IMG.LY vs. Canva
For full customization, automation, and data ownership, there’s only one choice. See why IMG.LY CreativeEditor SDK is the best alternative to the Canva REST APIs (formerly Connect APIs).
What makes IMG.LY the best Canva alternative?
Full customization & white-labeling
A fully customizable, white-label editor where you control the UI, branding, and functionality.
Extensibility & plugin system
Supports custom plugins and extensibility, allowing businesses to tailor the editor to specific use cases.
Openness & interoperability
Import Photoshop (PSD), Illustrator (AI), and InDesign (IDML) files, export designs back to IDML and to PSD (on the server), and save work-in-progress as scene files.
Creative automation & headless mode
Offers headless mode for programmatic design generation, batch processing, and automation.
Trusted by 100+
industry leaders
What our clients say about us
Integrating IMG.LY’s editor meant we didn’t have to build or maintain a complex editing layer ourselves. That kept our team focused on our core AI ad engine and saved us countless development hours — while still giving our customers the ability to polish and customize creatives at scale.
Hikari Senju
CEO, Omneky
With IMG.LY we built a central creative portal that now powers over 140 dealer campaigns across multiple automotive brands. Before this, asset creation was slow and inconsistent.
Martin Röhr
Product Owner, Digitas
By embedding IMG.LY’s editor we were able to hit key RFP requirements and deliver a template-based creative experience that now serves 1,000+ customers. It helped us win more deals and exceed enterprise expectations without needing to hire dedicated design teams.
Rob Driscoll
Director of PM, Optimizely
Since integrating IMG.LY’s editor, we now deliver 30,000+ ad creatives per month, dramatically shorten time-to-launch, and help our clients cut design spend by up to $10,000 per month.
Logan Welbaum
Founder, Plai
Our customers create over a million personalized postcards each year choosing from over hundreds of templates with IMG.LY’s SDK. It’s the only solution that allows us to build our own specialized, on-brand UI that integrates seamlessly with our platform.
Jeanine Zaalberg
Product Manager, SwissPost
From a developer’s perspective, the most powerful feature of the photo editor is the integration process. It was completely flawless, quick, and easy to integrate.
Stefano Fornari
CTO, Funambol
We compared IMG.LY SDK with other solutions and found that it would be the best fit for us since it provides all the features that are crucial for our use case.
Carem Pereira
SCRUM Manager, HP
IMG.LY vs. Canva Connect API at a glance
| Feature | IMG.LY | Canva Connect API | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Use Case | Creative editing SDK for photo, video, and design. Delivers production-ready editors, modular SDK components, and headless rendering options for building custom-branded creative applications across social, marketing, and content creation workflows. | REST APIs that connect a product to Canva: create and sync designs and assets, autofill templates, and export results. Users edit in Canva’s own editor and, when return navigation is set up, come back to the host product when done. Suited to teams that want Canva’s templates and ecosystem rather than their own editor. | IMG.LY enables fully custom, white-label creative solutions. The Canva REST APIs extend Canva’s branded ecosystem into partner platforms. |
| Target Audience | Product teams and enterprises seeking a complete creative editing SDK that integrates under their own brand. Serves SaaS platforms, social apps, and businesses demanding production-ready tools without dependence on external platforms. | Organizations aiming to add design capabilities by tapping into Canva's established platform, templates, and asset library. Attracts teams preferring to integrate existing Canva functionality rather than constructing or maintaining custom editing infrastructure, accepting Canva branding as integral to the integration. | IMG.LY targets teams demanding fully white-labeled, production-ready editing. The Canva REST APIs target teams that want Canva's ecosystem with visible Canva branding. |
| Technical Approach | Comprehensive SDK with modular UI, headless API, and templating system. Supports Web, iOS, Android, React Native, Flutter, and Node.js with WebAssembly-powered performance. Native rendering engines optimized per platform handle complex operations with client-side processing and optional server-side capabilities. | Resource-oriented REST APIs that take requests with parameters and return JSON. All design creation, editing and asset storage runs on Canva's cloud. | IMG.LY provides complete creative editing infrastructure with both client-side and server-side options. The Canva REST APIs act as an integration layer to Canva's cloud platform. |
| Editing Features | Fully-featured, customizable editor UI with image adjustments, filters, text and sticker overlays, transformations, timeline-based video editing, and full design tools for layout, templates, typography, and print-ready export (CMYK, bleed, margins). All features function within a white-labeled interface. | Users edit in Canva’s own editor, where designs range from presentations and social media posts to print products. They add text, images, videos and shapes, set each element’s size and position, and crop and flip images. | IMG.LY provides a customizable editor UI with image, video and design tools. The Canva REST APIs hand editing to Canva’s own editor. |
