Business
Fiverr vs Penji vs Canva: Who Comes Out on Top for Creatives?
Fiverr vs Canva vs Penji – which one should you choose?
Strong graphic design is no longer optional—it’s essential for standing out in today’s competitive market. Skimping on design could mean losing ground to competitors who are investing in high-quality visuals.
The good news? Accessing professional design has never been easier. From hiring skilled freelancers to creating your own designs or using subscription-based services, the options are vast. In this post, we’ll compare Fiverr vs Penji vs Canva, highlighting the leading choice in each category so you can find the best fit for your brand’s needs.
Companies Overview
Let’s start our Fiverr vs Canva vs Penji review with a brief introduction to each company.
Fiverr
Fiverr is a freelance gig platform for hiring remote workers, like web developers, podcast editors, video editors, and many more. Graphic designers are also available to hire on Fiverr with a wide scope of services. On Fiverr, you can browse various design styles to find the right designer for your project.
Penji
One of the highest-rated design services, Penji is a subscription-based graphic design service. You can subscribe and request as many designs projects as you want on a rolling basis. With Penji, you get access to 120+ design types, including web and app designs, presentation designs, motion designs, and illustrations. Plus access to art directors or project managers depending on what tier you choose.
Canva
Canva is a do-it-yourself graphic design application that will help you design anything related to your business. You don’t need graphic design experience to use Canva. They offer templates to help you get started with designs like YouTube thumbnails or ads. Plus, you can edit those templates based on your unique branding.
Fiverr vs Canva vs Penji Features
Next in our Fiverr vs Canva vs Penji showdown, let’s check out the features of each to see which one reigns supreme.
Fiverr
Fiverr provides businesses with two ways to find freelancers. First, you can find them using the search bar. Type “graphic designer” and find available designers to collaborate with. You can narrow your search by finding designers based on your design needs. For instance, you can browse “logo designers” instead of graphic designers.
As you select graphic designers, you can see that designers offer various plans depending on your design project. Plus, they indicate the following:
- Number of designs they can create
- Number of revisions
- Turnaround time
Plus, you can also find reviews from previous clients to know their working experience with one of your top choices.
The other way to find freelancers is the Fiverr Enterprise platform. Fiverr specialists will help you find the best graphic designers, creatives, and other employees for your team. Plus, the platform includes onboarding, management, payment, and compliance.
Penji
Penji has many features to get you started, from submitting your first request to chatting directly with your designers. You simply click “Create” in the top right corner of the dashboard, submit your design brief, and get matched with the appropriate designer right away.
Here’s what to expect when subscribed to Penji:
- Request 120+ designs
- Get matched with the best designer for your project
- Swap designers if needed
- Manage multiple brands
- Point and click revisions
- Team collaboration
- Designer chat window
- Real-time updates
Canva
Meanwhile, Canva is a software loaded with many intuitive features to help you design your own projects. Features depend on the plan you choose. However, here are the basics:
- Drag-and-drop editor
- Access to 1 million templates, 3 million photos and videos, and thousands of design types
- AI-generated designs
- Printing and delivery
However, if you need more than that, you can access the following on the paid plans:
- Resize and translate designs
- Brand kits
- Remove backgrounds
- 1TB of cloud storage
- 24/7 customer support
Turnaround Time
Turnaround time for Fiverr freelancers depends heavily on the graphic designer. They will indicate how long the delivery date would be. Some designers are quick (1-2 days), while others will take weeks for more involved projects.
Penji guarantees a 1 to 2-day turnaround time on most designs. If you’re subscribed to the Agency plan, they can even ensure same-day turnaround. However, complex projects like web or app designs will take longer.
Of course, if you’re using Canva, turnaround time is simply however long the project takes you! Again, this can vary depending on your design skills and whether or not you find the design elements you’re looking for.
