Affinity’s Image Editors Go Freemium in Major Post-Canva Update
▼ Summary
– Canva has merged Affinity’s three apps into a single free application called “Affinity by Canva” for users with a Canva account.
– Generative AI features in the new Affinity app are restricted to Canva’s paid subscription plans, which cost $120 annually for individuals.
– Existing Affinity users who opposed AI may benefit as core features remain free, but those preferring perpetual licenses may find the changes unwelcome.
– The new Affinity app supports both x86 and Arm Windows versions and runs natively on Apple Silicon and Intel Macs, with an iPad version coming soon.
– Affinity CEO Ash Hewson stated the update was developed through community collaboration, prioritizing performance, reliability, and creative freedom.
Following Canva’s acquisition of the Affinity suite, the graphic design world has been watching closely to see how the platform would evolve. The recent announcement reveals a unified “Affinity by Canva” application, merging Photo, Designer, and Publisher into a single, freemium tool. This new version is available at no cost with a Canva account, though its generative AI capabilities require a Canva Pro or Team subscription.
For longtime Affinity supporters who valued its one-time purchase model and cautious approach to AI, this shift presents a mixed picture. Core editing and publishing functions remain accessible without any fee, which means users can continue their work without immediately adopting AI tools. However, the move away from perpetual licensing may disappoint those who prefer the certainty of owning their software outright. There are also broader questions about how the division between free and paid features might change in future updates.
The new application, referred to internally as version 3, is built for compatibility across a range of systems. It supports both x86 and Arm architectures on Windows, and operates as a universal binary for Macs with Apple Silicon or Intel processors. System requirements include macOS 10.15 Catalina or newer and Windows 10 or 11. An iPad version designed to replace the existing Affinity iPad apps is currently in development.
Affinity CEO Ash Hewson emphasized the application’s professional legacy in the update announcement. She noted that for a decade, Affinity has served creators who prioritize precision, efficiency, and control in their workflow. Hewson explained that this new chapter was shaped by extensive feedback from the user community, with guidance from Canva’s Designer Advisory Board to ensure the software meets professional standards for performance, stability, and creative flexibility.
(Source: Ars Technica)