| Advanced Video Editing Features | Professional-grade video editing with multi-track timelines, transitions, effects, text and graphics animations, color grading, video speed controls (slow motion and time-lapse), audio mixing, and frame-accurate editing. | Canva’s editor has a video timeline that layers videos, audio and graphics on separate tracks, with splitting and multiple audio tracks for music and sound effects. Image fields in a brand template can be autofilled with a video, and video designs export as MP4 at a chosen resolution. | Both edit video on multi-track timelines with audio; IMG.LY adds color grading, speed controls and frame-accurate editing. |
| User Interface | Fully-featured, configurable editor UI with drag-and-drop tools, timeline, asset libraries, and live preview. Fully customizable look and feel including control over colors, fonts, layouts, and terminology to match any brand. | Users edit in Canva’s own editor, where they drag and drop content into designs and open apps from the editor’s side panel. | IMG.LY provides a customizable editor UI that can match any brand. With the Canva REST APIs, users work in Canva’s own editor. |
| User Experience | Designed for both novices and professionals. Progressive disclosure and contextual controls simplify complexity. Experience can be tailored for casual users or power users through configurable UI modes. | Tailoring Canva’s editor experience for casual or power users from an integration is not documented. | IMG.LY balances usability with power. |
| White-Labeling | 100% white-labeled; no IMG.LY branding. Organizations present editing tools as native features of their own product. | Canva branding is required: the host product must show the Canva logo or a Powered by Canva message at the entry point to the integration and on any UI built for working with Canva, such as a design picker. | IMG.LY is fully white-label. The Canva REST APIs require visible Canva branding. |
| Customizability | Deep customization via configuration, theming APIs, and plugin architecture. Enable/disable tools, extend workflows, and modify UI components safely across SDK updates. | Integrations choose which REST APIs and permission scopes to use, and can check each user’s capabilities to show or hide features in their own interface. Apart from where the editor’s Return button leads, changing Canva’s editor from an integration is not documented. | IMG.LY offers deep customization; the Canva REST APIs operate within Canva’s constraints. |
| Extensibility | Modular plugin system and APIs for custom tools, filters, effects, and AI integrations across Web, iOS, and Android. | Apps inside Canva (formerly the Apps SDK), part of the Canva Developers SDK, lets third parties build apps that run inside the Canva editor, with an App UI Kit, intents for publishing and data connection, element creation APIs, and a review, distribution and monetization path. Those apps extend Canva rather than your own product. | Both are extensible, in opposite directions. IMG.LY plugins extend an editor embedded in your product; Canva apps extend Canva’s editor and are distributed through Canva. |
| Integration | Simple integration for Web, mobile, and backend via SDKs and APIs. Full documentation, code samples, and APIs for connecting with DAMs, CDNs, auth systems, analytics, and storage. | REST APIs with OAuth 2.0 (authorization code flow with PKCE), an OpenAPI description and a starter kit. Primarily bridges external apps to Canva’s cloud environment. | IMG.LY integrates across platforms; the Canva REST APIs bridge to Canva’s cloud. |
| Platform Support | Cross-platform SDK for Web, iOS, Android, React Native, Flutter, Electron, and Node.js. Includes offline support. | Integrations must be associated with a web app. Canva does not support them in desktop apps, browser extensions, single-page apps, or progressive web apps without a backend. | IMG.LY supports native and offline; the Canva REST APIs must be tied to a web app. |
| Mobile App Integration | Native SDK for iOS and Android with platform-optimized gestures, rendering, and offline capability. | Mobile apps are not a supported environment for the REST APIs, because API credentials are difficult to store securely there. | IMG.LY offers native mobile SDKs; the Canva REST APIs do not support mobile apps. |
| Rendering Approach | Delivers fast, GPU-accelerated rendering in the browser and native apps, paired with a powerful server-side renderer for automation and high-quality exports. Images, PDFs, and supported video formats render with pixel-perfect fidelity to the editor. Performance scales with available hardware for reliable results across platforms. | Exports run as asynchronous jobs on Canva’s side and return temporary download links. | IMG.LY supports hybrid client/server rendering. The Canva REST APIs render in the cloud. |
