When Canva announced that its newly rebuilt Affinity suite would be completely free, it sent shockwaves through the design world. A professional-grade app combining photo editing, vector illustration, and page layout — with no subscription, no trial, and no hidden limitations? Designers immediately began asking the real question:
Can this truly replace Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign or is there a catch?
The new Affinity unites what Adobe spreads across Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. Instead of jumping between separate programs (and paying for each), Affinity’s single interface lets you switch seamlessly between Vector, Pixel, and Layout modes.
According to MacRumors: “The newly launched Affinity by Canva unifies vector, photo, and layout capabilities that were previously spread across separate Designer, Photo, and Publisher apps.” (https://www.macrumors.com/2025/10/31/canva-relaunches-affinity-free-app/)
Also The Verge: “The platform now uses one universal file type and includes integrations for seamlessly exporting projects to a Canva account.” (https://www.theverge.com/news/810251/canva-affinity-design-suite-free-app-relaunch)
Think of it as Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign inside one window with instant switching and live editing across raster and vector layers.
Workflow
Adobe has long held the upper hand when it comes to workflow automation, and this is where the comparison gets really interesting:
| # | Feature | Photoshop | Affinity (by Canva) | Comments / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Actions / Macro Recording / Batch Processing | Yes | Partial | Photoshop supports Actions, Droplets, and scripting. Affinity offers Macros and batch processing but lacks full automation depth. |
| 2 | Smart Objects (Linked/Embedded, non-destructive) | Yes | Partial | Photoshop supports Smart Objects; Affinity uses Linked or Embedded Documents but lacks identical live-update behavior. |
| 3 | Scripting / External Automation (JavaScript, AppleScript) | Yes | No | Photoshop includes full scripting support; Affinity currently lacks native scripting. |
| 4 | Multi-App Workflow (Raster + Vector + Layout) | Partial | Yes | Photoshop focuses on raster editing; Affinity unites vector, photo, and layout tools in one app. |
| 5 | Non-Destructive Editing (Adjustment Layers, Masks) | Yes | Yes | Both platforms provide strong non-destructive workflows using layers and masks. |
| 6 | High Performance & Large File Handling (GPU acceleration) | Yes | Yes | Affinity emphasizes real-time editing and smooth zooming; Photoshop also supports GPU acceleration and large projects. |
| 7 | Smart Typography / Layout Tools (Master Pages, Styles) | Partial | Yes | Affinity includes Master Pages and shared text styles; Photoshop’s text tools are less layout-oriented. |
| 8 | File Format Compatibility (PSD, AI, PDF, SVG, IDML) | Yes | Yes | Affinity opens and exports common formats including PSD and AI files. |
| 9 | AI-Powered Tools (Generative Fill, Remove Background) | Yes | Partial | Photoshop’s Firefly AI is fully integrated; Affinity integrates Canva AI features, some requiring Canva Premium. |
| 10 | Print / Professional Output & Color Workflow (CMYK, ICC profiles) | Yes | Partial | Photoshop offers advanced print and color management; Affinity supports CMYK and ICC but has fewer integrations. |
So while Affinity now rivals Adobe’s editing power it still trails in automation and extensibility — two areas where Photoshop remains king for large-scale production environments.
Affinity’s biggest advantage? Speed and responsiveness.
From MacRumors: “The redesigned app includes a customizable workspace where creators can mix tools from different studios, rearrange panels, and save multiple setups for specific project types.”
