You can use Canva Docs as a standalone application to create things like a report, proposal, schedule, or press release. Better yet, use it in conjunction with your other creations for a consistent style across documents, presentations, banners, infographics, and anything else you design.

Here’s everything you need to know to create your first Canva Doc.

Get Started With Canva Docs

Canva Docs is free to use, just like Canva’s other design tools. There are; however, certain features that are only available with Canva Pro like premium templates, photos, videos, and similar elements.

You can head directly to the Canva Docs website and select Create a Doc to get started.

Alternatively, visit the Canva homepage and choose Docs at the top below the search box and then Doc below Start Writing. Notice that you can also choose Docs to Decks which allows you to create document content and transform it into a presentation.

Sign into your Canva account when prompted and then get to work on your document.

Use a Canva Docs Template

Just like Google Docs and Microsoft Word, you can get a jumpstart on your project with a template. Canva Docs offers tons of options for many personal and business documents.

Select Templates on the left side. You can then choose See all next to Doc Templates to view the entire gallery or browse the single-page themed headings beneath. You can also use the categories at the top or the Search box for a specific template.

If you see a template or header you want to use, simply select it to apply it to your document on the right.

Whether you start with a template or from scratch, you can use the same customization options for your Canva Doc. Insert elements like tables, charts, or graphics, upload your own images or videos, and customize the text with styles, colors, formats or lists.

Insert Document Elements

You have two ways to insert items in your document.

One way is to use the sidebar on the left. Select Elements to add a table, chart, graphic, photo, or video or Uploads to use an image or video from your device or social media account. Either choose the item or use drag-and-drop to place it in your document.

The second way to add elements is using the Add Magic icon (plus sign) directly on the document.

When you select that icon, you’ll see a list of elements and text formatting tools you can use. If you have Canva Pro, you can take advantage of Magic Write, Canva’s AI writing tool.

Once you insert the item you want, you can customize it. Depending on the element you’re using, you have different options.

Add and Customize Text

To insert text, select the Add Magic icon and choose a heading, subheading, or body text. You can also insert a checklist, bulleted list, or numbered list.

To customize the text, select it and use the options in the toolbar at the top for the font style, size, color, format, spacing, and alignment.

Add and Customize Tables

To insert a basic table with a specific number of columns and rows, select the Add Magic icon, choose Table, and use the grid to create the table.

To insert a preformatted table, select Elements > Tables > See all in the sidebar. Then, choose one of the options.

Once you insert your table, you can add your items to the cells as you would with a table in Google Docs or Microsoft Word. You can also add or remove rows and columns, merge cells, and move rows and columns.

1. Select a cell in the row or column and use the three dots to choose an action.

2. You can quickly add a row or column by selecting the plus sign at the top or left side of the table.

3. Finally, you can resize rows or columns by dragging the double-sided arrow that appears between them.

4. For actions that apply to the entire table, select the table and then use the three dots in the floating toolbar.

Add and Customize Charts

If you’re creating a company report or business proposal, you may want to add a chart to your document. You can insert a bar, column, line, line and dot, interactive, or pie chart.

To insert a basic pie, bar, or line chart, select the Add Magic icon and choose the chart you want.

To insert a different chart or style, select Elements > Charts > See all in the sidebar. Then, choose one of the options.

Once you insert the chart, you can add the data, adjust the settings, and customize it.

1. Select the chart and use the Data tab in the sidebar to replace the sample data with your own. You can also expand Add Data at the bottom to upload a CSV file or import a chart from Google Sheets.

2. Then, use the Settings tab in the sidebar to show or hide the legend, labels, and grid lines.

3. To adjust the chart colors, spacing, markers, or certain chart elements, use the toolbar at the top.

4. For additional actions, select the chart and then use the three dots in the floating toolbar.

View Document Statistics

If you’re working on a document for school or creating an article, you may need to see the word count or read time.

Select the Insights button (graph) on the top right. You’ll then see your document statistics on the Overview tab.

If you have Canva Pro, you can also use the Views, Engagements, and Collaboration tabs and features.

Tip: Wondering if you should subscribe to Canva Pro? Check out our article to see if Canva Pro is worth the price.

Share or Download Your Document

Like other Canva creations, you can share a Canva Doc with team members or coworkers.

Select Share on the top right. You can then add people, copy a link, or get the embed code. You can also choose Download to save your document as a PDF.

Additionally, you can use the File menu on the top left to rename the document, save it to a folder, or download it.

Will You Try Canva Docs?

Canva Docs makes document creation easy with its visual editor. For existing Canva users, you can carry your style across designs and documents. For those new to Canva, you can explore the document features that put this tool in the running with Google Docs and Microsoft Word.

Are you going to give Canva Docs a try? If so, let us know what you think of it.

In this article, we’ll discuss the best team management apps on the market today for both small and large teams.

The 5 Best Team Management Apps

Here are the 5 best team management apps:

1. Trello: Simple Task Management for Small Teams

Trello is one of the best-known project management tools for small businesses and startups. It uses a Kanban board system to enable teams to create and organize tasks. Users can add due dates, descriptions, attachments, and checklists to each card and get notifications when team members complete tasks.

Some of Trellos’ key features include:

• Boards and cards. Create multiple boards for different projects, departments, and teams. Then, create a card for each task and customize these with labels, due dates, descriptions, and checklists. Organize cards into lists like “To Do”, “In Progress”, and “Completed” to track progress. Create checklists within cards to break down tasks into smaller, actionable items.
• Comments and attachments. Leave comments on cards to provide your team with updates, ask questions, or collaborate on tasks. Also attach files, documents, or links to cards to provide additional information or resources.
• Notifications. Receive notifications and updates after key milestones to stay informed on projects.
• Integrations. Trello integrates with various third-party apps and tools, like Google Drive.

Trello Pros:

• Very easy-to-use drag-and-drop functionality and a stack of useful features.
• Excellent customer service.
• Workflow automation helps streamline projects and reduce manual work.
• Templates can be used to speed up board creation.
• Can be used as a basic customer relationship management (CRM) tool.

Trello Cons:

• Limited customizability
• No built-in time-tracking capabilities
• Limited analytics

Trello Pricing:

Trello offers four plans:

• Free: Unlimited cards, 10 boards per workspace, and all key features.
• Standard: $5 per user per month (billed annually). Unlimited boards and more advanced features for small teams.
• Premium: $10 per user per month. Everything in Standard, plus features targeted at larger teams with multiple ongoing projects.
• Enterprise: Starts at $17.50 per user per month. For organizations with multiple large teams.

2. Asana: Scalable Management for Teams of All Sizes

Asana is another well-known web-based project management tool that helps teams organize, track, and manage their projects. Asana provides a stack of features that improve collaboration, like task allocation and tracking.

Some of Asana’s key features include:

• Project organization. Easily create project plans and break them down into tasks and subtasks to organize work and track progress at different levels.
• Task management. Create, assign, and prioritize tasks within different projects. Set due dates, add descriptions, attach files, and ensure all necessary information is included where it should be.
• Collaboration tools. Comment on tasks, mention team members, and hold conversations within individual tasks. Asana also provides virtual meeting management tools to improve collaboration.
• Timeline and calendar view. Visualize your projects on a timeline or view them in a calendar to get a clear overview of deadlines and team availability.
• Integrations. Asana integrates with a wide range of third-party tools and services, including Google Drive, Slack, Microsoft Office, and Dropbox.

Asana Pros:

• Regular updates
• Intuitive interface
• Robust communication tools
• Easy customization and cross-platform availability

Asana Cons:

• Many advanced features are locked behind a paywall
• Limited reporting and analytics features
• Can have overwhelming notifications for every activity

Asana Pricing:

Asana offers a free plan and three paid plans:

• Free plan: Up to 15 team members with unlimited tasks, projects, and conversations.
• Premium: $10.99 per user per month (billed annually). Includes Workflow Builder and various advanced features, including Gantt chart view.
• Business: $24.99 per user per month. Adds interdepartmental control features for managing multiple teams.
• Enterprise: Contact Asana for a quote. Includes the most advanced enterprise-tier features.

3. Slack: Best for Team Communication

Slack is a fantastic tool for promoting teamwork through real-time communication. It enables team members to send direct messages, create channels for different projects, share files, and conduct video calls and meetings. It also integrates with dozens of other tools and applications to facilitate effective team management.

Here are Slack’s main features:

• Channels. Easily create channels for different teams or projects and enable focused discussions. Channels can be public or private, giving users control over who can join and participate. Within Channels, people can share attachments and documents and tag other team members for immediate feedback.
• Notifications and alerts. Your team can easily stay updated on important messages and activities by receiving real-time notifications for specific channels, keywords, or mentions.
• Workflow automation. Slack lets you automate repetitive tasks, create custom workflows, and streamline your overall work processes. And this works not just for Slack, but its app integration platform, too.
• Mobile and desktop apps. Your team can easily access Slack from wherever they are with a desktop and mobile app.

Slack pros:

• Real-time messaging and notifications make collaboration easy between team members or entire departments
• Easy customization
• Integration with dozens of other tools
• Mobile accessibility, making work-from-home arrangements a breeze

Slack cons:

• Information overload and a lack of context can occur because of the constant stream of messages, especially with a larger team
• It can be difficult to find key information, even with Slack’s search feature
• The free version lacks some key features
• Constant messaging can be distracting for some team members

Slack Pricing:

Slack offers four subscription tiers:

• Free: One-on-one video conversations, 90 days of message history, and up to 10 integrations.
• Pro: $7.25 per month per user. Adds full message history, unlimited apps, video conversations with up to 50 people, and advanced security features.
• Business+: $12.50 per month per user. Includes everything in Pro, as well as advanced identity management and compliance features.
• Enterprise Grid: Slack’s enterprise-grade plan — contact Slack’s sales department to learn more.

4. Basecamp: Best for Development Teams

Basecamp is another project management and team collaboration app. It acts as a centralized platform for teams to collaborate on projects and communicate with each other.

Basecamp’s main features include:

• Projects. Create individual projects with their own set of tasks, discussions, and attached files. These serve as the central hub for collaboration in Basecamp.
• To-do lists. Create to-do lists inside each project. For each, assign tasks and set due dates. You can also organize to-do task lists into categories with sub-tasks and dependencies.
• Messaging. Basecamp has a real-time communication feature called Campfire which lets team members have group chats about projects. Your team can also leave messages and share updates on a message board for each project.
• Client collaboration. Add clients as external users so that they can weigh in on project discussions and access files.
• Integrations. Basecamp offers several third-party integrations that expand the app’s capabilities.

