Understanding AI top-ups
AI top-ups are a one-time purchase that gives you a boost of AI allowance when you need it. They don't renew automatically, so they're a flexible option for when you want more AI access for your busiest periods, without committing to a recurring add-on.
Note: AI top-ups are available for Canva Business users who subscribed online. They're separate from your monthly AI allowance and the AI Pass add-on.
What are AI top-ups?
AI top-ups are a one-time, non-recurring purchase you can add to your existing Canva Business plan — as many times as you need. Each top-up gives you an extra block of AI allowance, equal to the monthly AI allowance on Canva Business, to use within 30 days of purchase.
AI top-ups don't unlock additional features; they give you more AI allowance to use the tools you already have access to on your Canva Business plan.
How AI top-ups differ from AI Pass
AI top-ups | AI Pass add-on | |
|---|---|---|
How to purchase more AI allowance | Purchase in product as a one-time purchase, as many times as you like. | Purchase in product as an auto-renewing subscription add-on. |
Billing frequency | Active for 30 days from purchase date; purchase as many times as you like. | In-line with base subscription. |
AI allowance size | The same size as your monthly AI allowance on Canva Business. | 40x more AI than Canva Pro, and 20x more AI than Canva Business. |
How your AI usage allowance works | Once your top-up AI allowance is used, it doesn’t refresh. If you don’t use your top-up before 30 days, it expires and doesn’t roll over. You'll receive notifications as you near and reach your limit. | Your AI allowance refreshes monthly, on your billing date. You'll receive notifications as you near and reach your limit. |
What happens when your AI allowance runs out | If you use all your AI allowance on AI top-ups, and you’ve used your Business plan allowance too, you'll have a brief pause between generations so you can design beyond your allowance, until it refreshes. | If you use all your AI allowance on AI Pass, you'll have a brief pause between generations so you can design beyond your allowance, until it refreshes. |
AI tools you can access | All Standard, Premium, and Ultra AI tools. | All Standard, Premium, and Ultra AI tools. |
How to track your AI usage allowance | Monitor your usage from Settings. There are separate trackers for your monthly AI allowance via your Canva Business plan, and for your AI top-up allowance. | Monitor your usage from Settings. One tracker for base plan and AI allowance. |
Who can purchase AI top-ups?
AI top-ups are currently available for Canva Business users only. Admins can also purchase AI top-ups for individuals in their team. For pricing details, see How do I purchase AI top-ups?
What do I get with AI top-ups?
Each AI top-up gives you:
- An AI allowance equal to the included monthly AI allowance you get with your Canva Business plan
- Access to all Standard, Premium, and Ultra AI tools
- 30 days to use your top-up allowance from the date of purchase
Top-up allowance is tracked separately from base plan allowance. Once used, it doesn't refresh. Only one top-up can be active at a time. You can purchase a new top-up once your current one expires or runs out. If you want ongoing high-volume AI access, AI Pass may be a better fit.
How do I purchase AI top-ups?
Purchase AI top-up for yourself
- Go to Settings.
- Select AI usage.
- Select Get more AI.
- Choose AI top-up.
- Follow the prompts to complete your purchase.
Your top-up allowance is available immediately after purchase.
Purchase AI top-up for a team member
Team members who need AI top-ups should contact their owner or admin directly to request it.
If you're an owner or admin, you can purchase AI top-ups for your team individually or in bulk, from the People page:
AI top-ups are a one-time purchase and can't be cancelled once purchased. Make sure you're buying for the right team member(s) before completing your purchase.
Can I use Canva's AI design tools with AI top-ups?
AI top-ups doesn’t cover AI design tools such as Magic Write, Photo and Video Animations, and AI Voice, as these do not share your monthly AI allowance, and are included with your plan as usual. Fair use limits apply.
How do I track my AI allowance with AI top-ups?
Quick tip
You can check the AI usage tracker anytime from the Billing page in Settings.
- From the homepage, select your profile icon.
- Select Settings.
- Select Billing.
- Under AI usage, you can see your AI usage and remaining balance. Your base plan and top-up allowances appear as separate trackers, and you'll receive notifications as you near and reach each limit.
AI tools will always use the allowance that expires soonest, whether that’s your base plan allowance that refreshes monthly, or your AI top-up that expires after 30 days.
What happens when I reach my limit?
If you use all your top-up allowance and your base plan allowance, you'll have a brief pause between generations. You can still use AI tools, but there will be a short wait between each use.
The monthly AI allowance available on your Canva Business plan resets on your billing date, regardless of any active top-up.
How do I get more AI access?
If you run out of AI allowance, you have a few options:
- Purchase another AI top-up. Each top-up adds an AI allowance equal to your monthly Canva Business allowance, active for 30 days.
- Upgrade to AI Pass. AI Pass is a monthly recurring add-on with Canva's largest AI allowance. It gives you 40x the monthly AI allowance of Canva Pro, or 20x the allowance of Canva Business, and refreshes each month. Learn more about AI Pass.
I can't find the option to buy AI top-ups
If you can't see the option to purchase AI top-ups:
- Check your plan. AI top-ups are only available for Business users on paid Canva plans.
- Check your account. Make sure you're signed in to the right account.
- Try again later. If the option still doesn't appear, try refreshing the page or signing out and back in.
If you're having an issue with AI top-ups, contact our Support team for help.
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