Canvas App Vs Model Driven App 101

In this 101 session, we’ll break down the two main app types in Power Apps: Canvas Apps and Model-Driven Apps. You’ll ... Show more

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Course details

Duration 20 Minutes

Lectures 1

Video 20 Minutes

Level Level 50

Basic info

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-apps/powerapps-overview

Intended audience

This session is designed for beginners who are just starting their Power Platform journey.

You might have heard about Power Apps but don’t know the difference between the two main app types.
You may be from a business background and want to understand which approach suits your organisation’s needs.
Or you could be a developer/consultant stepping into Power Apps for the first time and needing a simple, clear comparison.

No prior technical knowledge is required. This is an introduction to help you understand what Canvas Apps and Model-Driven Apps are, how they differ, and when to use them.

Description

Today we’re going to explore one of the most common questions people have when they first get started with the Power Platform: what’s the difference between a Canvas App and a Model-Driven App?

This is a beginner-level introduction designed for anyone who wants to understand the two main app types in Power Apps — what they are, how they’re built, and when to use each of them.

Canvas Apps give you complete design freedom. You start with a blank canvas, drag and drop controls, connect to data, and build the exact user interface you want — much like designing a mobile app or website.

Model-Driven Apps work the other way around. You don’t design every screen; instead, the app is automatically generated based on your data model in Dataverse. They’re great when you want structure, consistency, and deep integration with Dynamics 365.

Over the next few minutes, I’ll cover three things:

The core differences between Canvas Apps and Model-Driven Apps.
The strengths and weaknesses of each approach.
A simple real-world scenario to help you see where one works better than the other.

The goal is to give you clarity, so you understand when to reach for Canvas, when to go Model-Driven, and how both can work together.