Basecamp pros:

• Adding clients as external users is helpful for development teams
• Strong privacy and security protocols
• Desktop and mobile app
• Great price structure for large teams and businesses

Basecamp cons:

• Limited customizability
• Can be more confusing to use than some of the alternatives
• Limited time tracking capabilities
• Lacks more advanced features found in Trello and Asana

Basecamp Pricing:

Basecamp is $15 per user per month and includes 500 GB of cloud storage and every feature. Basecamp Pro Unlimited is $299 per month and allows unlimited users, additional cloud storage, and priority support. Basecamp also offers a free trial.

5. ClickUp: Most Comprehensive

ClickUp is a team management and productivity tool that helps organize projects and tasks. It has a wide range of features that improve collaboration, communication, and time management.

These features include:

• Task and project management. Create projects, tasks, and sub-tasks in ClickUp. Organize these into lists and folders for better clarity and assign tasks to individual team members easily.
• Collaboration and communication. Tag your team in comments and mentions or converse with them using the real-time chat feature.
• Workflow automation. Create rules based on triggers to automate repetitive manual tasks and processes.
• Time tracking. Track the amount of time spent on tasks to improve productivity and work management.
• Document management. ClickUp supports file uploads, version control, and document collaboration to improve file management on the platform.
• Dashboards and reports. Use ClickUp’s reporting features to get visual insights into your task and project progress.

ClickUp pros:

• Easily customizable workspaces
• A broad range of integrations
• Accessibility across multiple devices including web, desktop, Android, and iOS
• Powerful document management and file-sharing tools
• Excellent customer support

ClickUp cons:

• Steeper learning curve than some of the alternatives
• Lacks an offline mode meaning you need a constant internet connection
• Complex pricing structure

ClickUp Pricing:

ClickUp offers five plans:

• Free: 100MB storage for docs and files, unlimited tasks and members, real-time chat, calendar view, and many more features.
• Unlimited: $7 per month per user. Everything in the free version plus unlimited everything (storage, dashboards, integrations, and so on).
• Business: $12 per month per user. Everything in the Unlimited plan, plus a stack of advanced features like time tracking, automations, public sharing, and more.
• Business Plus: $19 per month per user. Everything in the Business plan, plus a stack of features focused on managing multiple teams at once (like custom permissions and role creation).
• Enterprise: Contact the sales team for prices. Offers enterprise-level features.

What’s the Best Team Management App?

At the end of the day, the best team management app is the one that meets your team’s needs. For example, ClickUp may have the most features, but it could be overkill if all you need is a communication platform with some basic functionalities.

We recommend using the free trial for the apps we’ve listed here to get a feeling for which app is best for your team and management style.

In this article, we’ll compare Grammarly vs Microsoft Editor and help you decide which editor to go with.

Grammarly vs. Microsoft Editor: Accessibility

Grammarly’s writing tool has been around for a lot longer than Microsoft Editor, and because of that, it’s available on far more platforms. You can access Grammarly through:

1. Web browser extensions on Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Safari, and other Chromium browsers (these work for apps like Microsoft Word Online and Google Docs)
2. The standalone Grammarly web and desktop apps
3. An add-on for Microsoft Word
4. A plug-in for Android and iOS keyboards

In comparison, Microsoft Editor is primarily available through Windows apps. You can access Microsoft Editor via web browser extensions (for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari), Microsoft Word (both the online and desktop app versions), and Microsoft Outlook.

Winner: Grammarly

Grammarly vs. Microsoft Editor: Functionality

The main thing that matters when comparing two grammar-checking apps is how well they spot errors and what additional features they offer their users. Below, we’ll discuss the features offered by each app, starting with Grammarly.

When you open the Grammarly editor, it will ask you to set goals based on the type of text you want to write and the audience that you’re targeting. Based on this, it’ll offer grammatical suggestions that will align your text more with your goals.

Here are some of Grammarly’s key features:

1. Spelling and grammar corrections. Grammarly will check your spelling and grammar and offer corrections. Any spelling mistakes or typos will be underlined in red with a suggested alternative word to replace it with.

2. Target audience corrections. Grammarly will offer suggestions based on four categories (other than correctness): Clarity, engagement, delivery, and style. Imperfect sentences will be underlined in either blue, green, purple, or gray. For each, Grammarly will explain why it’s underlined and suggest changes to improve sentence structure, writing style, and delivery.
3. Detailed reports. Grammarly’s premium version provides detailed proofreading reports based on your selected target audience. For example, it scans for advanced grammar issues like conciseness, repetitive language, and readability, and offers variations to spice up your sentences.

4. Language support. Grammarly supports British, American, Canadian, and Australian English.
5. Plagiarism checker. Grammarly offers a plagiarism tool that compares your article against other content on the internet to see whether it’s copied or not.
6. Weekly statistics. Grammarly lets you know your vocabulary score, productivity, and mastery of the English language. It also lets you know what your most frequent writing mistakes are so that you can correct them and improve your writing skills.

As a Grammarly alternative, Microsoft Editor is a lot more bare-bones. Rather than setting goals based on your target audience, it simply offers a basic grammar and spell check tool. Here are its main features:

1. Spelling and grammar error corrections. Like Grammarly, Microsoft Editor checks for spelling errors and grammatical mistakes, offering corrections as you go.

2. Refinements. Microsoft Editor also suggests changes to your text based on sentence structure, conciseness, formality, uncertainty, tone, and more. It isn’t as deep as Grammarly’s four categories, but it offers more than just simple grammar and spelling corrections.
3. Language support. Microsoft Editor is available in over 60 languages.
4. Similarity checker. Microsoft Editor provides a tool to check for originality against other sources online. This is only available in the advanced version of the web app and isn’t available in Microsoft Word.
5. Document stats. Microsoft Editor provides you with basic statistics on your document, like word count, time to read, readability, and an overall score.

Winner: Grammarly

Microsoft Editor vs. Grammarly: Pricing

Grammarly and Microsoft Editor both offer free and paid versions. However, to access the free version of Microsoft Editor, you need a Microsoft 365 subscription.

Grammarly offers three subscription tiers:

• The free version of Grammarly. Checks for basic spelling and grammar mistakes (like misplaced commas and double spaces), and detects issues with writing tone.
• Grammarly Premium Plan. $12.00 per month (when paid annually) or $30 per month (paid monthly). Generative AI assistance, more advanced writing, delivery, and tone suggestions, and a plagiarism checker.
• Grammarly Business Plan. $15.00 per month (paid annually). Everything in the Premium version, with added features for teams like style guides.

Microsoft Editor is available through a Microsoft 365 subscription, which gives you access to all Office apps as well as 1TB of OneDrive cloud storage.

• Microsoft 365. $6.99 per month or $69.99 per year.
• Microsoft 365 Family. $9.99 per month or $99.99 annually.

Winner: Microsoft Editor

Which Grammar Checking Tool is Best for You?

Choosing between these writing assistant tools can be difficult, so we recommend giving both free versions a go before you make your final decision. Simply start a Word Online document, write a few sentences with a bunch of mistakes, and see which one works best for you.

Microsoft Editor is more cost-effective, but only if you’re going to use the rest of the Microsoft Office suite. Otherwise, it’s probably better to go with Grammarly. Grammarly is more widely available, offers more advanced features, and is generally the better option for professional writers.

In this article, we’ll explain which is better in a head-to-head Google Keep vs OneNote comparison.

Google Keep vs. OneNote At a Glance

Microsoft OneNote is a fairly extensive note-taking program with powerful text editing features. It also supports creating and storing drawings, tables, and passwords.

In comparison, Google Keep is a relatively simple app that lets you store text-based notes, checklists, images, voice recordings, and drawings.

Google Keep vs. OneNote: Accessibility

Google Keep and OneNote offer different ways to access and use each app.

Users can access Google Keep via:

1. The Google Keep website (keep.google.com).
2. The dedicated mobile app is available on both Android, iPhone, and iPad.
3. Supporting apps, such as Gmail, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, and Google Calendar.

Users can access Microsoft OneNote via:

1. A dedicated desktop app available for free in the Microsoft Store.
2. The web version via a web browser like Google Chrome
3. Mobile apps for both Apple iOS, Mac, and Android devices.

Google Keep vs. OneNote: Features

Both Google Keep and Microsoft OneNote support a stack of note-taking features. Here’s what you can expect from each app:

Google Keep

With Google Keep, the main function is note-taking. For notes, you can add:

1. Rich text formatting options
2. Reminders and notifications
3. Collaborators
4. Color schemes
5. Images
6. Labels (for better organization)

The mobile app takes the features further, letting you take photos that upload directly to your notes. You can also add images, drawings, recordings, and tick boxes. These features aren’t available on the web-based app.

You can also pin notes so that they appear at the top of either the web or mobile app.

Microsoft OneNote

Microsoft OneNote features are more or less the same across the different versions. On each, you can add:

1. Rich text formatting options, fonts, tables, checklists, and links
2. Images and screenshots
3. Audio recordings
4. Drawings
5. Tags (Like Keep’s Labels)
6. Collaborators
7. Styles

One bonus of having drawing support in the desktop app is that it’s easy to add annotations to meeting notes or markups if you have a stylus.

You can also link the Microsoft OneNote app to the Office Suite to integrate its features or link to other documents.

Google Keep vs. OneNote: Usability

Both Keep and OneNote are easy-to-use, highly intuitive note apps. For both, the mobile app seems to have received the most love in development, and this is reflected by how usable they are.

Here’s what to expect:

Google Keep

On the web version of Google Keep, digital notes appear in a “feed” or list, with the most recently created note at the top. To add a note, you simply select the Take a note… section and start typing.

Google Keep notes on the mobile app appear on a kind of front page, with the newest note appearing in the top-left corner. You can add a note by selecting the “+” symbol at the bottom-right corner. You can also add other forms of media by selecting the corresponding icon at the bottom of the screen.

To organize your notes, you can add labels. Then, from the Keep sidebar, you can select that label to see only notes in that category. It’s also possible to add color-coded backgrounds so that it’s easy to see what category your notes are in at a glance. Google Keep also lets you pin a note to the top of the screen for easy access.

Here are some additional features:

1. Save to Keep. This option lets you save text and images from a Google Docs document to Google Keep.
2. Google Calendar support. Reminders that you set in Google Keep will appear in your Google Calendar.

Microsoft OneNote

OneNote works in much the same way as Google Keep. One difference is that it’s organized into notebooks, with each individual note acting like a page in the book. On the web and desktop apps, you first select which notebook you want to enter. Once in, you can add and edit notes, add tags, and customize your notebook however you see fit.

