7 Best Certificate Generator Tools

Olivier Rousseau
8 December 2024 2 min read

Certificates are more than just pieces of paper—they’re tangible acknowledgments of achievement, effort, or participation. But creating and distributing them to many participants can feel daunting without the right tools.

Here’s an in-depth look at the 7 best certificate generator tools to help you create professional certificates effortlessly.

Comparison Table

Tool Best For Key Feature Pricing
Canva Custom Designs Drag-and-drop templates Free / $12.99+
Activity Messenger Automated Bulk Delivery Email/SMS Communications Custom pricing
Certify’em Google Workspace Users Google Forms add-on Free / $49/year
Visme Interactive Certificates Multimedia options $25/month
Adobe Express Advanced Customization Integration with Creative Cloud Free / $9.99+
Certificate Magic Quick and Free Solutions Free PDF downloads Free
Certifier Large Organizations Bulk generation and analytics $29/month

1. Canva

Best for: Custom Designs with a Professional Touch

Canva is widely known for its user-friendly interface and design features. It offers a library of customizable templates specifically for certificates, ranging from academic achievements to sports participation awards.

Even if you have no design experience, Canva’s drag-and-drop functionality makes it easy to create visually appealing certificates.

Create Certificates with Canva

Pros:

  • Intuitive drag-and-drop interface suitable for all skill levels.
  • Extensive library of templates and design elements.
  • Collaboration tools for team projects.
  • Integration with external tools for seamless workflow.

Cons:

  • Limited automation options—manual edits required to mailmerge and create certificates at scale.
  • Advanced branding features and some templates locked behind the paid plan.
  • No built-in delivery system for sending certificates via email or SMS.

 

Best Use Case: Canva is ideal for organizations looking for beautiful, branded certificates without investing in professional design software.
Pricing: Canva offers a free plan, but the premium version ($12.99/month) unlocks advanced features like brand kits, custom fonts, and premium templates.

2. Activity Messenger

Best for: Automated Certificate Delivery

Activity Messenger is a powerful tool for organizations that need to automate certificate creation and delivery.

It also helps you create registration forms, track attendance, and provides automated email and SMS communications to simplify your workflow. This makes it especially valuable for sports clubs, dance studios, and educational institutions that often need to issue large numbers of personalized certificates.

Bulk Certificate Software

Pros:

  • Automates bulk certificate generation and delivery, saving time.
  • Pulls data directly from registration and evaluation forms.
  • Fully integrate with Canva for designs and branding options.
  • Allows certificate delivery with SMS and email

Cons:

  • Focused more on automation than advanced design, which might not suit users seeking intricate visuals.
  • Requires some initial setup to integrate forms and attendance tracking.

Best Use Case: Organizations running classes, workshops, or sports programs that need a seamless end-to-end solution for tracking participation and issuing certificates.
Pricing: Custom pricing based on the size and needs of your organization. Can also help with Email Marketing, Bulk SMS, Liability Waivers and Surveys.

3. Certify’em

Best for: Google Workspace Integration

Certify’em turns Google Forms into a powerful certificate generation tool. It’s perfect for educators, trainers, and event organizers who already use Google Workspace to manage forms and surveys.

Certify’em

Pros:

  • Simple integration with Google Forms, requiring no additional software.
  • Automatic certificate creation upon form submission.
  • Affordable premium plans.
  • User-friendly setup ideal for educators and event organizers.

Cons:

  • Limited design capabilities—customization is basic compared to other tools.
  • Dependent on Google Forms; not ideal if you don’t already use Google Workspace or feel limited by the options in Google Forms

Best Use Case: Certify’em is ideal for webinars, online training programs, and schools looking to streamline certificate distribution via Google Workspace.
Pricing: The basic version is free, while premium plans (starting at $49/year) offer advanced features like custom branding and priority support.

4. Visme

Best for: Interactive Certificates with Multimedia

Visme goes beyond static designs by offering tools to create interactive certificates that can include clickable links, animations, or embedded videos. Its advanced design options make it a favorite for brands seeking to stand out.