Fiverr vs Canva vs Penji Pricing
Fiverr pricing depends on what designs you need. But as the name suggests, Fiverr refers to the $5 starting point that freelancers can charge clients with when working with them. However, there’s always the risk of poor quality. It’s best to vet each designer carefully and choose something reasonably priced.
Penji’s pricing is simple because you pay a flat monthly rate for all design work. Here are the pricing options depending on what tier of service you choose:
Lastly, Canva has three pricing tiers, depending on your needs and budget.
- Canva – Free
- Canva Pro – $15/mo
- Canva for Teams – $10/mo (minimum 3 users)
Design Work and Production
Next, let’s see Fiverr vs Canva vs Penji in terms of design work and production.
Design work by Fiverr freelancers varies from experience level to design specialties. Many Fiverr freelancers produce decent work for clients, considering the rates they charge. However, not all design work from Fiverr is 100% the best. Considering Fiverr is the best for short-term work, expect one or a few design variations for a project.
For Canva, we can use templates as the point of comparison for design work. Thousands of creators submit their templates to the graphic design software. Many templates look the same because it is the trend or looks modern. Regardless, Canva templates look decent to use as the base design for your brand. However, you need to modify it to your brand to avoid using similar templates from competitors or other brands.
Finally, Penji produces highly custom designs for clients. Because the price point is a bit higher, their design team can take the time to ensure you get the exact version of what you’re looking for. Penji isn’t a freelance platform, so you may get the chance to work with the same designers again and again (especially if you prefer their work).
Competitor Analysis
One fair comparison to make is between Fiverr and Penji since both deal with actual designers and their work. Here are a couple of comparison points for these two services to help you narrow your options further.
- Design variations – Fiverr freelancers can create a few variations. Meanwhile, Penji designers can produce multiple variations since you can switch between designers.
- Work volume – Fiverr designers can produce a limited number of designs, depending on plan inclusions. Ideally, they’re a good option for one-off projects. However, Penji can produce more than 10+ designs, especially if you have a monthly volume of designs.
- Comfort – Penji allows you to sit back and run your company since it’s an extension of your team. Meanwhile, you need to browse and interview freelancers on Fiverr. Plus, you have to worry about payment and management.
But if we were to put Canva back into the equation, Canva has the upper hand in pricing. Plus, if you’re creative enough, you can produce great brand designs without the help of designers.
Final Thoughts
Graphic design work can be done and delivered in three main ways: doing it yourself, hiring a freelancer, or subscribing to a graphic design service.
As we’ve seen in this three-way Fiverr vs Canva vs Penji showdown, each has its strengths and weaknesses. The three services have different models, which could benefit users or subscribers in getting their designs. It’s up to you which is the best design service for your situation. Good luck!
TL;DR: Penji leads Fiverr alternatives for businesses needing consistent design work at $499/month. Designjoy offers premium creative direction at $5,995/month. ManyPixels provides affordable, unlimited design at $549/month. Dribbble connects you with portfolio-vetted designers. Behance gives access to Adobe’s creative network.
Best Fiverr Alternatives:
- Penji: Unlimited designs for $499/month with US-based designers
- Designjoy: Premium subscription service at $5,995/month
- ManyPixels: Budget-friendly unlimited design at $549/month
- Dribbble: Direct access to portfolio-vetted designers
- Behance: Adobe’s creative network for finding talent
Why Are Business Owners Leaving Fiverr?
Some business owners find it difficult to search through numerous Fiverr profiles to find reliable designers. Frequently cited concerns include inconsistent quality, communication issues, and designers discontinuing work before completion.
Alternative freelance design platforms have emerged. Some platforms verify their designers, provide transparent pricing, and aim for reliable results. Here are services that support business needs.
Which Platforms Actually Work for Business Owners?
Penji: Best Value for Business Owners
For $499 per month, businesses can submit multiple design requests without worrying about extra charges or negotiating prices. This option provides consistent graphic design support as needed.
