Why is Affinity free?

Wondering why, and how it's possible? Here are our philosophies and how it works.

Affinity by Canva

Creative freedom

(That’s actually free)

All the design and photo editing tools you need in one app – for free. Download Affinity now on macOS or Windows.

by canva in white text

An app that adapts to you, not the other way around

Affinity comes with built-in Vector, Pixel, and Layout studios, but you’re not locked in. Rearrange panels and mix and match your favorite tools to build custom studios. You can save multiple setups, switch between them in a click, and even share with others or download theirs. It’s customization that flexes to your workflow.

Creative freedom

(That’s actually free)

All the design and photo editing tools you need in one app – for free. Download Affinity now on macOS or Windows.

by canva in white text
Close-up of a green insect with large blue eyes perched on a pink flower against a purple background
Illustration of a woman walking joyfully among oversized colorful flowers on a green background
Person in a green suit standing on a rock in a calm lake at sunset with arms outstretched
Digital artwork of a person with vibrant flower petals surrounding their head and shoulders
Illustration of a person walking among floating sea creatures like whales and jellyfish in pastel blue tones
Arrangement of colorful flowers blooming from a piece of driftwood against a green background.
Illustration of a person standing on a subway train, with another passenger seated and bright posters on the walls

An app that adapts to you, not the other way around

Affinity comes with built-in Vector, Pixel, and Layout studios, but you’re not locked in. Rearrange panels and mix and match your favorite tools to build custom studios. You can save multiple setups, switch between them in a click, and even share with others or download theirs. It’s customization that flexes to your workflow.

One space to craft it all

Expertly craft designs, edit your images, then lay it all out, without ever leaving your document.

Start of list: One space to craft it all

1/5

A platform that can keep up with you

Ultra fast, super smooth, and incredibly precise, Affinity keeps up with you when you need it most. Every adjustment, filter, and layer effect updates live, meaning you can see your work exactly how it will export and achieve pixel-perfect designs every time.

1/5

A platform that can keep up with you

Ultra fast, super smooth, and incredibly precise, Affinity keeps up with you when you need it most. Every adjustment, filter, and layer effect updates live, meaning you can see your work exactly how it will export and achieve pixel-perfect designs every time.

2/5

No harm done

Non-destructive editing keeps your original layers and files intact, giving you the peace of mind you need to be truly creative. No smart objects or workarounds. Stack edits, then tweak, erase, reorder, or remove them, without ever committing or flattening.

2/5

No harm done

Non-destructive editing keeps your original layers and files intact, giving you the peace of mind you need to be truly creative. No smart objects or workarounds. Stack edits, then tweak, erase, reorder, or remove them, without ever committing or flattening.

3/5

Fully-fuelled photo editing

From epic image composites to non-destructive RAW editing, Affinity has everything you need from your pro photo editing software.

Close-up portrait edited in Affinity with color curves adjustment tools visible
Close-up portrait edited in Affinity with color curves adjustment tools visible

3/5

Fully-fuelled photo editing

From epic image composites to non-destructive RAW editing, Affinity has everything you need from your pro photo editing software.

Advanced retouching

Touch up your images so fast and flawlessly, the edits are undetectable.

Epic image compositing

Start with a single image, end with a full-blown, multi-layered masterpiece.

Full RAW editing

Make precise RAW edits non-destructively, from first tweak to final export.

Stacks, batch & macros

Automate your workflow and save tons of time with these useful features, no plug-ins needed.

Close-up portrait edited in Affinity with color curves adjustment tools visible
Close-up portrait edited in Affinity with color curves adjustment tools visible

4/5

Advanced vector design

Powerful enough to design a full UI system, yet fast enough to sketch out a logo idea mid-meeting, designing in Affinity just feels right.

Colorful digital illustration of a futuristic woman with blue and yellow hair in Affinity
Colorful digital illustration of a futuristic woman with blue and yellow hair in Affinity

4/5

Advanced vector design

Powerful enough to design a full UI system, yet fast enough to sketch out a logo idea mid-meeting, designing in Affinity just feels right.

Curve editing

Snap, reshape, and flow: Affinity’s curve editing tools are built for total control so you can sculpt every line with precision.

Shapes

Create and customize geometric elements using only one tool with Shape Builder.

Gradients

Create gradients that add depth, color, and texture to your designs with Affinity’s Fill Tool.

Image trace

From flat image to fully editable vectors, Affinity’s Image Trace gives you a clean, scalable foundation in seconds.

Colorful digital illustration of a futuristic woman with blue and yellow hair in Affinity
Colorful digital illustration of a futuristic woman with blue and yellow hair in Affinity

5/5

Page layout powerhouse

Whether you're laying out a book, brochure, or multi-section report, Affinity helps you tackle even the most heavyweight publishing projects.

Page layout design interface showing master pages being selected for a green editorial spread in Affinity
Page layout design interface showing master pages being selected for a green editorial spread in Affinity

5/5

Page layout powerhouse

Whether you're laying out a book, brochure, or multi-section report, Affinity helps you tackle even the most heavyweight publishing projects.

Layout management

Keep your layout aligned, consistent, and editable with Smart Master Pages, AutoFlow, document-wide style systems, column guides, and baseline grids.

Advanced typography controls

Craft every word with kerning, leading, line spacing, ligatures, artistic text, OpenType features, variable font support.