| Extensive Export & Output Options | Extensive export control with granular settings for resolution, format, color profile, and compression. Supports exporting at custom dimensions, multiple quality presets, and print-ready PDF/X with CMYK, named spot colors, bleed, and cutout lines. Batch export workflows handle multi-variant generation from templates. | REST API export settings cover page selection, image width and height, JPEG compression, lossless PNG with an optional transparent background, multi-page designs as a single image, and a higher export quality. In Canva’s editor, a print PDF download adds bleed, crop marks and a choice of RGB or CMYK color. | IMG.LY export settings cover print-ready PDF/X with CMYK and bleed, plus batch export. The Canva REST APIs set size and quality, while print PDFs with bleed and CMYK come from Canva’s editor. |
| Supported File Formats | Imports PSD, AI, IDML, PPTX, PDF, SVG, PNG, JPEG, WebP, GIF, and MP4; exports PNG, JPEG, WebP, SVG, PDF, MP4, IDML, and PSD (on the server), plus custom scene files for editable design states. Also supports vector formats and CMYK color workflows for print-ready outputs. | The REST APIs export JPG, PNG, GIF, PDF, PPTX, MP4, CSV and HTML, but not SVG, which Canva’s editor can download. Imports PSD, AI, PDF and Office files as editable designs. IDML import and PSD, AI or IDML export are not documented. | IMG.LY enables professional import/export pipelines for print and creative apps. The Canva REST APIs export standard web, presentation and video formats. |
| Offline Capabilities | Full offline editing and exporting after SDK load. Works without internet connectivity. | Every REST API call is a request to Canva's servers. Canva's editor can also edit designs offline for a limited time, though not in the iOS and iPad apps. | IMG.LY supports offline workflows. |
| Mobile Performance | Optimized for 60fps editing on mid-range devices with native rendering and caching. | Mobile editing performance for a REST API integration is not documented. | IMG.LY provides native performance. |
| Scalability | Scales from single users to millions. Client-side rendering reduces backend load; optional cloud rendering supports automation. | API operations have per-user rate limits set by Canva, and exports are also capped per app and per design. | IMG.LY scales independently; Canva REST API scalability is tied to Canva’s infrastructure. |
| Storage & Data Ownership | Data stays within client infrastructure (on-prem or cloud). No IMG.LY data storage by default. | Canva stores designs and uploaded assets in the user’s Canva account, and self-hosting is not documented. | IMG.LY supports full data control; the Canva REST APIs host designs and assets in Canva’s cloud. |
| Asset Management | Integrates external DAMs, CDNs, or stock providers (e.g., Getty, Unsplash, Pexels). | The Assets API uploads images and videos to the user’s Canva library from a file or a URL, and can name, tag, update or delete them, so a DAM can push its assets into Canva. | IMG.LY integrates external libraries; the Canva REST APIs bring external assets into the user’s Canva library. |
| Asset Libraries | API-driven access to custom or third-party libraries. Developers define permissions, contexts, and content sources. | Canva’s built-in elements, such as shapes and stock images. A DAM app built for Canva can bring external content into the editor. | IMG.LY lets developers define the content sources in its editor. In Canva, external content reaches the editor through a DAM app built for Canva. |
| AI Capabilities | Built-in tools for background removal, text-to-image, image-to-image transformation, text-to-video. Supports custom AI model integration. | Users can ask Canva AI to build designs, such as a presentation from their latest emails pulled in from a connected tool. The REST APIs add preview endpoints for image generation, background removal, design generation and image-to-design conversion, which can’t be used in public apps until they leave preview. | IMG.LY supports extensible AI integration; the Canva REST APIs are limited to Canva’s AI suite. |
| Templating & Dynamic Editing | Advanced template system with smart placeholders, programmatic data insertion, and dynamic layout generation. | The Autofill and Brand Template APIs generate designs from a brand template's data fields, and Autofill can also fill an existing design. | IMG.LY provides advanced templating; the Canva REST APIs support data-driven editing through brand templates. |
| Creative Automation | Automation via APIs for batch design generation, variable data merging, and AI-assisted workflows. | Autofill drives template-based automation. The Resize API makes resized copies of a design in new dimensions, and a preview Merge API inserts, moves or deletes pages to create or change a design. | IMG.LY supports enterprise-scale automation; the Canva REST APIs automate through Autofill, resizing and page merges. |
| Localization & Multi-Language Support | Fully localized editor with RTL support, custom terminology, and dynamic language configuration. | Canva supports a broad range of locales, and each user picks the editor language in their own settings. Setting the language from an integration is not documented. | IMG.LY provides full localization control. |
