Canvy vs Art Placer: A Detailed Comparison for Artists (From Someone Who’s Used Both)
- Richard J Hunt
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
Which Wall-Art Mock-Up Tool Should You Use Canvy vs Art Placer?
If you’re an artist, print maker, photographer or gallery looking to showcase your works in realistic room settings or virtual exhibitions, you’ve probably come across two standout tools: Canvy and Art Placer. Having used both, I’ll walk you through a detailed comparison of their features, pricing, strengths and weaknesses — so you can decide which is best for your specific needs.
What They Are
Canvy is a web-based platform (with mobile access) focused on letting artists easily stage their artworks in realistic room interiors to produce high quality visuals for websites, social media, listings and marketing. According to their site, it helps artists rapidly create staged art visuals. (canvy.com)
Art Placer is a more advanced tool that offers not only room mock-ups, but also features like augmented reality (AR), website widgets, virtual gallery exhibitions, and more sophisticated scale and presentation tools geared toward galleries/art businesses.
In short: Canvy = simple, fast, intuitive. Art Placer = more powerful, business-oriented.
Comparison: Feature-by-Feature
1. Interface & Ease of Use
Canvy: Very intuitive. Minimal learning curve. Upload artwork, choose a room, drop it in. From web reviews: “An intuitive art visualiser… over 1,500 pre-designed scenes”
Art Placer: More features = steeper learning. Users note the interface is richer, but takes time to master. One review said “Photographers love its Instagram integration … but hidden fees, limited high-res rendering and poor mobile optimisation frustrate serious sellers.”
Verdict: If you want something you can pick up today and create visuals in minutes, Canvy wins. If you need advanced tools and are willing to invest time, Art Placer is worth it.
2. Library, Room Options & Customisation
Canvy: Has a large library of pre-designed room scenes (often cited as 1,500+), allowing you to pick “living room”, “office”, “gallery wall”, etc. Includes frame options, wall colour choices.
Some limitations: less advanced customisations (e.g., complex perspectives, AR)
Art Placer: Very rich room library (including galleries, art fairs, client spaces). Supports uploading your own wall photo. According to one review: “scale a work in a room with perspective… widget integration… AR viewer”
Some users report technical issues: “While users value its try-before-you-buy functionality … concerns persist about pricing transparency, and occasional glitches.” I personally hate the websites only give pricing in $ which really is annoying.
Verdict: For variety and customisation, Art Placer leads. For simplicity with good scene options, Canvy remains excellent.
3. Scale Accuracy, Proportion & Client Presentation
Canvy: Offers automatic scaling and positioning of artwork in rooms—good for creating appealing visuals. But fewer advanced tools for true scale/AR or this was the case when i used to be a paid up member last year.
Art Placer: Strong in this area: the tool emphasises “true-to-scale artwork presentation”, perspective alignment, AR viewing so clients can see how the piece looks in their real room. I do sometimes thisnk the perspective seems a little off but that might just be me.
Verdict: If presentation for clients is critical (real size, viewing in situ), Art Placer wins.
4. Export, Output Quality & Platforms
Canvy: High-resolution downloads, ready for social media, websites and print. Web reviewers note “unlimited artwork storage”, “desktop, Android and iOS versions”.
Art Placer: Also strong export options. Plus website integration via widgets, embedding, and AR mobile apps for iOS/Android. But note: some users report mobile optimisation issues and glitches.
Verdict: Both platforms have solid output. For general marketing imagery, Canvy is quicker. For heavier integration and advanced output, Art Placer adds value.
5. Integrations and Additional Business Features
Canvy: Has integration with selling platforms like Etsy
Art Placer: Goes beyond: website widgets (e.g., “View in Room” for customers), AR viewer, gallery mode, multi-user/team support (in higher plans).
Verdict: If you’re an independent artist and need only mockups, Canvy may suffice. If you run a gallery, or you want to embed interactive features on your site, Art Placer is stronger.
6. Pricing & Value (UK £ Pricing)
Prices are appromiximationsI REALLY HATE the fact both only present prices in USD$ on their websites.
