Canva hikes global subscription prices by 300%: what does It mean for Indian users?

Canva, the popular Australian design platform, known for empowering users to create professional-quality graphics and presentations with ease, has recently announced a significant increase in its subscription prices. This price hike has shaken its image as the simple and accessible alternative to more complex and expensive software like Adobe Photoshop.

 Globally, the cost of Canva Teams — a business-oriented subscription supporting multiple users — has skyrocketed. Previously priced at $120 per year for five users, the new subscription cost will now be an eye-watering $500 per year. This represents an over 300% increase, causing considerable concern among loyal users who initially flocked to Canva for its affordability and ease of use.

 Canva became a household name by offering an intuitive, user-friendly platform, which allowed individuals and businesses to design high-quality visuals without needing prior design experience. Its vast library of templates, combined with affordable premium tools, quickly made it the go-to solution for many.

 What’s driving the price increase?

 Canva justifies the increase by citing its expanded product offerings, particularly the introduction of generative AI tools. According to the company, new features such as the Visual Suite and Magic Studio, along with AI-powered tools like Magic Media and Magic Expand, have transformed Canva from a simple design tool into a comprehensive workspace offering for a wide range of professional needs.

 The impact on Indian users

 In India, Canva had quietly rolled out price increases earlier this year. Previously, the Pro tier allowed up to five users and was priced attractively at ₹3,999 per year, making it a popular choice for professionals. However, the new pricing model now restricts the Pro tier to just one user, still priced at ₹4,000 annually.

 For multi-user access, Indian customers will now need to subscribe to Canva Teams, priced at ₹4,000 per person per year. This means a team of five, which once paid ₹4,000 annually, will now have to pay ₹20,000 — a staggering 400% increase.

 One consolation is that Canva continues to offer differential pricing in India, making its subscriptions cheaper than in other countries. A five-member team in US will have to pay around ₹42,000 ($500) for the same subscription, more than double what it costs in India.

 While Canva’s AI-driven product expansion may justify the price hikes for some users globally, many businesses and professionals around the world are likely to feel the pinch of these increased costs. In cost-conscious markets like India, this move is expected to face even stronger resistance, with small businesses, startups, and individual professionals struggling to absorb the steep price changes.