Cavalry Pro animation software is now free after the Canva acquisition

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A recent announcement shared via Cavalry on 16 April 2026 indicates that the motion design tool is now available for free, following its acquisition by Canva. Previously, the software offered a paid Professional plan starting at around £16 per month, which is roughly RM95, depending on exchange rates.

 

Cavalry goes free after Canva deal

The move comes shortly after Canva confirmed its acquisition of Cavalry on 24 February 2026. The deal, reportedly for an undisclosed amount, is part of Canva’s broader push to expand its creative ecosystem, particularly in animation and data-driven design.

Cavalry is known as a 2D motion design application built for creating animations, generative visuals, and data-driven graphics. Unlike traditional tools, it focuses on procedural workflows, in which elements are connected and react dynamically when parameters change. This allows creators to produce scalable content for advertising, web, broadcast, and more.

With the acquisition, Canva is expected to integrate Cavalry’s capabilities into its platform over time. This could make advanced animation tools more accessible to a wider audience, especially those already using Canva for design work.

 

What makes Cavalry different

Cavalry stands out due to its real-time design system and deep data integration. Users can connect external data sources, such as spreadsheets or API,s to generate multiple versions of content automatically. This is useful for campaigns that require large volumes of visuals with slight variations.

The software is also designed to handle high-output workflows efficiently, making it suitable for motion designers working on templates, infographics, and generative art. Its approach differs from traditional timeline-based tools, offering a more flexible and system-driven workflow.

From our perspective, this shift to a free model could lower the barrier for creators in Malaysia and beyond who want to explore motion design without committing to subscriptions. At the same time, it raises questions about how Canva will position Cavalry in the long term, especially as part of its growing suite of creative tools.

 

Industry impact and direction

The acquisition signals Canva’s intention to compete more directly with established creative software ecosystems. By adding motion design and animation to its offerings, the company is moving toward an all-in-one platform that covers both static and dynamic content creation.

Early industry reactions suggest that this could streamline workflows and reduce reliance on multiple tools. However, it remains to be seen how deeply Cavalry’s features will be integrated and whether the standalone app will continue evolving independently.

What do you think about Cavalry becoming free after the Canva acquisition? Could this change how motion designers in Malaysia approach animation tools, or will professionals still rely on established software?

 

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