LinkedInCarouselsToolsComparisonSocial Media Marketing

Best LinkedIn Carousel Generators 2026: Free & Paid Tools Compared

Comprehensive comparison of 10+ LinkedIn carousel generators. Feature breakdowns, pricing analysis, and use case recommendations to find the perfect tool for your content strategy.

Shanjai Raj

Shanjai Raj

Founder at Postking

December 8, 202525 min read
Best LinkedIn Carousel Generators 2026: Free & Paid Tools Compared

LinkedIn carousels generate 24.42% engagement rates compared to 6.67% for text posts. That's not a marginal improvement. It's a 3.7x multiplier on your content's performance.

The challenge isn't whether to create carousels. It's how to create them efficiently without spending hours in design tools or hiring a graphic designer for every post.

I spent two weeks testing every major carousel generator on the market. Some are genuinely excellent. Others promise AI magic but deliver mediocre templates. A few are completely free with no catches.

This guide breaks down exactly what each tool does, what it costs, and who should use it.

Before comparing specific tools, it helps to understand the three distinct categories:

Speed-First Tools: Minimal features, maximum velocity. You input text, pick a template, export in seconds. Best for consistent posting.

Design-First Tools: Full creative control with drag-and-drop editors. More time investment, more customization. Best for brand differentiation.

AI-First Tools: Content generation from prompts or URLs. Less writing, more editing. Best for repurposing existing content.

Most tools try to be everything. The best ones pick a category and excel at it.

Complete Feature Comparison Matrix

Here's how the major players stack up across critical features:

FeaturePostkingCanvaTaplioPiktochartaiCarouselsVismeSlidesgoDesignrrAdobe ExpressPostNitro
Free PlanUnlimitedLimitedBasicLimitedUnlimitedLimitedFreeTrial onlyLimitedLimited
No Signup RequiredYesNoNoNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Template Count20+1,000+15+50+100+200+500+30+100+100+
AI Content GenNoPro onlyYesYesYesYesNoNoYesYes
Custom BrandingYesYesLimitedYesLimitedYesLimitedYesYesYes
Direct LinkedIn PostNoNoYes (Paid)NoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Mobile OptimizedYesYesYesYesYesYesYesNoYesYes
CollaborationNoYesYes (Paid)YesNoYesNoNoYesLimited
Export QualityPDF (High)PDF/PNGPDF/PNGPDF/PNGPDF/PNGPDF/PNGPDF/PPTPDFPDF/PNGPDF/PNG
Watermark on FreeNoNoYesYesNoYesNoN/ANoYes

Detailed Tool Breakdown

1. Postking: Best for Speed & Simplicity

Pricing: Free (unlimited, no signup)

Best for: Creators who write their own content and want professional designs fast

Postking's carousel generator strips away everything except what matters: getting from blank page to finished carousel in under 3 minutes.

Key Strengths:

  • Zero barriers: No account creation, no credit card, no watermarks
  • Template quality: 20+ professionally designed themes covering dark, light, gradient, and specialty options
  • Layout flexibility: 3 distinct layout styles (Classic, Centered, Bold) that change content hierarchy
  • Profile integration: Add your photo and handle to build brand consistency
  • Mobile preview: See exactly how your carousel looks on phones before posting
  • Export optimization: PDFs are pre-sized to LinkedIn's optimal 1080x1350px format

Limitations:

  • No AI writing assistance (you provide all copy)
  • No scheduling or direct posting
  • No team collaboration features
  • No analytics or performance tracking

Ideal workflow:

  1. Write your carousel content in a doc or notes app
  2. Open Postking (no login needed)
  3. Pick a template that matches your brand
  4. Paste your content, add slides as needed
  5. Customize colors if desired
  6. Download PDF, upload to LinkedIn

Pricing value: Completely free with no limitations makes this the best starting point for most creators.

Bottom line: If you know what you want to say and just need it to look professional, this is the fastest path from idea to published carousel.


2. Canva: Best for Design Flexibility

Pricing: Free (limited), Pro at $12.99/month, Teams at $14.99/user/month

Best for: Marketers who need complete creative control and brand consistency

Canva dominates the design space for a reason. With over 1,000 LinkedIn carousel templates and a full-featured editor, you can create anything from minimal text slides to complex infographics.