One of the core reasons Affinity (and now the new Canva-backed version) feels faster especially with large, mixed raster + vector + layout workflows is that it doesn’t rely on a database-style file structure or cloud-sync layer. Let’s break down how that works technically:
| Aspect | Photoshop | Affinity (by Canva / Serif) |
|---|---|---|
| History Stack & Undo Memory Overhead | Photoshop allows up to 1,000 history states; large operations consume more scratch disk and memory. [oai_citation:0‡Adobe Help Center](https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/optimize-photoshop-cc-performance.html) | Affinity uses a non-destructive editing model with dynamic recalculation; while specifics aren’t widely documented, the memory architecture rewrite in v1.10 aimed to reduce overhead. [oai_citation:1‡PetaPixel](https://petapixel.com/2021/08/05/serif-re-engineers-affinity-photo-for-massive-performance-improvements/) |
| Background Services & Asset Cache / Sync | Photoshop (via Creative Cloud) involves background sync, thumbnail generation and metadata services which can add I/O overhead. User reports show many Adobe background processes. [oai_citation:2‡Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/GenP/comments/td3nnn) | Affinity’s desktop apps are primarily self-contained and local; the developers emphasise “flat file” approach and minimal background service burden. [oai_citation:3‡MacRumors](https://www.macrumors.com/2021/08/05/affinity-v1-10-update-memory-optimization/) |
| Memory / Large Document Handling | Photoshop file format specification supports PSB (Large Document Format) up to 300,000 px in dimension and large size, but performance depends on hardware. [oai_citation:4‡Adobe](https://www.adobe.com/devnet-apps/photoshop/fileformatashtml/) | Affinity v1.10 update included a “complete rewrite of memory-management architecture” enabling huge linked-image documents to load and pan instantly. [oai_citation:5‡MacRumors](https://www.macrumors.com/2021/08/05/affinity-v1-10-update-memory-optimization) |
| GPU & Hardware Acceleration | Photoshop uses the GPU for compositing and many features; the “Graphics Processor” page elaborates features requiring a GPU. [oai_citation:6‡Adobe Help Center](https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/desktop/get-started/technical-requirements-installation/photoshop-and-graphics-processor-gpu-card-usage.html) | Affinity supports GPU hardware acceleration via Metal, OpenCL, Direct3D, external GPU support, and emphasizes large-file performance gains. [oai_citation:7‡Affinity Help](https://affinity.help/photo2/English.lproj/pages/Introduction/keyFeatures.html) |
| File Structure & Asset References (Databases vs Flat Files) | Photoshop’s PSD/PSB file format specification shows layered structure, metadata tables and sections — akin to a serialized database format. [oai_citation:8‡Adobe](https://www.adobe.com/devnet-apps/photoshop/fileformatashtml/) | Affinity uses its proprietary container formats (.afphoto, .afdesign, .afpub) with binary streams and claims real-time performance in large documents — suggesting a “flat file” architecture with less indexing overhead. [oai_citation:9‡techcods.com](https://techcods.com/articles/affinity-photo-designer-analysis/) |
So when you open or save in Affinity, it’s basically a single binary block, no dependency lookups, version merges, or sync validation cycles. That makes file I/O much faster, especially on large files or network drives.
Native, GPU-centric rendering engine
Affinity’s engine (originally built by Serif) was written from scratch in C++ to take advantage of:
Direct GPU compositing for both vector and raster layers. Real-time preview rendering (no “rasterize to preview” step). Unified memory model so all layer types use the same compositing core.
In contrast, Photoshop’s engine evolved over decades and has multiple legacy subsystems (some CPU-bound). So even though Photoshop uses GPU acceleration now, not every tool runs through the same pipeline.
Result: Affinity can keep huge documents responsive because it doesn’t juggle between multiple render pipelines or asset caches.
No dependency on a history database
Photoshop keeps a detailed “History State” structure, and the more complex your file (especially Smart Objects, adjustment layers, etc.), the more it has to manage memory for possible undos.
Affinity, by contrast, uses non-destructive edits and real-time layer states, which it can recompute dynamically, not replay from a stored history stack. This design reduces disk thrashing and memory footprint.
Minimal Background Services
Affinity’s desktop app doesn’t spawn:
Sync daemons, Font managers, Plugin dependency checkers, or Adobe Creative Cloud background processes.
That absence alone often saves hundreds of MB of RAM and avoids constant small I/O requests that slow Photoshop down on large compositions.
Verified Reports
Independent reviewers (e.g., Creative Bloq, TechRadar, and Ars Technica, October 2025) highlight Affinity’s speed advantage, especially on systems with limited RAM or integrated GPUs.
They noted:
Faster layer switching and panning in documents exceeding 1 GB. Real-time response on mixed raster/vector artboards. Sub-second preview updates at 10,000,000% zoom matching Canva’s performance claims.
The “Catch”: Free, But Strategically So Of Course
Canva and Affinity are positioning the new app as free forever, with “no stripped-down version, no trial limits.”
