Affinity
Free all-in-one creative suite from Canva: photo editing, vector design, and page layout in one app.
- Version
- 3.3
- Released
- September 2026
- Size
- Varies by platform
- License
- Freeware (free with Canva account; AI features require Canva subscription)
About Affinity
Affinity is Canva's free all-in-one creative suite, merging the former Affinity Photo, Designer, and Publisher apps into a single download. Vector design, photo editing, and page layout live in switchable studios, and files move between them without exporting.
The core app is completely free: download it, sign in with a free Canva account, and every studio is unlocked, with no subscription and no time limits. Optional generative AI tools require a paid Canva plan.
Built for professional work, Affinity offers non-destructive editing, RAW development, live filters, advanced typography, and prepress tools. It opens PSD, AI, IDML, and DWG files with layers intact, making it a realistic drop-in for Adobe-centric workflows. Version 3 runs natively on Apple Silicon and Intel Macs and on Windows x86 and Arm, and the iPad edition is free as well. Canva has confirmed that a Linux version is in active development: see our coverage of the Affinity Linux announcement.
Projects save in the unified .af format, and files created in the older Affinity V2 apps open directly.
The screenshots below show the Affinity Photo 2 and Affinity Designer 2 interfaces, from Serif's official user guides. They illustrate the previous V2 apps; the current unified Affinity v3 app has a refreshed interface.
Key Features
Vector, Pixel and Layout studios in one app
Design, photo editing, illustration, and page layout without switching apps.
Non-destructive editing
RAW development, live filters, and adjustments stack without flattening your work.
Customizable studios
Mix and match tools, rearrange panels, and save workspaces.
Adobe file compatibility
Opens PSD, AI, IDML, and DWG files with layers and editability preserved.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Core app completely free, no subscription needed
- Professional-grade photo, vector, and layout tools in one app
- Runs natively on Apple Silicon, Intel Macs, and Windows x86/Arm
- Varies by platform
Cons
- Requires a free Canva account to activate
- Generative AI features locked behind a paid Canva subscription
- Proprietary software, not open source
- No Linux version yet (officially in development)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Affinity really free?
Yes. The core app is completely free with a free Canva account. Optional generative AI features require a paid Canva subscription.
What happened to Affinity Photo, Designer, and Publisher?
They were merged into a single free app in October 2025 (version 3). Photo editing, vector design, and page layout now live in switchable studios inside one app, using the unified .af file format.
Is Affinity available on Linux?
Not yet. Canva confirmed in November 2026 that a Linux version is in active development, with no release date announced.