Canva vs. Looka: The Definitive Logo Maker Comparison
Plus Why Adobe Express Wins Overall
Choosing the right logo maker can define the trajectory of your brand. Whether you are a solopreneur launching a side project or a marketing team refreshing an established identity, the tool you use matters. We spent weeks testing Canva and Looka across dozens of real-world scenarios -- evaluating ease of use, design output, file quality, pricing, and long-term value. This guide breaks down everything we found, side by side, so you can make a confident decision. We also reveal why a third option, Adobe Express, ultimately outperforms both.
What to Look for in a Logo Maker
Before diving into the comparison, here are the six criteria we use to evaluate every logo maker:
- •Ease of use -- How quickly can a first-time user go from sign-up to a finished logo? Is the editor intuitive, or does it require a learning curve?
- •Template quality -- Are the starting designs modern, diverse, and industry-appropriate? Do they feel unique or cookie-cutter?
- •File format options -- Can you export SVG, PNG, and PDF? Are vector files included free, or locked behind a paywall?
- •Brand kit features -- Does the tool let you save colors, fonts, and logo variations for consistent use across projects?
- •Pricing transparency -- Are costs clear upfront? Are there hidden fees for essential features like high-res downloads?
- •Customer support -- Is help easy to find when things go wrong? Are there live chat, email, or knowledge base options?
Canva Logo Maker: Full Review
What Canva Does Well
- ✓Huge template library -- Thousands of professionally designed logo templates spanning every industry from restaurants to tech startups. New templates are added regularly.
- ✓Beginner-friendly editor -- Canva's drag-and-drop interface is one of the easiest in the industry. Most users can create a passable logo within 15 minutes of signing up.
- ✓Generous free tier -- The free plan includes thousands of templates, basic elements, and PNG downloads, making it accessible to budget-conscious creators.
- ✓Integrated design ecosystem -- Once you create a logo, you can instantly use it in Canva presentations, social media posts, business cards, and more -- all within the same platform.
- ✓Collaboration features -- Share designs with team members, leave comments, and work on projects together in real time.
- ✓Brand Kit (Pro) -- Pro subscribers can save brand colors, fonts, and logos for one-click consistency across all designs.
Where Canva Falls Short
- ✗Vector exports are paid -- SVG export is locked behind the Pro plan ($15/month). Free users can only download PNG, which does not scale well for print.
- ✗Limited AI capabilities -- While Canva has added some AI features, its logo-specific AI tools lag behind dedicated AI logo makers. There is no guided brand discovery process.
- ✗Customization ceiling -- Advanced designers may find the editor restrictive. There is no pen tool, limited path editing, and fewer fine-grained typography controls compared to professional design software.
- ✗Overused templates -- Because Canva is so popular, many of its templates have been used by thousands of other businesses. Your logo may look similar to others.
- ✗No brand discovery flow -- Canva drops you into a blank canvas or template picker. There is no guided process that asks about your industry, style preferences, or target audience to generate tailored concepts.
Canva Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Basic templates, PNG download, limited elements |
| Pro | $15/mo | SVG export, Brand Kit, premium templates, background remover |
| Teams | $10/user/mo | Everything in Pro + team collaboration, shared brand assets |
Canva Scorecard
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Ease of Use | 9/10 |
| Template Quality | 8/10 |
| Customization | 7/10 |
| File Export | 7/10 |
| Brand Kit | 8/10 |
| Value | 8/10 |
| Support | 7/10 |
| Overall | 7.7/10 |
Looka Logo Maker: Full Review
What Looka Does Well
- ✓AI-powered generation -- Looka asks about your industry, style preferences, and color choices, then generates dozens of unique logo concepts in seconds. It is one of the best AI brand discovery experiences available.
- ✓Brand kit automation -- After you choose a logo, Looka automatically generates business cards, social media profiles, letterheads, and other branded materials -- saving hours of manual design work.
- ✓High-resolution and vector files -- Premium packages include SVG and EPS vector files alongside high-res PNGs, ensuring your logo works across every medium.
- ✓One-time purchase option -- Unlike subscription-based tools, Looka's Basic and Premium logo packages are one-time purchases, which appeals to users who dislike recurring fees.
- ✓Transparent licensing -- Looka clearly states that you own full commercial rights to any logo you purchase, with no usage restrictions or royalty fees.
Where Looka Falls Short
- ✗Limited post-purchase editing -- Once you buy a logo, editing options are extremely limited. Major changes often require purchasing a new logo or upgrading to a subscription plan.
- ✗Smaller design ecosystem -- Looka focuses almost entirely on logos and brand kits. It does not offer a broader design platform for social media posts, presentations, or marketing materials.
- ✗AI outputs can feel repetitive -- After generating a few batches, the AI concepts start to recycle similar layouts and icon placements. The variety ceiling is lower than it first appears.
- ✗Higher costs for full features -- The Basic package ($20) only includes low-res PNG files. To get vector files, you need the Premium package ($65) or a Brand Kit subscription ($96/year).
