Canva has reduced its 2026 growth forecast from 30% to around 20%, citing the high costs of integrating AI features, according to saastr.com. The company, which generated roughly $3 billion in GAAP revenue last year, disclosed this adjustment mid-year, highlighting the financial impact of subsidizing AI model calls across its prosumer user base.
The decision followed internal assessments revealing that the expenses associated with AI serving are substantial. Melanie Perkins, Canva’s CEO, indicated that these costs are not just a margin issue but pose an existential challenge to the company’s growth trajectory. The move reflects a broader industry debate on whether AI should be treated as a feature or a transformative force that could disrupt existing business models.
This adjustment places Canva alongside other major creative software companies like Adobe and Figma, which are also navigating the integration of AI into their platforms. Adobe reported $23 billion in revenue growing at 12%, while Figma, now public, shows 40% growth with $1.4 billion in revenue. Canva’s private valuation stands at approximately $3.6 billion with 20% growth, underscoring the competitive pressures and strategic decisions in the creative software market amid AI adoption.
The next key indicator will be Canva’s full-year 2026 results, which will reveal whether the company can stabilize growth at the revised 20% level or if further adjustments are necessary. This development highlights the financial and strategic challenges AI integration poses for established SaaS companies, as noted by saastr.com.