Branding · Print & Packaging · Illustration
Affinity is now one free app, with a Canva account and paid AI features
Reported October 2025: Affinity combines vector, photo and layout tools in one free app; Canva AI tools need Canva Premium.
ToolAAffinity
Press report of Canva’s announcement
WHAT IT DOES
ProVideo Coalition reports Canva’s October 2025 announcement: Affinity combines vector, pixel and layout tools in one app that’s free to use with a Canva account. It opens PSD, AI, PDF, SVG, TIFF and IDML files and runs on Mac and Windows, with iPad coming.
WHERE IT COULD HELP
Canva AI tools such as Generative Fill and Remove Background need Canva Premium. Canva says its AI features don’t train AI models.
WORTH KNOWING
The report says a Canva account is required; Affinity’s own site says it’s free for individuals and that AI tools need a Canva premium plan (checked 20 October 2026). The article raises open questions about whether it stays free and about Canva’s motives. We haven’t tested it.
Rates the entry, not the tool.
Source: Jose Antunes · ProVideo Coalition · Oct 31, 2025Open as a page
About this source
Type: Company claim
- Affinity: new version is free, forever, for everyone
Jose Antunes · ProVideo Coalition · Published Oct 31, 2025 · Checked Oct 20, 2026 - Affinity official site
Canva · Affinity · Publication date not stated · Checked Oct 20, 2026
The product’s own site.
Access: Page text was read during research.
Source check: Spot-checked by the 4TC build team on Oct 20, 2026. Re-read the press report and checked the official Affinity site, which states it is free forever. Nobody at 4TC has tested this.
Claims and where they come from
- The app is free, with vector, pixel and layout tools in one app (reported) [1]
- A Canva account is needed; new users can create a free one (reported) [1]
- Canva AI tools such as Generative Fill and Remove Background require Canva Premium (reported) [1]
- Opens PSD, AI, PDF, SVG, TIFF and IDML files; Mac and Windows now, iPad coming (reported) [1]
- Canva says its AI features don't train AI models (according to the company) [1]
- The official site describes Affinity as free forever (according to the company) [2]
4TC interpretation
Our reading, not something the source says.
A free option for people who can't justify a subscription, with a trade-off in account requirement.
Designer impact
What you gain: a capable free option and file-format compatibility. What you give up: it requires a Canva account, and the article notes open questions about whether it stays free.
Benefits
- Free, with common design file formats supported.
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Added to 4TC Oct 20, 2026 · Last checked Oct 20, 2026
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