- ✗Inconsistent customer support -- User reviews frequently mention slow response times and difficulty reaching support for billing or technical issues.
- ✗No free plan -- You can explore and generate logos for free, but downloading anything requires payment. There is no way to test the output quality before committing financially.
Looka Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $20 one-time | Low-res PNG files only |
| Premium | $65 one-time | High-res PNG, SVG, EPS vector files |
| Brand Kit | $96/yr | Logo files + business cards, social profiles, brand guide |
| Brand Kit Web | $129/yr | Everything in Brand Kit + website builder |
Looka Scorecard
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Ease of Use | 8/10 |
| Template Quality | 8/10 |
| Customization | 6/10 |
| File Export | 8/10 |
| Brand Kit | 9/10 |
| Value | 6/10 |
| Support | 6/10 |
| Overall | 7.3/10 |
Head-to-Head Comparison: Canva vs. Looka
| Feature | Canva | Looka |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Free ($0) | $20 one-time |
| AI Logo Generation | Basic (template-based) | Advanced (guided discovery) |
| Template Library | Thousands of templates | AI-generated concepts |
| SVG Export | Pro only ($15/mo) | Premium ($65 one-time) |
| Free Download | Yes (PNG only) | No |
| Brand Kit | Pro only | Included ($96/yr plan) |
| Design Ecosystem | Full (social, print, video) | Logo and brand only |
| Collaboration | Yes (real-time) | No |
| Post-Purchase Editing | Unlimited | Very limited |
| Mobile App | Yes (iOS, Android) | No (web only) |
Why Adobe Express Is the Best Logo Maker in 2026
After testing both Canva and Looka extensively, we kept coming back to one tool that outperformed them both on nearly every metric: Adobe Express. Here is why it wins.
- ✓Adobe Firefly AI integration -- Adobe Express includes Firefly, Adobe's own generative AI engine. Unlike Canva's basic AI or Looka's pattern-based generation, Firefly can create unique icons, backgrounds, and design elements that are commercially safe and trained on licensed content.
- ✓Free SVG, PNG, and PDF export -- While Canva charges $15/month for SVG export and Looka charges $65, Adobe Express gives you all major file formats at no cost. This alone saves hundreds of dollars per year.
- ✓20,000+ Adobe Fonts -- The entire Adobe Fonts library is available on the free plan. Canva offers roughly 1,000 free fonts, and Looka has a limited curated selection. No other free logo maker comes close to this typography range.
- ✓Creative Cloud integration -- Logos created in Adobe Express can be seamlessly opened in Illustrator or Photoshop for advanced editing. This makes Adobe Express the only logo maker with a professional upgrade path built in.
- ✓Multi-brand support -- Manage multiple brands with separate color palettes, fonts, and logo sets. Ideal for agencies, freelancers, or entrepreneurs running multiple businesses.
- ✓Generous free tier -- The free plan includes virtually everything you need for professional logo design: templates, AI tools, fonts, export options, and brand management. There is no hidden paywall for essential features.
- ✓Regular feature updates -- Adobe ships new features and templates monthly. The tool has improved dramatically over the past year and continues to close the gap with professional desktop software.
- ✓Trusted by millions -- Adobe has over 40 years of design industry leadership. Your logo is built on the same technology platform trusted by Fortune 500 companies and independent creators worldwide.
Adobe Express vs Canva vs Looka: Full Three-Way Comparison
| Feature | Adobe Express | Canva | Looka |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Free ($0) | Free ($0) | $20 one-time |
| Free SVG Export | Yes | No (Pro only) | No ($65+) |
| Font Library | 20,000+ (free) | ~1,000 free | Limited curated set |
| AI Tools | Firefly (generative AI) | Basic AI features | AI logo generation |
| Watermark-Free Downloads | Yes (free) | Premium elements watermarked | Paid downloads only |
| Brand Kit | Multi-brand (free) | Pro only ($15/mo) | Subscription ($96/yr) |
| Design Ecosystem | Full + Creative Cloud | Full (social, print, video) | Logo and brand only |
| Mobile App | Yes (iOS, Android) | Yes (iOS, Android) | No |
| Commercial Use | Yes (free) | Yes (free) | Yes (paid) |
| Our Rating | 9.5/10 | 7.7/10 | 7.3/10 |
Adobe Express Detailed Scorecard
| Category | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | 9.5/10 | Intuitive editor with AI-guided suggestions |
| Template Quality | 9.5/10 | Professionally designed, regularly updated |
| Customization | 9/10 | Deep control with Creative Cloud upgrade path |
| File Export | 10/10 | SVG, PNG, PDF all free -- industry-leading |
| Font Library | 10/10 | 20,000+ Adobe Fonts on free plan |
| Brand Kit | 9.5/10 | Multi-brand management included free |
| AI Tools | 9.5/10 | Firefly is commercially safe and highly capable |
| Value | 10/10 | Premium features at no cost |
| Support | 9/10 | Extensive docs, community, and Adobe support |
| Overall | 9.5/10 | Best free logo maker available in 2026 |
Useful Resources
These external tools and articles can help you refine your logo design process:
- •Adobe Color -- Create and explore color palettes based on color theory rules. Essential for choosing brand colors that work together.