The desktop app displays notes in a list format on the left-hand side of the window. The note, when opened, appears in a pane that takes up much of the screen. The text formatting features work in the same way as other Microsoft apps like Microsoft Word.

The mobile app is slightly different (and more similar to Google Keep), displaying all notes on a kind of “front page”. At the top of the screen, you can select your other notebooks if need be. A new note can easily be added by selecting the “+” symbol at the bottom-right corner of the screen.

To organize notes on Microsoft OneNote, you must move them to different places in your notebook. You can separate your notebook into Sections (which act like chapters), but this takes some time and isn’t quite as easy as just adding a label. This is one place where Google Keep really shines over OneNote, with organization becoming much easier.

Here are some additional features:

1. Ink Mode. Automatically enable drawing when your stylus is out of its holder (on Note devices).
2. OneNote Badge. On Android devices, you can have a floating icon always present on your screen. Simply press this button to start a new note.
3. Webpage import. Import a webpage from your web browser into OneNote.
4. Sticky notes. Create a note that appears at the top of your page.

Google Keep vs. Microsoft OneNote: Collaboration

Google Keep and Microsoft OneNote treat collaboration a little differently. Here’s how they work:

1. Google Keep lets you add collaborators to individual notes. All collaborators can work on notes in real time and see updates as they happen.
2. Microsoft OneNote lets you share entire notebooks with other users. They can see every note in that notebook and create and edit their own notes.

Both of these approaches work well, but Microsoft OneNote might be better for larger teams or projects which require multiple trains of thought at once.

Google Keep vs. Microsoft OneNote: Pricing

Google Keep is completely free to use with no premium subscription. You simply need a Google account. If you use it for work, you may need to invest in increased storage on the Google servers (especially if you use other workspace apps like Google Drive, Gmail, and so on).

The Microsoft OneNote app has a free version that you can use in the browser and mobile versions. However, to get access to all of its features (including the integration with other Microsoft tools and additional OneDrive space), you’ll need to buy a Microsoft 365 subscription.

Which Is Better: Google Keep or Microsoft OneNote?

At the end of the day, each note-taking app has its strengths and weaknesses.

If you’re looking for a basic note-taking application that prioritizes ease of use, go with Google Keep. It’s a great addition to Google Workspace and has all the features you need to make to-do lists, shopping lists, and basic notes.

If you need a note-taking tool that’s a little more feature-heavy, go with Microsoft OneNote. Its collaboration capabilities and integration with the Microsoft Office apps, as well as its additional note-taking functions means it excels for both work and private use.

Discord is an online platform that allows its users to easily join in voice or text chat servers populated by tens of thousands of friendly and engaging individuals from around the globe. In this blog post, we’ll share nine of our favorite Discord servers for making friends.

Although some servers are private, and you can join them only if you are invited by a host or other members, there are public Discord servers that you can use to make online friends. Some of them are relatively old and well-known, but some are new servers ready to take on new members. So start making friends in one of the most popular communities, and see where that takes you.

1. ChillZone

Tags: Social, Egirls, Gaming, Fun, Nitro, Anime, Emotes & Emojis.

Number of Members: 445,009

The sheer volume of this server guarantees you’ll find a friend or two here. There are over 445,000 people continuously chatting in this Discord Server and the topics vary from games to crafts, and even astronomy. Join this server and simply jump into the active chat. Since this server is imagined as a virtual chill zone, there’s no need for formal introductions.

There’s no age limit to join this server. People here range from very young to some old-timers. This is the best place where you can find entertainment if you’re bored, but also a place where you can learn something new. Just imagine the experiences all these people have. There are over 40,000 active users at any time.

2. Anime Soul Discord

Tags: Anime

Number of Members: 676,898

Anime Soul Discord is created for sharing all things Anime. If you’re into Anime, this is the place where you’ll meet people with the same interests and tastes as you. Join over half a million people who are discussing daily their favorite animated worlds and characters.

With so many active members you can’t fail to find several friends in Anime Soul Discord. This server took the shape of a social group where you can share anime-related pictures, videos, recipes, and more. If you’re also passionate about manga, don’t worry, there’s a channel dedicated to this form of art too.

3. The Choco Bar Server

Tags: None

Number of Members: 8,533

Choco bar is perhaps not as large as other Discord servers, but it is a perfect choice if you’re looking for a more intimate and tight-knit community. This chill server has no tags because it doesn’t have a main theme. Its goal is to gather different profiles of people and enable them to chat about just about anything.

Nevertheless, there are some topics that are extremely popular. Among them are art, science, fashion, literature, and politics. But the best part is that you don’t really have to be interested in any specific niche in order to make a lot of friends here. Join this server and chat about your daily troubles or the newest accessory you bought.

4. The Weeb Empire

Tags: Anime, Stickers, Memes, Emojis

Number of Members: 182,569

Another popular anime-tagged server is the Weeb Empire. It gathers gamers and anime lovers from all over the world, and all of them are your potential new friends. What’s so special about this server? Well, it’s one of the most active Discord communities out there. It has around 30,000 members online at any given moment, and they are all chatting and socializing.

This is the place where you’ll surely make some new friends. Just join an already flowing chat, or start your own topic and wait for the people to jump into the conversation. It doesn’t matter if it’s day or night, this Discord server always has someone online to talk to.

5. Daddy

Tags: Social, Egirls, Chill, Anime, Emotes, Emojis, Gaming, Nitro, Fun.

Number of Members: 517,527

If you’re looking to increase your social circle, or you’re looking for a new virtual space to hang out in, don’t skip joining the Daddy server. There are over half a million people here and more are joining every day. At any given time, you can find over 40,000 members online ready to make friends.

Although there are specific tags, this friendly server works as a social network and you can chat about anything that comes to your mind. The focus here is on many voice channels where you can join and live talk to a plethora of interesting people. These voice chats can host 60 people at a time. There are some Nitro perks as well for even more enjoyment.

6. Lofi Girl

Tags: None

Number of Members: 845,435

Lofi Girl is probably the perfect place where you can find some new Discord friends. It’s a massive community server that counts over 845,000 members. All these people chat about video games, science, mental health, travel, tech, pets, music, and so many more topics, on a daily basis. You can also find a great and detailed list of interesting YouTubers, Podcasts, and Twitch Streamers here.

There are approximately 100,000 members online at any given time. All gathered around the central figure of the famous Lofi Girl, which, by now, is certainly a pop-culture icon. If you need new friends to study with or simply to chill with, consider joining this extremely popular Discord server.

7. Roblox

Tags: None

Number of Members: 873,779

If you’re a fan of Roblox games, consider joining the Roblox Discord server. Here you can find people interested not only in playing video games but also in making them. Chat about the most recent developments and releases, or simply find fellow gamers to play with.

The Roblox server is a huge community and no doubt you’ll find some new friends here. There are over 120,000 members active at any moment, playing together, or discussing various gaming-related topics. Don’t be shy, simply join the conversation and see where it takes you.

8. Friendscord

Tags: Social, Chill, Adults, Anime, Gaming, Fun, Art.

Number of Members: 95,723

Friendscord is a Discord server truly dedicated to making friends. It may not be as big and popular as some servers on the list, but this is the place where you’ll meet some of the most fun and passionate people from all over the world. Join the chat and discuss anything that comes to your mind. But be polite and don’t interrupt other people’s conversations.

The chats and voice channels of Friendscord are active 24/7 and you can join them whenever you want. Here you’ll meet people who’ll game with you, organize movie nights, or simply listen to you venting. This server uses Discord bots to enhance the interaction between its members and the staff is online and available 24/7 if you need help with something.

9. Royal Weebs

Tags: Anime, Emojis, Kpop, Roblox, Genshin, LGBTQ, Egirls, Manhwa, Valorant.

Number of Members: 96,053

Royal Weebs is a very welcoming community, a safe space that’s also SFW. However, it does cater mostly to Anime fans, although you can find various topics to chat about such as art, media, memes, and games. In fact, you can find gaming partners here as many Royal Weeb members play Minecraft and Fortnite daily.

This Discord server has plenty of fun and colorful emojis and monthly Nitro giveaways. The moderators are always available, fun, and ready to help. The chat is active, and you can always opt to join a voice chat or a video call if you want. But be warned, most members of Royal Weebs are teenagers and young adults, although there is technically no age limit. This server won’t be everyone’s cup of tea.

All in all, joining a Discord server is great for meeting new people and expanding your social circle. Discord offers an array of different servers you can join to find others who share your interests in gaming, coding, art, or just general chatting. No matter what you’re looking for in your social life online, there’s sure to be a Discord server that fits the bill. So why wait? Find a group of like-minded folks today and make some good friends!

If you don’t have much programming experience, these beginner programs can help you understand what it takes to create a full-fledged game. Depending on what kind of game you want to make, different types of programs are available to help you. Below we have listed the best of these programs so you can get started on your very own video game.

1. GameMaker Studio

GameMaker Studio is terrific for creating 2D games, even if you have little game development knowledge. This program allows you to easily edit every aspect of your game, making it exactly as you envision. No coding knowledge is necessary. Don’t be fooled by the program’s simplicity, though– indie studios have used it to create games of great acclaim, such as Undertale, Hotline Miami, Forager, and more.

You can start using this program for free, with all features included. However, if you want to export your game to different platforms such as desktop, mobile, or even console, you’ll need to upgrade to a subscription, which runs anywhere from $4.99 to $79.99 monthly.

2. RPG Maker

RPG Maker has everything you need to create a 2D pixel RPG, even if you have zero programming or game development experience. Through this program, you’re provided with plenty of assets to create settings, characters, combat mechanics, and more. Plus, tons of DLC (Downloadable content) are available to further add to your creations. And, if you do have some programming knowledge, you can customize the code to alter RPG Maker’s functions as you wish. Games made through RPG Maker can even be distributed commercially, with no licenses needed.

The RPG Maker brand also has a product called Visual Novel Maker, which you can use to create Visual Novels if that’s more your speed. Either way, RPG Maker provides powerful resources to help make your games, regardless of skill level.

3. Construct 3

Construct 3 is a great program utilized by companies like Sega, Zynga, EA, and more. It’s mainly useful for creating mobile games for Android or iOS but can also be used to develop desktop apps. It can be used to create 2D games with absolutely no programming knowledge required. However, you can tinker around with JavaScript programming if you want to.

