Canva Unites Affinity Apps Into A Single Free Tool

The creative software landscape saw a significant shift when Canva acquired Serif in 2024, leaving many users wondering about the future of the beloved Affinity suite. Over a year later, the answer is here. Canva has officially relaunched Affinity Designer, Photo, and Publisher, not as separate apps, but as a unified, all-in-one creative powerhouse, now known as Affinity by Canva. Dispelling fears of a mandatory subscription, Canva has made the new application entirely free, albeit with a freemium approach.

A New All-in-One Creative Powerhouse

Available now for macOS and Windows, with an iPadOS version promised for the future, the new Affinity app consolidates the distinct functionalities of its predecessors. Users can now seamlessly switch between vector illustration, pixel-based photo editing, and desktop publishing within a single interface. The new workflow is organized into Vector, Pixel, and Layout tabs, allowing creatives to access the specific tools they need. Canva has also emphasized that users can create custom toolbars, blending tools from all three disciplines for a truly personalized workflow.

Canva's Influence and New Integrations

While the core functionality remains familiar to long-time users, Canva's influence is clear. To use the new Affinity app, a free Canva account is now required. This integration creates a bridge between the two ecosystems, allowing users to send projects directly from Affinity to Canva for further use. Additionally, Canva is infusing the professional-grade suite with its AI capabilities. The Canva AI Studio tools, including features like automatic background removal and Generative Fill, are now part of the Affinity experience. For those who prefer the classic experience, Canva has confirmed that existing copies of the Affinity V2 lineup will continue to function without any changes.

The Shift from Purchase to Freemium

One of the original Affinity suite's biggest selling points was its one-time purchase model, a stark contrast to Adobe's subscription-based Creative Cloud. While the new Affinity is free, it represents a departure from that model. The requirement of an account and the integration of AI tools, which may be tied to subscriptions in the future, introduces a freemium dynamic. This change means that while the base application is free, users might be upsold on advanced, subscription-based features, a different proposition from the original 'buy it once, own it forever' promise.

Broader Industry Moves

The consolidation of the Affinity suite under Canva is part of a larger trend in the creative software market. In a similar move in late 2024, the popular photo and image editing tools from Pixelmator were absorbed by Apple. While the Pixelmator apps are still maintained, their long-term business model under Apple also remains a point of speculation. These acquisitions signal a consolidation of power among major tech players, reshaping the landscape for alternatives to industry giants like Adobe.