Penji connects you with US-based designers who know your industry. They handle everything from social media graphics and presentations to logos and print materials. Most projects are completed in 24 to 48 hours, and you can request as many changes as you need. You can also pause your subscription whenever you want, which is helpful for businesses with changing needs.
Designjoy: Best for Premium Creative Work
Businesses seeking premium creative direction may consider Designjoy at $5,995 per month. Designers often bring experience with major brands. The service includes design quality, easy revisions, and a focus on thoughtful creative work.
ManyPixels: Best Budget Subscription Option
ManyPixels charges $549 per month for unlimited design requests. Their team is global, so projects usually take 48 to 72 hours, compared to Penji’s faster turnaround. This is a good fit for marketing teams that need many designs, such as ads, email headers, or social media templates.
Dribbble: Best for Finding Portfolio-Vetted Talent
Dribbble began as a platform for designers to display their work. Clients can contact designers directly for freelance or contract opportunities. Rates typically range from $50 to $300 per hour and are set between client and designer. The platform allows portfolio reviews before contact and does not charge additional platform fees.
Behance: Best for Adobe Creative Professionals
Behance is Adobe’s creative network where thousands of designers share their portfolios. You can’t hire designers directly through the site, but it’s a great place to find talent and contact them by email or LinkedIn. Many designers include their availability and contact details on their profiles, so it’s simple to get in touch.
How Do You Choose What Fits Your Business?
Penji offers both quality and cost considerations: access to US-based designers, fast turnaround, and unlimited requests are standard. Learn more about why businesses prefer Penji over traditional freelance marketplaces.
Designjoy may be suitable for businesses in markets where design quality is important for branding. ManyPixels can be an option for those prioritizing budget and adaptability over turnaround speed. See how Penji compares to Fiverr in terms of quality and reliability.
Ready to Stop Settling for Unreliable Design?
Businesses may benefit from exploring Penji’s subscription service to determine if reliable, high-quality design solutions meet their requirements. Browse through examples of completed projects to see the quality you can expect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Fiverr alternative is best for small business owners?
Penji works best for most small businesses because $499/month is affordable and includes unlimited design work. You avoid the time drain of managing freelancers while getting consistent quality. Only go premium (Designjoy) if your market demands it.
Can I pause these subscriptions if I don’t need design every month?
Yes. Penji, ManyPixels, and Designjoy all let you pause at any time. You only pay for months when you’re actively using the service, making it practical even for businesses with seasonal needs or unpredictable design requirements.
What types of design work do these platforms handle?
Penji covers logos, social media graphics, presentations, print materials, web design mockups, and packaging. Designjoy handles similar work plus strategic brand development. ManyPixels focuses on digital marketing assets. Most platforms handle everything except complex web development or animation.
How do subscription services compare to hiring a full-time designer?
A full-time designer costs $50,000-80,000 annually plus benefits. Penji runs $5,988/year with more flexibility. You get similar output without payroll overhead, equipment costs, or downtime when there’s no work. Plus, you can pause between busy periods.
Are the designers actually based in the US?
Penji uses US-based designers who understand American business culture and time zones. ManyPixels works with a global team across different time zones. Designjoy features experienced US designers. If location matters for communication and cultural fit, check each platform’s designer location before committing.
TLDR: Penji and Kimp do flat rate unlimited design (Kimp throws video in, too). ManyPixels is cheaper for digital assets and Designity is premium US-based creative direction for more complex projects.
These Superside alternatives made the cut, and a few stand apart from the rest. While there are relative pros and cons to each worth delving into, the features that matter most to your team and company goals will define what’s best for you. Here’s a shortlist of what stands out.
1 Penji
Penji is one of the best superside alternatives. It claims to be the simple graphic design subscription solution you need. With flat-rate pricing, it’s successful through its workforce acquisition efforts as they only hire the top 2% of designers worldwide, meaning there’s always a crew ready to take and execute reliable assignments from social graphics to print needs. Furthermore, they have a clean feedback process and queue meaning that marketing teams can rely on a sound platform solution that delivers over time for ongoing launches or efforts for foundational power.