You can try Construct 3 for free. However, to use the whole program, you’ll need to buy it. You can pay $19.99 a month or $119.99 a year for a personal license.

4. Core

Core is one of the best programs for amateur game developers looking to make 3D games. It uses Unreal Engine to help beginners create beautiful graphics for their projects, providing many pre-rendered models, game frameworks, and more. You can publish your created games to the Core website, and even monetize it through in-game purchases.

The best part is that Core is free for anyone to use and provides plenty of instructional content to help you start making your game.

5. Stencyl

Stencyl is for amateur game developers to create their games for iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, and HTML5. The game logic is developed through a drag-and-drop system of command blocks. However, you can also write code for your games too. Stencyl also provides a great graphics editor to get your game scenes just right.

Stencyl is free to use and publish games to the web; however, if you want to publish on other platforms, you’ll need to upgrade. The Indie tier is $99 a year and will allow you to publish to desktop, and the Studio tier is $199 a year and will grant you publishing to mobile app stores.

6. GDevelop

This program is unique as you can create games on your Android or iOS devices. You could potentially work on developing a game wherever you go. However, there’s also a desktop version if you prefer. GDevelop requires no coding knowledge and provides tons of 2D and 3D models for games. And when you’re done with your game, you can export it to many popular platforms, including Steam, Microsoft Store, Facebook Gaming, and more.

This open-source program is free to use, and you retain rights over any games you create. However, you can pay to access certain features of the program. $5.47 a month will get you the Silver tier, while $10.95 a month will get you the Gold tier. Both upgrade cloud space, provide more player experience features, access to the unlimited mobile app, and more.

Make a Game of Your Own With These Programs

Making a basic game doesn’t need to be hard, even if you have never tried any sort of game development before. These programs can become the stepping stones to jumpstart your knowledge and understanding what programming a game entails.

Are there any other programs you’ve used to make your games? Let us know about it in the comments.

In this article, we’ll cover the 10 best drawing apps for Android. Let’s take a look!

1. Infinite Painter

Infinite Painter is designed for painters. The app provides a decent selection of brushes, tools and textures that are designed to mimic real-life artistic tools.

Pros: Gradient maps and color palettes, PSD support, advanced brush engine for creating customizable brushes, and a lasso fill tool.

Cons: No text tools and a relatively steep learning curve.

Available on: Android and iPhone.

Price: $10 one-time payment. Has a 7-day free trial with full features.

2. Ibis Paint X

Ibis Paint X is the free version of Ibis Paint, with fewer features. It’s incredibly easy to use and offers several art tutorials which can help you learn how to use the app to generate high-quality digital art. If you need additional features, you can always upgrade to the paid version.

Pros: It’s free to use, has layer support, offers tutorials, and is easy to learn.

Cons: Fewer features than some of the paid options. It also presents ads which can be frustrating while you’re drawing.

Available on: Android devices and iOS devices.

Price: Free with a $4.99 paid version as an in-app purchase.

3. Artflow: Paint Draw Sketchbook

Artflow is a fully featured artwork app that can help you produce highly detailed work. It’s also highly customizable, letting users generate what they need to create great art. Because it’s so easy to use, it’s perfect for quickly creating material to post on social media.

Pros: Over 80 brushes and other drawing tools, layer support (and blending modes), and exports to multiple formats including JPEG, PNG, or PSD for import into Adobe Photoshop.

Cons: Free version only includes 20 brushes and support for more than 16 layers is only available on some tablets.

Available on: Android and iPhone.

Price: Free drawing app with a $6 pro version. Also available as part of the Google Play Pass.

4. Clip Studio Paint

Clip Studio Paint is a near-professional-grade art app with over 40,000 brushes and hundreds of features to give you the edge when creating art. The app also supports raster and vector graphics and a wide range of 3D formats.

Pros: Android, iPhone and tablet apps act as companions to the desktop app, syncing your pieces so that you can work on them from anywhere. Has pressure and tilt recognition, blend modes, cloud storage, perspective tools, and more.

Cons: Only has a tiny 1 hour a day free trial and the monthly subscription payment can get expensive compared to similar apps. Also has a busy user interface with a steep learning curve.

Available on: Android, iPhone, iPad, Windows, Apple Mac, and more.

Price: $0.99 per month as a subscription. $49.99 one-time payment for Windows and MacOS.

5. Autodesk Sketchbook

Developed by Autodesk, Sketchbook is a popular digital drawing app for both desktops and smartphones. With a clean and uncluttered interface, it’s very easy to use. It also includes many features for professional and casual artists alike, bundled together in one of the best free drawing apps on the market.

Pros: Massive number of brushes, pressure responsiveness, color indicator, time-lapse feature, perspective tools, and layer support up to 10 layers.

Cons: The app doesn’t include many touch gestures and export resolution is limited to 72 dots per inch (DPI).

Available on: iOS devices, Android, MacOS, and Windows.

Price: Free with a premium bundle on iOS.

6. Artrage Vitae Mobile Painting

Artrage is one of the top Android drawing apps, providing a realistic painting experience with textures and paintbrushes that mimic real paint (including watercolors). This app is best used on Samsung and other Android tablets where the experience is amplified by a larger screen — especially if you use a stylus.

Pros: Layer support, Photoshop blending functionality, and 16 professional painting tool options.

Cons: Exports only to PNG and JPG formats.

Available on: Android and iOS.

Price: $4.99 one-time payment.

7. Krita

Krita is a free, open-source digital painting and sketching app that was designed originally as a desktop app. It’s since been redesigned for Android tablets and provides users with dozens of features, tools, and brushes.

Pros: S Pen gesture support, animation tools, supports most file formats.

Cons: Works best with a connected keyboard that lets you make use of shortcuts. Designed for tablets and can be cramped when using an ordinary Android phone.

Available on: Android and desktop.

Price: Free.

8. MediBang Paint

Another free drawing app, MediBang Paint is a great choice, especially if you’re looking for a solution with cross-platform and cloud support.

Pros: Cloud-saving lets you work from multiple devices at once. Plenty of tools, brushes, and other features for drawing all kinds of art. Especially good for comic and manga artists.

Cons: No keyboard support. In-app adverts often interrupt your workflow and cause the app to glitch, meaning you might lose progress if you don’t save often.

Available on: Windows, Mac, Android, and iPhone.

Price: Free with ads. Offers MediBang Premium for $2.50 per month (20GB cloud storage), $4.50 per month (100GB cloud storage), or $9 per month (300GB cloud storage).

9. Concepts

Concepts offers a unique drawing experience because it has an infinite canvas. This means that you can experiment, generate ideas, or just doodle without worrying about running out of space. It’s also incredibly user-friendly and offers many preset brushes, tools, and effects.

With text tools including multiple fonts, custom brushes, and different erasers, you have everything you need to create your next vision board.

Pros: Great for brainstorming — add images, draw around them, and make notes. Includes a full Copic Color Wheel. Feels like it was designed for graphic designers.

Cons: Limited layers in the free version, no layer blending, and no customizable brushes.

Available on: Android and iPhone.

Price: Free. $5 per month for access to the full feature set (or $15 one-off to get the Essentials Pack, which offers some, but not all, of the available features).

10. dotpict

For our final pick, we’ve gone with something a bit more unique. dotpict specializes in pixel art. It provides a grid, letting you zoom in and fill in pixel boxes to create your own simple designs. This is awesome for designers working on indie games, or artists who just love pixel art.

Pros: Includes an auto-save feature, is easy to use, and is very simple and enjoyable to use.

Cons: It’s solely focused on pixel art — there’s no ability to create non-pixel-based artwork.

Available on: Android and iPhone.

Price: Free with a $4.49 paid version.

Create Your Best Artwork

The invention of smartphones has made it far easier to hone your skills as a digital artist. Whether you use an Android phone, iPhone, or drawing tablet, it’s now possible to create high-quality art from anywhere. Open your app, choose a background paper color, and get started!

This article covers some of the best music apps for Chromebooks—a mix of online streaming apps and media players for playing local media files.

1. YouTube Music

Many new-generation Chromebooks have YouTube Music pre-installed. Install YouTube Music from the app store if your device doesn’t have the app pre-installed. You don’t have to sign in or create an account after installing YouTube Music. The app automatically connects to the Google account linked to your Chromebook.

Using YouTube Music, you can play audio files (MP3, AAC, PCM, WAV, and FLAC) in your Chromebook’s local storage. But first, you need to configure the app to show audio files on your device.

Select your profile picture in the top-right corner, go to Settings > Downloads & storage, and toggle on Show device files.

Afterward, double-click or double-tap the Library tab and select Device files to access your local audio files.

By the way, you need a subscription to stream YouTube Music without ad interruptions during playback. Also, you can’t download songs for offline listening or play songs in the background without a subscription.

YouTube Music Premium is a good investment if you aren’t subscribed to any music streaming platform. The subscription extends to YouTube—the video streaming platform—allowing you to stream videos ad-free. Read our YouTube Premium review to learn more about the subscription and its benefits.

2. VLC Media Player

VLC Media Player is a music player, video player, and streaming media server. Regarding audio (and video) file format support, VLC Media Player is a cut above other media players.

It supports the following digital audio formats: MP3, WMA 3, DTS, DV Audio, MIDI, ALAC, APE, Real Audio, True Audio, LPCM, Speex, DV Audio, ADPCM, QCELP, MPC, and a lot more.

VLC also supports many video formats—MWV, XviD, MP4, Real Video, MJPEG, Cinepak, etc.

It’s the best media player to install if you often play media files in different formats. The app’s interface is easy to navigate—buttons are visibly labeled and media categories are on the bottom tab.

The “Browse” tab is a built-in file manager that allows you to access media files in your Chromebook’s storage.

VLC Media Player is free, open-source, and available in the Google Play Store. You don’t need to pay a subscription or deal with ad interruption.

3. Enjoy Music Player

Enjoy Music Player allows you to stream online and local music on your Chromebook. The Chrome extension is lightweight (less than 1 MB) and optimized for low-end Chromebooks or Chromebooks with low storage space.

You can access Enjoy Music Player in your Chromebook’s launcher after installing the extension from the Chrome Web Store. The simple interface is one thing we liked, plus the Google Drive integration and music equalizer. Also, the extension is free to use without in-app advert or interruption.

One major shortcoming, however, is that Enjoy Music Player doesn’t auto-sync or auto-detect local media files. You must point the app to the folder housing the audio file you want to play.

4. MX Player

MX Player is a music player, video player, WhatsApp Status downloader, and file downloader bundled into one app. Install MX Player from the Play Store, allow access to your Chromebook’s storage, and that’s it!