Key Strengths:

  • Template variety: Largest template library by far (1,000+ carousel-specific)
  • Complete customization: Edit every element - fonts, colors, spacing, images, shapes
  • Brand Kit: Save brand colors, fonts, and logos for one-click consistency (Pro feature)
  • Stock library: Millions of photos, illustrations, icons, and videos included
  • Team collaboration: Multiple editors, commenting, version history
  • Multi-format: Same design can be resized for Instagram, Facebook, etc.

Limitations:

  • Learning curve: More complex than purpose-built carousel tools
  • Time investment: Full customization means more time per carousel
  • Best features paywalled: Brand Kit, background remover, premium templates require Pro
  • No LinkedIn-specific optimizations: You need to know ideal dimensions and formatting
  • No AI carousel writing: AI features focus on image generation, not LinkedIn copy

Pricing breakdown:

  • Free: Basic templates, 5GB storage, limited stock content
  • Pro ($12.99/mo): All templates, Brand Kit, background remover, premium stock content
  • Teams ($14.99/user/mo): Everything in Pro plus team collaboration, brand management

Ideal workflow:

  1. Search "LinkedIn carousel" in template library
  2. Pick a template as starting point
  3. Customize design to match your brand
  4. Add your content across slides
  5. Export as PDF for LinkedIn

Bottom line: Worth the investment if you're creating carousels regularly and want them to look distinctly different from everyone else's. Overkill if you just want something professional-looking quickly.


3. Taplio: Best for AI-Assisted Content

Pricing: Free carousel generator (limited), Full platform at $39/month (Standard), $55/month (Pro), $149/month (Ultimate)

Best for: Personal brand builders who want AI to help with content creation

Taplio positions itself as an all-in-one LinkedIn growth platform. The carousel generator is one piece of a broader toolkit including scheduling, analytics, and lead generation.

Key Strengths:

  • AI content generation: Create carousel content from a topic prompt
  • Repurposing tools: Convert tweets, Reddit posts, or YouTube videos into carousels
  • Profile integration: Your photo and name automatically appear on slides
  • Direct scheduling: Post immediately or schedule for optimal times (paid)
  • Analytics tracking: See which carousels perform best (paid)
  • LinkedIn-optimized: Templates designed specifically for LinkedIn's feed

Limitations:

  • Best features require subscription: Free version is quite limited
  • Generic design options: Templates are professional but not highly customizable
  • AI content needs editing: Generated content is often generic and requires revision
  • LinkedIn ToS concerns: Some automation features may conflict with LinkedIn's policies
  • Expensive for carousel-only use: If you only need carousels, cheaper options exist

Pricing breakdown:

  • Free: Basic carousel generator with limited features
  • Standard ($39/mo): Scheduling for 1 account, analytics, content inspiration
  • Pro ($55/mo): Multiple accounts, AI writing assistant, CRM features
  • Ultimate ($149/mo): Everything plus team features and priority support

AI workflow:

  1. Enter topic or paste existing content (tweet, article, etc.)
  2. AI generates carousel outline and content
  3. Edit and refine the generated copy
  4. Choose from available templates
  5. Customize colors and branding
  6. Schedule directly to LinkedIn

Bottom line: Good value if you want the full LinkedIn toolkit (scheduling, analytics, lead gen). Expensive if you only need carousel creation.


4. Piktochart: Best for Data-Heavy Carousels

Pricing: Free (limited), Pro at $14/month, Business at $29/month

Best for: B2B marketers, consultants, and anyone presenting data or statistics

Piktochart started as an infographic tool, which shows in its carousel capabilities. If your content involves charts, graphs, or data visualization, this tool handles it better than general-purpose generators.

Key Strengths:

  • Data visualization: Built-in charts and graphs that look professional
  • Multiple AI variations: Generate up to 6 different carousel versions from one prompt
  • A/B testing support: Create variations to test different angles
  • Professional templates: Infographic-style designs that work well for B2B
  • Brand consistency: Save brand colors and fonts
  • Team collaboration: Multiple users can edit and comment

Limitations:

  • Smaller template library: ~50 carousel templates vs Canva's 1,000+
  • No direct LinkedIn posting: Manual export and upload
  • Free plan very limited: Watermarks, limited exports
  • Better for data than storytelling: Not ideal for narrative carousels
  • Steeper learning curve: More complex than simple carousel generators

Pricing breakdown:

  • Free: 5 visual credits/month, watermarked downloads
  • Pro ($14/mo): Unlimited downloads, no watermarks, brand kit
  • Business ($29/mo): Team features, advanced collaboration, priority support

Ideal use cases:

  • Survey results and statistics
  • Process flows and frameworks
  • Comparison charts
  • Educational content with data points
  • B2B thought leadership

Bottom line: If your carousels regularly include data, charts, or complex visualizations, Piktochart's specialized tools justify the cost. For text-only or simple image carousels, simpler tools work fine.


