Affinity Photo, Designer and Publisher replaced by free app

Affinity Designer becomes the vector interface of the new Affinity app (Image source: Canva)

With Affinity Photo, Designer and Publisher, the Canva subsidiary Serif Labs offered popular alternatives to Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. The company is now merging all three apps and offers the new software for free, as most features don’t require a paid subscription.

Hannes Brecher (translated by Enrico Frahn), Published 10/30/2025 🇩🇪

Software

Affinity Photo, Designer and Publisher have been transformed into a brand-new Affinity app, which can now be downloaded for free on the developer’s official website. The new app combines the tools of all three applications. The button in the top left corner of the screen lets users switch between the pixel, vector and layout user interfaces.

This was already possible in Affinity Publisher, but now these three apps are fully integrated. Serif Labs says that the Affinity app will remain free forever, and it won’t require a subscription for the basic features. The only features that cost money are the AI-powered tools, which are included in the Canva Pro subscription for $120 per year.

The pixel persona replaces Affinity Photo

Canva emphasizes that only once subscription is needed to use the AI features in both the Affinity app and Canva. Affinity will integrate more deeply into Canva going forward, because users can export content directly into Canva. Anyone who skips the AI features and Canva integration can work offline and without a subscription, just like with the old apps.

Turning the three apps into one should offer advantages for users, since all tools can be used in all three personas, which can be switched at any time. This makes it easier to combine pixel and vector elements and arrange them as layouts for print and web projects.

The layout persona offers all tools previously found in Affinity Publisher

Source(s)

Serif Labs

Concerns abound surrounding upcoming changes to popular Adobe Photoshop alternative's offering as Affinity online store disappears 10/09/2025

Part of Canva's mission is to democratise design, and the CEO sees AI as a helpful tool in that regard. (Image source: Canva - edited)

AI future for Affinity software on the cards — Canva CEO all-in on AI tools despite potential backlash from designers 07/09/2024

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Editor of the original article: Hannes Brecher - Senior Tech Writer - 19103 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2018

Since 2009 I have written for different publications with a focus on consumer electronics. I joined the Notebookcheck news team in 2018 and have combined my many years of experience with laptops and smartphones with my lifelong passion for technology to create informative content for our readers about new developments in this sphere. In addition, my design background as an art director at an ad agency has allowed me to have deeper insights into the peculiarities of this industry.

contact me via: @HannesBrecher, LinkedIn, Xing

Translator: Enrico Frahn - Managing Editor Accessory Reviews, Tech Writer - 5618 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2021

My fascination for technology goes back a long way to the Pentium II era. Modding, overclocking and treasuring computer hardware has since become an integral part of my life. As a student, I further developed a keen interest in mobile technologies that can make the stressful college life so much easier. After I fell in love with the creation of digital content while working in a marketing position, I now scour the web to bring you the most exciting topics in the world of tech. Outside the office, I’m particularly passionate about motorsports and mountain biking.

contact me via: LinkedIn

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