| Compliance & Certifications | Holds compliance certifications (SOC 2, GDPR), and enables organizations to maintain compliance (GDPR, HIPAA, etc.) via self-hosting and custom data control. | Canva holds SOC 2 Type II compliance and ISO 27001 certification, and organizations can choose US or EU data residency. | Both hold compliance certifications: IMG.LY SOC 2 and GDPR, Canva SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001. IMG.LY adds compliance through self-hosting and custom data control; Canva lets organizations choose US or EU data residency. |
| Production Readiness | Proven in large-scale enterprise deployments with regular updates and QA. | Marketing and asset management platforms integrate with Canva through its REST APIs, which ship in regular releases. Canva offers developer support through tickets. | Both are production-ready. IMG.LY runs in large-scale enterprise deployments with regular updates; Canva’s REST APIs ship in regular releases. |
| Pricing Model | Transparent enterprise licensing based on usage and platform with startup-friendly tiers. | Many features depend on the Canva plan of the user an integration acts for, and AI jobs use that user's AI credits. | IMG.LY offers clear pricing tiers; many Canva REST API features depend on each user's Canva plan. |
| Community & Support | Enterprise SLAs, dedicated engineers, onboarding, and architectural consulting. Comprehensive documentation and active developer community. | Support tickets through Canva’s developer service desk, a developer community forum, and documentation. | IMG.LY offers dedicated engineering support; Canva supports developers through support tickets and a community forum. |
Embed your own editor
Canva Connect embeds Canva’s editor, with Canva’s branding, and renders every design on Canva’s cloud. CE.SDK is an embeddable editor that runs inside your app on your own domain, so the interface, the brand, and the data are yours.
Key capabilities
Learn more about some of the functionalities of IMG.LY’s SDK.
Editing
Printing
Templating
Text variables.
Enable mass personalization and creative automation by embedding variables.
Placeholders & lockable designs.
Constrain templates to guide your users’ design and ensure brand consistency.
Configurable presets.
Enforce a consistent aesthetic across all creations by using preset filters, adjustments, fonts, and crop ratios.
Customizability
Build custom UIs.
Use the headless API powering all creative operations to implement an entirely custom UI.
Theming.
Theme the editor to match your app.
Media libraries.
Set up custom libraries that are easily sortable.
Toolbar customization.
Reposition toolbar elements, change icons, or rename tools to fit your use case.
Internationalization.
Add support for additional languages, and customize any button label.
Export options.
Export designs in JPG, PNG, or PDF with custom quality, page ranges, and dimensions.
Moving from the Canva Connect API
Two guides for teams that already send users to Canva through its API: one compares the two approaches, the other walks through the switch to CE.SDK.
Where an embedded SDK fits better
How the Canva Connect API works, which teams outgrow it, and how CE.SDK compares feature by feature for design tools and creative automation.
How to migrate to CE.SDK
A step-by-step plan: map Canva features to CE.SDK, rebuild your templates, and move users over with minimal disruption.
Check out other use cases
Learn more about related solutions.
Apparel Designer
Whether t-shirts, hoodies or caps, build for any use case, deploy on any platform.
Get in touch
Contact our sales team to learn more about licensing options and get access to our AI plugins for CE.SDK.
FAQs
IMG.LY is a great alternative to the Canva REST APIs, offering a highly customizable design and editing experience that can be embedded into apps. It supports features like flexible template management, and integration with existing workflows, making it a strong choice for businesses looking to offer design tools within their platforms.
IMG.LY offers a comprehensive SDK that enables businesses to integrate design and video editing capabilities directly into their platforms, providing full customization and control over the user experience. In contrast, the Canva REST APIs connect your product to Canva's own editor, which you can extend with Canva apps, and Canva requires its branding.
Yes, IMG.LY's SDK allows developers to create a Canva-like experience within their own application, offering complete UI customization and template support.
Yes, IMG.LY is fully extensible via a plugin system, allowing businesses to add unique features tailored to their specific use cases. Canva is also extensible through apps that run inside its editor, but those apps extend Canva rather than an editor embedded in your product.
Yes, IMG.LY allows integration with external asset providers like Unsplash and Getty Images.
Yes, IMG.LY offers pre-made templates but businesses can create and manage their own template libraries.
IMG.LY is the better choice for enterprises looking for a white-label editor because it allows full branding and UI customization, whereas Canva does not offer a fully white-label solution.
IMG.LY offers deep customization, including UI modifications, feature toggles, and branding. With the Canva REST APIs, you choose which APIs and permissions your integration uses, while users edit in Canva's own editor.
Yes, IMG.LY supports high-resolution exports, including CMYK color profiles and print-ready PDFs, making it suitable for print applications.