Introduction
If you’re starting a blog, you’ve likely heard of Canva. It’s a powerful, beginner-friendly tool for designing blog graphics, social media posts, and more. But what if you want to try something different?
Whether you’re looking for more features, different pricing, or a fresh interface, there are plenty of Canva alternatives to help you create stunning visuals for your blog.
In this post, we’ll explore the 10 best graphic design tools for bloggers—perfect for anyone looking to level up their blog’s visual game without relying solely on Canva.
Why You Need Blog Images (And Not Just Stock Photos)
- Blog posts with visuals get 94% more views than those without.
- Visuals help explain complex concepts quickly.
- Eye-catching blog images improve social media shares.
- Branded visuals enhance your blog’s identity.
As a beginner blogger, having the right tools makes a huge difference in creating fast, beautiful, and effective designs.
Adobe Express (formerly Adobe Spark)
Best For: Quick branded content and social media posts
Why Use It:
- User-friendly interface similar to Canva
- Tons of templates for blog banners, thumbnails, and more
- Integration with Adobe Stock and Fonts
Free Plan: Available
Pro Features: $9.99/month includes branding, premium assets, and more
VistaCreate (formerly Crello)
Best For: Animated and video graphics for blogs and social media
Why Use It:
- Similar to Canva in layout and ease of use
- Offers animation features for blog posts and reels
- Huge asset library with thousands of templates
Free Plan: Yes
Pro Plan: $10/month
Snappa
Best For: Speedy blog graphics and social media headers
Why Use It:
- Ready-made dimensions for blog featured images
- Team collaboration features
- Stock photo integration
Free Plan: Limited
Paid Plan: $10/month for unlimited downloads
Pixlr X / Pixlr E
Best For: Bloggers who want more photo editing power
Why Use It:
- Browser-based photo editing similar to Photoshop
- Includes templates for thumbnails, banners, and social media
- Good for tweaking stock photos or screenshots
Free Plan: Yes
Premium: $4.90/month
Stencil
Best For: Quick visual content for social media and blog headers
Why Use It:
- Built-in quotes and call-to-action tools
- Integrated with WordPress plugins
- Simple, lightweight, and fast
Free Plan: Limited (10 images/month)
Paid Plan: $9/month
Desygner
Best For: Mobile-first bloggers or those who design on the go
Why Use It:
- Simple drag-and-drop editor
- Create eBook covers, blog graphics, and ads easily
- Mobile app available for editing on the go
Free Plan: Yes
Pro Plan: $4.95/month
Fotor
Best For: Bloggers who also need photo editing and filters
Why Use It:
- Combination of photo editing and design
- Useful for enhancing blog post screenshots or featured images
- Available on desktop and mobile
Free Plan: Yes
Pro Version: $8.99/month
BeFunky
Best For: Beginners who want a creative and fun editor
Why Use It:
- Comic-style filters and fun effects
- Drag-and-drop collage maker
- Blog graphic templates included
Free Plan: Yes
Premium: $9.99/month
RelayThat
Best For: Brand consistency across all visuals
Why Use It:
- Smart layout engine automatically adapts your brand style
- Reuse your brand assets across different formats
- Ideal for bloggers building a cohesive brand
Free Plan: No
Paid Plan: $25/month
Photopea
Best For: Photoshop lovers on a budget
Why Use It:
- Browser-based with Photoshop-style tools
- Supports PSD, XCF, Sketch, and more
- Great for bloggers needing advanced control
Free Plan: Yes
Pro Version: $3.33/month (ad-free)
How to Choose the Right Tool for Your Blog
Here’s a quick comparison checklist to help:
| Tool | Best For | Free Plan | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adobe Express | Branded blog graphics | ✅ | Web/Mobile |
| VistaCreate | Animated visuals | ✅ | Web |
| Snappa | Quick social/blog images | ✅ | Web |
| Pixlr | Photo editing | ✅ | Web/Desktop |
| Stencil | Simplicity & speed | ✅ | Web |
| Desygner | Mobile-friendly design | ✅ | Web/Mobile |
| Fotor | Filters + graphics | ✅ | Web/Mobile |
| BeFunky | Collages and effects | ✅ | Web |
| RelayThat | Brand automation | ❌ | Web |
| Photopea | Advanced design (Photoshop) | ✅ | Web/Desktop |
Tips for Creating Better Blog Graphics
- Use consistent fonts, colors, and styles.
- Stick to blog image sizes (e.g., 1200×628 for featured images).
- Compress images to reduce loading time.
- Add text overlays for better social sharing.
- Create templates to save time.
Conclusion
Designing blog images doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. While Canva is a solid choice, these top 10 Canva alternatives offer plenty of creative flexibility—especially for new bloggers.
Whether you want animation, photo editing, mobile access, or brand automation, there’s a tool out there to fit your workflow.
Start experimenting with one or two of the tools above and see which one helps bring your blog content to life.
FAQ: Canva Alternatives for Bloggers
Yes! Tools like Stencil even offer WordPress plugins to insert graphics directly into posts.
Absolutely. Many, like Adobe Express and VistaCreate, have pin-sized templates.
