Affinity review
Vector, photo and layout tools in one free desktop app
- Canva
- Free + paid plans
- Mac, Windows
Does it deserve #4?
Is Affinity worth it?
Yes. Affinity scores 8.9/10 and ranks #4 in Design & Creativity. It's best for designers and photographers who want a free alternative to Adobe's desktop apps. Skip it if you need to work on an iPad or won't sign in with a Canva account. Price: Free for individuals; Canva AI tools inside Affinity need a Canva premium plan.
The verdict
Affinity used to be three separate apps you bought. Now it's one free app with Vector, Pixel and Layout studios, so you can draw a logo, retouch a photo and set a magazine page without switching programs. The September 2026 update added a Blend Tool, scripting and native InDesign file import. You need a Canva account to activate it, the AI tools cost extra, and there's still no iPad version.
- Vector, Pixel and Layout studios
- Blend Tool and JavaScript scripting
- Native InDesign file import
- RAW development with presets
- Works offline after activation
Score breakdown
Overall = features 30% · design 20% · speed 20% · value 15% · privacy 15%. Why these weights?
What's new
- Sep 2026Blend Tool, a JavaScript Scripting Studio, native InDesign import and 60+ other updates
- Mar 2026First major update added a Tone Brush, Live Tone Blend Group and a light theme
- Oct 2025Canva relaunched Affinity as one free app replacing Designer, Photo and Publisher
Privacy 8.0/10
Covered by Canva's privacy policy, and a Canva account is required. Canva says work made in Affinity is not used to train AI, and your files are stored locally on your device.
What we like
- Pro-level design, photo and layout tools for free
- Files stay on your device and work offline
- One app instead of three separate programs
What could be better
- Requires a Canva account to activate
- Canva AI features need a paid Canva plan
- No iPad version yet
Designers and photographers who want a free alternative to Adobe's desktop apps
you need to work on an iPad or won't sign in with a Canva account
Questions about Affinity
Is Affinity worth it in 2026?
Yes. Affinity scores 8.9/10 and ranks #4 in Design & Creativity. It's best for designers and photographers who want a free alternative to Adobe's desktop apps. Skip it if you need to work on an iPad or won't sign in with a Canva account. Price: Free for individuals; Canva AI tools inside Affinity need a Canva premium plan.
Is Affinity really free?
Yes, Affinity is free for individuals. Canva AI tools inside it need a Canva premium plan, and organizations that need SSO go through Canva Enterprise or Education.
Do I need a Canva account for Affinity?
Yes. You sign in with a verified Canva account to download and activate it, and after that it can run offline.
Is Affinity available on iPad?
Not yet. Affinity runs on Mac and Windows, and the iPad version is listed as coming soon.
What are the best alternatives to Affinity?
The closest alternatives are Canva, Figma and Krita. See all of them ranked on our Affinity alternatives page.
Where does Affinity rank?
Affinity ranks #4 of 10 in our Design & Creativity ranking, with an overall score of 8.9 out of 10.