After nailing the design principles in High-Impact Pin Design, you should choose the right tool to bring your ideas to life.
If you want to know about High-Impact Pin Design, you can read this — High-Impact Pin Design — Hook Your Audience & Supercharge Engagement.
Every platform has its own strengths—some pack in tons of templates, others let you customize to your heart’s content, and a few shine at team collaboration. In this post, I’m sharing with you five popular pin design tools so you can choose the one that best fits your workflow and budget.
Why the Right Tool Matters
Speed vs. Flexibility
A template-driven tool can get you up and running in minutes, while a more flexible platform lets you fine-tune every detail.
Collaboration Needs
If you work with a team (or outsource graphics), real-time collaboration and comment features save endless back-and-forth.
Budget Considerations
Free plans cover most basics, but premium features—like brand kits or magic resizing—often come at a cost.
I’m all about free tools, so having that option is a must! When you’re just starting out, keeping trial-and-error costs low really eases the burden.
Choosing wisely means less frustration, faster Pin creation, and more flexibility to complete the idea.
5 Pin Design Tools Comparison
Comparison Criteria
Here are the five key dimensions I used to evaluate each tool:
- Ease of Use – Learning curve and interface clarity
- Template Library – Variety and quality of Pin-specific templates
- Customization – Control over fonts, colors, layers, and effects
- Collaboration & Sharing – Team workflows, comments, live editing
- Pricing – Free allowances, paid tiers, and value for money
Comparison Table
| Tool | Ease of Use | Templates | Customization | Collaboration | Free Plan Usability | Paid from… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canva | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | $12.99/mo |
| Tailwind Create | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | $9.99/mo |
| Adobe Express | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | $9.99/mo |
| Figma | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | $12/editor |
| VistaCreate | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | $10/mo |
Want the full scoop on each tool? Scroll down to dive into the more info!
- Ease of Use: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Drag-and-drop interface is intuitive with zero learning curve; built-in smart alignment and auto-layout let non-designers get started immediately.
- Template Library: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Over 250 K templates covering every style and size, updated regularly with trending designs.
- Customization: ⭐⭐⭐⭐Full layer control, filters, and gradient effects satisfy most needs; advanced animation and masking features are somewhat limited.
- Collaboration: ⭐⭐⭐⭐Supports team workspaces, comments, and version history; real-time multi-user editing is less smooth than specialized design tools.
- Free Plan Usability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Free: Access to almost all templates, upload your own assets, 5 GB storage, no watermark.
- Pro ($15/mo；$120/year): Unlock Brand Kit, transparent background export, Magic Resize, advanced color tools, and 100 M+ premium assets.
Ease of Use: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Clean interface that integrates seamlessly with Tailwind’s scheduler; creators familiar with Tailwind pick it up quickly.
Template Library: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Plenty of 2:3-ratio Pin templates and auto-generated style variations; selection is robust but not as massive as Canva’s.
Customization: ⭐⭐⭐
Quickly swap text, fonts, and colors—but you can’t fine-tune layer positions or add advanced effects.
Collaboration: ⭐⭐⭐
Share design links and view together in Tailwind; lacks deep commenting and version-control features.
Free Plan Usability: ⭐⭐⭐
- Free: Up to 5 designs per day, includes basic scheduling.
- Paid ($9.99/mo+): Unlimited designs, full scheduling, Tribe sharing, advanced analytics, and SmartSchedule suggestions.
Ease of Use: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Familiar interface for Photoshop/Illustrator users; newcomers need a short adjustment period.
Template Library: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Professional brand-style templates and social media assets with high-quality visuals.
Customization: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Full support for filters, animations, masking, and vector graphics—virtually limitless creative control.
Collaboration: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Shared projects and commenting, synced with Creative Cloud assets; lacks real-time multi-user editing.
Free Plan Usability: ⭐⭐
- Free: Unlimited designs and templates, but adds an Adobe Express watermark.
- Paid ($9.99/mo): Removes watermark, unlocks Adobe Stock assets, Brand Kit, and advanced filters/animations.
Ease of Use: ⭐⭐⭐
Powerful but professional-grade tools require a learning curve; best suited for design teams or experienced users.
Template Library: ⭐⭐
No built-in Pin templates—must import or create your own, which raises the barrier for pure Pin designers.
Customization: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Top-tier vector editing, component libraries, Auto Layout, and plugin support for detailed design work.
Collaboration: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Real-time multi-user editing, detailed version history, and in-file comments; ideal for larger teams.
Free Plan Usability: ⭐⭐⭐
- Free: Up to 3 projects, 2 editors, core vector and prototyping features.
- Paid ($12/editor·mo+): Unlimited projects, full version history, enterprise-level collaboration and access controls.
Ease of Use: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Intuitive drag-and-drop interface similar to Canva; some feature names require a brief familiarization.
