Canva has become a beloved tool for whipping up everything from social media posts to polished presentations in a simple, user-friendly way. But did you know it offers a treasure trove of apps that add amazing additional features to the design tool? Well, buckle up—here are the 9 best Canva apps you didn’t know you needed (and you’ll wonder how you lived without them).
Before we dive into the list, let’s clear up what Canva apps actually are. Canva apps are integrations that enhance Canva’s functionality by bringing in external content, tools and features directly into your Canva workspace. Think of them as nifty little sidekicks that help you access additional resources like stock photos, manipulation tools, and unique design elements without needing to leave Canva.
Something to note: Like much of the assets found on Canva, apps are made by third-party developers, so while they offer incredible functionality, it’s always a good idea to double-check their terms of use and quality.
Bring your designs to reality (or to life) with high-quality mockup designs, including smartphones, computers, posters, apparel, packaging, and more. The Mockups app is your secret weapon for showcasing your creations in a professional, polished way. Whether you’re designing a new app, a sleek T-shirt, or eye-catching packaging, Mockups gives you the tools to present your work as if it’s already out there in the world. Think of it as the virtual runway for your designs, where they can strut their stuff in the best possible light.
Add eye-catching reflections to your designs in seconds with the Easy Reflections app. Perfect for enhancing product photography and portraits, this app allows you to create stunning reflective effects with minimal effort. Whether you want to make a product shot pop or give a portrait that extra touch of elegance, Easy Reflections makes it happen.
Get Meta-certified feedback on your designs with the Meta Design Check app. This handy tool provides expert tips and insights to help you optimize your designs for better performance in Meta campaigns. Whether you’re working on stories, reels, or regular feed posts, Meta Design Check ensures your designs meet Meta’s best practices.
This app is pretty straightforward. Search any brand or website and immediately receive brand logos, colors, and images to place in your designs. The Brandfetch tool cuts out the work of scouring the internet for brand assets and is perfect for case studies, client pitches, etc.
This essential tool allows you to quickly insert placeholder text, giving you control over the word count and font size of the generated content. Whether you’re mocking up a website, brochure, or any text-heavy design, Lorem Ipsum Generator ensures you have the perfect amount of text to visualize your layout.
Another rather simple tool that opens up tons of creative opportunities. This app allows you to transform any image into a custom Canva image frame. This tool gives you the power to mold your images into pretty much any form you desire, adding a personalized touch to your projects.
As if Canva didn’t already have a great animation library, LottieFiles adds 400,000+ more. These customizable animated graphics are perfect for adding that extra bit of flair to your projects. Our favorite thing about this app is the custom palette feature, which allows you to apply custom brand colors to all searchable animations.
Disclaimer: Full access to all animations on this app requires an account on the LottieFiles website.
Gradients have proven to be a staple in modern design, adding depth and texture to any project. The Gradient Generator app lets you add customized gradients instantly to your design, offering customization for color blending and noise amount. Whether you’re looking to create a subtle background or a bold, eye-catching element, this app makes it easy to craft the perfect gradient.
The Transform Image app allows you to transform the perspective of any image with ease. All you need to do is upload an image, drag it to your preferred position, and then seamlessly add it to your design. In our opinion, this app is particularly effective for skewing typography in your projects, letting you manipulate text images to fit various angles and perspectives.
While these 9 apps we’ve listed offer great features, there are still some app ideas that we’d love to see be made for digital marketers. Here’s a list of what we think should be included in Canva’s app library:
So there you have it—9 must-have Canva apps that are bound to transform your creative process. Whether you’re a design novice or a seasoned pro, these tools are sure to add some magic (and perhaps some minutes saved) to your projects. Happy designing!
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