The design software industry experienced a seismic shift this week as Canva unveiled its reimagined Affinity app, combining professional-grade photo editing, vector design, and page layout into a single, free platform. After acquiring Affinity from Serif Labs in March 2024 for approximately $380 million, Canva has transformed what was once three separate paid applications into a single, accessible tool that directly challenges Adobe's subscription-dominated creative software market.​

The New Affinity Experience

The all-new "Affinity by Canva" merges the functionality of Affinity Photo, Designer, and Publisher into one cohesive application, available now for Windows and Mac users, with an iPad version coming soon. This represents a fundamental departure from Affinity's previous model, which required a one-time $70 payment per application.

The redesigned platform features a universal file type that supports nondestructive editing across all three creative disciplines—pixel manipulation, vector illustration, and layout design—allowing users to seamlessly switch between modes using a single button in the top-left corner.​

According to Canva's official announcement, the company heard "complaints across the creative industry about rising software costs, frustrating subscriptions, and the fact that creatives typically must use many different apps to achieve their goals". The new Affinity addresses all three concerns by eliminating purchase barriers, removing mandatory subscriptions for core features, and consolidating professional tools into one application.​

What's Free, What's Not

While Canva emphasizes that Affinity is "free forever," certain features require a Canva Pro subscription at $120 annually. The paywall specifically affects AI-powered tools, including image generation, photo enhancement, and automated copywriting features. All traditional creative tools—advanced editing capabilities, layer support, customization options, and export functionality—remain completely free. Users can work offline without any subscription if they skip the AI features and Canva integration.​

This freemium approach bridges two previously opposing philosophies: Affinity's historical resistance to AI technology and Canva's embrace of generative tools. For professionals who value Affinity's anti-AI stance, the news appears largely positive, as essential features remain accessible without engaging AI functionality.​

Strategic Implications for the Industry

Canva's decision to make Affinity free represents a bold competitive move against Adobe's Creative Cloud, which requires ongoing subscriptions for Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Cameron Adams, co-founder of Canva, told Fortune that the acquisition deal was sealed "after two days in Nottingham," following an initial LinkedIn contact. The integration allows users to export content directly from Affinity into their Canva accounts, creating a seamless workflow between professional design tools and Canva's collaborative platform.​

For existing Affinity users who purchased the standalone V2 applications, the older versions will continue functioning, though these products were removed from the Affinity website weeks before the announcement. Questions remain about whether legacy users will receive ongoing support updates.​

The Future of Design Accessibility

Canva's transformation of Affinity signals a broader shift toward democratizing professional creative tools. By removing financial barriers while maintaining advanced functionality, the company positions itself to capture market share from both Adobe's professional segment and budget-conscious creatives who previously relied on one-time purchase software.

Whether this model remains sustainable in the long term depends on how Canva balances free features with premium offerings—a distinction that may evolve as the company refines its strategy.