Soundly vs Canva: Audio Library vs Design Platform Comparison
Compare Soundly and Canva for creative workflows. Soundly offers professional sound effects libraries for audio/video production, while Canva provides graphic design tools with basic audio features.
Updated 2026-09 · 2026
Soundly
Professional sound effects library and audio management tool
Strengths
- +Massive library of over 1 million sound effects
- +Offline access to downloaded sounds
- +Direct integration with major DAWs and video editors
Weaknesses
- -Limited to audio assets only
- -No visual design capabilities
- -Requires desktop application
Best for
Video editors, sound designers, podcasters, and content creators who need professional audio assets for their projects
Canva
All-in-one visual design platform with templates and assets
Strengths
- +Extensive template library for all design types
- +Intuitive drag-and-drop interface
- +Built-in stock photos, videos, and basic audio
Weaknesses
- -Limited audio library compared to specialized tools
- -Basic audio editing features only
- -Sound effects quality varies
Best for
Marketers, social media managers, and small businesses creating visual content with occasional audio needs
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sound Effects Library | 1M+ professional sound effects | Basic audio library (limited selection) |
| Visual Design Tools | None | Comprehensive design suite with templates |
| Audio Quality | Professional-grade WAV files | Standard quality MP3s |
| DAW Integration | Direct integration with Premiere, Final Cut, Logic | No DAW integration |
| Offline Access | Yes, download and use offline | Limited (requires internet for most features) |
| Video Editing | None (audio only) | Built-in video editor with timeline |
| Collaboration | Limited sharing features | Real-time team collaboration |
| Template Library | None | 250,000+ templates |
| Audio Search | Advanced AI-powered search | Basic keyword search |
| Free Tier | Access to free sounds, limited downloads | Generous free tier with many features |
| Platform | Desktop app (Mac/Windows) | Web, iOS, Android |
| Learning Curve | Easy for audio professionals | Very beginner-friendly |
The Verdict
These tools serve completely different purposes and aren't direct competitors. Choose Soundly if you need professional sound effects for video/audio production work. Choose Canva if you need an all-in-one design platform with basic audio capabilities for social media and marketing content.
How to switch from Soundly to Canva
- 1Export your data from Soundly: use the 'Export Playlist' feature to save your saved sound lists as a CSV file, and use 'Batch Export' to download your purchased/favorited sound effects as WAV or MP3 files to a local folder.
- 2Upload your exported WAV/MP3 audio files into Canva's 'Uploads' panel so they're available to use in your designs and videos.
- 3Organize uploaded audio files into Canva folders that mirror your old Soundly categories (e.g., 'transitions', 'ambient', 'notification sounds') so your team can find them easily.
- 4Since Canva has no DAW integration, manually drag your uploaded audio into Canva's video timeline editor for any project that previously relied on Soundly's Premiere/Final Cut plugin.
- 5Invite your team to a shared Canva Team workspace and set folder permissions so everyone can access the migrated audio assets and templates.
- 6Keep your Soundly subscription active until you've confirmed all needed sound effects are exported and re-uploaded, then downgrade or cancel it if audio was only a small part of your workflow.
Soundly vs Canva: common questions
How do I export my sound library from Soundly?+
Use Soundly's 'Export Playlist' feature to save your organized sound lists as a CSV file with metadata, then use 'Batch Export' to download your actual audio files as WAV or MP3 to a local folder. There's no direct migration path into Canva since it's a different type of tool, so you'll need to manually upload the exported files.
What do I lose by switching from Soundly to Canva for audio?+
You lose access to Soundly's 1M+ professional sound effects library, its AI-powered audio search, and direct DAW integrations with Premiere, Final Cut, and Logic. Canva's built-in audio library is much smaller and lower quality, so this move only makes sense if audio is a minor part of your workflow.
Is Canva's free plan enough for a small team's audio needs?+
Canva's free plan works fine for basic social media graphics with occasional background music or simple sound effects, but its audio selection is thin compared to a dedicated library. If your team regularly needs specific, high-quality sound effects, you'll likely still need Soundly or another audio tool alongside Canva.
Does Canva integrate with video editors like Soundly does?+
No, Canva has no direct integration with Premiere, Final Cut, or Logic Pro the way Soundly does. You can export video/audio from Canva as standard files (MP4, MP3) and import them manually into your editor, but there's no live plugin connection.
How much does Canva cost compared to Soundly over a year?+
Canva Pro runs $14.99/mo (about $180/year) or $120/year if billed annually, while Soundly's paid plans start at $9.99/mo (around $120/year) for expanded sound access. If you need both design and professional audio, budget for both tools since neither replaces the other's core function.
How to export your data from Canva
ZIP · verified against official docs
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