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
- Download the new app from the official site. Check the system requirements for Mac or Windows.
- Explore key workflows: Try vector illustration (formerly Designer), photo editing (formerly Photo) and layout (formerly Publisher) tasks. Get comfortable with how they are unified.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.