Visme for bulk certificates

Pros:

  • Offers dynamic, interactive design options like animations and clickable links.
  • Robust branding tools for consistent visuals.
  • Supports various export formats, including PDFs and live links.
  • User-friendly drag-and-drop interface for non-designers.

Cons:

  • Higher cost compared to simpler tools like Canva.
  • Advanced features may have a steep learning curve for beginners.
  • Limited automation features for large-scale certificate generation.

Best Use Case: Perfect for digital-first organizations that want to add a modern, dynamic touch to their certificates.
Pricing: Plans start at $25/month, with advanced features available in higher-tier subscriptions

5. Adobe Express

Best for: Advanced Customization

Adobe Express (formerly Adobe Spark) packs the power of Adobe’s creative suite into a simplified tool that is perfect for creating certificates. It’s ideal for those who want sophisticated designs but don’t want to learn complex software like Photoshop.

Adobe Express for bulk certificates

Pros:

  • High-quality, professional designs with access to Adobe’s creative ecosystem.
  • Wide variety of templates and design elements.
  • Seamless integration with other Adobe tools like Photoshop and Illustrator.

Cons:

  • Requires Adobe subscription for full functionality, which can be costly.
  • Not geared towards automation or bulk certificate generation.

Best Use Case: Ideal for businesses that prioritize high-quality, professional-looking certificates and are already familiar with Adobe tools.
Pricing: Free plan available, with premium plans starting at $9.99/month.

6. Certificate Magic

Best for: Quick and Free Certificate Generation

Certificate Magic is an ultra-simple tool designed for fast, hassle-free certificate creation. It doesn’t have the bells and whistles of more advanced platforms, but it gets the job done for smaller organizations or one-time events.

Certificate Magic for bulk certificates

Pros:

  • Free and easy to use, making it accessible to anyone.
  • Simple interface for creating certificates quickly.
  • Ready-made templates for various occasions.

Cons:

  • Very basic customization options—limited to text and colors.
  • No automation features for scaling up certificate creation.
  • No delivery tools; certificates must be downloaded and distributed manually.

Best Use Case: Best for small organizations or one-time needs where professional design isn’t a priority.
Pricing: Free to use.

7. Certifier

Best for: Scalable Solutions for Large Organizations

Certifier is designed for organizations that need to produce certificates at scale. It includes features such as bulk generation, detailed analytics, and integration with CRM tools, making it perfect for corporate training programs, universities, and large events.

Certifier for bulk certification

Pros:

  • Excellent for bulk certificate generation.
  • Detailed analytics to track certificate usage and engagement.
  • Customizable templates to fit your brand’s style.

Cons:

  • More expensive than other tools, starting at $29/month.
  • Features tailored for large organizations might overwhelm small businesses.
  • Steeper learning curve for setting up integrations and automation.

Best Use Case: Large organizations that prioritize efficiency and scalability in certificate generation and distribution.
Pricing: Plans start at $29/month, with higher tiers for advanced analytics and integrations

Conclusion

Here’s a quick breakdown to can help you decide which certificate generation tool is best for your organization:

  • Choose Canva or Adobe Express for high-quality designs.
  • Opt for Activity Messenger or Certifier if automation and scalability are your priorities.
  • Use Certify’em if you already rely on Google Workspace.
  • Go for Certificate Magic for simple, free solutions.
  • Pick Visme if you want to create dynamic, interactive certificates.

Each tool has its strengths and limitations, so understanding your specific needs will guide you toward the best choice.

Written by Olivier Rousseau Olivier is a kids sports programs owner who has been operating for over a decade with locations in Montreal, Quebec city & Ottawa. He also helps Gymnastics Club, Swim Schools and Dance Studios streamline their operations. He is the co-founder of Activity Messenger an online registration platform for the sports & leisure industry.

Send and Automate Bulk Certificates with Activity Messenger and Canva

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