Affinity

Affinity has been reborn as a single, free creative app that bundles vector design, photo editing and page layout into one professional toolkit. The new Affinity Studio replaces the old separate Designer, Photo and Publisher apps and keeps the same pro features you expect while removing the buy barrier. That makes it easy to try proper desktop creative tools without committing to a license upfront.

Under the hood the app continues to focus on precision, performance and production output. You still get advanced vector tools, pixel-level photo editing and layout features for multi-page work, plus compatibility with common file formats so you can move work between Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign exports. Recent V2-era improvements landed a lot of quality of life and publishing features that remain relevant in the new unified build.

There are a few practical trade offs to know. The platform is now part of a larger Canva strategy and some advanced AI features such as generative image tools and auto background removal are reserved for Canva paid tiers. That means the core creative engine is free, while some convenience AI tools require a Canva subscription. The community reaction is mixed: people welcome the free access but some are cautious about future product decisions and feature gating. Overall, for freelancers and small studios who want a capable, offline-capable creative app without subscription fees, Affinity’s new free model is a big deal.