2026 Comparison

Hootsuite vs Canva: Which is Better?

A comprehensive, feature-by-feature comparison of Hootsuite and Canva to help you choose the best social media management tool in 2026.

12 features compared
Hootsuite: 4.2/5 rating
Canva: 4.7/5 rating

Our Verdict

Hootsuite leads in 7 categories while Canva leads in 0, with 5 ties. Both are capable tools, but for the best value with AI-powered features and a free plan, consider Planify as a modern alternative to both.

Hootsuite: 7 wins
Canva: 0 wins
Tied: 5 features

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

See how Hootsuite and Canva stack up across 12 key features

Feature
Hootsuite
Canva
AI-Powered Scheduling
Better
AI Content Assistant
Analytics & Reporting
Better
Team Collaboration
Bulk Scheduling
Better
RSS Feed Automation
Better
Content Calendar
Link in Bio
Social Inbox
Better
Custom Reporting
Better
Hashtag Suggestions
Better
Media Library
Key Differences

What Sets Them Apart

The biggest differences between Hootsuite and Canva that will affect your decision

AI-Powered Scheduling

Hootsuite offers ai-powered scheduling while Canva does not. This gives Hootsuite an edge for users who need this capability.

Winner: Hootsuite

Analytics & Reporting

Hootsuite offers analytics & reporting while Canva does not. This gives Hootsuite an edge for users who need this capability.

Winner: Hootsuite

Bulk Scheduling

Hootsuite offers bulk scheduling while Canva does not. This gives Hootsuite an edge for users who need this capability.

Winner: Hootsuite

RSS Feed Automation

Hootsuite offers rss feed automation while Canva does not. This gives Hootsuite an edge for users who need this capability.

Winner: Hootsuite
Pricing

Pricing Comparison

Hootsuite starts at $99/mo vs Canva at $15/mo

Hootsuite

Starting at $99/mo30-day free trial

Professional$99/month
  • 10 social accounts
  • 1 user
  • Unlimited scheduling
Team$249/month
  • 20 social accounts
  • 3 users
  • Team roles & permissions
EnterpriseCustom
  • 50+ social accounts
  • 5+ users
  • Social listening

Canva

More Affordable

Starting at $15/moFree plan available

Free$0/month
  • Basic templates
  • Limited social scheduling
  • 5GB cloud storage
Pro$15/month
  • All premium templates
  • Content planner
  • Brand kit
Teams$10/month/person
  • Everything in Pro
  • Brand controls
  • Workflow approvals

Which Tool is Right for You?

Here's our recommendation based on your needs

Choose Hootsuite if you:

  • Need AI-powered scheduling to optimize your posting times
  • Want AI assistance for creating content and captions
  • Need a unified inbox to manage all social conversations
  • Require custom reports for clients or stakeholders
  • Need to schedule many posts at once with bulk scheduling
Visit Hootsuite

Choose Canva if you:

  • Want a free plan to get started without any commitment
  • Want AI assistance for creating content and captions
  • Are looking for a tool best suited for: content creators who need design tools with basic scheduling
Visit Canva
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hootsuite vs Canva

Is Hootsuite worth the price compared to Planify?

Hootsuite starts at $99/mo which is 5x more expensive than Planify Pro ($19/mo). For small-to-medium businesses, Planify offers comparable features at a fraction of the cost. Hootsuite is only worth it for large enterprises needing social listening.

Can Planify replace Hootsuite for my team?

For most teams, yes. Planify offers team collaboration, multi-account management, analytics, and AI features. The main things you'd miss are social listening and some enterprise integrations.

Should I use Canva or Planify for social media?

Use both! Canva is great for designing posts, while Planify is better for scheduling, analytics, and AI-powered optimization. Many users design in Canva and schedule in Planify.

Does Canva have good scheduling features?

Canva's scheduling is basic — no AI optimization, no analytics, no social inbox. It's a design tool with scheduling added on. Planify is a dedicated scheduler with far more powerful features.

Which is better overall, Hootsuite or Canva?

It depends on your needs. Hootsuite is best for large enterprises with dedicated social media teams and big budgets, while Canva is best for content creators who need design tools with basic scheduling. We recommend trying Planify as an alternative that combines the best of both with AI-powered features and a free plan.

Can I switch from Hootsuite to Canva easily?

Yes, switching between social media management tools is straightforward. Simply connect your social accounts to the new platform and start scheduling. Your existing posts on the old platform remain unaffected during the transition.

Looking for a better alternative?

Try Planify — A Modern Alternative to Hootsuite & Canva

Planify combines the best of both worlds with AI-powered scheduling, a generous free plan, and support for 7+ platforms including Bluesky and Threads.