Canva’s Biggest Launch Yet Might Just Compete With Adobe

Canva has introduced what it calls its biggest launch yet – the Creative Operating System. The update brings together its new Visual Suite, advanced AI tools and connected platforms for business growth. The company described the system as the start of an “Imagination Era”, looking at creativity supported by tech rather than replaced by it.

One of the biggest tools from this launch is the reimagined Visual Suite, which brings some serious updates across Canva’s most-used tools. Video 2.0 lets users edit like professionals without having to use complex software, and then Magic Video can automatically cut and assemble clips based on a short description. Templates inspired by trending TikTok and Reels formats are what will keep the content feeling current and visually engaging.

Canva also introduced Canva Forms for collecting responses directly inside designs as well as Canva Email Design for creating branded email campaigns. Data from forms can flow into Canva Sheets, so that its easier to track results without leaving the platform. These features, together with the ability to create interactive designs through Canva Code, are all signs that Canva is becoming a full creative suite.

How Does Canva’s Design AI Work?

The new Canva Design Model, described as the first AI model trained to understand design structure and logic is one of the tools being launched. Unlike image generators that produce static visuals, this model creates fully editable designs that can be customised instantly. It powers Canva’s new AI tools such as AI-Powered Designs and AI-Powered Elements, which generate editable templates, videos and 3D content in just seconds.

One feature that really stands out is Style Match, which can automatically match a design’s colour palette and layout. Another, Magic Background, generates fitting backdrops based on a project’s content. Users can also tag @Canva within a design comment to get real-time design help through Ask @Canva, turning AI into a built-in creative teammate.

Canva said its AI tools now integrate with external platforms like ChatGPT and Claude, allowing designs to be generated across the web. From the homepage, users can also access Guided Presentations, an AI-powered feature that helps shape presentation ideas before any slides are made.

What Does Canva’s New Platform Have For Businesses?

For teams, Canva’s Creative Operating System adds tools for managing brands and campaigns. The new Canva Grow section connects ad creation, publishing, and analytics. Marketing teams can browse successful ad examples, generate designs using their brand colours and tone. They can also publish directly to Meta platforms. Performance results feed back into Canva for analysis.

The Brand System update gives companies a dedicated space for their identity. Logos, templates and guidelines can be managed in one hub. Canva AI also adapts its designs automatically to match a brand’s look and feel, saving teams from repetitive design checks.

Melanie Perkins, Canva’s co-founder, said the goal is to help companies create faster and stay consistent without leaving the platform. This positions Canva closer to enterprise tools like Adobe Experience Cloud, but with a more accessible interface and AI-driven automation.

How Does the Affinity Launch Fit In?

Alongside the Creative Operating System, Canva relaunched Affinity, which is a professional design suite that now comes free for everyone. The app has photo editing, vector design, and layout tools in one place and connects directly with Canva.

Affinity’s update is described as being built “for creatives, by creatives”. It allows designers to edit without switching apps. Tools update in real time, even at 10,000,000% zoom, and GPU acceleration keeps large projects smooth.

Users can now customise as well by rearranging panels, combining tools from vector and layout studios… Affinity said this personalisation was a response to feedback from professional designers, ensuring the tools work as creators expect.

Affinity’s connection with Canva means users can send their work straight to Canva for collaboration or publishing. Canva’s AI tools, such as Generative Fill and Background Removal, are built into Affinity through the Canva AI Studio. This makes high-end design faster and more accessible to users without advanced training.

How Does This Compete With Adobe?

The decision to make Affinity free positions Canva directly against Adobe’s paid Creative Cloud. Adobe’s subscription model costs about £60 per month for full access, while Canva and Affinity now deliver advanced editing and AI tools at no extra cost.

Canva’s new features mimic quite a number of functions that professionals use in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and Premiere Pro, but simplify them for more people to be able to use. The ability to edit photos, create videos, publish marketing campaigns and manage brand assets from one interface makes Canva a strong alternative for freelancers and small businesses.

Affinity’s inclusion of high-performance photo and vector tools further narrows the gap. Designers who once paid hundreds of pounds annually for software can now access professional features for free. Canva’s focus on speed, design AI and built-in collaboration also challenges Adobe’s dominance in both consumer and enterprise markets.

Together, the Creative Operating System and Affinity create a single environment where anyone… marketers and professional designers alike, can make and publish creative work without needing external tools. Canva’s announcement described this as the beginning of a new chapter for design accessibility, where imagination drives technology rather than being limited by it.