Adobe Color vs Canva: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Adobe Color and Canva comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Adobe Color
Create and explore color palettes for design projects
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • You need ui/ux design features specifically
- • Free color palette generator and explorer tool accessible via web browser
- • Create harmonious color schemes using color theory rules and extract palettes from images
Canva
Design platform for everyone
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.7/10 vs 8.4/10)
- • You need graphic design features specifically
- • Easy-to-use graphic design platform for everyone
- • Massive template library for any design need
| At a Glance |  Adobe Color |  Canva |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free + Paid |
Best For | UI/UX Design | Graphic Design |
Rating | 84/100 | 87/100 |
| Feature | Adobe Color | Canva |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 84 | 87 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | UI/UX DesignGraphic Design | Graphic DesignImage Editing |
How Adobe Color and Canva Compare
Adobe Color
Create and explore color palettes for design projects
Free · 84/100 score
Canva
Design platform for everyone
Free tier available · 87/100 score
Adobe Color is a ui/ux design tool. Canva is in graphic design.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Adobe Color is free. Canva is freemium.
Go with: Adobe Color
Want the highest-rated option?
Adobe Color: 84/100. Canva: 87/100.
Go with: Canva
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Canva
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Adobe Color is free. Canva is freemium. Go with Adobe Color if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Adobe Color is a ui/ux design tool. Canva is in graphic design. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Canva scores higher: 87/100 vs 84/100.
Key Takeaways
Canva
- Higher score: 87/100 vs 84
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Adobe Color
- Completely free
- Better fit for ui/ux design
The Bottom Line
Canva (87/100) is our pick. That said, Adobe Color is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Adobe Color or Canva better?
Canva scores 87/100 in our evaluation. Adobe Color is free and Canva is freemium.
What are Adobe Color and Canva used for?
Adobe Color: Create and explore color palettes for design projects. Canva: Design platform for everyone.
What does Adobe Color cost vs Canva?
Adobe Color is completely free. Canva is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.