Like VLC, MX Player supports various audio and video file formats. The Network Stream tool lets you stream online videos or download them to your Chromebook. There’s also an equalizer to adjust audio output to your preference.

Although MX Player is free, it occasionally displays ads before playing your audio or video files. Install the paid version—MX Player Pro ($5.99)—for uninterrupted media play and online streaming.

5. Spotify

If you have a Spotify account, you can stream your favorite songs, podcast, or playlist on your Chromebook. You can also download songs for offline listening and play local audio files. However, you can’t play music simultaneously on your Chromebook and other devices unless you have a Spotify Premium Family or Spotify Duo subscription.

Install the Android version of Spotify from the Play Store and sign in to your Spotify account. Create a new account instead if it’s your first time using Spotify. Your Spotify playlists, podcast shows, albums, and downloaded songs are in the Library tab.

In the same tab, you’ll find all audio devices in your Chromebook’s storage in the Local Files folder.

If Spotify doesn’t display local audio files, open the app settings, and toggle on Show audio files from this device.

To play an audio file on your local storage using Spotify, right-click the file, select Open with, and choose Spotify.

Like YouTube Music, the Spotify Android app supports MP3, AAC, PCM, WAV, and FLAC audio file formats.

6. Apple Music

If you have an Apple Music subscription, you can access your playlist and music library on your Chromebook. The Android version of the Apple Music app is compatible with the Chrome operating system.

Install Apple Music from the Play Store, sign in to your Apple ID account, and wait for the app to sync your music library.

The app’s interface, features, and functionality is similar to the Apple Music iOS app version. You can play songs, add albums to your playlist, and even create or manage your Apple Music profile in the app.

The Best Chromebook Music Apps

Other notable music apps include SoundCloud, AIMP, Deezer, and Amazon Music. Any Android music streaming app or media player should work on your Chromebook. If your preferred music app isn’t available in the Play Store, download and install its APK file instead.

Ridesharing took a downturn during the pandemic, but since that’s over, it’s on a steep rise again. So let’s take a closer look at what exactly Uber One is, how it works, and whether or not it’s worth your investment.

What Is Uber One?

Simply put, Uber One is a subscription service recently launched by Uber. This membership allows you to access exclusive ride and delivery perks, services, and discounts. If you choose to subscribe to Uber One, you’ll get benefits on all the Uber-related services, including food delivery, grocery orders, and Uber rides. It’s the only service program that combines deliveries and rides.

You should know that Uber One membership is completely separate from the free Uber Rewards loyalty program. Instead, it has its own reward system. That means that on top of the perks you get with the membership, you’ll earn points that’ll allow you access to exclusive benefits. In time, you’ll get Uber credits, access to best-rated drivers, priority pickups, and more.

Uber One is similar to the discontinued Uber Pass and Eats Pass services. In fact, it’s their replacement. If you were already subscribed to one of these programs, your membership will automatically be upgraded to Uber One at no additional cost.

Like many subscription services, an Uber One subscription has an auto-renew policy. That means your subscription will be automatically billed each month or year, depending on your type of subscription. But you can cancel the membership anytime, up to 48 hours before the next billing cycle starts. There are no cancelation fees, and you can activate your membership later.

Note that there’s a free trial option that lasts for 30 days, and once you subscribe, your billing period starts after the free trial expires. When you cancel the subscription, you’ll be able to continue using it until the end of the billing term.

How Much Does Uber One Cost?

There are two subscription plans within Uber One, and the cost will depend on your choice. The benefits are the same for both plans, but the difference is in how long you’ll commit. You can opt to pay your membership every month or yearly. Be warned that a yearly plan means you’re committing to the 12-month service, and you’ll pay for it only once at the start of the plan.

You can try the Uber One service with a 30-day free trial program, and only then decide which subscription plan to go with. A free trial can help you see how often you would use Uber One and if it’s worth committing for a year.

If you choose not to continue with the subscription after your free trial ends, make sure to cancel it in time. Uber keeps your payment information and will automatically charge the first month if you don’t cancel it.

The payment plans are:

• Monthly: You’ll be charged $9.99 every month.
• Yearly: you’ll be charged a $99.99 annual fee as an upfront payment. If you break down this price, it comes down to $8.33 per month. The Uber One annual membership is cheaper than the monthly plan.

What Are the Benefits of Uber One?

As mentioned earlier, Uber One also comes with various benefits and perks that help you save money. Here’s what you’re going to get.

1. Unlimited $0 Delivery Fee

Uber One users appreciate this benefit the most. If you meet the minimum basket subtotal, you’ll get a $0 delivery fee on all orders for food, groceries, or alcohol with Uber Eats or Cornershop. The minimum purchase amount for food and alcohol is $15, and for grocery orders, it’s $30.

However, not all restaurants and stores are eligible for free delivery. Even among those that are eligible, some refused to be part of the Uber One program. Take a look at the app and check which restaurants and shops are Uber One partners. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Open the Uber Eats app and enter your address.
2. Check the list of suggested restaurants and see which ones participate in the membership program.

That said, even if you find the restaurant that suits you, there is no such thing as completely free delivery. You’ll still have to pay service fees, even as an Uber One member.

2. Priority Service with Best-Rated Drivers

With Uber One, you’ll get premium member support. You’ll be eligible for priority service with top-rated drivers. That means you’ll jump the ride queue and you’ll be treated as a priority.

3. Cheaper Rides

Uber One Pass gives you an extra discount on some of the rides. But not all rides are eligible for this perk. You’ll get 10% off for UberX and Uber Green rides, and 15% off on Confort, Berline, and Van rides.

If you book a ride 30 minutes or more in advance, you won’t be eligible for the discount. Shared rides are also not covered by the discounts.

4. Uber One Promise

If your delivery arrives after the latest arrival estimate, you’ll receive a $5 Uber Cash credit as compensation. This perk signifies that Uber Eats is committed to speedy delivery to satisfy its customers.

5. Guaranteed Member Pricing, Special Offers, and Promotions

Guaranteed member pricing means that you’ll receive 5% off on all eligible rides and pickup orders. Also, all Uber One subscribers have access to special offers and promos so you’ll save more money on other services.

How to Subscribe to Uber One

You can easily sign up for Uber One through their website, or through the Uber app or Uber Eats app. If you’re signing up for the first time, you’ll also be eligible for the 30-day free trial. Follow these steps to sign up for Uber One through the website:

1. Go to the Uber One web page and click on the Sign up now button.

2. Enter your email or phone number, or choose an already existing Google, Apple, or Facebook account. Click Continue.

3. Uber will send you a code to your phone or email you provided. Enter it in a designated box.

4. Once you are signed up for Uber, click the Join Uber One button at the top of the page.

5. First-time users receive a one month trial, but still have to add a payment method.

Now, you’ve signed up for Uber One. Signing up through the Uber or Uber Eats app is very similar. Tap the profile icon in the top right corner of the page and then tap the Uber One banner. Follow the instructions on the screen to sign up. They’re very straightforward.

How to Cancel Uber One

You can cancel your Uber One subscription through the mobile app or through the web page.

To do it through the Uber app:

1. Open the app on your mobile device.
2. Tap your profile icon and go to the Uber One section.

3. Select Manage Membership.
4. Select End Membership and confirm.

To do it on the Uber website you’ll need to contact Uber Customer Support. Follow these steps:

1. Log in to your Uber account on the web page.
2. Go to the information page and find a section about canceling Uber One membership.
3. Select the Chat With Us option.

A Customer service operator will guide you through the process of canceling your membership.

Uber One is a new subscription service that offers customers flat rates and other benefits. While it may be worth it for some users, it ultimately depends on your individual needs and circumstances. If you frequently use Uber and want to save money, signing up for Uber One could be a good option. However, if you only occasionally use the app or are happy with the current pricing structure, there’s no need to switch to the new subscription service.

In this article, we’ll discuss Lightroom vs. Photoshop, their similarities and differences, and when it’s best to use either program.

Lightroom vs. Photoshop: The Rundown

Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop are powerful photo editing programs that share many of the same post-processing functions. However, while they have similarities, they are designed to meet different needs and offer a range of distinct tool sets to get these jobs done.

Adobe Lightroom

Adobe Lightroom is designed for photographers to manage and develop their photos. It allows users to manage image libraries, edit RAW files, and post-process many images simultaneously.

It features many tools that let you add information to your images, like specific keywords, flags, or star ratings that help you sort through thousands of photos and edit them in batches. It also enables you to export straight from Lightroom to social media websites like Flickr and Instagram.

Lightroom has two versions: Lightroom Classic and Lightroom (formerly Lightroom CC).

Lightroom Classic has additional functions but is only available on desktop PC (and is the most-used version).

The Adobe Creative Cloud version of Lightroom is a cloud-based, cross-platform version meant for beginners, and you can use it across desktops, web, mobile, and tablets like iPads.

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop is a specialized image editing program that goes far beyond the editing tools available in Lightroom. While Lightroom is designed for photographers specifically, Photoshop is made to accommodate not only photographers but also graphic designers, architects, illustrators, 3D artists, and more.

Photoshop’s capabilities are too extensive to list, but it enables users to create more detailed, in-depth edits than Lightroom. Photoshop on its own cannot open RAW files (instead, you need other file types like JPEG or PNG), but it does feature the Adobe Camera Raw plugin, which doubles as the photo editing software for RAW images.

Another difference is in destructive versus non-destructive editing. While Lightroom lets you do non-destructive editing (meaning the original image isn’t affected), Photoshop requires you to use layers to ensure that you don’t alter the original file.

It’s important to note that many professional photographers use Lightroom and Photoshop in combination. For example, they might use Lightroom for their daily workflows and switch to Photoshop when more detailed edits are required.

When to Use Lightroom

Whether you’re a beginner or a professional photographer, Lightroom is a one-stop digital studio offering more than enough functionality to organize and edit your photos.

Lightroom is most suitable for photographers who:

1. Need image organization software. Lightroom is a powerful image management tool. You can easily organize your photos into image libraries, rate your photos to identify the best shots, and add keywording and metadata to find the exact images you want to edit next.

2. Want to do basic to intermediate image edits. Lightroom’s Develop module lets you alter every aspect of your photos. Using simple sliders, you can easily apply presets or manually adjust the lighting, white balance, color, sharpness, and noise. You can also whiten teeth, remove red-eye, and eliminate dust spots and other blemishes using the healing brush.

