Affinity core application
$0
free
The current Affinity application includes Pixel, Vector and Layout studios, customization and export features. A Canva account is required.
Check current pricing →A
Affinity Photo
Professional photo editing within Affinity’s free desktop app, with RAW development, retouching, compositing, layers, batch tools and optional Canva AI.
6 key claims verifiedOur editorial team checked this profile against vendor documentation, pricing information, company information. Supported by 5 documented sources.
Editorial overview
Aggregated Overview
Official documentation verifies extensive photo-editing, compositing, RAW, batch, export and integration capabilities. The free core application materially improves value, while optional Canva AI requires a paid Canva plan. Independent public review evidence was available but did not expose a reliably verifiable rating count.
This profile combines documented product information and independent evidence where available. It is not a hands-on test unless TechZella explicitly identifies one.
Overview
Affinity Photo is the photo-editing component of Canva’s current Affinity application. The new desktop app combines Pixel, Vector and Layout studios in one workspace, replacing the previous requirement to switch between separate Affinity products.
Its photo workflow covers RAW development, retouching, compositing, masking, layers, live filters, HDR, focus merging, astrophotography stacking, macros and batch processing. Core tools are free, but Canva premium plans are required for Canva’s premium AI features.
Affinity Photo Decision Snapshot
A quick way to understand who this product may suit, where its limits matter, and which facts are most relevant before you compare alternatives.
Best suited to
Photographers, designers, educators and small creative teams needing advanced desktop photo editing without a recurring Affinity license fee.
Look elsewhere if
Users needing an established mobile workflow today, a public automation API, or the broader ecosystem and asset-management capabilities of Adobe Creative Cloud, and should evaluate alternatives such as Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Lightroom instead.
Platforms
iPadOS, macOS, Windows
TechZella assessment
8.7/10
Affinity Photo — What Sets It Apart?
These are the product-specific differences that may matter when deciding whether the software fits your workflow. They are based on documented evidence rather than a universal ranking.
- Affinity combines Pixel, Vector and Layout studios in one desktop application.
- The full core application is free, while Canva premium plans add AI features.
- The application supports non-destructive workflows, RAW processing, compositing, batch processing and high-fidelity imports.
- Canva export, Brand System access, DaVinci Resolve support, Capture One handoff and Claude automation extend the workflow beyond standalone editing.
Affinity Photo Pros & Cons
Pros
- The complete core application is free.
- Supports advanced RAW, retouching, compositing and batch workflows.
- Combines photo, vector and layout tools in one desktop application.
- Imports PSD and other common professional file formats.
- Offers Canva, DaVinci Resolve, Capture One and Claude workflow connections.
- Supports non-destructive editing and saved undo history.
Cons
- The current version requires a Canva account.
- The current application is limited to Windows and macOS while iPadOS is in development.
- Premium Canva AI tools require a paid Canva plan.
- No public API was identified in the researched documentation.
- Some advanced Adobe file features may flatten or simplify during import.
- The newer application has file-direction limitations with legacy V1 and V2 versions.
Affinity Photo Pricing & Plans
Canva Free
$0
year
Canva Free provides access to Affinity but does not include Canva premium AI tools inside Affinity.
Check current pricing →Canva Pro
$180
year
US annual individual price shown by Canva. Includes access to Affinity with Canva premium AI tools.
Check current pricing →Canva Business
$250 per person
year
US annual per-person price shown by Canva. Includes Affinity with AI and business collaboration features.
Check current pricing →Canva Enterprise
Contact sales
custom
Enterprise access includes Affinity with AI, SSO, SCIM provisioning, administrative controls and priority support subject to the agreement.
Check current pricing →Pricing may change. Verify current plans on the vendor's website.
Affinity Photo Competitors & Alternatives
Compare similar products directly, then see which alternatives may make more sense when your requirements differ.
Direct competitors
These products address broadly similar requirements. The descriptions focus on documented reasons a buyer might compare them with Affinity Photo.