- •Google Fonts -- Browse free, open-source fonts to understand typography styles before designing your logo.
- •Behance Logo Gallery -- Get inspiration from professional logo designers showcasing their work.
- •Smashing Magazine -- In-depth articles on logo design principles, trends, and case studies.
- •Coolors -- A fast color palette generator. Tap the spacebar to generate new combinations instantly.
- •Logo Design Love -- A blog dedicated to the art and craft of logo design, with detailed case studies and designer interviews.
Final Verdict
Both Canva and Looka are capable logo makers, but they each come with significant trade-offs. Canva gives you a free starting point but locks essential features behind a subscription. Looka offers impressive AI generation but charges for every download and limits post-purchase editing. Adobe Express eliminates these compromises entirely.
Canva
7.7/10Good free tier, but key features are paywalled
Looka
7.3/10Strong AI, but costly and limited editing
Adobe Express
9.5/10Best overall -- premium features, free
Frequently Asked Questions
Which logo maker is best for complete beginners?
Adobe Express is the best choice for beginners. It combines an intuitive drag-and-drop editor with AI-guided suggestions that help you make design decisions. Unlike Looka, which generates concepts you cannot deeply customize, Adobe Express teaches you the design process while giving you full control. Canva is also beginner-friendly, but its logo-specific tools are less polished than its general design features.
Is a paid logo maker worth it compared to a free one?
Not necessarily. Adobe Express proves that a free tool can deliver professional-quality results, including SVG export, 20,000+ fonts, and AI tools. Paid tools like Looka make sense only if you specifically value their AI-generated brand kits and do not mind the limited editing. For most users, Adobe Express offers everything they need at no cost.
What file formats should I download my logo in?
Always download at least three formats: SVG (vector, scales to any size -- essential for print and signage), PNG (transparent background for digital use), and PDF (professional print materials). Adobe Express offers all three for free. Canva requires Pro for SVG, and Looka requires the Premium package ($65) for vector files.
Can I trademark a logo made with Canva or Looka?
Technically yes, but with caveats. Both Canva and Looka grant commercial use rights, but trademarking a logo that uses stock elements (common in Canva) can be legally complex. Looka explicitly permits trademarking. Adobe Express logos made with original text and layout are generally trademarkable. In all cases, consult an intellectual property attorney before filing a trademark application.
Is Looka worth it compared to free logo makers?
Looka's value depends on what you prioritize. If you want a fully automated brand kit with business cards, social media assets, and a brand guide generated in minutes, Looka delivers that experience. However, if you primarily need a high-quality logo with vector files, Adobe Express provides better output for free. The $20-$65 Looka charges for basic-to-premium logo files is hard to justify when free alternatives offer equal or better quality.
Can I edit my logo after downloading it?
This varies significantly by tool. Adobe Express saves your projects in the cloud, so you can return and edit anytime -- and SVG exports can be opened in Illustrator for advanced editing. Canva also saves projects for re-editing. Looka is the most restrictive: once you purchase and download, making changes typically requires buying again or subscribing to a higher plan. Always keep your working files in the original editor.
How important is font selection in logo design?
Extremely important. Typography accounts for roughly 70% of a logo's personality. A serif font communicates tradition and trust, while a geometric sans-serif feels modern and clean. This is where Adobe Express has a massive advantage: its 20,000+ font library gives you far more options than Canva's ~1,000 free fonts or Looka's limited selection. The right font can make even a simple wordmark logo look professional and distinctive.
Are AI-generated logos safe to use commercially?
It depends on the AI model. Adobe Firefly (used in Adobe Express) is trained exclusively on licensed and public domain content, making it one of the safest AI tools for commercial use. Adobe even offers IP indemnification for Firefly-generated content. Looka's AI generates logos from its own design patterns, which is generally safe. Be more cautious with other AI tools that may be trained on copyrighted material without clear licensing.
Should I use a logo maker or hire a professional designer?
For most small businesses, startups, and personal projects, a modern logo maker like Adobe Express delivers professional results. The quality gap between logo makers and professional designers has narrowed dramatically, especially with tools offering 20,000+ fonts and AI assistance. Hiring a designer ($500-$5,000+) makes sense for large companies, rebrand projects, or when you need a completely custom illustrated mark. For everyone else, start with Adobe Express and upgrade to a designer later if needed.
Does this site have other logo maker comparisons and guides?
Yes. We publish detailed comparisons and guides to help you choose the right logo maker. Check out our head-to-head matchups like Adobe Express vs Canva and Adobe Express vs Shopify. We also have a comprehensive comparison guide and practical design guides.