AI has invaded every corner of design software. From auto-generating layouts to removing backgrounds in one click, these tools are changing how designers work. But which AI features actually save time versus create more work?

We tested AI capabilities across every major design platform. Here’s what delivers real value.

Quick Comparison

Tool	AI Strength	Use Case	Price	Best For
Figma AI	⭐⭐⭐⭐	UI/UX Design	Free-$15/mo	Product designers
Canva Magic	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Everything	Free-$15/mo	Non-designers
Adobe Firefly	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Image generation	$23/mo	Creative pros
Framer AI	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Websites	Free-$20/mo	Web designers
Uizard	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Prototyping	Free-$19/mo	Quick mockups

1. Canva Magic Studio — Best for Non-Designers

Price: Free, Pro at $13/mo, Teams at $15/mo
Platforms: Web, desktop, mobile

Canva democratized design, and Magic Studio takes it further. Magic Write generates copy, Magic Design creates layouts from prompts, and Magic Edit transforms images. Anyone can create professional-looking content.

Why We Love It:

• Incredibly easy to use
• Magic Design creates full layouts
• Magic Eraser removes anything
• Background Remover is flawless
• Massive template library

Considerations:

• Less control than pro tools
• Can look “Canva-ish”
• Limited for complex design work

Best for: Marketers, small businesses, and anyone without design training.

2. Adobe Firefly — Best Image Generation

Price: Part of Creative Cloud ($23+/mo) or standalone
Platforms: Web, integrated into Adobe apps

Firefly generates commercially-safe images trained only on licensed content. It’s integrated throughout Creative Cloud—Photoshop, Illustrator, Express—making AI a natural part of Adobe workflows.

Why We Love It:

• Commercially safe (trained on licensed content)
• Generative Fill in Photoshop is magic
• Text Effects are unique
• Deep Adobe integration
• Professional quality output

Considerations:

• Requires Adobe subscription
• Less creative than Midjourney
• Generation limits on lower tiers

Best for: Creative professionals already in Adobe ecosystem.

3. Figma AI — Best for Product Design

Price: Free, Professional at $15/mo
Platforms: Web, desktop

Figma added AI features thoughtfully. Auto-rename layers, generate placeholder content, and search designs with natural language. Nothing flashy—just useful automation.

Why We Love It:

• AI that doesn’t disrupt workflow
• Smart layer renaming saves hours
• First Draft generates from prompts
• Natural language search
• Collaborative by default

Considerations:

• AI features still maturing
• Less flashy than competitors
• Requires Figma knowledge

Best for: UI/UX designers who want AI assistance without gimmicks.

4. Framer AI — Best for Websites

Price: Free, Pro at $20/mo
Platforms: Web

Describe a website, and Framer builds it. Not a template—a custom design with working layouts, animations, and even copy. Results are surprisingly polished.

Why We Love It:

• Generate entire websites from prompts
• Professional animations built-in
• Actually responsive
• Good hosting included
• No code required

Considerations:

• Less customizable than Webflow
• AI generation can miss the mark
• Steeper learning curve than Canva

Best for: Startups and freelancers who need websites fast.

5. Uizard — Best for Quick Prototypes

Price: Free (3 projects), Pro at $19/mo
Platforms: Web

Uizard transforms hand-drawn sketches or screenshots into editable designs. Great for quickly validating ideas before investing in high-fidelity design.

Why We Love It:

• Sketch-to-design actually works
• Screenshot-to-editable conversion
• Quick theme generation
• Good for ideation
• Collaborative features

Considerations:

• Output needs refinement
• Not for final designs
• Limited compared to Figma

Best for: Product managers and founders validating ideas quickly.

AI Design Features That Actually Help

After extensive testing, these features save real time:

Feature	Time Saved	Available In
Background removal	5-10 min/image	Canva, Adobe, Figma
Object removal	10-30 min/image	Adobe, Canva
Auto-layout	15-60 min/design	Figma, Canva
Copy generation	10-20 min/project	All platforms
Image generation	Hours	Adobe, Canva

What AI Can’t Replace (Yet)

• Strategy — AI doesn’t understand business goals
• Taste — It generates options, you choose
• Brand consistency — Requires human judgment
• Complex systems — Design systems need architects
• User research — AI can’t talk to customers

The Verdict

For non-designers: Canva Magic Studio makes everyone a designer.

For image generation: Adobe Firefly offers commercial safety and Photoshop integration.

For product design: Figma AI adds useful features without disruption.

For websites: Framer AI builds impressive sites from descriptions.

For rapid prototyping: Uizard turns sketches into designs instantly.

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Last updated: February 2026. AI design features evolve monthly—check for new capabilities.