5. aiCarousels: Best for Content Repurposing

Pricing: Free (unlimited basic carousels), Pro features require subscription

Best for: Content creators repurposing existing material into carousel format

aiCarousels focuses entirely on AI-powered content conversion. If you have blog posts, videos, or other content you want to turn into carousels, this tool streamlines the process.

Key Strengths:

  • Multiple input methods: Topic, text, website URL, YouTube link, or PDF
  • Repurposing efficiency: Convert existing content quickly
  • No signup for basics: Create unlimited carousels without an account
  • Fast generation: Typically under 30 seconds from input to draft
  • Multi-platform: Optimizes for LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok
  • 100+ templates: Good variety of professional designs

Limitations:

  • AI content quality varies: Often needs significant editing
  • Less design control: Limited customization compared to Canva
  • No direct posting: Manual export and upload
  • Premium features paywalled: Best templates and exports require subscription
  • Generic output: AI-generated content can sound robotic

Content conversion options:

  • Topic-to-Carousel: Enter a topic, AI creates outline and content
  • Text-to-Carousel: Paste article or post, AI summarizes into slides
  • Website-to-Carousel: Enter URL, AI extracts key points
  • YouTube-to-Carousel: Paste video link, AI creates summary carousel
  • PDF-to-Carousel: Upload document, AI converts to slides

Typical workflow:

  1. Choose input method (topic, URL, text, etc.)
  2. AI generates carousel draft in 20-30 seconds
  3. Review and edit AI-generated content
  4. Select template and customize colors
  5. Download and post to LinkedIn

Bottom line: Excellent for repurposing existing content into carousels. The AI saves time on initial drafts, but expect to edit for quality and brand voice.


6. Visme: Best for Interactive Content

Pricing: Free (limited), Starter at $12.25/month, Pro at $24.75/month, Business at $49/month

Best for: Enterprise teams creating sophisticated presentations and data visualizations

Visme is overkill for most carousel creators, but if you need advanced charting, animations, or interactive elements, it delivers capabilities other tools can't match.

Key Strengths:

  • Advanced data visualization: Charts and graphs rival business intelligence tools
  • Animation capabilities: Create animated content (though limited value for LinkedIn PDFs)
  • Interactive elements: Clickable, interactive content for web (doesn't translate to LinkedIn)
  • 200+ templates: Professional designs suitable for corporate use
  • Brand management: Comprehensive brand kit with multiple brand profiles
  • Team collaboration: Robust permission and approval workflows

Limitations:

  • Expensive: Higher pricing than carousel-focused tools
  • Animation features wasted: LinkedIn PDFs don't support animation
  • Complexity: More features than most carousel creators need
  • Limited free plan: Heavy watermarks, limited exports
  • No direct LinkedIn posting: Manual export process

Pricing breakdown:

  • Free: Very limited, watermarked downloads
  • Starter ($12.25/mo): Basic features, limited downloads
  • Pro ($24.75/mo): Full features for individuals
  • Business ($49/mo): Team features, advanced collaboration, brand management

Ideal use cases:

  • Corporate presentations repurposed for LinkedIn
  • Complex data visualizations
  • Multi-format content (LinkedIn + web + presentation)
  • Enterprise teams with approval workflows

Bottom line: Only worth it if you need Visme's advanced features for other content types. For LinkedIn carousels alone, simpler tools deliver better value.


7. Slidesgo: Best Free Template Library

Pricing: Free (with attribution), Premium at $8/month

Best for: Creators who want premium-looking templates without paying

Slidesgo offers hundreds of high-quality presentation templates that work perfectly for LinkedIn carousels. The catch: you need to credit Slidesgo or upgrade to premium.

