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Canva Pro runs about $18/month or less if you pay yearly. Before you pay, it's worth checking which Pro features you'd actually use.
1. Just use Canva Free
The free plan has the drag-and-drop editor, a huge template library and a basic brand kit. For posts, thumbnails and simple graphics it's usually enough. What you lose: the premium stock library, one-click resizing, background remover and extra brand kits.
2. Background removal: remove.bg
The Pro feature people miss most. remove.bg does quick cutouts for free at preview size, which is fine for social posts.
3. Kittl or Adobe Express free
Both have free tiers with templates. Kittl is nice for text-heavy designs and logos. Adobe Express is good for quick social posts.
4. Photopea for heavier edits
A free, browser-based editor that works a lot like Photoshop. It has a learning curve, but it's free and handles layers.
5. Free stock photos
Unsplash and Pexels cover most of what people pay for Pro stock photos to get.
When Pro is worth it
If you resize the same design for five platforms every day, or you need multiple brand kits for clients, the time saved can be worth it. Otherwise, start free.
More swaps like this on the free stack.