Affinity Designer review
A free desktop design app for vector, raster and layout work, with Canva export.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Affinity Designer brings vector, pixel and layout tools into one desktop graphic design application. It suits illustrators, web designers, game developers and other creatives making logos, icons, mockups, UI designs, illustrations or print projects. Vector drawing and curve and node editing sit alongside raster brush textures, typography tools and export controls, so the app covers a broad range of visual work rather than focusing only on illustration. It runs on Windows and macOS, making it a fit for desktop workflows but not for people seeking a mobile app.
The published product information presents Affinity as free, with no payment required for the core app, and says a free Canva account is required. Canva premium plans unlock Canva AI tools within the app; AI vector generation and Canva AI are therefore not part of the same free offer as the core design tools. Canva is also the named integration: users can export directly to Canva for collaboration. That connection may suit people who want to move finished assets into a Canva workflow, while buyers looking for a wider integration ecosystem should weigh that narrow fit.
Its feature depth is strongest in the mix of vector editing and asset production. Shape Builder, bitmap fills, hatch patterns and linear, radial and mesh gradients support construction and styling; Image Trace converts flat images into editable vectors. Non-destructive editing and real-time pixel previews help connect vector work with raster output, while text on paths, ligatures and text styles extend its typography options. Export by object, slice or artboard, including batch export, supports varied deliverables in PDF, SVG, PNG, JPEG, TIFF and WebP. Choose it for free desktop design and Canva collaboration; consider another option if you need platforms beyond Windows and macOS or Canva AI without a premium plan.
Affinity Designer pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Combines vector, pixel and layout tools in one customizable workspace
- Image Trace turns flat images into editable vectors
- Exports objects, slices or artboards, including batch export
- Where it doesn't
- Desktop support is limited to Windows and macOS
- A free Canva account is required
- Canva AI tools require a Canva premium plan
Affinity Designer fact sheet, pricing and score →
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