# Open-source alternatives to Canva

> Open-source alternatives to Canva that run locally, allow commercial use and need no paid API include Excalidraw (online whiteboards; MIT). HyCanvas covers all 5 Canva jobs.

Canva: Browser and app-based design tool with a large template library for social posts, presentations, print, whiteboards and brand assets; paid tiers add premium content, brand kits and team features. Pricing: See pricing page (checked 2026-10-15). Facts checked 2026-10-15.

## Projects

| Project | Jobs | Runs locally | Commercial use | Paid services | Hardware |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Excalidraw](https://repoquarry.dev/projects/excalidraw) | whiteboarding, real-time-collaboration | Self-hosted client via Docker, offline PWA, or hosted excalidraw.com | Yes, MIT | None required | Not documented |
| [Presenton](https://repoquarry.dev/projects/presenton) | slide-design | Yes, desktop app or self-hosted Docker; can use local models through Ollama | Yes, Apache-2.0 (check the licence of any model you connect) | None required with Ollama; optional paid LLM and image APIs | No minimums documented; NVIDIA GPU optional for local Ollama models in Docker |
| [WBO (Whitebophir)](https://repoquarry.dev/projects/wbo) | whiteboarding, real-time-collaboration | Self-hosted server (Docker or Node.js); public demo server | Yes, under AGPL-3.0 conditions (share source of modified network deployments) | None required | Not documented |
| [Grida](https://repoquarry.dev/projects/grida) | ui-design, social-graphics, slide-design | Yes, desktop app; projects stay in your own folders | Yes, Apache-2.0 | None required; AI features use optional paid provider keys or free local Ollama models | Not documented |
| [Doory](https://repoquarry.dev/projects/doory) | social-graphics, slide-design, brand-kit, print-design | Self-hosted web app (Docker Compose, or nginx and systemd on Linux) | Yes, if you keep the licence and NOTICE and show the author credit in the running app | None required; stock photo search needs a free Unsplash or Pexels key | Not documented |
| [vue-fabric-editor (Kuaitu)](https://repoquarry.dev/projects/vue-fabric-editor) | social-graphics | Yes, run or build the web app yourself; public demo also available | Yes, MIT | None required; a separate paid commercial edition exists | Not documented |
| [yft-design](https://repoquarry.dev/projects/yft-design) | social-graphics, print-design | Yes, run or build the web app yourself; free demo hosted | Yes, MIT (open-source version) | None required; a separate hosted Pro version exists | Not documented |
| [HyCanvas](https://repoquarry.dev/projects/hycanvas) | social-graphics, slide-design, brand-kit, whiteboarding, print-design | Self-hosted web app (single binary or Docker with PostgreSQL) | Yes under AGPL; internal and unmodified self-hosting need no commercial licence | None required; AI features need your own provider key; optional commercial licence | Not documented |

## Common questions

### Is there a free, open-source alternative to Canva?

Yes. HyCanvas, Doory, Grida, yft-design and Presenton are free to download and run on your own computer without paid API keys. HyCanvas covers every job we list for Canva; the others cover only part of it, so check which job you need.

### Can I do template-based social and marketing graphics locally without a Canva subscription?

Yes, with Grida (Apache-2.0), Doory (AAL) and HyCanvas (AGPL-3.0-only). Check the hardware notes and licence conditions on each page before you start.

### Can I do designed presentations and slide decks locally without a Canva subscription?

Yes, with Presenton (Apache-2.0), Grida (Apache-2.0) and Doory (AAL). Check the hardware notes and licence conditions on each page before you start.

### Which Canva alternatives can I use commercially?

Confirmed: Excalidraw, Grida, Presenton, vue-fabric-editor (Kuaitu) and yft-design. With conditions: Doory, HyCanvas and WBO (Whitebophir). This is not legal advice; read each licence.

### Does any open-source project replace all of Canva?

HyCanvas covers every job we list for Canva.

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Source: RepoQuarry (https://repoquarry.dev/alternatives/canva). Data licence: CC BY 4.0. Quotes are from project documentation and belong to their authors.