How Much Does It Cost to Develop a SaaS Platform like Canva?

With more people working from home and making digital content, there's a big need for SaaS design tools like Canva. Canva isn't just for making cool pictures - it's used by lots of people and businesses for all sorts of stuff like making social media posts or professional presentations.

Canva has over 170 million users because it can do a lot of things. In 2023, it was worth $7.57 billion, and it's expected to be worth $8.43 billion by 2024. The whole design software market is growing, and Canva is leading the way.

A report from Statista says the SaaS market is growing super fast. From 2016 to 2024, revenue is expected to grow four times, reaching $374.50 billion by 2028. This growth is because more people are using cloud solutions and want easy-to-use tools for working together online.

So, if you're thinking about making a similar tool, now's a good time. This guide will help you understand how to make a SaaS platform like Canva. We'll talk about how to build it, different ways to sell it, important features, and how much it might cost. But first, let's see why Canva is so popular.

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Unlock the Secrets to Building a SaaS Platform Like Canva!

Unveiling Canva: Revolutionizing Design with an Online Platform for Everyone

Canva is an exciting website that's changing how people and businesses make awesome designs. Its mobile app is super popular worldwide for graphic design. Canva makes it easy with lots of templates, pictures, and fonts to choose from.

The company is doing really well, showing how important it is in the industry. Millions of people use the app to make cool stuff and work together on new ideas. It's like a big community where people can be creative. They make money in different ways, like selling subscriptions for extra features, selling design stuff, and even printing things for people.

Since Canva is making more money, businesses should pay attention to the growing software market. They could make their software like Canva to make work easier, be more productive, and keep up with the digital world.

How Much Does It Cost to Develop a SaaS Platform like Canva?

Creating an app like Canva costs money, depending on how complicated it is and what it can do. A simple version might need $30,000 to $50,000. But if you want more features and options for people to customize things, it could be $100,000 to $250,000 or more.

Doing thorough research and planning out what you need before you start can make the development process smoother and help you spend your resources wisely.

App Complexity LevelFeaturesCost EstimationDuration
BasicGraphic Design Tools, Template Library, Collaboration Features$30,000 – $50,0002 to 4 months
IntermediateAdvanced Design Features, Custom Templates, Branding Tools$50,000 – $100,0004 to 6 months
AdvanceTeam Collaboration Features, Enterprise Integration, Analytics$100,000 – $150,0006 to 12 months
PremiumAI-Powered Design Suggestions, Custom Brand Guidelines, Advanced Analytics$150,000 – $250,000+12+ months
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Factors Influencing the Cost to Develop a SaaS platform like Canva

When we look at what affects the cost of making a SaaS app like Canva, a few important things stand out. These factors can change how businesses in different industries work.

How Complex the App Is

  • The more features and options an app has, the harder it is to build. So, a complex app like Canva will cost more to develop because it takes more time and resources.

Following GDPR Rules

  • It's super important for apps to keep user data safe and follow rules like GDPR. Doing this might need extra work, like making sure data is encrypted and giving users control over their info.

Where the Development Team Is

  • The cost of developers varies depending on where they are. Hiring developers from places like Asia or Europe might be cheaper than from the US or UK. But you still get skilled people who can do great work.

Here's an idea of how much it might cost per hour in different regions:

RegionHourly Rates of Development
UAE$60 to $65
US$95 to $100
Western Europe$80 to $90
Australia$70 to $90
Eastern Europe$50 to $55
India$20 to $40

Team Expertise:

Having a skilled team is important for making an app like Canva. They work faster and make better quality stuff. But hiring experts might cost more. Here's an idea of how much it might cost per hour for different roles in India:

App Development TeamHourly Rates (Approx)
Project Manager$25 to $30
Tech Lead (Backend / Frontend)$28 to $30
Sr. Mobile App Developer$24 to $30
Sr. Web & Backend Developer$24 to $30
DevOps$25 to $30
Business Analyst
$20 to $25
UX/UI$20 to $25
QA$20 to $25

UI/UX Strategy

  • Making sure the app looks and works great is super important. Spending money on things like user research and testing makes the app better and might cost more.

Platform Choice

  • Deciding which devices the app works on (like web, mobile, or desktop) affects how hard it is to make and how much it costs. Making it work on lots of different devices might need more work and money.

Technology Stack

  • Using the right tech stuff is key. Like using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for the front end, and languages like Python or Node.js for the back end. Also, using databases and cloud stuff is important. The tech you choose affects how long it takes to make the app, how big it can get, and how easy it is to keep it working.

Testing and Quality

  • Making sure the app works well and has no bugs is super important. Spending time and money on testing makes the app better, even if it costs more.
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Your Blueprint to Building a Canva-Like SaaS Platform!

How to Build a SaaS Platform Like Canva?

Understanding the Market and Generating Ideas

  • Check out what's going on in the market and see what people want. Look at what other companies are doing. Then, brainstorm ideas to make your app stand out and solve problems for users.