Key Strengths:

  • Massive template library: 500+ professional presentation templates
  • Completely free: No signup required, download PowerPoint files
  • High design quality: Templates look premium and professional
  • Regular updates: New templates added weekly
  • Multiple categories: Business, education, marketing, creative themes
  • Easy customization: Edit in PowerPoint or Google Slides

Limitations:

  • Attribution required: Free templates require crediting Slidesgo (or pay to remove)
  • Not carousel-specific: Templates designed for presentations, need adaptation
  • Manual optimization: You need to resize and format for LinkedIn
  • No AI features: Pure templates, no content generation
  • No LinkedIn integration: Manual export and upload

How to use for carousels:

  1. Browse templates on Slidesgo
  2. Download PowerPoint file (free)
  3. Customize slides in PowerPoint/Google Slides
  4. Resize to 1080x1350px for LinkedIn
  5. Export as PDF
  6. Upload to LinkedIn

Pricing:

  • Free: All templates with Slidesgo attribution
  • Premium ($8/mo): Remove attribution, priority support, unlimited downloads

Bottom line: Best free option if you're comfortable with PowerPoint and don't mind the manual optimization process. Template quality rivals paid tools.


8. Designrr: Best for eBook/PDF Conversion

Pricing: Starting at $29/month

Best for: Creators converting long-form content into carousel-friendly formats

Designrr specializes in converting blog posts, PDFs, and documents into visual formats. While not specifically a carousel tool, it excels at breaking down long content.

Key Strengths:

  • Content conversion: Import from blog, Word doc, PDF, or text
  • Automatic formatting: AI breaks content into digestible chunks
  • Multiple export formats: PDF, ePub, flipbook, and more
  • Template variety: 30+ professional templates
  • Brand customization: Save brand settings for consistency

Limitations:

  • Not carousel-specific: Designed for eBooks, requires adaptation
  • No free plan: 14-day trial only
  • Desktop-focused: Not optimized for mobile-first carousel creation
  • Manual LinkedIn optimization: Need to resize and format for LinkedIn
  • Higher price point: More expensive than carousel-specific tools

Best use case: Converting white papers, reports, or long blog posts into multi-slide visual content.

Bottom line: Only worth it if you regularly convert long-form content to visual formats. For standard carousels, purpose-built tools are faster.


9. Adobe Express: Best for Adobe Users

Pricing: Free (limited), Premium at $9.99/month

Best for: Creators already in the Adobe ecosystem

Adobe Express (formerly Adobe Spark) brings Adobe's design pedigree to a simplified interface. If you use other Adobe tools, the integration is seamless.

Key Strengths:

  • Adobe quality: Professional design tools and templates
  • 100+ templates: LinkedIn-optimized carousel templates
  • Adobe Stock integration: Access millions of stock photos and graphics (with subscription)
  • Brand consistency: Connect to Adobe libraries for brand assets
  • Mobile app: Create and edit on iOS and Android
  • AI features: Adobe Firefly AI for image generation (Premium)

Limitations:

  • Best features require Premium: AI tools, advanced templates paywalled
  • Limited free tier: Watermarks, limited exports
  • Adobe ecosystem lock-in: Best value if using other Adobe products
  • No direct LinkedIn posting: Manual export
  • Smaller template library: Fewer options than Canva

Pricing:

  • Free: Basic templates, limited stock content, watermarks
  • Premium ($9.99/mo): Remove watermarks, Adobe Stock, AI features

Bottom line: Good choice if you're already paying for Adobe Creative Cloud. Not worth subscribing to solely for carousels.


10. PostNitro: Best for Multi-Platform Creators

Pricing: Free (limited), Paid plans for full features

Best for: Creators posting identical content to LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok

PostNitro optimizes the same carousel for multiple platforms automatically, saving time if you cross-post content.

Key Strengths:

  • Multi-platform optimization: One design, multiple platform exports
  • 100+ templates: Clean, modern designs
  • Brand customization: Save colors, fonts, logos
  • AI content suggestions: Basic AI writing assistance
  • Fast creation: Designed for speed over complexity

Limitations:

  • Limited free plan: Restrictions on exports and features
  • No direct posting: Manual upload to platforms
  • Smaller user base: Less established than major competitors
  • AI quality varies: Content suggestions often need significant editing
  • Basic collaboration: Limited team features

Bottom line: Time-saver if you regularly post the same carousel across multiple platforms. Less valuable if you only post to LinkedIn.