Template Library: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Robust static and animated templates, especially strong for video and motion Pins.
Customization: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Solid layer management, animation settings, and filter options; lacks a few advanced effects compared to Adobe Express.
Collaboration: ⭐⭐
Basic share-link and download permissions; no commenting or version history.
Free Plan Usability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Free: 10 high-res downloads per month, access to 50 M+ assets, no watermark.
- Paid ($10/mo): Unlimited downloads, unlock all animation and video templates.
Plus, Canva’s packed with free templates and tutorials you can find online. As a designer, I usually work in Illustrator and Figma, but I love using Canva for quick, simple layouts or simple design.
Grab your free Pin template at 《High-Impact Pin Design — Hook Your Audience & Supercharge Engagement》
A Roundup of Each Tool
1. Canva
The most popular “all-in-one” graphic tool, perfect for beginners and pros alike.
While a Pro subscription unlocks advanced features and premium assets for more intricate designs, the free plan is more than enough to get started—and with countless free and paid templates available online, finding ready-made layouts is a breeze.
Best for: Solo bloggers or small teams who value speed and polish.
2. Tailwind Create
Tailwind itself is a full-fledged Pin management tool—offering scheduling, analytics, and publishing all in one place. Its built-in design feature is optimized specifically for Pinterest.
With Tailwind Create, you can design dozens of Pin variations from a single upload, get smart suggestions for ideal dimensions and text placement, and then schedule your top picks directly to your boards.
Watch out for:
Customization is limited to swapping fonts, colors, and copy—no advanced graphic effects.
Best for:
Creators who use Tailwind as their main workflow and need fast, data-driven Pin designs.
3. Adobe Express (formerly Spark)
Adobe’s lightweight graphic app crafted for non-designers.
Its template library is extensive and professionally crafted—ideal for beginners who want polished, on-brand graphics without a steep learning curve. However, most layouts share a similar style (so they can feel “cookie-cutter” if you crave uniqueness), and the free plan adds an Express watermark unless you upgrade.
Best for: Newcomers aiming for professional-looking Pins fast, and brand-focused creators already in Adobe’s ecosystem.
4. Figma
A vector-based powerhouse beloved by UI/UX designers—offering unparalleled flexibility with virtually no usage constraints.
Figma doesn’t include Pin templates out of the box, but you can easily find community-created templates online to jump-start your projects—just be ready for a steeper learning curve and some upfront setup.
Best for: Teams or agencies craving full creative control and version history.
5. Vista Create
Formerly Crello, this budget-friendly Canva rival is on the rise. It supports both static Pins—available on the free plan (with a handful of templates and a monthly download cap)—and animated video Pins once you upgrade.
Paid tiers unlock unlimited downloads of all templates and assets, plus intuitive drag-and-drop animation tools that let you add motion and export MP4s without grappling with timelines or keyframes. While the animation workflow is delightfully simple, the template search interface can be a bit clunky, with limited filters and occasional slow loads—meaning you might need a couple extra clicks to find the perfect design.
Best for: Budget-conscious creators who want quick static graphics or easy animations without a steep learning curve.
How to Choose the Right Tool
Speed vs. Flexibility
- If you need unlimited drag-and-drop templates: Canva or VistaCreate.
- If pixel-perfect control matters: Figma or Adobe Express.
Workflow Integration:
- Already on Tailwind? Tailwind Create keeps everything in one place.
- Deep in Adobe’s suite? Adobe Express syncs with your Creative Cloud library.
Collaboration Needs:
- Solo or small team: Canva (comments + share links).
- Larger teams or outside stakeholders: Figma (live editing + versioning).
Budget & Scale:
- Free tier sufficient? Try Canva or Adobe Express.
- Need animation & HD video Pins? Consider VistaCreate.
As an introduction to my personal period, my personal priorities are Speed vs. Precision and Budget & Scale, because I don’t have a team and the volume is not large (for example, I only have a single blog).
But as the number of people increases, collaboration and workflow integration will become more important.
If you’re still undecided, here are three practical steps to help you choose the suitable Pin design tool:
1. Pick Your Top Two
Sign up for the free plans of your two favorite tools and create 3–5 quick Pin designs in each. Note how smooth the workflow is and which interface you enjoy using most.
2. Match to Your Blog’s Vibe
Upload your blog’s signature colors, fonts, or any personal style elements (even a simple screenshot of your site’s color palette) into each tool. See which one “clicks”—the tool that feels most intuitive and produces designs that capture your unique look and feel.
3. Run a Mini A/B Test
Take the same Pin concept (same image and headline) and build it in both tools. Publish both versions, let each get at least 100 impressions, and compare their click-through or save rates. The higher-performing design shows which tool truly resonates with your audience.
This approach lets you objectively compare features and quickly zero in on the tool that not only works well, but truly suits your personal blogging style.
You can PIN this article and come back anytime.
