After acquiring Serif, Canva completely re-engineered Affinity products. Designer, Photo and Publisher software, which previously worked independently, have now been combined into a single application. The new Affinity platform offers users an experience that is both simple and accessible. Moreover, this new software can be downloaded without requiring any fee or subscription.
The new version of Affinity currently only works on desktop platforms. Windows and macOS users can download the application and use it immediately. A version for iPad is also under development, but no exact date has been given for it. Despite this, it is expected to offer the same file structure and editing capabilities as the desktop. When the mobile version is released, it is aimed to provide a similar experience on touch devices.
The new Affinity application provides ease of use with a simple file structure and Canva integration.
A single universal file format is now used in the new application. Thanks to this format, it becomes easier to switch between designs; users do not need to refactor different project types. Since all projects can work in a single file structure, confusion is largely eliminated. In addition, synchronization problems experienced in file transfer are prevented. This change provides serious relief, especially for professionals dealing with complex projects.
Canva integration is one of the notable innovations of the application. Users can transfer the designs they create directly to their Canva accounts. In this process, there is no need to export or convert to different formats. This offers a very practical transition opportunity for those who want to continue working on Canva. In addition to all these, intra-team collaboration processes also gain speed.
The new app provides some additional features to Canva Premium members. These include artificial intelligence-supported tools. Tools such as image creation, photo correction and instant text generation are integrated directly into the application. However, only Premium members can access these tools. This creates a certain distinction between users and brings with it some criticism.
Previous versions of Affinity were particularly notable for their one-time purchase model. It was preferred as an alternative to Adobe’s recurring subscription model. For this reason, with the introduction of Canva, there were concerns that Affinity would shift to the subscription system. However, the emphasis that the new application will be “always free” pushes these concerns to the background for now. Besides all this, offering Premium vehicles only to certain users may not be enough to completely end these discussions.
For users who purchased previous versions of Affinity Designer, Photo, or Publisher, the old apps are still functional. No one is being forced to switch to a new platform. However, these standalone applications have been removed from Affinity’s official website. The company has not made a clear statement about whether support updates for these versions will continue. This uncertainty can create confusion for existing users.
For some users, the inclusion of artificial intelligence tools in the application is a controversial issue. The increasing influence of algorithms, especially in creativity processes, may be problematic for some designers. Canva states that it offers these tools only as optional helper functions. However, differences in user expectations determine whether these explanations will be sufficient. As technology advances, such discussions continue to become more common.
The new application aims to offer a comprehensive solution on a single platform with its simple design and integrated features. Simplification of the file structure and cross-platform compatibility has a direct positive impact on daily productivity. In addition, more functionality is gained thanks to additional features accessed through Canva. However, user experience may differ depending on the balance between free and paid features.