Canva has launched a new version of its Affinity creative software, combining Photo, Designer, and Publisher into a single free app called Affinity by Canva. Core features are available at no cost, while generative AI tools require a $120 annual subscription. This update follows Canva's acquisition of Affinity early last year.
The release, announced this week, addresses uncertainties raised since Canva acquired the Affinity suite in early 2024. Previously known for its one-time purchase model and resistance to AI integration, Affinity now adopts a freemium approach under Canva's umbrella. The new app, internally version 3, is free to use with a Canva account but locks features like Generative Fill, Expand & Edit, and Remove Background behind the company's paid plans.
Affinity CEO Ash Hewson emphasized the app's professional focus in an announcement post: “For ten years, Affinity has been the tool of choice for professionals who care deeply about craft. Designers who value precision, speed, and control, and who expect their tools to keep up. Now, that legacy enters a new chapter. The all-new Affinity was built in close collaboration with its community of creators, shaped by thousands of conversations, feature requests, and shared ideas. Guided by Canva’s Designer Advisory Board, this release reflects what professionals told us matters most: performance, reliability, and creative freedom.”
The app supports Windows 10 and 11 on both x86 and Arm architectures, macOS from version 10.15 Catalina onward, and runs natively on Apple Silicon and Intel Macs. An iPad version is forthcoming to replace older Affinity iPad apps. Hewson noted that AI features prioritize privacy, ensuring work in Affinity apps is not used to train models.
For existing users, Canva commits to maintaining activation servers and downloads for Affinity v1 and v2 apps indefinitely, allowing continued use without updates. However, these legacy versions cannot open files from the new app, and vice versa, potentially limiting collaboration over time. Unlike Adobe's limited free Photoshop variants, Affinity's free tier retains full core functionality, appealing to those wary of subscriptions.