Affinity goes free

The Affinity suite; previously comprising apps like Affinity Designer, Affinity Photo and Affinity Publisher, has undergone a major shift. On 30 October 2025, the parent company Canva announced that Affinity will now be available as a free-forever, all-in-one application (Mac & Windows) for its core features.

Some context:

• Canva acquired the developer Serif Europe in early 2024.
• Until this change, the Affinity apps were available via a one-time purchase perpetual license (not subscription) and seen as a strong alternative to the subscription-based model of other major suites.
• As part of the change, the new Affinity app offers full access to vector, raster (photo) and layout workflows; additional AI features (via Canva integrations) are available if you hold a Canva Premium/Pro-tier account.
  
  
  

Why this matters for designers and studios

For many African creatives; this is a watershed moment. The cost of software has long been a barrier. Now, you can access the same powerhouse toolset used by top agencies, but without the licensing overhead.

Affinity Vector Desktop. Video: Affinity

Lower barrier to entry

Because the core Affinity app is now free, individuals, small studios or design teams can gain access to professional-grade tools without upfront cost. For freelancers or studios exploring growth, this reduces one of the cost-hurdles in the creative tech stack.

Consolidated workflows

Instead of juggling separate apps for vector, photo editing and layout, the unified Affinity approach simplifies tool-management. That means fewer silos (and perhaps fewer licensing headaches) when switching between design, illustration, editing, and page-layout work.

Competitive positioning

For studios or designers pitching to clients, offering work done with a professional-grade tool (for “free” in terms of license) can be a value-add: you’re using serious software, but with reduced cost overhead. This could help when cost is a concern for clients.

Access for education/nonprofits

In its public pledge, Canva/Affinity committed to making the tool free (or free-tier) for educational institutions and non-profits. That means design teams in education or mission-driven organisations can access these tools more readily.

Some caveats & considerations

While the shift opens big opportunities, there are a few important things to watch:

Free vs paid functionality: Although the core toolset is free, advanced features : particularly those tied to AI (generative fill, image cleanup, etc) - require a Canva Premium account.

Generative expand. Image: Affinity

Transition strategy: If a studio has built workflows around legacy Affinity apps (Designer, Photo, Publisher v2) or older files, migration planning is advisable. The new unified app may bring file-type changes or interface updates.

How to get started

1. Download the new app from the official site. Check the system requirements for Mac or Windows.
2. Explore key workflows: Try vector illustration (formerly Designer), photo editing (formerly Photo) and layout (formerly Publisher) tasks. Get comfortable with how they are unified.
3. Test export and collaboration options: Especially if you work with teams, test how file sharing works, and whether integration with other tools in your pipeline is seamless.
4. Check the “what’s paid” features: If you expect to use things like AI-assisted editing or brand asset libraries, verify which features require upgrading to Canva Premium.
5. Plan for older assets: If you have files created in legacy Affinity apps, test importing or opening them in the new app and ensure no data loss or formatting issues.
6. Keep an eye on announcements: Given the transition from Serif to Canva, future licensing or feature-models could evolve; so stay informed.
   
   
   

Final Thoughts

If you’re a freelancer, small studio, or solo designer looking for high-quality tools with minimal license cost, then the new free core version of Affinity is extremely compelling.