I'm an small business owner and architect, and here is a conversation I'm having more and more; which is better, Adobe or Canva?
My Story
When I first started my small architectural & interior design practice, I was confident that Adobe InDesign would be my go-to tool. Having mastered it in graphics at school, architecture school, and during my early career, InDesign was second nature to me. It’s an industry-standard tool that offers unmatched precision and control, perfect for complex layouts and detailed design work.
Naturally, I began creating my own design practice's templates in InDesign, expecting it to be the cornerstone of my business operations. You see, I'm a firm believer of having essential templates for architects & interior designers.
However, as a small business owner, reality quickly set in. My days were no longer just about designing; they were filled with client meetings, project deadlines, and the endless administrative tasks that come with running a business. I realized that time was my most valuable resource, and I needed to find ways to streamline my workflow and focus on what I love most—designing. That’s when I started exploring Canva.
Initially, I was hesitant. Canva felt too basic compared to the power and flexibility of InDesign. But the more I used it, the more I realised how well it suited my day-to-day needs as a small business owner.
Whether you're looking to build a six figure design business or grow your architecture side hustle, I've broken down my blog into sections of what matters to me the most as a small business owner:
Ease of Use on the Go
Affordability and Access to Skilled Staff
The Trade-Offs
Design Capabilities - What I actually need Day to Day
Cost
Offline Access
Resizing (Social Media)
Ease of Use on the Go
Canva: Canva excels in accessibility and ease of use, particularly for those of us who are always on the move. With a user-friendly interface and a robust mobile app, Canva allows you to make quick edits or create new designs directly from your phone or tablet. Whether you’re between client meetings or out on a site visit, Canva ensures that your design work doesn’t have to stop when you leave your desk.
InDesign: InDesign, while powerful, is much more desktop-oriented. The software’s complexity makes it difficult to use effectively on mobile devices, and there’s no true mobile version that offers the same level of functionality as its desktop counterpart. This means that if you need to make edits or create new designs, you’ll typically need to be at your computer.
Verdict: For design professionals who need flexibility and the ability to work from anywhere, Canva’s mobile accessibility is a significant advantage over InDesign. I've made so many tweaks whilst I've been sat in my car before driving off to the next meeting. This can often mean projects move quicker, meaning you get paid earlier - it's great for cashflow.
Affordability and Access to Skilled Staff
Canva: Hiring virtual assistants (VAs) who can use Canva is both easier and more cost-effective than finding those proficient in InDesign. Canva’s intuitive interface means that even those with minimal design experience can quickly get up to speed, allowing you to delegate tasks with confidence. This has been a game-changer for me, as it frees up my time to focus on more strategic aspects of my business.
InDesign: InDesign requires a much steeper learning curve. Finding a VA who is proficient in InDesign can be challenging and often more expensive due to the advanced skills required. While InDesign-trained staff can deliver high-quality work, they are less common and typically command higher rates.
Verdict: For small business owners looking to hire help at a reasonable cost, Canva is the more practical option due to its ease of use and accessibility.
The Trade-Offs
Canva: While Canva is incredibly user-friendly, it does lack some advanced features that I grew accustomed to in InDesign. For example, Canva doesn’t offer automatic page numbering or master pages, which can be frustrating when working on multi-page documents. However, for most of my day-to-day needs—such as creating social media graphics, presentations, and simple layouts—these features aren’t deal-breakers.
InDesign: InDesign’s advanced features, such as master pages, automatic page numbering, and precise typography controls, are irreplaceable when working on complex or detailed design projects. If your work involves multi-page documents, intricate layouts, or heavy use of text styles, InDesign still has a clear edge.
Verdict: If your work requires advanced design features, InDesign is the better choice. However, for simpler, everyday tasks, Canva’s ease of use often outweighs the loss of these features. I also hate the filing system in Canva, and still want to see my files in my own server, similar to how google drive works!
Design Capabilities - What I Actually Need Day to Day
Canva: For my day-to-day tasks, Canva offers everything I need. It’s perfect for creating visually appealing designs that involve text and images, such as client presentations, marketing materials, and social media posts. The platform’s vast library of templates and design elements speeds up the creation process, allowing me to deliver quality designs in less time.
InDesign: InDesign’s capabilities far exceed Canva’s when it comes to professional-grade design work. It’s the go-to tool for creating complex layouts, detailed typographic designs, and large-scale print projects. However, for everyday tasks that primarily involve simple text and images, InDesign’s capabilities can feel like overkill.
Verdict: For routine design tasks, Canva is more than sufficient. InDesign is ideal for more complex, professional-grade projects which is unlikely for architects and interior designers.
Cost
Canva: Canva is affordable, with a free version that offers a wide range of features, and a Pro version that’s priced competitively for small businesses. The subscription cost is easy to justify, especially when considering the time savings and ease of use it provides.
InDesign: InDesign, as part of Adobe’s Creative Cloud suite, requires a subscription, which is generally more expensive than Canva. For professionals who need access to multiple Adobe apps, the cost can be justified, but for those only needing basic design tools, it may be harder to rationalize the expense.
Verdict: Canva wins on affordability, especially for small businesses or those who don’t require the full range of Adobe’s creative tools. Any new business should be looking to be as lean as possible in the initial stages, Canva helps you do this.
Offline Access
Canva: One of the limitations of Canva is that it requires an internet connection to access your designs. This can be a drawback if you’re in a location with limited or no internet access. While you can download designs for offline use, the creation and editing process is online-only.
InDesign: InDesign shines when it comes to offline access. As a desktop application, you can work on your designs without needing an internet connection, which is crucial if you often find yourself working in areas with spotty Wi-Fi.
Verdict: If you need the ability to work offline, InDesign is the clear winner.
Resizing for Social Media
Canva: Canva offers an incredibly user-friendly resizing tool that allows you to quickly adapt your designs for different social media platforms. With just a few clicks, you can resize a graphic for Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and more, without needing to recreate the design from scratch. This is a huge time-saver for small businesses that need to maintain a consistent presence across multiple channels.
InDesign: InDesign also allows you to resize designs, but the process is not as streamlined as it is in Canva. You may need to manually adjust elements to fit different dimensions, which can be time-consuming. InDesign’s strength lies more in creating precise, tailored designs for specific formats, rather than quick resizing.
Verdict: For social media resizing, Canva is far superior due to its simplicity and speed.
Final Thoughts: Canva vs. InDesign for Small Design Professionals
Both Canva and InDesign have their strengths, but the right choice depends on your specific needs as a small design professional.
Choose Canva if you need a tool that is easy to use, affordable, and flexible enough to work on the go. It’s perfect for everyday tasks, quick edits, and creating social media graphics, and it’s especially valuable for those who work with virtual assistants or need to make edits on the fly.
Choose InDesign if your work involves complex, detailed design projects that require advanced features, offline access, and precision. While it’s more expensive and has a steeper learning curve, it remains the best choice for professional-grade design work.
As someone who has transitioned from InDesign to Canva, I can confidently say that Canva has allowed me to streamline my processes, save time, and focus on growing my business. While I still miss some of InDesign’s features, the trade-offs are worth it for the flexibility and ease of use Canva offers.
Whether you choose Canva vs InDesign, the key is to find the tool that best fits your workflow and helps you achieve your business goals.
At Architecture Templates, we help architects and interior designers streamline their processes and elevate their brands with business templates. Our products save you time, enhance your professionalism, and improve client communication.
Written by Tim | Architecture Templates