From Canva’s blog: “Making Affinity free is a continuation of something that’s been at the heart of Canva since day one… There are no hidden conditions, just an upgraded Affinity experience … available to all.” (https://www.canva.com/newsroom/news/affinity-free/)
TechRadar noted: “The free version includes all core features, but some advanced tools (AI-powered) require a Canva Pro subscription.” (https://www.techradar.com/computing/affinity-says-its-new-adobe-rivaling-creative-app-is-free-forever-heres-how-that-really-works)
Windows Central: “Optional Canva Premium allows access to AI features inside Affinity … but they are not mandatory.” (https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/canva-affinity-to-free-model)
To be concise:
The “catch” isn’t about cost you’re getting the main app free but about ecosystem and optional monetization.
Canva gains users, transitions them into paid tiers for advanced AI/collaboration, but the core design tool is free. Note that in their blog they state: “We’re not selling your data. We’re not monetizing your creativity. We’re not training AI models on your work.”
Thus the “free” model is part of a broader platform strategy:
The app draws professionals into Canva’s platform. Optional upsells: AI tools, cloud collaboration, enterprise features. Your creative work stays yours (per their pledge).
Rights to Content
When Canva says “Affinity is now free for everyone”, it means:
You can download and use the app without payment. You get the full professional feature set, not a limited trial.
However, that does not automatically mean:
You own every element you create with it outright in all circumstances, or Canva waiving all rights related to the content, data, or AI-assisted outputs.
You absolutely own your original designs that you create from scratch in Affinity, vector drawings, layouts, photos, etc.
| Area | What Happens | Affinity / Canva Implications | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| AI-generated content | Canva’s AI Studio tools (e.g., Generative Fill, Expand, Background Remove) run on Canva’s cloud infrastructure. Outputs may be licensed, not fully owned. | Broad commercial use rights for AI outputs are granted, but Canva and partners retain rights to use prompts or data to improve AI models. | Canva Content License Agreement |
| Asset libraries (templates, fonts, stock) | Stock images, templates, and fonts are licensed under specific terms, usually non-exclusive and non-transferable. | Even if combined with original Affinity work, you cannot claim exclusive ownership of these elements. | Canva Content License Agreement |
| Cloud integration & analytics | Free apps often collect anonymized usage metrics for feature improvement. | Canva collects data for analytics and AI training, but claims your designs remain your property. | Canva Privacy Policy |
| Collaboration / Sharing | Shared projects or synced files may store data on Canva’s servers. | Canva has a limited license to host, copy, and display your content to provide the service. | Canva Terms of Use |
| Brand or Trademark Use | Using Canva/Affinity trademarks, templates, or logos in your products is restricted. | You may use the software for client work, but cannot resell or brand it as your own design suite. | Canva Terms of Use |
But bottom line is:
If you use Canva-AI-generated assets, Canva stock, or shared templates, your rights are non-exclusive. If you store or sync your files with Canva Cloud, Canva has limited hosting rights to deliver those services. “Free forever” mainly refers to the software access, not necessarily exclusive ownership of all content created with or through it.
AI and Integration
A new “Canva AI Studio” inside Affinity brings familiar tools like Generative Fill, Expand & Edit, and Remove Background into the desktop app.
Unlike older Photoshop-only tools like Firefly, Canva says AI operations are privacy protected your files aren’t used to train AI models.
Affinity files also support export to Canva for quick publishing, giving teams a smooth path from “pro design” to “collaboration and distribution.”
It’s not a full replacement for Photoshop’s extensive AI/multimedia toolset (After Effects, Premiere etc.) but for everyday design workflows it is very impressive especially at zero cost.
Verdict: The Free Photoshop Killer?
No but…Affinity (2025) is now the most capable free design suite on the market. It delivers majority of Photoshop’s power with Illustrator and InDesign capabilities included.
But for studios that rely on:
scripting and automation (droplets, actions at scale), Smart Objects linked across multi-app workflows, Adobe’s deep Creative Cloud integrations (Premiere, After Effects etc.),
Photoshop still has the edge and #1 leader.
For freelancers and small studios, Affinity’s new free model is a game-changer minus their logo (Sorry Canva). We all know Canva’s bet is simple: make professional design tools free, and make money from collaboration rather than creation.
In short:
Affinity is like Photoshop’s speed and power, without the subscription.
The “catch”? You’re stepping into Canva’s box. Although you are not paying for the app, you are likely connecting to its future platform.
Learn more from Canva: https://www.canva.com/newsroom/news/all-new-affinity/