Planning Everything Out

  • Once you have some good ideas, plan out how you'll make your app. Set clear goals, figure out what features you need, and decide how much money and time you'll need.

Designing for Users

  • Make sure your app is easy to use and looks good. Use what you learned from users and the market to design it well. Keep improving it based on feedback.

Making a Prototype

  • Before you build the whole app, make a simple version to test out your ideas. This helps you see how everything will work and get feedback from others.

Building the Basic Version

  • Start building your app with the most important features. This version should be simple but still solve users' problems. It helps you see if your idea will work without spending too much money.

Testing and Fixing Problems

  • Test your app a lot to make sure it works well. Fix any problems or mistakes you find.

Launching Your App

  • When everything's ready, release your app to the world. Get people excited about it and start using it.

Improving Over Time

  • Keep making your app better based on what users say. Add new features and fix any issues that come up.

Getting Ready to Grow

  • Plan how you'll handle more users and make sure your app can handle it. Use modern technology to make sure your app can grow easily.
saas software as a service

From Costs to Strategy: Build a SaaS Platform Like Canva Today!

Essential Features to Integrate During SaaS Application Development

When making SaaS software, it's important to include certain features to make sure it works well and users enjoy using it. Let's take a look at some of these features!

  • User-Friendly Interface: The software should be easy to navigate and use, with features that are designed with the user in mind. A user-friendly interface is crucial during SaaS software development to ensure positive user experiences, which can lead to increased engagement and customer retention.
  • Design Tools: Similar to Canva, the software should offer a range of tools for creating visually appealing graphics and designs effortlessly. These tools enable businesses to create eye-catching visual content for branding, advertising, and communication purposes.
  • Customization Options: Businesses should be able to customize their designs to match their unique needs and brand identity. This helps maintain brand consistency and improves brand recognition. SaaS-based applications should offer easy-to-use customization options, allowing users to personalize their designs with text, images, colors, and more.
  • Collaboration Features: Real-time collaboration features promote teamwork and creativity by allowing team members to work together seamlessly. These features streamline project management and encourage innovation within teams.
  • Mobile Compatibility: The software should be compatible across different mobile platforms, allowing users to work on their designs while on the go. Mobile compatibility increases flexibility and accessibility, enabling users to create and collaborate from anywhere at any time.
  • Integration with Third-Party Tools: Integrating with other tools and platforms enhances productivity and expands the software's functionality. This allows businesses to leverage existing workflows and tools, improving efficiency in design processes.
  • Offline Access: Users should be able to access and edit their designs even without an internet connection. This ensures uninterrupted productivity, especially in areas with poor connectivity.
  • Analytics and Insights: Analytics tools provide valuable insights into design performance and user engagement. Businesses can use this data to make informed decisions and optimize their design strategies to better meet user needs.
  • Customer Support: Reliable customer support is essential for ensuring user satisfaction and loyalty. Responsive and dedicated customer support helps address any issues or queries users may have, leading to positive user experiences.
  • Stickers: Offering a variety of pre-designed stickers enhances creativity and adds fun elements to designs. Stickers can help convey messages effectively, improve brand communication, and enrich the overall user experience.

How to Monetize a SaaS Platform Like Canva?

Canva makes money in different ways, like selling subscriptions for extra features, helping businesses with special solutions, and selling physical stuff, like printed things and products, on its website. Here are some ways other businesses can make money by making apps like Canva and making things better for customers. Let's see!

  • Ads and Sponsorship: Businesses can show ads or sponsored stuff on the app to make money. They can partner with brands to show ads or offer special deals to users, making money when people click on ads or see them.
  • Data Insights: The app can collect info from users and use it to give valuable insights to businesses. They can sell this info or offer it as a subscription to companies who want to know more about their customers.
  • White Labeling: Businesses can use the app with their own branding. They pay to use the app with their logo and colors, making it look like their own.
  • Subscription Plans: Users can pay for different levels of the app, like Basic, Pro, or Business, to get more features and support. They pay every month or year to keep using the app.
  • Freemium with Paid features : The app can be free to use with basic features. But users pay for extra features if they want them, like more designs or tools.
  • Printing Service: Like Canva, businesses can offer to print designs on things like t-shirts or invitations. They can also ship them to customers in different countries for a fee. This makes users happy and helps the app make money by selling printed stuff.

Create a Canva-Like App with Infiniticube’s Expertise

At Infiniticube, we're proud to be a top company in making SaaS platforms. We're known for making creative solutions that fit our clients' different needs. Our process starts with careful planning. We work closely with clients to set clear goals and decide what needs to be done.

We do a lot of research to understand what's happening in the market and what users like. This helps us come up with strategies that work.

Our team uses the latest methods and technologies to make strong and scalable SaaS apps. We've worked with clients from different industries and have a track record of success. People know us for doing great work and going beyond what's expected.

Our SaaS services help businesses grow faster, make users happier, and stay competitive in today's digital world.

If you want to make a SaaS platform like Canva, get in touch with us at Infiniticube.

Milan Kumar

Director & Co-Founder

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