> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.replit.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Canvas vs. Preview
> Learn the difference between Canvas and Preview in Replit, and when to use each for your projects.
Replit offers two ways to work on an app: **Canvas** and **Preview**. The best part? You can use them together—start with a beautiful design, refine it, then convert to a fully functional app when you're ready.
## What is Canvas?
[Canvas](/learn/design/canvas) lets you create beautiful, interactive websites and app designs in just a few minutes. Simply describe your idea and Replit builds it for you.
Canvas is perfect for:
* **Testing your ideas quickly**: Visualize your app's design before building functionality
* **Creating polished websites**: Landing pages, portfolios, restaurant menus, event pages
* **Fine-tuning your design**: Adjust colors, layouts, and content instantly
Canvas designs look and feel like real apps, but they don't store data or connect to external services yet. When you're happy with how everything looks, you can convert your design into a full app with one click. The steps below show you how.
## What is Preview?
Preview shows your creation as a real, working application that can save data, let people sign in, and connect to other services. It's the interactive, full-size view of your app.
Use Preview when your app needs to:
* **User accounts**: Let people create accounts and log in
* **Save information**: Store data like orders, messages, or user preferences
* **Connect to other services**: Process payments, send emails, or pull in data from other apps
* **Handle complex tasks**: Run an online store, manage bookings, or power a dashboard
## Using both modes together
**Canvas and Preview are built to work together**. You don't have to choose one or the other. You can start with design and evolve into a full app.
Start in Canvas to quickly visualize your idea. Focus on how your app looks and feels—the layout, colors, buttons, and user experience.
Use **Reimagine** to explore new directions for the selected design, or open the [Visual Editor](/learn/design/visual-editor) to click directly on elements and adjust them. You can also chat with Agent to describe changes you want—they appear immediately.
When you're happy with your design and ready to add real functionality, select **Build** to convert your design into an app. You can create a new artifact or apply the design to an existing one. Agent adds the ability to save data, handle user accounts, and connect to services—all while keeping your design intact. See the [Turn a Figma design into an interactive app](/build/figma-to-app) guide for the full workflow.
Agent will prompt you to convert when you try to add a database or advanced features.
Once your app is built, publish it so anyone can access it online. Replit handles all the technical infrastructure so your app works reliably for your audience.
## When to use each mode
* You want to see your idea quickly
* You're creating a simple website
* You want to test different designs
* Speed is your priority
* You know exactly what you need
* Your app must save data from day one
* People need to log in
* You're connecting to other services
**Not sure which to pick?** Start with Canvas. It's faster, and you can always convert to a full app later. Your work is never wasted—it carries over when you upgrade.
## Key differences
| Feature | Canvas | Preview |
| -------------------------- | --------------------------- | ---------------------------------- |
| **Speed** | A few minutes | About 10 minutes for complete apps |
| **Data storage** | Visual only (no saving) | Saves and retrieves real data |
| **User accounts** | Shows what login looks like | Actual login functionality |
| **Connecting to services** | Not available | Payments, emails, external data |
| **Hosting** | Simple static hosting | Scales with your audience |
## Next steps
Learn more about creating designs
Make visual changes with clicks
Explore what Agent can build for you
Learn the complete workflow