Canvy (UK Pricing)
Canvy offers straightforward, affordable tiers that suit independent artists and small studios.
Free plan – limited rooms and features
Pro plan – typically around £12–£15/month (depending on VAT and region)
Most UK artists find Canvy excellent value because you get high-quality room mock-ups without needing advanced business features.
Art Placer (UK Pricing)
Art Placer’s pricing is higher because it includes gallery-grade tools like AR, widgets, and multi-artist management.
Typical UK-adjusted prices:
Basic plan – approx. £9–£10/month
Advanced plan – approx. £18–£20/month
Premium plan – approx. £35–£40/month
Some plans also have add-ons depending on the widgets, AR features, or number of artworks — so the final cost varies more than Canvy.
Verdict on Value
For simplicity, mock-ups, and budget-friendly pricing → Canvy wins. This is why i used it for my first year in business.
For galleries, consultants, or artists selling at scale who can use AR + widgets → Art Placer justifies the higher price.
7. Mobile App & On-the-go Use
Canvy: Has Android and iOS/web access; rive not seen an app version.
Art Placer: Also supports mobile (iOS/Android) especially for AR viewing. But some users say mobile optimisation is not perfect.
Verdict: Both offer mobile, but if you're mostly mobile and want smooth use, test both — Canvy might be smoother.
8. Support & Learning Curve
Canvy: Easy to get started; minimal support needed. However, some reviewers mention limited frames or scene diversity. This is personaly my biggest gripe with the app.
Art Placer: More advanced, so steeper learning. Users report occasional glitches and need to invest time. Support quality may vary. Personally I have not found this to be an issue at all.
Verdict: If you prefer ease and minimal setup, go with Canvy. If you don’t mind investing in learning, Art Placer gives more power.
Missing Aspects You Should Consider (and Why They Matter)
A few aspects you might not immediately think of, but which can affect your experience and results.
Batch or Bulk Mockups / High Volume Needs: If you have a large catalogue of artworks and need to generate many scene visuals quickly (e.g., dozens of prints, multiple room variants) you should check how each platform handles volume. Some users of Art Placer say creating many items is time-consuming.
Custom Room Uploads: Being able to upload a client’s real wall photo or a custom interior is important for bespoke presentation. I have found this essential when working with Interior Designers.
Perspective / Angular Views / Realistic Depth: Some tools offer only front-on room views; others allow angled walls, perspective adjustments. According to one article, when evaluating wall art preview apps you should check if angled views or perspective are supported.
Frame Customisation / Furniture / Decor Elements: If your aesthetic depends on matching frames, matting, furniture context or changing wall colours/flooring, check which platform allows those. In other reviews of Canvy some users said “not enough frames” or “monotonous interiors”. if you are a prolific artist you will quickly get tired of the same rooms..... i personally found them a bit limiting after a while with many rooms just not really usable.
Export Resolution / Licensing / Usage Rights: Especially if you use visuals for large print ads, websites, or client presentations, you’ll want high-res exports and clarity on licensing (what you’re allowed to use). Some reviews of Art Placer mention “limited high-res rendering” as a downside.
Website/Embed Integration & Sales Tools: If you sell directly or through your website, tools like embedding a “view in room” widget or allowing end-customers to visualise their own wall matter a lot. Art Placer offers these features; Canvy less so.
My Verdict
Best for Independent Artists / Simplicity → Canvy
If you’re an independent artist or print-maker, want to create beautiful visuals quickly for your website, Instagram, Etsy or online shop, and don’t need advanced AR or website widget features — pick Canvy. It’s intuitive, affordable and efficient.
Best for Galleries / Client Presentations / Advanced Features → Art Placer
If you run a gallery, represent multiple artists, serve clients who want to visualise artwork in their own homes, require AR or embedding on your site, or need true-to-scale presentation — choose Art Placer. It has the depth and tools for professional usage, albeit at higher cost and steeper learning.
Summary
The choice between Canvy vs Art Placer really comes down to scope, budget and workflow. Use Canvy if you want speed and ease. Use Art Placer if you want power and full business integration.