3. Need to do batch edits. Lightroom presets let you apply settings across a batch of photos with a single click. This helps you save tons of time for catalogs of similar photos (say you just shot a wedding, and all the photos are in similar lighting).
4. Are beginners. Lightroom is more beginner-friendly and will enable you to learn the photo editing process if you’re new to it. Its interface is much simpler, and the Develop module is laid out linearly, making it easy to work through each image. Adobe also offers a set of Lightroom tutorials to help you to get to know the program.

5. Are working on the go. Lightroom (the Creative Cloud version) is available on desktop, mobile, and web, meaning you can access your cloud-stored photos and edit them wherever you are. For added functionality, you can use the desktop-focused Lightroom Classic.

In summary, you should choose Lightroom if you’re a photographer who takes many images and needs a tool to organize and retouch them.

When to Use Photoshop

Photoshop is best for the images you want to dive right into, performing detailed enhancement or image manipulation.

Photoshop is most suitable for creators who:

1. Want to do detailed retouching. Photoshop contains hundreds of image manipulation tools that let you change the look and content of a photo to a greater extent than in Lightroom. For example, you can replace backgrounds, combine multiple photos, or create art from several digital assets. However, this comes at the cost of a much steeper learning curve than Lightroom.

2. Create digital art or vector images. Photoshop has a suite of tools designed to help artists and designers create surreal imagery and digital assets.
3. Want to alter images at the pixel level. Photoshop lets you zoom right in and change your images at the level of a single pixel. Lightroom doesn’t provide this resolution, instead focusing more on global edits.
4. Want to create composite images. Photoshop lets you add countless adjustment layers that affect different parts of the image and can be combined for greater control over the final product (like creating HDR images or panoramas from hundreds of separate photos).

5. Removing unwanted objects. While Lightroom does provide the basic healing tool, it isn’t as powerful as Photoshop’s cloning capabilities. Photoshop lets you create clean edits, removing entire objects, people, and backgrounds using their advanced content-aware software.

Note: Adobe now also offers Photoshop Elements 2023, a slimmed-down photo editor version of Photoshop designed for beginners and is available as a one-time purchase (rather than as a subscription).

Photoshop vs. Lightroom: Pricing

Regarding pricing, Adobe offers several subscription options for its image editing software. Interestingly, if cloud storage doesn’t matter to you that much, you’re better off getting Lightroom and Photoshop together since they cost the same amount as Lightroom on its own.

1. Lightroom: The single-app Lightroom subscription costs $9.99 monthly and comes with 1TB of cloud storage.
2. Photoshop: The single-app Photoshop subscription costs $20.99 per month and includes Adobe Fresco.
3. Photography plan: The Adobe Photography plan costs $9.99 per month and includes both Lightroom and Photoshop. However, it only includes 20GB of cloud storage. This can be updated to 1TB of cloud storage for $19.99 per month.

The Verdict

Lightroom is probably the best choice for photographers — it’s easier to learn and has more than enough post-production features. However, if you want to take your edits further or dabble in more creative editing or artistic work, Photoshop is likely better for you.

Additionally, since Adobe sells both in an affordable package, it might be worthwhile to use both. The two programs work seamlessly together (with the help of Adobe Bridge) and can take your photo editing chops to the next level.

A VPN is a great way to get around geo-blocks and content restrictions, and in this article, we’ll cover the best ones for streaming movies and TV shows. So whether you’re looking to unblock Netflix from another country or just want to ensure your browsing is safe and anonymous, read on to find the best VPN for streaming!

1. ExpressVPN

Best streaming VPN service provider.

• 3000+ VPN servers in 94 countries
• Unblocks Hulu, Netflix, NBC, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, Sling TV, Kodi, Paramount+, DAZN, and more
• Streams on all major operating systems and any device, including Xbox.
• Native Amazon Fire TV app
• User-friendly apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and other devices.
• 30-day money-back guarantee

ExpressVPN is one of the most popular VPN services, and it truly is the best for streaming overall. It offers fast download speeds, so you can even stream 4K and HDR without major issues and have the perfect streaming experience.

ExpressVPN is safe to use. It has a privacy-first logging policy, meaning there are no identifiable logs left behind and no IP, DNS, or WebRTC leaks. In addition, with more than 3000 servers worldwide, you will be able to access popular streaming libraries in most countries.

ExpressVPN also supports MediaStreamer, its own smart DNS feature that allows you to stream even if you use a device that doesn’t natively support VPN apps.

2. NordVPN

Fastest VPN for streaming.

• High streaming speeds of up to 83.80 Mbps
• 5500+ servers in 59 countries
• Unblocks Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, Kodi, and other popular streaming platforms
• Smart DNS
• Streams on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux
• 30-day money-back guarantee

NordVPN uses Nordlynx, the VPN protocol of the newest generation. Thanks to it, NordVPN can offer its users the best VPN connection speeds. Speed tests show that you can get a download speed of 83.82 Mbps on a 100 Mbps internet connection. You can play HDR, 4K movies, and your favorite shows without buffering.

Another great feature that makes this VPN service so popular is its security. It offers CyberSec, Nordlynx, a kill switch, and AES 256-bit encryption that will ensure anonymous browsing and data encryption. There are no DNS, IP, or WebRTC leaks.

NordVPN is excellent for streaming content from most Netflix libraries. It has a SmartPlay feature that automatically accesses the US Netflix library when you pick a server. It is compatible with various devices, including routers, phones, tablets, and Smart TVs. Also, NordVPN can bypass BBC’s VPN protection protocols and is the best for streaming BBC iPlay. It also features a FireTV Stick app.

3. Surfshark

Most budget-friendly VPN service provider.

• 3200+ servers in 100 countries
• Great speeds of up to 81 Mbps
• Unlimited simultaneous connections
• Unblocks Disney Plus, Hulu, NBC, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Crackle, and many more
• Smart DNS
• 30-day money-back guarantee

With Surfshark, you’ll never have to worry about streaming slowdowns or interruptions. This VPN service has an extensive network of 3200+ servers in over 100 countries which are all optimized for your entertainment needs. The only downside here is that Surfshark won’t let you know which of these servers are particularly optimized for streaming. You will have to ask their customer support.

This VPN service works on all major operating systems, and its Smart DNS feature enables you to also connect it to Roku, Firestick, Kodi, and different Smart TVs. One of the greatest features of Surfshark is that you can connect as many devices as you want on a single account. You can share this VPN service with your friends and family freely.

Even though Surfshark is a budget-friendly VPN, it doesn’t back down on security features. It boasts MultiHop, CleanWeb, a no-logs policy, split tunneling, AES 256-bit encryption, DNS leak protection, and many more security protocols to keep you safe and anonymous.

4. CyberGhost VPN

A VPN service with the largest number of servers dedicated to streaming.

• High streaming speeds and unlimited bandwidth
• Amazon Fire TV Stick app and Smart DNS
• User-friendly apps for up to 7 simultaneously connected devices
• 9000+ servers in 90+ countries
• Unblocks Disney+, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, SlingTV, and other popular streaming services
• 45-day money-back guarantee

CyberGhost VPN boasts a comprehensive suite of features designed to give you a secure and private browsing experience. One of the advantages is that you can access geo-blocked sites, like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer, from anywhere in the world and connect to servers located in 90+ countries around the globe.

The CyberGhost VPN app is easy to use, especially when choosing servers dedicated to streaming. It will highlight the server locations of all the streaming-optimized servers. Its download speed is at around 75 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection, which is not as good as some other VPNs on this list but still more than enough for all your streaming requirements.

An additional advantage of using Cyberghost is its military-grade encryption protocols. The 256-bit AES encryption ensures your data remains safe and secure so that no one else can intercept your traffic or eavesdrop on your online activities. Plus, you don’t have to worry about data logging, either. Cyberghost has a strict no-logs policy meaning none of your information will be tracked or stored.

And finally, this VPN can accommodate up to seven simultaneous connections with one account. So if you’re looking for reliable streaming with enhanced security features for your entire household, CyberGhost VPN is one of your best options.

5. ProtonVPN

Best services with a free VPN version.

• Fast and reliable 1800+ servers in 60+ countries
• Free plan with access to 100+ servers
• Unblocks Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Netflix, and many more
• Works on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS devices
• Supports up to 10 devices
• 30-day money-back guarantee

This Swiss VPN provider is one of the most secure on the market and comes with a free version. Moreover, this free version doesn’t come with many ads, and the Proton VPN promises they don’t log your browsing history. But that doesn’t mean that the free version is the same as the paid one. In fact, it comes at a lower connection speed, and it has fewer features.

It is important to note that ProtonVPN was created primarily for journalists. The streaming feature is locked behind the monthly subscription you need to pay, and ProtonVPN’s subscriptions are one of the most expensive. A month of their service is $9.99, but it comes down to $4.99 if you opt for a 2-year plan.

ProtonVPN gives you access to risk-free servers in countries with good data privacy laws. Other security features include an extra encryption layer with a MultiHop VPN function, an effective Kill Switch feature, and the ad-blocker Netshield, which blocks malware and trackers.

6. PrivateVPN

Cheapest reliable VPN service.

• A 2-year subscription plan comes to only $2.00/month
• Custom app for Amazon Fire TV
• 200+ servers in 63 countries
• Unblocks Netflix, Disney Plus, SlingTV, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, HBO Max, and other popular streaming platforms
• Streaming-friendly speeds of around 72Mbps
• 30-day money-back guarantee

If you’re looking for a cheap but reliable streaming VPN, PrivateVPN is the best choice. It has a decent server network, fast speeds, and solid privacy and data protection features. Although it has only 200+ servers, it does unblock all the most sought-out streaming platforms.

PrivateVPN can achieve a download speed of 72.38 Mbps. You can be sure your streaming will be without annoying buffering issues. Also, you can have six simultaneous connections on a single account, so you stream on any device. PrivateVPN is compatible with all popular operating systems and devices, including Apple TV and FireStick.

PrivateVPN offers military-grade encryption with split tunneling and effective DNS leak protection. It boasts a powerful kill switch feature as well as a stealth blocker. Stream worry-free even on public Wi-Fi networks, without anyone snooping around for your data.

7. IPVanish

Top VPN for Firestick users.

• Available on most smart devices, computers, tablets, smartphones, and routers
• Allows secure torrenting
• Excellent for heavy bandwidth activity
• Unblocks Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, Disney Plus, Netflix, and many more streaming platforms
• 2000+ servers in 50+ countries
• 30-day money-back guarantee

IPVanish is the perfect choice for streaming purposes. Its lightning-fast connection speeds and over 2000+ servers across 75+ locations ensure that buffering times are kept to a minimum while you watch your favorite movies and shows. The app also offers automatic server switching, so you can be sure you have the most reliable connection available at any time. Plus, with unlimited data usage on up to 10 devices at once, everyone in your household can enjoy seamless streaming without compromising their privacy or safety.

