Zoviz vs Canva for ID Cards: A Side-by-Side Comparison

• By Richard Bachman
• 29-04-2026
• Technology

A school admin once told me they started making student ID cards in Canva because “it looked easy.” Two hours later, they were still adjusting dimensions, resizing photos, and trying to figure out how to add a QR code without breaking the layout.

That’s usually how this comparison starts.

Both tools can create ID cards. But they’re built for very different purposes. If you’re trying to decide between them as your go-to ID card maker, the differences show up quickly once you start working at scale.

This breakdown looks at how each tool performs in real use, not just feature lists.

Quick Overview: Zoviz vs Canva

At a glance, Zoviz is purpose-built, while Canva is flexible but not specialized.

What It’s Like to Actually Use Them

Zoviz: Built for ID Cards from the Start

When you open a dedicated ID card maker like Zoviz ID card maker, the structure is already there.

You’re not starting from a blank canvas. Instead:

• Templates are already sized to CR-80 standards
• Fields for names, photos, and roles are pre-placed
• QR codes and barcodes can be added without leaving the editor
• There’s also a bulk creation feature. Upload a spreadsheet, map your fields, and generate dozens or hundreds of cards in one go.

Where it works well:

• Fast setup for employee or student ID cards
• Consistent output across multiple cards
• Useful for teams that don’t want to think about design rules

Where it falls short:

• No smart card encoding for access systems
• Bulk features require a paid plan
• Not ideal for very high-volume enterprise printing

Canva: Flexible but Not Built for This

Canva is a great design tool. It just wasn’t made specifically for ID cards.

If you use Canva as an ID card creator, here’s what happens:

• You start with a generic template or blank page
• You manually set card dimensions
• You adjust layout elements yourself
• You rely on external tools for QR codes

It works. But you’re doing more manual work.

What Canva does well:

• Easy drag-and-drop interface
• Large template library
• Familiar for many users

Where it struggles:

• No native QR or barcode generation
• Card sizing can be inconsistent
• Bulk creation is limited without advanced features

If you’re making one or two cards, Canva is fine. If you’re making 200, it gets tiring.

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

1. Templates and Design Control

• Zoviz offers thousands of ID-specific templates. These include employee badges, student cards, visitor passes, and more.
• Canva offers more variety overall but not specifically for ID cards. You’ll often need to adapt a design.

Verdict:

Zoviz is more practical. Canva is more flexible.

2. Ease of Use

• Canva is easier if you’ve never designed anything before. It’s built for general users.
• Zoviz is easier if your goal is specifically to create ID cards. The workflow is narrower but faster.

Verdict:

Tie, depending on your goal.

3. QR Code and Barcode Support

• This is where the gap becomes obvious.
• Zoviz includes QR and barcode generation directly in the editor. No extra steps.
• Canva requires you to generate codes elsewhere and import them.

Verdict:

Zoviz wins clearly.

4. Bulk ID Card Creation

• If you need to create multiple cards, this matters.
• Zoviz allows you to upload a dataset and generate cards automatically.
• Canva can do something similar with data tools, but it’s less straightforward and not designed specifically for ID cards.

Verdict:

Zoviz is better for batch work.

5. Output and Print Quality

• Zoviz exports print-ready files in PDF, JPG, and PNG formats with correct dimensions.
• Canva exports high-quality designs, but print alignment depends on how well you set up your document.

Verdict:

Zoviz is more reliable for printing.

Pricing Comparison

Zoviz’s free plan covers design and export, which is enough for small tasks. Bulk creation and advanced features require upgrading.
Canva’s free plan is usable, but many templates and assets are locked behind Pro.

Where Canva Actually Makes More Sense

To be fair, Canva isn’t the wrong choice it just depends on the situation.

Choose Canva if:

• You’re already using it for design work
• You need creative freedom beyond ID cards
• You’re making only a few cards

For example, if you’re designing a branded badge for an event and want more visual control, Canva might feel more natural.

Where Zoviz Is the Better Fit

Zoviz works better when:

• You need to create many ID cards quickly
• You want consistent formatting across all cards
• You need QR or barcode integration
• You don’t want to deal with sizing or layout issues

Other Tools Worth Considering

Even though this comparison focuses on Zoviz and Canva, there are other tools depending on your needs.

Adobe Express

• Best for: Adobe users
• Limitation: Not built for ID cards

It offers clean templates but lacks automation and ID-specific features.

ID Card Workshop

• Best for: High-volume printing
• Limitation: Desktop-only

This is one area where it outperforms Zoviz. If you’re printing thousands of cards regularly, desktop software handles it better.

Avery Design & Print

• Best for: Simple, free use
• Limitation: Very basic

Good for quick tasks, but limited in flexibility and features.

Common Mistakes When Choosing an ID Card Maker

Choosing Based on Familiarity

People often pick Canva because they already use it. That’s fine until the project grows.

Ignoring Bulk Needs

If you’re creating more than 20 cards, manual workflows slow you down quickly.

Overlooking Print Setup

Incorrect dimensions lead to wasted prints and frustration.

So, Which One Should You Use?

If you’re designing one or two cards and want creative flexibility, Canva works.

It’s less about which tool is “better” and more about which one fits your workflow.

FAQs

Is Canva good for creating ID cards?

Yes, Canva can be used to create ID cards, especially for small projects. However, it requires manual setup for dimensions and lacks built-in QR or barcode features.

What is the best ID card maker for bulk creation?

Tools like Zoviz are better suited for bulk ID card creation because they allow dataset uploads and automated generation.

Can I create ID cards online for free?

Yes, both Canva and Zoviz offer free plans. However, advanced features like bulk generation may require paid plans.

Do I need design skills to make ID cards?

Not necessarily. Templates and drag-and-drop tools make it possible to create ID cards without design experience.

What size should an ID card be?

The standard size is CR-80 (3.375" × 2.125"), which fits most card holders and printers.

Can I add QR codes in Canva?

Yes, but you’ll need to generate the QR code using an external tool and import it into your design.

Is Zoviz suitable for large organizations?

It works well for small to mid-sized teams. For very high-volume printing or advanced encoding, desktop tools may be more suitable.

Which tool is faster for making ID cards?

Zoviz is generally faster because it’s built specifically for ID card creation and supports bulk workflows.

Final Thoughts

Both tools can create ID cards. That’s not the real question.

The real question is how much time you want to spend doing it.

A general design tool gives you flexibility but requires more effort. A dedicated ID card maker gives you structure and speed.

Once you’ve made more than a handful of cards, that difference becomes hard to ignore.