How to Make Carousels Without a Tool

You don't need specialized software. Here's how to create carousels with tools you already have:

Method 1: PowerPoint/Keynote

Steps:

  1. Set slide size to 10.8" x 13.5" (maintains 4:5 ratio)
  2. Design slides with large fonts (80px+ for headings)
  3. Keep text minimal (25-50 words per slide)
  4. Export as PDF
  5. Upload to LinkedIn

Pros: Free, full control, no watermarks Cons: Time-consuming, no templates, manual optimization

Method 2: Google Slides

Steps:

  1. Set custom page size: 8 x 10 inches
  2. Find free templates online or create from scratch
  3. Design slides with mobile in mind
  4. File → Download → PDF Document
  5. Upload to LinkedIn

Pros: Free, collaborative, accessible anywhere Cons: Limited design features, manual sizing required

Method 3: Figma (Community Templates)

Steps:

  1. Search Figma Community for "LinkedIn carousel"
  2. Duplicate a free template
  3. Customize text and colors
  4. Export frames as PDF
  5. Upload to LinkedIn

Pros: Professional results, free templates, design flexibility Cons: Steeper learning curve, requires Figma account

Bottom line: DIY methods work but take significantly longer. Worth it for occasional carousels. Not sustainable for regular posting.


Design Tips for High-Engagement Carousels

Regardless of which tool you use, these design principles separate high-performing carousels from ignored ones:

1. Optimize for Mobile First

51% of LinkedIn users browse on mobile. Design decisions that look great on your laptop fail on phones:

  • Font size minimum: 45px for body text, 80px+ for headings
  • Test on your phone: If you squint to read it, increase font size
  • High contrast: Dark text on light backgrounds (or vice versa)
  • Avoid small details: They disappear on mobile screens

2. Use the First Slide Hook Formula

Your first slide has one job: stop the scroll. Use these proven structures:

  • Specific number: "7 mistakes costing you leads"
  • Counterintuitive: "Stop posting on LinkedIn daily"
  • Before/After: "I went from 200 to 50,000 followers. Here's how."
  • Direct question: "Why do your posts get ignored?"
  • Bold claim: "The only LinkedIn strategy that matters in 2026"

Avoid: Logos, introductions, generic titles. Lead with value or curiosity.

3. One Idea Per Slide

Dense slides get skipped. Each slide should communicate one clear point:

  • Target: 25-50 words per slide
  • Structure: Headline + 1-2 supporting sentences
  • Visual hierarchy: Make the main point larger and bolder
  • White space: Don't fill every pixel

4. Include Visual Progression Cues

Help readers understand where they are in your carousel:

  • Slide numbers: "1/10" on each slide
  • Progress indicators: Visual bar showing completion
  • Consistent layout: Same position for key elements across slides
  • Color coding: Different colors for different sections

5. Master the Rehook Technique

People drop off mid-carousel. Insert a "rehook" around slide 4-5 to pull them through:

  • Create curiosity: "But here's where it gets interesting..."
  • Acknowledge progress: "So far we've covered X and Y. Now for the crucial part..."
  • Promise value: "The next 3 slides contain the exact framework I used..."

This technique can boost carousel completion rates by 30-40%.

6. End With Clear Action

Your final slide should tell readers exactly what to do:

  • Weak CTA: "Thanks for reading!"
  • Better CTA: "Follow me for more LinkedIn growth tips"
  • Best CTA: "Comment 'growth' and I'll send you the full template"

Carousels with specific CTAs get 2-3x more engagement than passive endings.

7. Maintain Brand Consistency

Your carousels should be recognizable as yours:

  • Color palette: Use the same 2-3 colors across all carousels
  • Font choice: Pick one font family and stick to it
  • Layout style: Consistent slide structure builds recognition
  • Profile integration: Include your photo or logo placement

Consistent branding makes you memorable. Generic templates make you forgettable.


