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Graphic Design · Photo Editing

Affinity

Free professional design app from Canva combining vector, photo and page-layout tools; AI features need a paid Canva plan.

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Best for
Pro: editors and motion designers
Free plan
Yes
Agent-ready (MCP / API)
No
Platforms
macOS, Windows
Last verified
Oct 14, 2026

Overview

Affinity is a desktop design suite that Canva now gives away: it covers vector illustration, photo editing and page layout in one app. The free version is the full app, while Canva’s AI tools inside it require a paid Canva plan. If you want a Photoshop and Illustrator alternative without a subscription, this is the first thing to try. The notes are from Canva’s announcement.

Who it's for

A good fit if you are…

  • Designers who want vector, photo and layout tools without paying
  • Illustrators and print designers moving away from subscriptions

Another tool may suit you better if you are…

  • People who need browser-based real-time collaboration
  • Anyone who needs AI features without a paid Canva plan

Pricing

Free for everyone per Canva's announcement; Canva AI tools inside Affinity need a paid Canva account. As of Oct 2026, verify.

  • Canva states the all-new Affinity is free, with no stripped-back version.
  • Canva AI Studio tools (Generative Fill, Expand & Edit, Remove Background) are included for Canva premium accounts.
  • Available on Mac and Windows; iPad was listed as coming soon in the announcement.
  • Opens PSD, AI, PDF, SVG, TIFF and IDML files.

Prices as of Oct 2026 (checked Oct 14, 2026), verify before buying. Source: vendor pricing page.

Key features

  • Vector, pixel and layout tools in one app
  • Customisable and shareable studios
  • RAW development and non-destructive editing
  • Supports PSD, AI, PDF, SVG, TIFF, IDML
  • Export to Canva

Integrations: Export to Canva; Canva AI Studio inside Affinity for premium Canva users.

Agent-ready? No. Not designed for agent access.

Pros and good to know

Drawn from the vendor's own documentation and public sources.

Pros

  • Professional tools at no cost
  • Handles vector, photo and layout
  • Opens common Adobe formats

Good to know

  • AI tools need a paid Canva plan
  • Desktop only; iPad pending at launch
  • Owned by Canva, so product direction may change

Alternatives

  • Photopea: Free browser-based image editor that opens and saves PSD files, runs on your device and has AI background removal and text-prompt replace.
  • Pixelmator Pro: Apple-platform image editor with layers, retouching and AI tools, sold as a one-time purchase or in the Apple Creator Studio bundle.
  • Figma: Collaborative design tool for interfaces, graphics, slides and prototypes, with AI features and an MCP server for agents.

Sources

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