Canva is a great design tool, and its Bulk Create feature can fill a design with rows from a spreadsheet. If you already design everything in Canva it may be all you need. Here’s how it compares for certificates specifically.
Based on publicly available information as of October 2026. Features and plans change, so check Canva’s site for current details.
| Canva Bulk Create | BulkCertPDF | |
|---|---|---|
| Plan needed | A paid Canva plan (Bulk Create isn’t in Canva Free) | Free for 25 certificates a month; one-off $19 Batch Pass or Pro for more |
| Design freedom | Any design you can make in Canva | Eight certificate designs with your logo, signatures, borders and textures |
| One named PDF per person | Bulk Create makes one page per row; getting a separately named PDF per person takes extra steps | Yes, a ZIP with files named after each person |
| Merged print file | Yes | Yes |
| Where your data goes | Uploaded to Canva | Processed in your browser, never uploaded |
| Verification QR codes | Add manually | Built in, with optional hosted verification pages |
When Canva is the better choice
If you need a completely custom layout, or your certificates have to match brand assets you already keep in Canva, Canva gives you more design control.
When BulkCertPDF is the better choice
If you issue certificates regularly and want one correctly named PDF per person, A4 or US Letter output, QR verification, and no recipient data leaving your computer, BulkCertPDF is quicker and cheaper.