2026
BetterCanva Desktop
1-1 replacement of the slow, buggy, web-wrapped standard Canva desktop app.
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BetterCanva is the better Canva desktop app. Seriously!
Canva had SOO much potential with their desktop app. They simply said 'no', and gave us a web shell that was slower, buggier, and more inconsistent than just using the website - which had its own problems. Canva could have expanded on this to create the seriously amazing desktop app of everyones dreams - something that actually had more features than the website.
But that's not where their priorities are right now - so in the meantime, we're announcing my own version of the Canva desktop app - BetterCanva. It bridges the gap between WEB and DESKTOP APP based with more features.
Here are a few of the features:
✨ Core Features
🚀 BetterDash (Personalised Dashboard)
Jump straight into your workspace. Use LucidSearch to find recent projects or launch new designs in a few words. Access your launchpad, theme settings, and local upload management from one unified hub.
💨 Faster than the Canva Desktop app
BetterCanva is roughly 1.6-3.5x faster than the Canva desktop app, thanks to features such as Quick Start, allowing you to immideintly reopen the app in less then a second.
🎶 Focus Canvas
Get locked into your flow. Focus Canvas hides the distracting top navigation bar (Home, File, Share) while you work. Need them back? Simply hover your cursor at the top of the tab to reveal them dynamically.
🎨 Custom Themes
Canva's desktop app is visually limited. We’ve unlocked a library of dynamic themes including Terminal Matrix, Canva Glow, Gaming Legacy RGB, and Celebration (with particle effects!), specifically tailored for your tab bar.
⬆️ Fast-er Uploads with Local Upload feature
Standard browser uploads are slow and prone to failure. With Local Uploads, just drag your files into the BetterCanva Uploads folder. The app handles the upload process in the background—even if the window is minimized.
🔍 LucidSearch
The ultimate command palette. Press Ctrl + Alt + Space anywhere in the app to search your entire design history or trigger workflow tools instantly.