Pricing Comparison: Best Value for Different Budgets

Best Free Options

1. Postking: Unlimited carousels, no signup, no watermarks

  • Value: Outstanding for free
  • Limitation: No AI writing

2. aiCarousels: Unlimited basic carousels, AI repurposing

  • Value: Great for repurposing content
  • Limitation: Premium features locked

3. Slidesgo: Premium templates free with attribution

  • Value: Excellent templates
  • Limitation: Requires PowerPoint skills, attribution required

Best Budget Options ($10-15/month)

1. Canva Pro ($12.99/mo): Best overall value for regular creators

  • ROI: Worth it if creating 4+ carousels monthly
  • Benefit: Brand kit alone saves hours

2. Piktochart Pro ($14/mo): Best for data-heavy content

  • ROI: Worth it for B2B marketers and consultants
  • Benefit: Superior data visualization

3. Adobe Express Premium ($9.99/mo): Best for Adobe users

  • ROI: Worth it if using other Adobe tools
  • Benefit: Ecosystem integration

Best Professional Options ($30-60/month)

1. Taplio Pro ($55/mo): Best all-in-one LinkedIn platform

  • ROI: Worth it for serious personal brand builders
  • Benefit: Scheduling + analytics + carousel creation

2. Visme Business ($49/mo): Best for teams

  • ROI: Worth it for agencies and corporate teams
  • Benefit: Advanced collaboration and approval workflows

Value calculation framework:

  • Time saved per carousel: 15-45 minutes vs manual creation
  • Carousels per month: Multiply time savings
  • Hourly value of your time: Compare to tool cost
  • Performance improvement: Factor in better engagement

If you create 2+ carousels weekly, paid tools typically pay for themselves in time savings alone.


Use Case Recommendations

For Solo Founders Building Personal Brands

Primary tool: Postking Reason: Free, fast, professional results. No learning curve.

Alternative: Canva Pro if you want more design control and are creating 4+ carousels monthly.

For Marketing Teams at B2B Companies

Primary tool: Piktochart or Visme Reason: Data visualization capabilities, team collaboration, brand management.

Alternative: Canva Teams for design flexibility with team features.

For Content Creators Repurposing Videos/Articles

Primary tool: aiCarousels Reason: AI conversion from multiple input types saves hours.

Alternative: Taplio if you also want scheduling and analytics.

For Agencies Managing Multiple Clients

Primary tool: Canva Teams or Visme Business Reason: Multiple brand kits, team collaboration, client approval workflows.

Alternative: Taplio Ultimate for LinkedIn-specific features across multiple accounts.

For Beginners Just Starting LinkedIn

Primary tool: Postking Reason: Zero barrier to entry, learn carousel structure without complexity.

Upgrade path: Move to Canva Pro once you're posting consistently and want more customization.

For Data Analysts and Consultants

Primary tool: Piktochart Reason: Built-in charting and data visualization tools.

Alternative: Visme for more advanced visualization needs.


Frequently Asked Questions

Postking offers the best completely free experience with unlimited carousels, no signup requirement, and no watermarks. aiCarousels is second-best if you need AI content repurposing. Canva's free tier is limited but usable. Slidesgo offers premium templates free with attribution.

Do I need AI to create good carousels?

No. AI is helpful for speed but not required for quality. The best carousels come from genuine insights and clear communication, not AI generation. Tools like Postking prove you can create professional carousels without any AI features. Use AI to speed up ideation and repurposing, but write your own hooks and key points.

With a dedicated tool: 3-15 minutes. Postking and similar speed-first tools take 3-5 minutes. Design-heavy tools like Canva take 10-20 minutes for custom designs. Manual creation in PowerPoint takes 30-60 minutes. The first carousel always takes longer as you learn the tool.

Should I use the same tool for all my carousels?

Yes, for brand consistency. Using one tool helps you develop a recognizable visual style. Your templates, colors, and layouts become associated with your content. Switching tools frequently makes your carousels look disjointed. Pick one tool, master it, and build brand recognition.

Can I create carousels on my phone?

Most major tools have mobile apps, including Canva, Adobe Express, and PostNitro. However, desktop creation is faster and easier for detailed design work. Mobile works for quick edits or emergencies but isn't ideal for primary creation.

What dimensions should LinkedIn carousels be?

1080 x 1350 pixels (4:5 aspect ratio) is optimal. This is the maximum vertical space LinkedIn allows, giving your carousel more screen real estate in feeds. All tools in this comparison support this format. Avoid square (1080x1080) as it wastes vertical space.

Do carousels actually perform better than other post types?

