat licensing in Teams plan
Workflow
Invite team → Edit design collaboratively → Comment/approve → Share final version
Metricool
Strengths
- Unlimited team access on Advanced plans
- Role-based permissions and brand isolation
- Post approval workflows for clients
- Centralized asset and multi-brand management
Workflow
Assign roles → Plan posts in shared calendar → Approve workflow → Schedule and report
Limitations
- Basic collaboration on lower tiers
- Focused on social, not design sharing
Both offer strong collaboration, but Canva excels in real-time design editing for creative teams, while Metricool shines in approval workflows for social planning and agencies. Canva for design collaboration; Metricool for social strategy teams.
Use Case Comparison
Solo Content Creator
Canva 🏆
Excellent
Easy access to templates and AI tools for quick visuals without design skills; free plan sufficient for basics.
Best Plan: Canva Free or Pro ($12.99/month)
Score: 9/10
Metricool
Good
Free plan for basic scheduling, but lacks creation tools; useful for planning posts.
Best Plan: Free
Score: 7/10
Small Business Marketing
Canva
Excellent
Affordable Pro for branded visuals across social and print; no in-house designer needed.
Best Plan: Canva Pro ($12.99/month)
Score: 9/10
Metricool
Excellent
Starter plan for multi-platform scheduling and basic analytics; integrates with Canva.
Best Plan: Starter ($18/month)
Score: 8/10
In-House Social Media Team
Canva
Good
Teams plan for collaboration on visuals, but no scheduling/analytics.
Best Plan: Canva for Teams ($14.99/month)
Score: 7/10
Metricool 🏆
Excellent
Advanced plan for scheduling, inbox, and reporting across channels.
Best Plan: Advanced ($45/month)
Score: 10/10
Marketing Agency Managing Clients
Canva
Good
Teams for shared Brand Kits, but limited to design; no client approvals for posts.
Best Plan: Canva for Teams ($14.99/month)
Score: 6/10
Metricool 🏆
Excellent
Multi-brand support, approvals, and white-label reports ideal for agencies.
Best Plan: Advanced ($45/month+)
Score: 10/10
Influencer or Freelancer
Canva 🏆
Excellent
Fast creation of polished social graphics and videos; mobile app for on-the-go.
Best Plan: Canva Pro ($12.99/month)
Score: 10/10
Metricool
Good
Scheduling and SmartLinks for engagement, but creation via integrations.
Best Plan: Starter ($18/month)
Score: 7/10
Nonprofit Organization
Canva 🏆
Excellent
Free premium access for eligible nonprofits; great for campaigns on budget.
Best Plan: Canva for Nonprofits (Free)
Score: 10/10
Metricool
Fair
Free plan limited; paid for full features, no nonprofit discount.
Best Plan: Free
Score: 5/10
Educator or Student
Canva 🏆
Excellent
Free premium for education; templates for presentations and materials.
Best Plan: Canva for Education (Free)
Score: 10/10
Metricool
Poor
Not tailored for education; social focus irrelevant for most.
Best Plan: Not suitable
Score: 2/10
Startup Without Design Team
Canva 🏆
Excellent
Pro for branding and multi-channel content; cost-effective alternative to hiring.
Best Plan: Canva Pro ($12.99/month)
Score: 9/10
Metricool
Good
Starter for social planning and analytics to track growth.
Best Plan: Starter ($18/month)
Score: 7/10
Enterprise Marketing Team
Canva
Good
Teams for large-scale collaboration, but lacks social management.
Best Plan: Canva for Teams (From $14.99/month)
Score: 7/10
Metricool 🏆
Excellent
Custom plan for 50+ brands, API, and priority support.
Best Plan: Custom
Score: 9/10
Content Marketer Multi-Channel
Canva
Excellent
Versatile for creating content across formats; resize for channels.
Best Plan: Canva Pro ($12.99/month)
Score: 9/10
Metricool
Excellent
Scheduling and analytics for distribution and performance.
Best Plan: Advanced ($45/month)
Score: 9/10
Social Media Analyst
Canva
Poor
No analytics tools; only design creation.
Best Plan: Not suitable
Score: 2/10
Metricool 🏆
Excellent
Deep analytics, competitor tracking, and reporting.
Best Plan: Advanced ($45/month)
Score: 10/10
Freelance Social Manager
Canva
Good
Pro for client visuals; collaborate via sharing.
Best Plan: Canva Pro ($12.99/month)
Score: 7/10
Metricool 🏆
Excellent
Multi-brand Starter for client management and reporting.
Best Plan: Starter ($18/month)
Score: 9/10
Pros and Cons
Canva
Pros
- Very easy to use, even for non‑designers
- Huge library of templates and stock media across many formats
- Strong Brand Kit and collaboration features for teams
- Cross‑platform access via web, desktop, and mobile apps
- AI‑powered tools speed up common editing tasks
- Generous free plan and specialized tiers for education/nonprofits
- Versatile for graphics, videos, presentations, and more
Cons
- Limited compared to professional design suites for complex projects
- Asset organization and version control can be challenging at scale
- Heavy reliance on templates can lead to similar‑looking designs
- Advanced export and print workflows are less robust than specialist tools
- Some features and content are locked behind paid plans
- No social scheduling or analytics capabilities
Metricool
Pros
- Comprehensive feature set covering planning, analytics, inbox, SmartLinks, and ads
- Generous free-forever plan suitable for testing and small use cases
- Strong multi-brand support and collaboration features on Advanced and Custom plans
- Robust reporting with PDF, PPT, CSV exports and Looker Studio connector
- Integrated AI Social Media Assistant to speed up content creation
- Visual planner with best-time scheduling and unlimited posts
- Integrations with Canva, Zapier, and more for extended workflows
Cons
- Twitter/X requires a separate paid add-on per account, increasing costs for X-heavy teams
- Brand caps and tiered pricing may force upgrades as agencies grow
- No full-scale marketing automation or CRM functionality compared to dedicated platforms
- Advanced features like API access and custom report templates are locked to higher tiers
- Interface and options may feel overwhelming for absolute beginners at first
- No built-in design or video creation tools
Final Verdict
Canva and Metricool complement each other in the social media ecosystem. Canva is the go-to for visual content creation with its user-friendly design tools, while Metricool handles the management side with scheduling, analytics, and team features. Canva suits creators needing polished assets; Metricool empowers marketers focused on strategy and performance.
Opt for Canva if your workflow centers on creating engaging visuals quickly and affordably. Choose Metricool for orchestrating social presence with data-backed decisions and automation. For the best results, use both: design in Canva and manage in Metricool via their integration. Start with free plans to test fit.
Overall Scores
Canva
Content Creation: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Metricool
Content Creation: 6/10
Value: 8/10
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