Additionally, IPVanish allows users to stream geo-restricted content, a must-have feature if you want to check out international films or TV shows without jumping through hoops. With high speeds and a secure streaming experience, IPVanish is hard to beat.

8. VyprVPN

Best VPN for large households.

• Allows 30 simultaneous connections
• Unblocks Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and other platforms (except Disney Plus)
• 24/7 live chat support is available
• Strong encryption and excellent security features
• 700 servers in 60+ countries
• 30-day money-back guarantee

VyprVPN excels in reaching out into Asia, where countries with the best VPN protections are. The obfuscation feature, known as the Chameleon protocol, allows this VPN service to easily unblock streaming sites from China, Japan, and Iran. But it is also useful for its servers in the USA and Canada, where it can hit an internet speed of up to 300 Mbps. Unfortunately, the speed drastically drops down the further away the server’s location is.

The company manages all servers VyprVPN uses. That means you won’t rely on third-party web hosts for safe and continuous connection. It uses the WireGuard communication protocol for optimized performance, P2P support, and 24/7 customer support chat. As a result, their service runs smoothly even if you use it on various devices across your household. It can support up to 30 devices, from smartphones, computers, and routers, to gaming consoles, tablets, and MacBooks.

Get Access to Your Favorite Streaming Content

The bottom line is that a VPN can help you remove content geo-blocks so you can enjoy your favorite movies and TV shows from anywhere in the world. If you’re looking for a reliable VPN with high-speed streaming servers, we recommend any VPNs on our list. Remember: not all streaming services are available in every country, so check before you connect to a server.

Each of these virtual whiteboards is web-based and perfect for team collaboration. Beyond brainstorming, use one for project planning, displaying a workflow, or getting input from your remote team members. If you work alone and don’t have a physical whiteboard, you’ll enjoy the ease-of-use and pleasant interactive whiteboard experience.

Miro

Miro is one of the most popular and full-featured online whiteboards. You get the exact tools you need with a pen, highlighter, and eraser plus sticky notes, shapes, text boxes, lines, and arrows. However, Miro goes the extra mile with its standout features.

Notable features:

• Templates for flowcharts, brainstorming, roadmaps, and more.
• Smart drawings that turn your sketches into perfect shapes.
• Integrations with apps like Slack, Asana, Jira, and Microsoft Teams.
• Collaboration with comments, voting, video chat, reactions, and a timer.
• Simple sharing of your whiteboard with a link.

You can use Miro Lite and create a whiteboard without an account that expires in 24 hours. You can also sign up for free and get three whiteboards, more templates, and basic integrations. If you want additional boards and features, check out Miro’s paid plans.

Canva

You may have used Canva for creating invitations, infographics, or social media banners. Canva also offers an online whiteboard that you can use with or without an account.

Notable features:

• Templates for timelines, mind maps, flowcharts, and more.
• Upload your own image, video, or audio file.
• Select whiteboard graphics, stickers, photos, audio, charts, tables, and collections.
• A notes section for capturing thoughts for Presenter View.
• Sharing with a link to download, view-only, present, or to the template with optional restrictions.

To save your whiteboard, sign in or create a free account with Canva. If you want to use Canva’s other features or get premium content, you can look at Canva Pro which offers a 30-day free trial.

Whiteboard Team

For a hassle-free way to capture and share ideas, give Whiteboard Team a try. This online whiteboard tool stays free and doesn’t require an account. This makes it ideal for a quick brainstorming session with collaborators using the in-app messaging feature.

Notable features:

• Templates for brainstorming, calendars, business models, and more.
• Export the board as an image, the sticky notes, or the comments.
• Upload items from your device or with a URL.
• Lock items to prevent editing.
• Share by inviting collaborators via email or link with access control.

You can create a whiteboard without a Whiteboard Team account that is removed in 30 days or sign up for a free account to hold onto your board for as long as you like.

Browserboard

For another option similar to Whiteboard Team, look at Browserboard. You can make a board without an account, use the basic tools you need like a pen, marker, and sticky notes, and draw shapes, lines, and arrows.

Notable features:

• Upload images from your device with a free account.
• Lock the whiteboard to prevent editing.
• Zoom in and out or pan the width of your board.
• Download an image of the board and choose the scale and a transparent background.
• Share your board with custom links for view-only, editing ability, and owner access.

You can create a whiteboard that expires in seven days without signing up. To save your board, create more, and get additional features like custom templates, sign up for a free Browserboard account.

Explain Everything

While geared towards teachers, Explain Everything gives you features that the other boards either don’t offer or don’t offer for free.

Notable features:

• Add media like photos, screenshots, images, videos, files, clipart, or GIFs.
• Lock, arrange, group, and ungroup objects.
• Record video and audio with editing options.
• Create a web video link, export your board, or use the broadcast feature.
• Choose from different workspace layouts including a custom option.

You can try Explain Everything to see if you like it by selecting Try It Now on the main page. Then, sign up for a free plan with three projects, one-minute videos, and collaboration up to 15 minutes. You can then view pricing for the paid plans to get additional features.

Google Jamboard

While Google Jamboard may not have as many bonus features as the other whiteboards on this list, it is a convenient option. If you use the Google Meet whiteboard feature, Jamboard is the tool you’ll see. Plus, your boards are saved automatically with your Google account and accessible via the Jamboard site or Google Drive.

Notable features:

• Choose a background image to make your notations stand out.
• Create separate frames on the same board and switch between them easily.
• Add images from your device, a URL, a webcam, or Google Images, Drive, or Photos.
• Download your board as a PDF or a frame as an image.
• Share with the same options as other Google apps, with email addresses or a link and restrict access.

Google Jamboard is free and offers real-time collaboration via the web, mobile app, or a Jamboard device. Check out our how-to for complete details on using Google Jamboard.

Pick Your Free Whiteboard

If you’re looking for the best free online whiteboards for your project or brainstorming session, these options are top-notch. They have you covered with the basic tools you need and those extras you’ll appreciate.

Simply open your favorite web browser, warm up your cursor, and create your own whiteboard.

For more, look at how to use the Windows 10 Whiteboard app.

In this article, we’ll explain the primary differences between Bixby and Google Assistant and see how they measure up.

What’s the Difference?

Below, we’ll take a look at how Bixby and Google Assistant compare when it comes to features, device integration, performance, and supported languages.

Activation

Both digital assistants are similar in how they’re activated.

You can wake up Bixby Voice by:

1. Pressing and holding the Bixby button (on Samsung phones).
2. Saying, “Hey, Bixby.”

Google Assistant is activated by:

1. Saying “Hey, Google” or “OK, Google.”
2. Pressing and holding the Home button.
3. Swiping up from the bottom corner of your screen (on an iPhone or Android phone).

Accessibility and Cross-Platform Availability

Samsung’s Bixby voice assistant is tightly integrated with the Samsung SmartThings platform, but that’s as far as it goes—you can’t use it on non-Samsung devices. The SmartThings app lets you control various devices, integrating through the Samsung Galaxy Home speaker.

If you use only Samsung devices, this isn’t a problem. But if you have a more varied digital ecosystem, or multiple users with different non-Samsung Android devices, using Bixby can introduce limitations.

Google Assistant, on the other hand, is available in far more places and comes installed on all Android devices with Version 6.0 or higher. It integrates with devices via Google Home, including some from other brands, like Apple (with limited functionality).

Google Assistant is also compatible with many top media services and embedded in the hands-free Android Auto for driving.

Features and Abilities

Google Home and Bixby are comparable in most ways, but Google Assistant generally has greater accuracy, more functions, and faster results.

Google Assistant and Bixby can do similar tasks, including controlling smart home devices, operating the phone, reading and sending text messages, and providing information based on online searches. However, Google Assistant can do more than Bixby, primarily due to the increased number of devices with which it can integrate.

Google Assistant is generally considered one of the best (if not the best) voice assistants in recognizing voice commands and performing actions. While Bixby is no slouch, it doesn’t yet have the same level of accuracy and speed that Google Assistant provides.

This is mainly obvious with online search functions.

Google Assistant excels in online searches and integrates with more third-party apps (like WhatsApp), enabling users to do more things hands-free.

In comparison, Bixby’s primary strength is in offline tasks like optimizing Samsung device settings in different environments (for example, saying “I’m driving” will turn off Wi-Fi, turn on Bluetooth, and start a playlist).

Bixby also has several unique capabilities, most of which are only available on later Android models like the Galaxy S9 and S10. For example, Bixby Vision is a Bixby-powered app that enables users to identify items from photos, translate languages, scan QR codes, and provide assistance to the visually impaired.

Supported Languages

Both Bixby and Google Assistant work with most major languages worldwide.

1. Google Assistant supports English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Hindi, Chinese (Traditional), Korean, Portuguese (Brazilian), Dutch, Norwegian, Swedish, and Danish. In addition, Google Assistant supports six English dialects, two French dialects, and two Spanish dialects.
2. Bixby supports English, Korean, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazilian), and Chinese (Mandarin).

Overall Comparison

The Final Verdict

Google Assistant is the superior smart assistant. It outstrips most other digital assistants like Amazon’s Alexa and Apple’s Siri. It has enhanced functionality, more compatibility with third-party apps and gadgets, and a more established ecosystem.

But that doesn’t mean Bixby isn’t worth using. If you own a stack of Samsung devices, you might find that Bixby is the voice assistant you’re looking for. Even better, Bixby is rapidly expanding, introducing new and unique features to compete with Google Assistant—so if you’re starting with Samsung’s ecosystem, it might be worth sticking around.

In this PrivadoVPN review, we’ll outline the strength of this VPN service and its weaknesses and help you understand whether PrivadoVPN is a suitable VPN for you.

PrivadoVPN: Overview & Features

Before we dive into the details, here’s a quick overview and a list of the pros and cons of using the PrivadoVPN service.

Pros:

• Excellent free plan
• Reasonably-priced paid subscription
• Up to 10 simultaneous connections (with paid subscription)
• Zero-logs policy
• Split Tunneling
• Unblocks most geo-blocked content and streaming services like Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video
• Many supported platforms, including Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Fire TV, Android TV, + router support available

Cons:

• Slow download speeds
• Lack of additional features
• No third-party audit
• Kill switch is only available on desktop apps

The main point of using a VPN is to secure your online activity by rerouting your web traffic to a server provided by the VPN company. Aside from getting your online privacy back, you can also use a VPN to access geo-blocked content, bypass your school or work firewalls, and even find the lowest prices for products and services.