Pros:
- Unlimited requests and revisions.
- Designers are dedicated, meaning they get to know the brand over time.
- Can do everything from web needs to print, advertising, and decks.
- Flat pricing makes budgeting easy for internal chargebacks.
Cons:
- The fastest turnaround time requires an upgrade.
2 ManyPixels
ManyPixels is one of the top up-and-coming Solutions thanks to ease of use and lower starting pricing. ManyPixels is a good choice for those companies that primarily need digital graphic assets and want something that’s easy to scale. It also includes motion and video editing, which makes it more versatile in its outputs as the plans increase.
Pros:
- Low starting prices are one of the lowest for entry-level efforts.
- Access to all digital and print graphic design.
- A dedicated design portal helps keep things clean.
- Can easily pause or cancel a subscription.
Cons:
- Higher plans include UI/UX and more extensive offerings.
- Important requests may take longer based on the request type.
- May be less strategic than an agency would be.
3 Kimp
For anyone with visually-driven campaigns on social media and web properties, Kimp believes it specializes in unlimited graphic design plus unlimited video design, thus allowing for easy access to motion graphics needs at a flat-rate subscription price. This is especially effective for companies looking to have the Graphics + Video combo.
Pros:
- The Graphics + Video combo plan is a unique offering.
- Team of dedicated graphic designers and video editors.
- Combines branding efforts through Canva and motion graphics needs.
- 7-day risk-free trial.
Cons:
- It’s not recommended for niche-specific designs (like UI/UX or web development).
- There are hard limits per project and queue requests.
- The price for video or combo plans are higher.
4 Designity
Finally, Designity operates as a managed service where a Creative Director is assigned to the customer who manages a team of domestic creatives who are specialists in their field (for designs, animations, etc.). This allows for more quality assurance from a domestic stance in a strategic alignment offering more creative accountability than online-only, ticketed request platforms like others.
Pros:
- Dedicated U.S.-based Creative Director runs requests.
- U.S.-based creative services mean sensitive brand work is safe.
- Great for complicated projects that need time and oversight.
- The full-service platform includes design, video, and animation.
Cons:
- Higher costs due to managed U.S.-based efforts.
- Takes longer than it’s worth for basic accountability measures.
- Only mid-market to enterprise offerings will make sense here due to costs.
Many marketers love Canva as it allows them to create stunning graphics easily and affordably. In addition, it is also a favorite tool among many professional designers. However, Canva is one tool that many marketers and designers outgrow, thanks to its limitations. If you’re looking for the best Canva alternatives, here is our list of the top five:
Penji
A graphic design subscription platform, Penji, is the best Canva alternative for all business sizes. It offers unlimited graphic design services and revisions done by top-caliber designers. In as little as 24 to 48 hours, you’ll get your designs, reducing the risks of design bottlenecks and delays. All these for a flat rate, starting at $499 per month.
RelayThat
Looking for the best Canva alternative that offers design automation? RelayThat is the design partner you need. It can generate numerous branded visuals instantly, allowing you to get bulk designs quickly. Its key features include brand management, headline generator, one-click resize, and over 3 million free images.
VistaCreate
Previously known as Crello, VistaCreate is an excellent option for social media graphics, posters, and other marketing materials. It has an interface similar to Canva, making it an easy-to-use alternative. It also offers animated templates, a drag-and-drop editor, and print services through VistaPrint.
Stencil
Claiming to be “The Web’s Favorite Online Graphic Design Tool,” Stencil is an easy-to-use alternative to Canva. It offers a low learning curve, making it ideal for small teams, startups, bloggers, and social media managers. This tool lets you whip up blog headers, ad creatives, and other visual assets quickly.
Design Wizard
A powerful image and video editing tool, Design Wizard enables you to create both static and animated content. It offers a comprehensive template library that you can edit for all your design needs. It has a low learning curve, thanks to its beginner-friendly interface.
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