Canva's unified design app — vector, raster and layout in one free program, with paid AI features.
Why we recommend it
In October 2025 Canva merged the three separate Affinity apps (Designer, Photo, Publisher) into a single free application called Affinity. The core desktop tools — vector editing, RAW photo development, page layout — are entirely free with no trial period and full commercial licensing. Only the AI-powered features (generative fill, background removal) require a Canva Pro subscription, since those run on Canva's servers rather than locally.
Strengths
- Vector, raster and layout in one app, no more switching between three programs
- Core desktop tools are genuinely free forever, not a trial
- Full commercial licensing with no attribution requirement
- One-time purchases from before the merge continue to work with no forced migration
Keep in mind
- AI features require a paid Canva Pro subscription ($12.99-19.99/mo)
- Now tied to a Canva account and Canva's cloud infrastructure
- Some long-time users are wary after the Canva acquisition changed the product's direction
- Interface still carries some rough edges from merging three separate codebases
How much does Affinity cost?
Free — Free tier, with paid plans.
List price, excluding tax. Compare prices across the directory.
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