PrivadoVPN offers an easy and quick way to protect your online activity across all your devices: your smartphone, tablet, computer, and more. With the paid subscription, you can simultaneously use PrivadoVPN on up to 10 devices. The free version is also impressive, mainly because it allows unlimited (or almost unlimited) browsing. This Swiss VPN service is also one of the strongest VPN providers when it comes to unblocking content.

For best performance, we recommend connecting to the closest PrivadoVPN server. Otherwise, you might experience slowdowns in the upload and download speeds and an increase in latency. When performing speed tests on a Mac, we didn’t notice a massive drop in upload speed, only a slight decrease in download speed. While VPN speeds are important, they shouldn’t be your primary choice criterion. The speeds will differ depending on the time of day, the speed of your internet connection, as well as which VPN server you’re connected to.

Bypass Geoblocks

PrivadoVPN is an excellent choice for anyone looking to use a VPN to bypass geoblocks and unblock streaming services unavailable in their region.

We tested PrivadoVPN in Russia, where several services are blocked now on a government level. With the VPN connection, we could open and use Instagram and Facebook. Unlike other VPN services we tested in Russia, PrivadoVPN didn’t cause a massive drop in upload/download speeds, and we could watch and upload videos on these networks without any frustration. PrivadoVPN also gave us access to LinkedIn, which is blocked in Russia, just like Instagram and Facebook.

Then we tried accessing streaming services like Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video from abroad. All three worked effortlessly. According to VPN reviews from other VPN users, you can also access Disney+ with PrivadoVPN. However, we couldn’t get it to work and can’t testify.

Aside from streaming, you can use PrivadoVPN for secure torrenting. The service offers P2P support and comes with a SOCKS5 proxy that maximizes torrenting speeds and helps you access large files much more quickly.

Interface & Ease of Use

PrivadoVPN has apps for different devices. The Mac and Windows apps seem to be the strongest, as they’re the only ones with the kill switch function. Kill switch protects your online activity in case you lose your connection to the VPN servers.

The interface of the PrivadoVPN app is minimalistic and straightforward. On the main screen, you’ll find the Connect / Disconnect button. Below, you’ll see your Selected Location, which you can change by opening up the available locations.

There are over 200 servers, with 63 locations to choose from. The On / Off switch below the location box belongs to the Kill Switch function. On the same screen, you’ll also see your IP address displayed together with the current location.

On the left side of the app, you’ll find the Settings icon that opens app Preferences. In settings, you get complete control over the Kill Switch and Auto-Connect features, and you can also choose which VPN protocol to use: IKEv2, Wireguard, or OpenVPN protocol.

You won’t find much else on the app. In settings, you can view your account information and get help with any issues with the app. When you select Contact Support, you’ll be transferred to the Support section of the PrivadoVPN site. You can get 24/7 customer support with online tickets or find out how to fix your issue using FAQs.

Privacy & Security

According to the PrivadoVPN website, the company only uses physical servers located in the jurisdiction they represent. This is better than using virtual servers located anywhere in the world and providing you with an IP address of a particular country. Physical servers come with better security and offer a more stable connection.

Another feature that makes PrivadoVPN stand out is its zero-log policy. They claim to be a “no-log policy VPN based in Switzerland.” That means two things: First, there can be no tracking of your online activity, and second, you’re protected by Swiss privacy laws, which are some of the best in the world. However, we should mention that the company never went through any external audit, so there aren’t any third-party audit results to support these claims.

If you used a VPN before, you probably noticed that some apps don’t work with VPN as well as others. With PrivadoVPN, that shouldn’t be an issue, as this VPN supports split tunneling. This feature allows you to decide which apps send their traffic through the VPN connection and which send their data through your ISP. Split tunneling is helpful for a high-bandwidth online activity like streaming or playing video games.

Pricing & Plans

PrivadoVPN doesn’t have a free trial period, but you can use the PrivadoVPN free plan to check whether this service works for you before buying the paid subscription.

On the free plan, you get access to 12 server locations in different cities and can use the VPN on unlimited devices but only one connection at a time. There’s a limit of 10GB of data that gets renewed automatically every 30 days. However, the cool part is that even PrivadoVPN’s free plan technically comes with unlimited data. After the initial 10GB runs out, you can still use the VPN to browse, only at a lower speed.

If you want to take advantage of the complete list of benefits of PrivadoVPN, you can choose between their one-month plan for $7.99 billed monthly or the 12-month plan for $59.88 billed annually. The longer-term plan is a bargain compared to similar VPN clients, and it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you change your mind about buying the subscription.

Both paid PrivadoVPN plans provide access to their entire server network in 63 locations, unlimited data, and the ability to use VPN on up to 10 devices simultaneously.

PrivadoVPN supports many payment methods, including credit cards, PayPal, and cryptocurrency.

Should You Use PrivadoVPN?

PrivadoVPN is an excellent VPN service for those who want a simple, straightforward protection service for their online activity. It’s affordable and great for streaming and torrenting, and the benefits of PrivadoVPN compensate for the lack of extra features.

At the same time, it’s better to seek other options if you’re after extra functionality like DNS leak protection, AES-256 encryption, or something that exceeds the standard protocols.

Either way, before you make a choice, try the free VPN plan that Privado offers to see if it has what you’re looking for.

But that’s not to say it’s impossible. With the right framework, even a solo developer can create a game of their own. And that’s exactly what Roblox Studio is all about.

It’s a development framework, asset package, and publishing tool all rolled into one. With Roblox Studio, you can have a game developed and ready for release in weeks. But how exactly does Roblox Studio work? How do you get started with it?

Here is a quick guide.

What Is Roblox Studio?

Roblox Studio is a framework for creating games that can be published on Roblox. Called experiences, these games can be played for free on both PCs and smartphones, including both Android and iOS devices.

The key selling point of Roblox Studio is its ease of use. By default, the application includes a variety of templates and free art assets to help you get started. You only have to dabble with code or modeling if you really want to break out of the mold.

Better yet, building an experience with Roblox Studio gives you an instant platform to start publishing on. You can get your game on Roblox’s extensive network with just a few clicks, requiring no payment for hosting or other services.

What Kinds of Games Can Be Made in Roblox Studio?

Technically, you can make any kind of game in Roblox Studio. But the platform is geared toward certain kinds of experiences, and trying to implement something completely different from that can be tricky.

Roblox games are multiplayer, online experiences. Each player is represented by a three-dimensional, customizable virtual avatar that can freely move in a 3D game world. Often compared to Minecraft, Roblox games have a similar aesthetic.

As a result, most games made in Roblox Studio are obstacle courses or team games, giving multiple players the option to play together. All you need to do in Roblox Studio is to build the game world and program the rules, as the multiplayer aspect is handled by the platform.

Does Roblox Studio Require Coding Skills?

For most people, the biggest barrier to entering game development is the lack of programming skills. Whether it is C++ or Java, Python or Ruby, most game development frameworks require knowledge of at least one programming language.

Is it the same for Roblox Studio? Yes and no.

Roblox Studio uses a modified version of Lua as a scripting language to control the behavior of any aspect of a game. That being said, it isn’t strictly necessary to use.

Most common game types on Roblox like an obby (obstacle course) or a racing game are represented by templates in the Studio. You can make a basic game of any of these types without writing a single line of code, as pre-scripted assets are available to use in your game directly.

But if you’re looking to implement something different, you would need to get your hands dirty. And it is easier than you think – most functions in Roblox Studio utilize only a limited subset of Lua, so even beginners have an easy time picking it up.

How Are Roblox Games Monetized?

On the surface, there appears to be no way to make money off Roblox games. After all, the experiences themselves are free, and Roblox doesn’t charge players a monthly subscription fee (unless they use Roblox Premium) to keep playing.

But then there are microtransactions. Players can use Robux, the platform’s virtual currency, to buy upgrades and cosmetic items from any game. Since Robux itself is bought using real-world money, this creates an indirect form of revenue for game developers.

Of course, Roblox takes a cut from every transaction taking place on its platform, but anything that remains is yours to take home – and convert into USD. Depending on how popular your game is, this can be a significant amount.

Can You Make Money by Creating Games for Roblox?

When it comes to making money off any creative pursuit, you must keep in mind that luck – or rather, visibility – plays a big role. Thousands of games are made and published using Roblox Studio, but only a very small fraction of these games end up making it to the front page.

For the most part, people make games on Roblox Studio as a hobby, to learn game development, and show their creations to their family and friends. Of course, there are overnight success stories on Roblox – just as in any other big platform like YouTube. But that doesn’t mean your game is guaranteed to reach that point.

It’s better to focus on Roblox game development as a hobby and a learning experience. And if your game does get popular, you can always take it to the next level.

Installing Roblox Studio and Setting It Up

Getting started with Roblox Studio is simple. Here are the steps to set things up:

1. Head to the official website and hit the Start Creating button.

2. After checking if your PC already has Roblox Studio installed, you will be presented with a Download Studio option.

3. Run the downloaded setup to install Roblox Studio on your computer.

4. Upon opening Roblox Studio for the first time, you will be required to log in to your Roblox account.

5. If this is your first time doing this, use the Signup option to create an account first. All you need to make a Roblox account is a username and password, though it might take a few tries to find a username that’s not taken yet.

6. After logging in you will finally be able to the main screen of Roblox Studio, displaying all the templates to help you get started.

7. Switching to the Gameplay tab shows you only the gameplay templates, which have most of the code already written. That’s the best place to begin building a quick game.

How Do You Make a Game in Roblox Studio?

Learning to use Roblox Studio is easy. Thanks to its immense popularity, there is a wealth of educational resources available online.

The best place to begin is the official website, which offers a bunch of tutorials to help you get started with your first game. There are even Udemy courses for learning Roblox game development, although free resources and experimentation should be more than enough.

Is Roblox Studio Easy to Get Started With?

Learning any new thing requires some work and dedication. And while Roblox Studio is easier to work with than most other game development tools, the principle still holds true.

That being said, Roblox Studio is a great way to get your feet wet with game development. With its beginner-friendly learning curve and a plethora of pre-made assets, even kids can start putting together their own experiences.

The biggest advantage is the platform it gives you. Where game engines like Unity only help you build your game, Roblox also provides a community of players to share it with. If your game does well you can even monetize it, potentially bringing in a nice stream of revenue.