Canva vs Formative
Canva
canva.comFormative
formative.comSide by side
| Figure | Canva | Formative |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $20.75/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 17 | 4 |
| Spec score · Google Workspace Teacher Resources Software | 8.7 (#4) | 7.9 (#13) |
| Apps integrations | Canva provides an Apps Marketplace, Apps SDK access, REST API for custom apps, and ad-platform publishing. | Formative integrates with Google Classroom, Clever, ClassLink, Canvas, and other LMS/SIS platforms for rostering, single sign-on, and assignment syncing. |
Plans
Canva
- FreeFree
- FreeFree
- FreePriced on request
- FreePriced on request
- ProPrice not published
- ProPriced on request
- ProPriced on request
- ProPriced on request
- BusinessPriced on request
- BusinessPriced on request
Formative
- Free TeacherFree
- Classroom Plan$20.75 a month
- Small School Plan$260.42 a month
- Balanced Assessment by FormativePriced on request
In their own words
Canva
Canva is a design platform for creating presentations, social content, videos, print materials, photo edits, websites, and PDFs. It combines templates, illustration tools, brand kits, and real-time collaboration, with export options including PDF, JPG, PNG, SVG, and PPT. Its AI tools include Magic Layers, Magic Eraser, Background Remover, Magic Write, and image generation. The Free plan includes 1.6M+ templates and 4.7M+ photos, videos, graphics, and audio, alongside one Brand Kit with three colours, 5GB storage, and up to 20 Standard or Premium AI uses. AI use is pooled across listed tools and resets monthly; higher-tier tools use more allowance. Canva offers free desktop downloads for Windows and Mac, and a mobile app. The Free plan costs nothing. Business adds team administration, approvals, permissions, and brand controls. Eligible nonprofits can receive a free premium subscription for one team of up to 50 users. Canva was founded in 2013 and is headquartered in Sydney, Australia.
Formative
Formative is a web platform for creating interactive lessons, assigning assessments, and seeing student progress as responses arrive. It serves individual teachers, schools, districts, and K-12 students across subjects. Luna AI can generate standards-aligned activities from prompts, PDFs, or documents, then provide hints and feedback. More than 20 technology-enhanced question types and multimedia formats support varied assessments. Teachers receive live response data to identify misconceptions and adjust instruction during learning. Integrations with Google Classroom, Clever, ClassLink, Canvas, and other LMS or SIS systems support rostering, single sign-on, and assignment syncing. Formative says it complies with FERPA, COPPA, and other K-12 privacy standards; student information is not sold, and student work is not sent to a public chatbot. Access requires a current Chrome, Firefox, or Safari browser and stable high-speed internet. The Free Teacher plan costs nothing. Classroom Plan costs $20.75 a month, billed annually, and a 14-day trial is listed. There is no stated limit on students added to a class.