Short answer: pay for one deck tool. Use Gamma if you need a narrative deck from a brief. Use Canva if design templates and brand kits are the weekly job. Paying for both is usually overlap.
The test
- Write one real deck brief (client update, internal review, or workshop).
- Build it in Gamma and Canva AI on the plan you actually have.
- Score time-to-usable-slides, brand match, and how much you still rebuilt by hand.
- Keep the winner. Keep a free tier of the other only if you use it weekly.
See Gamma vs Canva AI.
If you already pay for two visual tools, use the Premium visual shortlist. 7-day trial; LAUNCH50 for 50% off the first paid month (new users).