Yes, significantly. LinkedIn carousels get 24.42% engagement rate vs 6.67% for text posts. They also generate 5x more clicks than other formats and 1.6x the reach of static images. The swipeable format increases dwell time, which LinkedIn's algorithm rewards with more distribution. See our complete carousel performance guide for detailed data.

8-10 slides is the sweet spot. Data shows carousels with 5-10 slides get 15% more reach than average. Shorter carousels (1-4 slides) get 35% less reach. Longer carousels (15+) see drop-off rates increase. Eight slides gives you enough space to deliver value without losing readers.

Worth it if you create 4+ carousels monthly. At 20 minutes saved per carousel, that's 80+ minutes monthly. If your hourly value exceeds $10, tools like Canva Pro ($12.99/mo) pay for themselves in time savings alone. For occasional creators, free tools like Postking are sufficient.

Can I use Canva templates for LinkedIn carousels?

Yes, Canva has 1,000+ LinkedIn-specific carousel templates. Search "LinkedIn carousel" in the template library. Templates are pre-sized to 1080x1350px. Free and Pro users can access templates, though the best designs often require Pro. Templates are fully customizable.

What's better: creating carousels from scratch or using templates?

Templates are better for consistency and speed. Creating from scratch gives you maximum control but takes 3-5x longer. Templates provide proven layouts optimized for readability. Most successful creators pick 2-3 template designs and customize them with their branding rather than designing each carousel from scratch.

Many tools support multi-platform optimization, including PostNitro, aiCarousels, and Canva. However, LinkedIn and Instagram have different optimal dimensions and content styles. LinkedIn prefers 1080x1350px text-heavy slides. Instagram works better with 1080x1350px image-heavy visuals. Creating platform-specific versions typically performs better than one-size-fits-all carousels.


Final Recommendation: Which Tool Should You Choose?

After testing every major option, here's my recommendation framework:

Start with Postking if:

  • You're creating your first carousels
  • You value speed over advanced features
  • You don't want another subscription
  • You write your own content (no AI needed)

Try Postking's free carousel generator

Upgrade to Canva Pro when:

  • You're posting 4+ carousels monthly
  • Brand customization becomes important
  • You need design flexibility
  • Time savings justify $12.99/month

Choose Taplio if:

  • You want all-in-one LinkedIn tools
  • AI content assistance appeals to you
  • Scheduling and analytics matter
  • You're serious about LinkedIn growth

Pick Piktochart if:

  • Your carousels regularly include data
  • You're in B2B or consulting
  • Charts and graphs are frequent
  • Visual data presentation is key

For most creators: Start with Postking. It's free, fast, and removes all barriers to getting started. Once you're posting consistently and understand what you need, you can evaluate whether paid tools add enough value to justify the cost.

The tool matters far less than the content quality and posting consistency. A mediocre carousel published beats a perfect carousel planned but never created.


Start Creating Better Carousels Today

The tools exist. The templates are ready. The only thing missing is your content.

Pick a tool from this comparison that matches your workflow and budget. Create your first carousel this week. Don't aim for perfection - aim for published.

Your first carousel won't be your best. Neither will your fifth. But each one teaches you what resonates with your audience, which hooks stop the scroll, and which formats drive engagement.

The LinkedIn creators getting results aren't the ones with the fanciest tools. They're the ones posting consistently with clear value propositions and strong hooks.

If you're ready to start now, Postking's carousel generator requires zero setup. Write your content, pick a template, and have a finished carousel in 3 minutes.

For deeper carousel strategy and content frameworks, read our complete guide to creating high-engagement LinkedIn carousels.

The difference between creators who succeed with carousels and those who don't isn't talent or tools. It's the decision to start and the commitment to keep going.

Your next carousel could be the one that changes everything. Create it today.

Shanjai Raj

Written by

Shanjai Raj

Founder at Postking

Building tools to help professionals grow on LinkedIn. Passionate about content strategy and personal branding.

View all posts
Free Tool
3.2x

more engagement with carousels

Text Post6.7%
Carousel24.4%

Create scroll-stopping LinkedIn carousels in under 60 seconds. No design skills needed.

Try Carousel Generator
No signup required

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Postking helps you create a week of LinkedIn posts in 15 minutes. Write, schedule, and track your growth—all in one place.