Affinity

Affinity made its name as the subscription-free alternative to Adobe’s creative apps, and in 2026 it took a dramatic step: Canva, which acquired Serif in 2024, made it completely free. The new unified app merges Affinity Photo, Designer, and Publisher into a single studio covering photo editing, vector design, and page layout.

The tools remain genuinely professional, with non-destructive layers, live filters, precise pen and node controls, and print-ready CMYK output. A premium tier adds cloud features, but the core app is free with a Canva account, and a March 2026 update delivered the first major refresh.

For freelancers, students, and studios tired of subscription creep, Affinity is now the obvious choice for illustration, photo work, and layout. The plugin ecosystem is smaller than Adobe’s and some pros mourn the old perpetual license, but the value proposition is unmatched.