Affinity Photo Features
Photo Editing
- RAW development
- Non-destructive adjustments
- Layer-based compositing
- Masks and adjustment layers
- Live filter layers
- Frequency separation
- Lens and exposure correction
- Panorama stitching
- HDR Merge
- Focus Merge
- Astrophotography stacking
- Liquify tools
- Inpainting and healing
- Batch processing
- Macros
Colour and Output
- High-bit-depth workflows
- ICC colour profiles
- RGB and individual-channel curves
- CMYK support
- JPEG, PNG, TIFF and WebP export
- Print-ready PDF export
- Batch export
- Slice-based export
- 30+ blend modes
File Compatibility
- PSD import
- AI import
- PDF import
- SVG import
- IDML import
- DWG import
- Native .af document format
- Affinity V1 and V2 file opening
AI and Automation
- Canva AI Studio integration
- Generative Fill with eligible Canva plans
- Generative Expand with eligible Canva plans
- Generate Images and Vectors with eligible Canva plans
- Remove Background
- Smart Selections
- Depth-Aware Masking
- Super Resolution
- Claude AI Connector
- Reusable automation scripts through Claude beta
Integrations
- Canva export and collaboration workflows
- Canva Brand System
- DaVinci Resolve native .af support
- Capture One layered handoff
- Claude via Affinity AI Connector
Affinity Photo Specifications
| Deployment | Desktop application |
|---|---|
| Supported operating systems | Windows and macOS |
| iPadOS | Coming soon for the current application |
| Account requirement | Canva account required |
| Core pricing | Free |
| Premium AI access | Requires eligible Canva premium plan |
| Installation | Can be installed on multiple devices |
| Storage model | Affinity stores work locally on the device; optional Canva export enables cloud collaboration |
| File formats | PSD, AI, PDF, SVG, IDML, DWG, TIFF, JPEG, PNG, WebP and native .af |
| Integrations | Canva, DaVinci Resolve, Capture One and Claude AI Connector |
| Public API | Not identified in official researched materials |
| Languages | English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Chinese, Bahasa Indonesian and Turkish |
| Support resources | In-app learning, online help centre and community resources |
Our evidence-based assessment
TechZella Score
A proprietary editorial score based on product capabilities, usability, value, performance, support and user sentiment evidence.
8.7/10Moderate confidence
Official documentation verifies extensive photo-editing, compositing, RAW, batch, export and integration capabilities. The free core application materially improves value, while optional Canva AI requires a paid Canva plan. Independent public review evidence was available but did not expose a reliably verifiable rating count.
Methodology v1.0. The assessment weighs feature coverage (25%), ease of use (15%), value for money (20%), performance (15%), support (10%) and user sentiment (15%), using researched product evidence and verified review evidence where available. It is a TechZella editorial assessment, not a direct user-review average.
Editorial transparency
Our Review Methodology
Key claims are linked to the sources used to verify them. This evidence record is separate from third-party user ratings.
TechZella evaluates software using documented product capabilities, pricing information, usability and value considerations, independent user evidence where available, and competitive context. The assessment is an editorial review, not a hands-on test unless one is explicitly identified. Our editorial assessment is based on 5 documented sources.
What TechZella adds
- Affinity combines Pixel, Vector and Layout studios in one desktop application.
- The full core application is free, while Canva premium plans add AI features.
- The application supports non-destructive workflows, RAW processing, compositing, batch processing and high-fidelity imports.
- Canva export, Brand System access, DaVinci Resolve support, Capture One handoff and Claude automation extend the workflow beyond standalone editing.
Important limitations
- The current all-new Affinity application is available on Windows and macOS, while the iPad version is still under development.
- A Canva account is required to download and use the application.
- Canva premium AI features are unavailable to Canva Free users.
- No public software API was identified in the researched official materials.
- Legacy Affinity V1 and V2 applications cannot open files created or saved in the newer Affinity application.
Evidence-backed claimsAffinity’s core application is free for everyone. Affinity supports professional photo workflows. The current application supports Windows and macOS, with iPadOS planned. Canva premium plans unlock AI features inside Affinity. Affinity integrates with DaVinci Resolve and Capture One. Affinity is developed within Canva after Serif’s acquisition.
The official product page states that all Pixel, Vector and Layout tools, customization and export features are available without payment.
View source ↗Verified 2026-09-23The official photo editing page documents RAW development, retouching, HDR, batch processing, macros, unlimited layers and non-destructive editing.
View source ↗Verified 2026-09-23The official download page lists Windows and macOS availability and says the iPad version is coming soon.
View source ↗Verified 2026-09-23Canva’s pricing page lists access to Affinity with AI for Pro, Business and Enterprise plans, while the free plan includes Affinity without premium AI access.
View source ↗Verified 2026-09-23The official integrations page documents native Affinity file support in DaVinci Resolve and layered handoff from Capture One.
View source ↗Verified 2026-09-23Canva announced that the Affinity team joined Canva and described the acquisition of the UK-based creative software company.
View source ↗Verified 2026-09-23Affinity Photo FAQs
Answers begin with the clearest available response, followed by the context that helps you act on it.
Is Affinity Photo free?
Yes. The current Affinity application is free, including its Pixel photo-editing tools. A Canva account is required.
Does Affinity Photo require Canva Pro?
No. Canva Pro is not required for the core application. It is required for Canva’s premium AI tools inside Affinity.
Which platforms are supported?
The current application is available for Windows and macOS. The iPadOS version is under development.
Can Affinity open Photoshop files?
Yes. Affinity can import PSD files, although some smart objects and advanced effects may flatten or simplify.
Does Affinity have an API?
No public software API was identified in the official product and integration materials reviewed for this profile.
Can Affinity connect to other creative applications?
Official integrations include Canva, DaVinci Resolve, Capture One and Claude through the Affinity AI Connector.
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What Has Changed
This history records material data changes detected when TechZella re-researched the profile.
2026-09-23Research update changed: Pricing, Features, Specifications, Alternatives, Competitors, Trusted ratings, Description.