Press-ready

Set up docs with bleed and margins, run pre-flight checks, PDF/X export, color control, crop and registration marks.

Data merge

Flow spreadsheet or database content directly into your designs.

Page layout design interface showing master pages being selected for a green editorial spread in Affinity
Page layout design interface showing master pages being selected for a green editorial spread in Affinity
End of list: One space to craft it all

Your PSDs are welcome here

Import PSDs, AIs, IDMLs, DWGs, and other file types into Affinity, with structure, layers, and creative intent preserved. And because Affinity is free, collaborators can open and edit files without barriers.

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TRUE CREATIVE FREEDOM

Made in Affinity

“Affinity continues to push boundaries and proves once again that they are way ahead of the curve. Since its inception, Affinity has been committed to supporting creatives, and these new updates and features further solidify this commitment.”

Sphelele “Ellsphee” Gumede

Illustrator

Vibrant portrait of a woman with bold makeup, patterned jacket, and a small black cat against a geometric background
Colorful abstract portrait of a woman holding a camera, with expressive brushstrokes and dynamic shapes around her
Vibrant portrait of a woman with bold makeup, patterned jacket, and a small black cat against a geometric background
Colorful abstract portrait of a woman holding a camera, with expressive brushstrokes and dynamic shapes around her
Vibrant portrait of a woman with bold makeup, patterned jacket, and a small black cat against a geometric background
Colorful abstract portrait of a woman holding a camera, with expressive brushstrokes and dynamic shapes around her
Vibrant portrait of a woman with bold makeup, patterned jacket, and a small black cat against a geometric background
Colorful abstract portrait of a woman holding a camera, with expressive brushstrokes and dynamic shapes around her
Side profile illustration of a woman with geometric red face paint and a detailed patterned shirt on a pink backdrop
Expressive portrait of a woman with braided hair, colorful eye makeup, and a textured teal and orange background
Side profile illustration of a woman with geometric red face paint and a detailed patterned shirt on a pink backdrop
Expressive portrait of a woman with braided hair, colorful eye makeup, and a textured teal and orange background
Side profile illustration of a woman with geometric red face paint and a detailed patterned shirt on a pink backdrop
Expressive portrait of a woman with braided hair, colorful eye makeup, and a textured teal and orange background
Side profile illustration of a woman with geometric red face paint and a detailed patterned shirt on a pink backdrop
Expressive portrait of a woman with braided hair, colorful eye makeup, and a textured teal and orange background

Made in Affinity

“Affinity continues to push boundaries and proves once again that they are way ahead of the curve. Since its inception, Affinity has been committed to supporting creatives, and these new updates and features further solidify this commitment.”

Sphelele “Ellsphee” Gumede

Illustrator

Start of list: Made in Affinity
Vibrant portrait of a woman with bold makeup, patterned jacket, and a small black cat against a geometric background
Colorful abstract portrait of a woman holding a camera, with expressive brushstrokes and dynamic shapes around her
Side profile illustration of a woman with geometric red face paint and a detailed patterned shirt on a pink backdrop
Expressive portrait of a woman with braided hair, colorful eye makeup, and a textured teal and orange background
End of list: Made in Affinity

Zero bucks given

Yes, Affinity really is free. You can use every tool in the Pixel, Vector, and Layout studios, plus all of the customization and export features, as much as you want, with no restrictions or payment needed. If you’re on a Canva premium plan, you’ll also be able to unlock Canva’s powerful AI tools within Affinity.

Mac

Fully optimized for macOS. Runs natively on Apple silicon and Intel.

Colorful digital illustration of a futuristic woman with blue and yellow hair in Affinity

Windows

Affinity runs fast even on mid-range machines, but loves a dedicated GPU.

Page layout design interface showing master pages being selected for a green editorial spread in Affinity

iPad

We’re busy building our iPad version - stay tuned!

Hand using a stylus to draw a colorful dragon on a tablet screen

With Canva premium plans

AI that respects your craft.

  • If you’re on a Canva premium plan, you can unlock powerful AI tools directly in Affinity, such as generative fill, background removal, image and vector generation. Every tool has been thoughtfully integrated to complement and support your creative workflow, not clutter it.

  • Work in the Canva AI Studio, or bring AI tools into Pixel, Vector, and Layout — generate, adjust, edit, and finish without ever switching apps.

  • Your content in Affinity isn’t used to train AI features — we can’t access local files. For content you choose to upload to Canva, you’re in control. You can review and update your preferences any time in Canva settings.

Learn more
Canva AI generating a mountain landscape image, with a progress bar labeled ‘Generate image.’
A woman wearing a bubble helmet and colorful outfit sits on outdoor gym equipment in a surreal, brightly colored setting.
Colorful illustration of a vanity table filled with perfume bottles, vases, jewelry, and lamps in pink, teal, and orange tones, with small human figures interacting among the objects.
Black and white photo of a person with a backpack riding an escalator, with dramatic sunlight and shadow patterns on the wall behind them.
Vibrant, surreal illustration featuring a cosmic figure surrounded by colorful hands, geometric shapes, and a small astronaut holding a triangle, with the name “Scott Balmer” at the top.
Illustration of two pieces of sushi with human-like arms and legs lying on a tray, one holding a small red flower.
White graphic logo featuring a smiling face with the text “For Creatives By Creatives” arranged in a circular design.

Stop renting software. Move in here.