Affinity
Canva's free professional design app combining vector, photo and layout studios; premium AI tools need Canva Pro.
- Free
- Freemium AI
- Desktop
- Pro design
- Independent sources
- Verified 10 Nov 2026Sources are dated on this profile
- 1 sourceLinked, typed and dated
- Independent third-party sourcesHow this profile was compiled
- Not an endorsementStack18 has not tested this product
What is Affinity?
Affinity by Canva is a professional design application combining Vector, Pixel and Layout studios (Illustrator-, Photoshop- and InDesign-style tools), free to use with premium AI tools tied to Canva Pro.
- Best forDesigners wanting a free alternative to Adobe's desktop apps
- Team size fitSmall teams, Mid-size teams
- PricingCore app free; premium AI tools require Canva Pro ($15 a month or $120 a year, per a February 2026 review).
- Main limitationPremium AI requires Canva Pro.
- AlternativesCanva, Adobe Express, Sketch · compare all
Affinity overview: who it is for and what it does.
Affinity combines vector illustration, photo editing and page layout in one app, positioned as an alternative to Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign.
A February 2026 review says the core tools cost nothing, with no subscription or licence fee, but a free Canva account is needed at first launch; premium AI tools (generative fill, upscaling, object selection and more) require Canva Pro, listed at $15 a month or $120 a year.
It notes limits such as no Smart Objects, Adobe Fonts not transferring and InDesign files needing IDML export.
Main problem it solves
Gives designers professional tools without subscriptions.
Typical customer segment
Freelancers and design teams.
Target users
- Graphic designers
- Illustrators
- Photographers
Primary use cases
- Vector illustration
- Photo editing
- Page layout
What makes it distinct
- Free core app.
- Three studios in one.
- AI via Canva Pro.
Affinity features explained.
Studios
- Vector
- Illustrator-style.
- Pixel
- Photoshop-style.
- Layout
- InDesign-style.
Pricing
- Core app
- Free.
- Premium AI
- Requires Canva Pro.
- Account
- Free Canva account at first launch.
Compatibility
- PSD and AI
- Import well.
- INDD
- Needs IDML export.
- Adobe Fonts
- Do not transfer.
Affinity pricing and plans.
Figures reported by independent sources; vendor page not reviewed directly. Checked 10 Nov 2026 against TechRadar.
Pricing model
Free core; AI features via Canva Pro subscription.
Free plan
Yes
Free trial
Not applicable
Affinity plans and prices (USD)
Affinity
$0
Free
Vector, Pixel, Layout.
Canva Pro (for AI tools)
$15 per month or $120 per year
Monthly or annual
Premium AI tools.
TechRadar (17 February 2026).
Prices change. Confirm current plans and terms on the vendor's site before you decide.
Visit official website (external) ↗See alternativesAffinity integrations, API and platforms.
Important integrations
- Canva
- PSD and AI file import
Supported platforms
- Windows
- macOS
- iPad
API
Not reviewed for this profile.
Data import and export
Not reviewed for this profile.
Integration coverage was not assessed in full. Check Affinity's integrations directory and documentation for your tools.
Affinity pros and cons.
Strengths, limitations and best fit. Each point cites a source; editorial summaries are not customer reviews.
Strengths
Limitations
Best for
- Designers wanting a free alternative to Adobe's desktop apps
- Freelancers
- Print designers
May be less suited to
- Collaborative UI design
- Teams locked into Adobe workflows
Top Affinity alternatives and competitors.
Canva
The template-driven design platform for non-designers, free to start, with Canva Pro at $144 a year for…
Explore →Related productAdobe Express
Adobe's template-based design app with a free plan and Premium at $9.99 a month, including Firefly AI…
Explore →Related productSketch
A Mac-native interface design app at $12 per editor a month (Standard, yearly), or a one-time $120 Mac…
Explore →Affinity compared with similar design, prototyping and visual content software.
Summaries come from each profile. This is a side-by-side aid, not a ranking.
| Product | Pricing model | Starting price | Free plan | Main use | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Affinity | Free (AI via Canva Pro) | Free | Yes | Pro graphics | Adobe alternative |
| Adobe Express | Per person | $9.99/mo (Premium) | Yes (2 GB) | Graphics and templates | Quick content |
| Canva | Per person | $144/yr (Pro) | Yes | Graphics and templates | Non-designers |
| Figma | Per seat type | $16/Full seat/mo | Yes (Starter) | UI design | Product teams |
| Lucidchart | Per user | $9/user/mo | Yes (3 docs) | Diagramming | Technical diagrams |
| Penpot | Free / per editor | $7/editor/mo | Yes | UI design | Open-source design |
Affinity vs competitors: head-to-head comparisons.
Each comparison has a feature table, pricing side by side, strengths and limits, and best-fit scenarios.
Affinity discussions and buying questions.
No published discussions mention this product yet.
Affinity questions and answers
What is Affinity used for?
Affinity by Canva is a professional design application combining Vector, Pixel and Layout studios (Illustrator-, Photoshop- and InDesign-style tools), free to use with premium AI tools tied to Canva Pro. Typical uses include vector illustration, photo editing, page layout.
Is Affinity free?
Yes, the core app is free; premium AI tools need Canva Pro.
Who owns Affinity?
Canva.
Can Affinity open Photoshop and Illustrator files?
PSD and AI files import well; InDesign files must be exported as IDML.
How does Affinity compare with its competitors?
Stack18 publishes head-to-head comparisons of Affinity vs Canva, each with a feature table, pricing and best-fit scenarios.
What are the main alternatives to Affinity?
The main alternatives to Affinity covered on Stack18 are Canva, Adobe Express and Sketch. Canva may suit non-designers making marketing visuals quickly. Adobe Express may suit marketers wanting Adobe-quality templates and Firefly AI cheaply. Sketch may suit all-Mac design teams preferring a native app. See the Affinity alternatives guide for a side-by-side table.
What are the pros and cons of Affinity?
Strengths: Free professional tools. Vector, photo and layout in one. Limitations: Premium AI requires Canva Pro. Some Adobe features missing.
Who is Affinity best for?
Affinity may suit designers wanting a free alternative to Adobe's desktop apps; freelancers; print designers. It may be less suited to collaborative UI design; teams locked into Adobe workflows.
What integrations does Affinity support?
Documented integrations and ecosystem items include Canva, PSD and AI file import. API: Not reviewed for this profile.
When was the Affinity profile last verified?
Sources for this profile were last reviewed on 10 Nov 2026. 1 source is listed under Sources, and prices and plans can change, so confirm with the vendor.
Where this information comes from.
- Affinity by Canva (2026) review (17 February 2026) TechRadar Third-party Accessed 10 Nov 2026
Secondary-source profile. Vendor pages were not reviewed directly for this profile. Facts and prices are taken from independent third-party sources and may differ from the vendor's current pages. Confirm with the vendor before buying.
Facts come from TechRadar (February 2026). Capabilities were not tested.
Stack18 has not tested this product or received anything from the vendor for this profile. Editorial summaries of vendor information are not endorsements. Confirm details with the vendor before buying.
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