AppBreakup
Submit an app

Affinity alternatives: 9 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Affinity: AI features need a paid Canva plan, and requires a Canva account to use. We ranked 9 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Affinity, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Adobe Illustrator currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Adobe Illustrator logoAdobe IllustratorPaidNoWindows, macOS, iOS3 of 366.5
2Canva logoCanvaFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +21 of 348.3
3Adobe Photoshop logoAdobe PhotoshopPaidNoWindows, macOS, Web +25 of 538.6
4Pixelmator Pro logoPixelmator ProPaidNomacOS, iOS4 of 438.6
  1. Adobe Illustrator logo

    1. Adobe IllustratorTop pick

    Best for: Professional designers and agencies who need the vector format clients and printers expect

    PaidWindows, macOS, iOS

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Affinity

    The industry standard if clients or agencies require Adobe files.

    Pros

    • Industry-standard file format and workflows
    • Deep vector, type and print tools
    • Works closely with Photoshop, InDesign and Adobe Fonts

    Cons

    • Subscription only, no perpetual licence
    • Steep learning curve for newcomers
    • Expensive compared with Affinity or Inkscape
    Visit Adobe Illustrator Compare with AffinityDetails and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Adobe Illustrator a good Affinity alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    Free trial
    7 days
    Checked Oct 25, 2026adobe.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Refund window
    Cancel within 14 days for a full refund
    Checked Oct 25, 2026adobe.com(opens source in a new tab)
    iPad app
    Included with most Illustrator plans
    Checked Oct 25, 2026adobe.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Canva logo

    2. Canva

    Best for: Non-designers creating social, marketing and presentation graphics

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

    48.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Affinity

    Far simpler template-based design for non-designers.

    Pros

    • Huge template library
    • Very easy to use
    • Generous free plan

    Cons

    • Limited precision for UI design
    • Premium assets require Pro
    Visit Canva Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1538
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Canva a good Affinity alternative?

    Verified facts

    1 of 3 verified
    Free plan
    Yes
    Not checked yetcanva.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Templates
    Large built-in library
    Not checked yetcanva.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Web, desktop, mobile
    Checked Oct 24, 2026canva.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Adobe Photoshop logo

    3. Adobe Photoshop

    Best for: Professionals who need the standard retouching and compositing tool and PSD compatibility

    PaidWindows, macOS, Web, iOS, Android

    38.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Affinity

    The industry-standard raster editor, if clients expect PSD-native files and Adobe's generative tools.

    Pros

    • Deepest retouching, masking and compositing toolset available
    • PSD is the de facto exchange format for layered images
    • Generative Fill and other AI tools built into the normal workflow
    • Huge pool of tutorials, plug-ins and trained users

    Cons

    • Subscription only, with no perpetual licence
    • Steep learning curve for occasional users
    • Heavy on system resources for large documents
    Visit Adobe Photoshop Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.37
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Adobe Photoshop a good Affinity alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Purchase options
    Subscription only (Creative Cloud)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026adobe.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    7 days
    Checked Oct 25, 2026adobe.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Refund window
    14 days after trial ends
    Checked Oct 25, 2026adobe.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free mobile version
    Yes, with paid premium features
    Checked Oct 25, 2026adobe.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Generative AI
    Generative Fill and Generative Expand
    Checked Oct 25, 2026adobe.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Pixelmator Pro logo

    4. Pixelmator Pro

    Best for: Mac users who want a capable layered editor without Adobe's subscription

    PaidmacOS, iOS

    38.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Affinity

    A lighter, Mac-native layered editor with AI tools, bought once on the Mac App Store.

    Pros

    • Clean, native Mac interface that is quick to learn
    • Machine-learning tools for upscaling, selections and repair
    • One-time purchase option on the Mac App Store

    Cons

    • Apple devices only
    • iPad version and some features need the Creator Studio subscription
    • Missing some advanced Photoshop features for pro retouching
    Visit Pixelmator Pro Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.37
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Pixelmator Pro a good Affinity alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    One-time purchase
    $49.99 (Mac)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026pixelmator.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Subscription
    Apple Creator Studio, $12.99/month or $129/year
    Checked Oct 25, 2026pixelmator.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    30 days (Creator Studio)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026pixelmator.com(opens source in a new tab)
    iPad version
    Via Apple Creator Studio
    Checked Oct 25, 2026pixelmator.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Affinity alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Adobe Illustrator logo

Best Affinity alternative for most people

Adobe Illustrator

The industry standard if clients or agencies require Adobe files.

Inkscape logo

Best Affinity alternative for a free option

Inkscape

Free and open source, and also runs on Linux.

Figma logo

Best Affinity alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Figma

Better for UI design and real-time collaboration.

Krita logo

Best Affinity alternative for open source

Krita

Free, open-source painting app for digital illustration.

CorelDRAW logo

Best Affinity alternative for Mac

CorelDRAW

Professional vector suite with a long print and signage heritage.

Canva logo

Best Affinity alternative for Windows

Canva

Far simpler template-based design for non-designers.

GIMP logo

Best Affinity alternative for Linux

GIMP

Fully open source with no account needed, and it runs on Linux as well.

Adobe Photoshop logo

Best Affinity alternative for iPhone and Android

Adobe Photoshop

The industry-standard raster editor, if clients expect PSD-native files and Adobe's generative tools.

CorelDRAW logo

Best Affinity alternative for working in the browser

CorelDRAW

Professional vector suite with a long print and signage heritage.

Affinity alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Affinity?

Adobe Illustrator ranks first right now. The industry standard if clients or agencies require Adobe files. Inkscape and CorelDRAW follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Affinity?

Yes. Inkscape (open source), Figma (free plan + paid), Krita (open source) and Canva (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Affinity?

Yes: Inkscape, Krita and GIMP.

Which Affinity alternatives work on Linux?

Inkscape, Krita and GIMP run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Affinity?

The complaints we hear most: AI features need a paid Canva plan; requires a Canva account to use; no iPad version yet after the merger.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Affinity, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.