What the official sources describe

  • Pixel, vector and page-layout workflows in one application
  • Current site lists Mac and Windows

Before you choose

  • The current site lists iPad as coming soon; do not confuse older V2 apps with this app.
  • Free core editing and premium AI are separate questions.

Is the new Affinity free?

Canva’s current Affinity combines photo editing, vector design and page layout in one application. The official pages describe free personal use and distinguish that from AI features requiring a Canva premium plan. Check the current account and plan conditions before choosing a particular AI workflow.

Older guides about buying Affinity Photo 2 describe a previous product generation. They are useful for migration questions, but should not be used as current pricing for the unified app. This distinction is the main reason Affinity belongs in a guide that prioritizes recent changes.

Platforms and migration

At our check date, the current site lists Mac and Windows, with iPad coming soon. Existing iPad V2 applications should not be presented as evidence that the new unified application is already available on iPad. Verify your device against the current download page.

When moving from V2 or Photoshop, preserve the original and export a separate trial file. Compare the rendered output with its editable structure. Account setup, local editing and a network-dependent feature are separate parts of a workflow; verify offline needs in the actual build you plan to use.

When to put it on your shortlist

Affinity is especially relevant when your work crosses photographs, vectors and page layout. PSD support can help exchange documents, but it does not establish that every Photoshop feature remains editable after a round trip. Test your fonts, effects and embedded objects before making it the final handoff format.

If open-source licensing or Linux is mandatory, this is a different category from PhotoCraft and Patchy. If you want a quick browser edit without a desktop installation, compare Photopea. Free entry is a useful starting point, not a complete migration decision.

Need to verify your files?

Start with text, masks, effects and a save-and-reopen round trip. Record the exact build.

Use the PSD checklist ↗

Sources and scope

Public information checked 2026-10-10. Platform, pricing and capability statements come from the official sources below. This page does not publish independent test scores.