| Feature | Why SeatPlan.io does it better |
|---|---|
AI Floor-Plan Import | Upload a venue photo or PDF and AI builds an editable, to-scale layout in seconds — Canva has no AI floor-plan import, so every table is placed by hand. Available on every SeatPlan.io plan, with one free import to try; Event Manager adds free CAD/DXF imports at exact scale. |
Purpose-Built Logic | Drag guests to tables with actual seating data - not text boxes on a canvas |
Guest Management | Import lists, track RSVPs, manage dietary requirements - real event data |
Smart Updates | Move a guest and all related exports update automatically |
Structured Exports | Table breakdowns, guest lists, catering sheets - not just visual layouts |
Better Value | SeatPlan.io Pro costs less than Canva Pro and is built specifically for seating |
11 minutes
to seat 80 people
“Took me 6 hours to seat 80 people on paper. Took me 11 minutes on SeatPlan.io.”
<30 minutes
for a 120-person wedding
“I had my entire 120-person wedding seated in under 30 minutes.”
200 guests
with 8 dietary needs and 4 wheelchair users
“200 guests. 8 dietary requirements. 4 wheelchair users. 1 complicated family tree. SeatPlan.io handled all of it.”
Frequently asked
SeatPlan.io vs Canva: common questions
- Can SeatPlan.io track guest RSVPs and dietary requirements?
- Yes. Each guest has fields for RSVP status, dietary needs, accessibility notes, and meal selection. Canva treats guest names as text boxes with no structured data behind them.
- Does SeatPlan.io export structured guest lists for caterers?
- Yes. Exports include an Excel seat list grouping guests by table with dietary and meal columns — directly usable by your caterer. Canva exports static images.
- Is SeatPlan.io cheaper than Canva Pro?
- Yes. Canva Pro is $12.99/month (~$155/year). SeatPlan.io's Pro tier is £8/$8/€8 one-time for 90-day access, and the Event Manager subscription is £25/$25/€25 per month with unlimited events.
- Will my Canva templates work in SeatPlan.io?
- No, and they don't need to. SeatPlan.io produces print-ready PDFs out of the box. You don't need a separate design tool to make exports look professional.
- Does SeatPlan.io have AI floor-plan import that Canva doesn't?
- Yes — on every plan. SeatPlan.io turns a photo or PDF of your venue into an editable, to-scale seating template automatically — tables, seat counts, and areas detected for you, then refined in the designer. Canva has no AI import. The free designer includes one AI import to try; paid plans include 3 a month with cheap top-ups, and Event Manager adds free exact-scale CAD/DXF imports.
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