Canva Code 2.0 brings AI website building to every user including free accounts

On July 14, Canva launched Canva Code 2.0, a major upgrade to its AI-powered coding tool that lets users build interactive websites, apps, and experiences using plain-language prompts. The feature is now available to all of the company's more than 265 million monthly users across every pricing tier, including free accounts.

This is a significant move in the no-code space. Unlike competitors like Lovable and Bolt that reserve their most capable features for paid subscribers, Canva is democratizing AI website building. The company reported that more than six million websites have already been created using Canva Code since its initial launch a year ago.

Drag-and-drop editing and HTML import

The update introduces the ability to create Canva Code projects directly inside other design projects, embedding interactive elements within a whiteboard, presentation deck, or standalone page. More than 50 new templates designed specifically for interactive designs are included, along with the ability to import raw HTML files from other AI coding tools.

The HTML import capability is strategically significant. Users can take code generated by any AI tool, including ChatGPT, Claude, Lovable, or Bolt, and bring it into Canva as a fully editable design. Canva is positioning itself as the finishing layer for AI-generated code, regardless of where it was originally created.

Performance improvements

Canva reduced average code generation time by 75 percent and cut the median time from initial prompt to a published site by 30 percent. Integrating Canva Code into the broader editor, allowing users to treat coded outputs like any other design element, has increased active Code users by 25 percent.

Unlike most AI coding platforms which require re-prompting or editing raw code to make visual changes, Canva Code 2.0 lets users click directly into generated elements to change text, drag and drop images from Canva's library of over 120 million templates and assets, and update colors and fonts through a familiar toolbar.