In simple English
This program lets you design posters, presentations, and short videos right in your web browser. You can use ready-made templates, change colors and text, and export your work without paying money. It runs on your own server or computer, so your files stay entirely yours. You bring your own artificial intelligence keys if you want automated suggestions. It costs nothing for the software, but you need your own server space to run it.
What it is
HyCanvas is a self-hosted design platform with a Go backend and a Next.js (a React framework for building fast web pages) frontend packaged into a single binary. It offers a browser-based editor for vector graphics, presentations, whiteboards, and documents.
What it is good for
Solo builders and small teams who want an alternative to commercial design tools like Canva without subscription fees, paywalls, or watermarks on exported files.
- No paywalls, subscriptions, or hidden watermarks on exports.
- Packs into a single self-contained binary file for simple hosting.
- Includes an open export format so you keep full ownership of your data.
- Requires technical knowledge to set up a database, environment variables, and a reverse proxy.
- Needs external tools like ffmpeg installed on the host for video export features.
- The AGPL licence requires you to share modifications if you offer the software over a network.
Paid online design platforms with export watermarks and strict subscription tiers.
PostgreSQL database and Caddy reverse proxy for secure web access.
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git clone https://github.com/hyscaler/HyCanvas.git cd HyCanvas cp .env.example .env npm install npm run build:dist ./dist/hycanvas