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Head-to-head · Graphic Design Software

Adobe Creative Cloud vs Affinity

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 8 checks side by side
Higher score Adobe Creative Cloud #1 in Graphic Design Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 6 of 7 features Visit Adobe
Affinity #4 in Graphic Design Software 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 7 features Visit Affinity

Adobe Creative Cloud leads on 1 check, Affinity on 0, and 7 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 8 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreAdobe Creative Cloud · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresAdobe Creative Cloud · 6 of 7

Adobe Creative Cloud scores higher on our rubric for graphic design software: 9.4 against 9.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #4.

Adobe Creative Cloud offers mobile app; Affinity doesn't.

Adobe Creative Cloud is the better fit for full creative teams needing a broad suite. Affinity is the better fit for professionals wanting a free all-in-one design suite.

  • Adobe Creative Cloud fits best

    Full creative teams needing a broad suite

  • Affinity fits best

    Professionals wanting a free all-in-one design suite

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Adobe Creative Cloud 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Affinity 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 9.0
Ranking #1 in Graphic Design Software #4 in Graphic Design Software
Best for Full creative teams needing a broad suite Professionals wanting a free all-in-one design suite
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price — Free
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Desktop
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android Windows, macOS
Support Community, Docs · 24/7 Docs
Integrations 9 integrations 5 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Adobe Creative Cloud 6/7 · Affinity 5/7
Template library ✓ ✓
Presentation design ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Illustration tools ✓ ✓
Brand kit ✓ ✓
Real-time collaboration Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Desktop app ✓ ✓
Mobile app ✓ (best) —
Our review
Pros
  • 20+ apps cover design, photography, publishing, video, and animation
  • Libraries, brand assets, review tools, and cloud storage support collaboration
  • Desktop, web, mobile, APIs, and plugins provide broad platform coverage
  • Combines vector design, photo editing, and page layout
  • Imports PSD, AI, PDF, SVG, IDML, DWG, and other formats
  • Supports print-ready CMYK, spot colors, preflight, and bleed
Cons
  • The full suite may be more than narrow design workflows require
  • Plan choices span individual, education, and team needs
  • Some advanced capabilities depend on selecting a broader plan
  • Available on Windows and macOS, with no mobile app
  • Requires a Canva account for individual access
  • Additional Canva premium AI features require a paid Canva plan
Our verdict

Adobe Creative Cloud is a subscription platform for photography, graphic design, illustration, video, animation, UX, and related creative work. It is designed for individuals, students, teachers, creative teams, and organizations that need…

Read the review →

Affinity brings vector design, pixel-based photo editing, and page layout into one desktop workspace. It is aimed at professionals handling illustration, logos, typography, image editing, reusable layouts, and print production without…

Read the review →
  1. Adobe Creative CloudGraphic Design Software 9.4Free plan
  2. AffinityGraphic Design Software 9.0Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Adobe Creative Cloud — where it wins

    • 20+ apps cover design, photography, publishing, video, and animation
    • Libraries, brand assets, review tools, and cloud storage support collaboration
    • Desktop, web, mobile, APIs, and plugins provide broad platform coverage

    Where it doesn't

    • The full suite may be more than narrow design workflows require
    • Plan choices span individual, education, and team needs
    • Some advanced capabilities depend on selecting a broader plan

  • Affinity — where it wins

    • Combines vector design, photo editing, and page layout
    • Imports PSD, AI, PDF, SVG, IDML, DWG, and other formats
    • Supports print-ready CMYK, spot colors, preflight, and bleed

    Where it doesn't

    • Available on Windows and macOS, with no mobile app
    • Requires a Canva account for individual access
    • Additional Canva premium AI features require a paid Canva plan
  • Adobe Creative Cloud9.4/10 · Free plan

    A broad creative suite for teams that need design, video, collaboration, and asset management.

    Visit AdobeFull verdict →
  • Affinity9.0/10 · Free plan

    A free desktop suite covering vector, pixel, layout, scripting, and print production.

    Visit AffinityFull verdict →

More comparisons

All graphic design software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update