8 Best Free Certificate Makers to Use Online

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People are looking for the best free certificate makers when they need to create certificates for different awards, achievements, recognition, or completion of courses or programs in 2 clicks and online. Most programs usually contain ready-to-use templates and customization features, so even novice users can make personalized certificates without having to be a graphic design whiz.

Top 8 Certificate Creators for Non-Specialists

  1. Adobe Express
  2. Visme
  3. Canva
  4. Certifier
  5. Bannerbear
  6. Coast
  7. CertificateMagic
  8. SimpleCert

Most certificate makers are easy to use thanks to intuitive interfaces and streamlined navigation. Typically, you just have to drag-and-drop or point-and-click items to get the desired result.

Even though the certificate generation tools listed below don't cost anything, they are supplied with beautiful templates that look just as good as ones made by design pros. This is super handy if you want modern and trustworthy certificate designs. Once your certificate is ready, you can export it in a format ready for printing, like PDF, or share it digitally. Undoubtedly, this is very convenient.

1. Adobe Express – Our Choice

adobe express free certificate maker

Adobe Express is a wonderful certificate creator for people, who are not well-versed in design terms like Helvetica or Arial. It comes packed with a variety of templates, fonts, and cool features like curved text and animations. So, with this program, you can create a certificate that looks polished and professional.

The integration with other Adobe products and services, like Adobe Stock, is another advantage. Thus, your work won’t boil down to just putting ink on paper – it's like creating a masterpiece.

Pros
  • Clear UI
  • Stock images
  • Basic editing tools
  • Curated font recommendations
  • Sharing and collaboration features
Cons
  • Functionality is somehow limited
  • Doesn’t support vector graphics or video
  • Variety of certificate templates could be bigger

2. Visme

visme free certificate maker

Visme surpasses multiple certificate makers when it comes to the variety of design elements. Here you can find virtually everything, from stock photos to icons and even characters. Just choose a suitable option, customize it, and export your stylish certificate.

The program isn’t limited to certificates. You can use it to produce various things like presentations and infographics. However, since it's not specifically designed for certificates, it might lack some cool tools that a dedicated certificate maker would offer.

Pros
  • Ready-to-apply certificate templates
  • It is possible to upload elements from other documents
  • Direct certificate sending via email
  • Personalization options
  • Intuitive interface
Cons
  • Only 26 certificate templates
  • No PDF exporting in a free version
  • Certificate creation isn’t the main specialization

3. Canva

canva free certificate maker

Canva is incredibly easy to use. Moreover, it has a bunch of templates for various certificates, whether you're running a workshop or recognizing your team's efforts and dedication.

The best part about this certificate app is that it’s absolutely free. Pick a template, spruce it up, and output the result in JPEG, PNG, or PDF. Plus, you can take advantage of Canva Print to make those certificates look extra sharp.

Pros
  • Many design elements
  • You can add your own images and logos
  • It is possible to order high-quality prints
  • Rich collection of certificate design templates
  • Collaboration feature
Cons
  • No bulk certificate creation
  • Lacks specialized features for certificate creation
  • No way to send certificates right from the program

4. Certifier

certifier free certificate maker

The Certifier visual editor is extremely easy to use. You can tweak templates or go all out and create your own if you're in the mood for something new. The highlight of the program is its dynamic elements like name lists. Besides, you can customize several certificates at once, saving you a ton of time.

Another cool feature is the integrated email sender. Thanks to it, you can send your certificates once they are completed. When it's time to download your final products, you can choose from formats like PDF or ZIP.

Pros
  • Lots of free certificate templates
  • Supports downloading docs in various formats
  • Advanced visual editor
  • PDF and ZIP support
  • Dynamic elements
Cons
  • Not optimized for mobile devices
  • No features targeting other business aspects
  • Works only in a browser

5. Bannerbear

bannerbear free certificate maker

Bannerbear has a wide range of templates, though it may be not as extensive as the libraries in some other graphic design software. The templates are of excellent quality. Besides, you can tweak them to suit your brand or event.

Another interesting option is the auto-sizing feature for text. You have probably manipulated super long names that just wreck the whole layout. With Bannerbear, the font size takes care of itself, ensuring everything stays in order. In addition, this software to make certificates supports multiple languages, so if you're dealing with international clients, you're good to go.

Pros
  • Integrates with no-code tools
  • Customization
  • Auto-resizing text
  • Signup-free
  • Allows exporting certificates as PDFs
Cons
  • The free version is limited
  • No bulk mode
  • May take time to master

6. Coast

coast free certificate maker

The Coast free certificate creator app offers a variety of themes and styles, ensuring you're covered whether you're seeking a playful design for children or a more formal one for work-related purposes. What's great is that you can enhance a certificate with photos, graphics, and even your own logo. This is a nice touch for branding.

It is also possible to insert your own text, experiment with fonts, and adjust the colors until you are 100% satisfied with the result. After that, you can print a certificate out or send it via email with just a few clicks.

Pros
  • Online storage and access
  • Supports many languages
  • Intuitive
  • Customizable features
  • Absolutely free
Cons
  • Limited integration
  • Few features compared to paid services
  • Requires a stable Internet connection

7. CertificateMagic

certificatemagic free certificate maker

CertificateMagic offers different templates that you can customize for various needs, including some specialized gift certificate templates. The editor's simplicity implies you won't have extensive control to fine-tune your certificates to perfection. It's more of a 'what you see is what you get' kind of arrangement.

As for usability, if you were hoping to send certificates directly via email from the tool or save your templates for later use, tough luck. This certificate making app doesn't provide these features. It operates on a one-and-done basis – you create, download, and that's the end of the story.

Pros
  • Very intuitive program
  • Extensive collection of templates
  • Completely free
  • It is possible to change parts of a certificate
  • Drag-and-drop functionality
Cons
  • Limited editor features
  • No direct sending
  • No bulk mode

8. SimpleCert

simplecert free certificate maker

With SimpleCert, you can create and send one certificate for free. So, this certificate creator is intended for free one-off use. Keep in mind that there's a limit of 10 certificates per month unless you decide to switch to a paid subscription.

You won't find usual Microsoft Word templates, as SimpleCert is tailored for businesses. It's web-based, allowing you to easily create, save, send, and store your certificates in one spot. You can use the provided templates and customize them with logos, photos, and clip art, to get a unique certificate.

Pros
  • Affordable cost of a paid package
  • Certificate sending via email
  • You can upload dynamic data for personalization
  • Adjustable certificate and email templates
  • Super user-friendly
Cons
  • Only 10 certificates in a free package
  • Interface and application design require updating
  • No API for integration with other systems
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