Canva just dropped Affinity — and it’s completely free. This move could shake the entire design industry and challenge Adobe’s long-standing reign.
For more than two decades, Adobe has set the standard for professional design. From Photoshop to Illustrator, its creative suite became the universal language of design, but also the symbol of high cost and restrictive subscriptions.
That dominance is now being challenged in a way we have not seen before.
In late October 2025, Canva officially introduced Affinity by Canva, a professional-grade design suite that is now free for everyone.
This announcement may redefine how the next generation of creators, freelancers, and small business owners work.
A Bold Move in the Creative Landscape
The Affinity suite, originally built by Serif Europe, earned wide respect as a one-time purchase alternative to Adobe’s subscription model. The three core programs — Affinity Photo, Affinity Designer, and Affinity Publisher — offered professional tools without the financial burden of monthly payments.
When Canva acquired Serif in 2024, the design world watched closely. Many wondered how a company known for simplicity and accessibility would handle a product built for advanced professionals.
The answer arrived this month: Affinity is now part of Canva’s ecosystem and completely free for desktop users on Windows and macOS.
This is not a beta test or limited trial. Canva has made clear its intention to bridge accessibility and professional design in one unified platform.
What Makes Affinity by Canva Different
At its core, Affinity provides a three-in-one solution:
- Photo Editing similar to Photoshop, but faster and lighter
- Vector Design comparable to Illustrator with precision and performance
- Page Layout and Publishing as a counterpart to InDesign for print and digital media
These tools now exist under one roof, allowing users to move between raster, vector, and layout work in real time.
And perhaps the most striking feature: there is no subscription barrier.
Users can access all core features completely free, while optional AI and collaborative tools are available to Canva Pro users.
Why This Matters to Freelancers and Small Businesses
For creative professionals, affordability often determines which tools they can use.
The average Adobe Creative Cloud subscription can cost around $60 per month. Over a year, that is more than ₱40,000 — an amount that could fund equipment upgrades, advertising budgets, or personal savings.
By removing that recurring cost, Affinity by Canva empowers creators to focus on craft over cost.
This is especially meaningful for freelancers and small businesses in emerging markets such as the Philippines, where many strive to build sustainable and ethical careers without overspending.
A Faith-Aligned Perspective
As a Muslim marketer, I view innovation through the lens of fairness, transparency, and accessibility. These qualities align with Islamic principles of trade and creativity.
Affinity’s free-access model reflects these values. It promotes equality of opportunity by allowing anyone, regardless of background or income, to use professional tools. It encourages ethical growth and removes the financial pressure caused by subscription systems.
In a digital economy where fair access is often limited, this move sets a new moral and economic precedent for the creative world.
The Strategic Implication for Adobe
This launch is more than just another software release. It is a strategic turning point. Canva, once seen as a simple tool for beginners, is now positioning itself as the next-generation creative hub that unites accessibility, collaboration, and professional depth.
Adobe will remain strong among enterprise users, but for freelancers, educators, marketers, and independent creators, Affinity by Canva presents a powerful reason to reconsider long-term subscriptions.
It represents a cultural shift in how we define creative ownership and independence.
Have You Tried Affinity So Far?
With the release of Affinity by Canva, we are witnessing the democratization of creativity.
It is no longer about who can afford the tools, but who can use them with purpose.
For freelancers, this means freedom.
For small businesses, it means opportunity.
For the creative world, it means progress.
And for Muslim professionals, it is a reminder that barakah (blessing) in our work begins with fairness, balance, and intention.
