# Affinity Designer 2 Published January 1, 2026 · Updated August 10, 2026 Professional graphic design software Category: Design & Creative · Paid · [Official website](https://affinity.serif.com) ## Install with Homebrew `brew install --cask affinity-designer` ## Quick take Designer 2 as a SKU is legacy; the vector craft is free inside Affinity by Canva. Performance, studios, and interop still beat paying Illustrator for most independent designers. Add Canva Pro only for AI. Best for: Designers Who Want Illustrator-Class Tools Without a Subscription, Brand and Icon Designers on Mac, Creatives Migrating Off Adobe for Offline Vector Craft ## What is Affinity Designer 2? Affinity Designer 2 is the name designers still search for, but the shipping product in August 2026 is Canva's free unified Affinity app. On 29 October 2025 Canva launched the all-new Affinity for Mac and Windows: Vector, Pixel, and Layout studios in one installer, free for core professional tools, activated with a Canva account. The old $69.99 Designer 2 storefront and $169.99 Universal Licence are no longer how new users buy in. What made Designer special remains. Precision pen and node tools, non-destructive booleans, symbols, unlimited artboards, and extreme zoom still define the vector craft. Pixel tools live in the same document for texture work; layout tools cover multi-page output without a second purchase. Custom studios let you mix panels instead of hard-switching Personas alone. Optional Canva AI Studio, Generative Fill, Expand & Edit, Remove Background, generate image/vector, needs a Canva premium plan. Canva Pro is commonly about $144/year per person in USD markets. Free Canva users keep the full non-AI professional toolset. Canva states Affinity document content is not used to train AI. Performance stays excellent on Apple Silicon under macOS Tahoe 26.x: native builds, GPU acceleration, smooth pan/zoom on heavy vectors. AI/PSD/SVG/EPS/PDF interchange is production-usable with the usual complex-effect caveats. Treat every 'Designer 2' search result as a pointer to free Affinity's vector studio, not a paid v2 SKU. ## Features - **Persona System (Designer, Pixel, Export).** Three workspaces in one app. Designer Persona provides vector tools, pen, node, shape builder, corner tool, and point transform. Pixel Persona switches to a raster environment with brushes, selections, healing tools, and flood fill. Export Persona assigns export settings per slice or artboard. Switching between personas preserves your entire document, vector and raster layers coexist in the same file. This eliminates the Illustrator-to-Photoshop round-trip that slows down traditional Adobe workflows. - **Non-Destructive Editing.** Every adjustment, effect, and transformation in Affinity Designer is non-destructive. Layer effects (shadows, glows, outlines), adjustment layers (curves, HSL, levels), and live filters can all be edited or removed at any point. Vector Warp applies mesh distortions to vector objects and text with full editability, the underlying paths remain intact. Blend modes and opacity are per-layer and per-object. This non-destructive approach means you can experiment freely and revise without starting over. - **Precision Vector Tools.** The Pen tool creates bezier curves with live preview of the next segment. The Node tool edits individual control points with snapping, alignment guides, and numerical input for exact positioning. The Shape Builder tool lets you combine overlapping shapes by clicking and dragging, faster than Pathfinder operations in Illustrator. Boolean operations (add, subtract, intersect, divide, combine) are non-destructive compound shapes that can be expanded later. Grid and guide systems support isometric, triangular, and custom grids. Zoom goes beyond 1,000,000% for subpixel precision on icon design and technical illustration. - **Unlimited Artboards.** A single document can contain unlimited artboards at different sizes. Design a full set of social media assets (Instagram square, Story, Facebook cover, Twitter header) in one file with shared color palettes and styles. Each artboard can have independent export settings, different formats, resolutions, and color profiles. For UI designers, artboards represent screens. For print designers, artboards represent pages. The document size limit is practically infinite: multi-gigabyte files with hundreds of artboards are handled without issues. - **StudioLink Integration.** StudioLink lets you switch to Affinity Photo or Affinity Publisher editing modes within Affinity Designer without saving, exporting, or switching apps. Working on a poster in Designer and need to do advanced photo retouching? StudioLink activates Photo's tools directly on the canvas. Need to add multi-page layout features? StudioLink brings in Publisher capabilities. This cross-app switching works because all three Affinity apps share the same file format and rendering engine. The result is a unified creative environment that Adobe doesn't match, switching between Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign always requires file export and re-import. - **Optional Canva AI Studio.** Premium Canva plans unlock Generative Fill, Expand & Edit, Remove Background, and generative image/vector tools inside Affinity. Core vector drawing and export remain free without AI. - **Unified free Affinity app.** Designer, Photo, and Publisher workflows ship as Vector, Pixel, and Layout studios in one free Mac app. Custom studios replace rigid single-app boundaries while keeping professional depth. ## How to Install Affinity (Designer workflow) on Mac Install free Affinity from affinity.studio, sign in with Canva, then work in Vector studio tools. 1. **Download Affinity.** Get the Mac build from https://www.affinity.studio/ (or current Homebrew cask) and move the notarized app to Applications. 2. **Sign in with Canva.** Activate with a free or paid Canva account, required even for free tools. 3. **Configure a Vector studio.** Pin pen, node, colour, layers, and export panels; save the workspace for logo/icon work. 4. **Import legacy files.** Open .afdesign, AI, SVG, PDF, or PSD; review booleans and text after Illustrator imports. ## Pros - Professional vector toolset free under unified Affinity - Vector, pixel, and layout tools in one document - Native Apple Silicon performance with smooth complex-file navigation - Opens AI, PSD, SVG, EPS, and PDF for most production work - AI clearly optional, core design is not paywalled - Custom studios for hybrid illustration and brand systems ## Cons - Canva account required to activate - Illustrator import still imperfect for advanced effects - Smaller plugin ecosystem than Adobe - Generative AI needs a paid Canva plan - Naming mix of Designer 2 vs Affinity confuses upgrades - Long-term roadmap is Canva-directed ## Analysis: From DrawPlus to Canva, Affinity's Journey How a small UK software company built a genuine Adobe alternative and then sold to the world's largest design platform. ## FAQ ### Is Affinity Designer 2 still sold as a paid app? New users get free Affinity from affinity.studio with a Canva account. The old paid Designer 2 storefront is not the current retail model. ### Is Affinity really free? Yes for core professional tools. Optional Canva AI Studio features require a Canva premium plan. ### How much is Canva Pro for AI tools? Commonly about $144/year per person in USD for Pro. Confirm on Canva's pricing page for your region. ### Can it replace Adobe Illustrator? For logos, icons, illustration, brand systems, and most print work, often yes. Gaps remain in some advanced effects and the plugin ecosystem. ### Does it run on Apple Silicon and macOS Tahoe? Yes, native Apple Silicon builds with GPU acceleration, supported on current macOS including Tahoe 26.x. ### Will my .afdesign files open? Yes. Open legacy Designer files and common AI/SVG/PDF/PSD interchange formats in the free Affinity app. ### Do I need internet to design? Local tools work offline after activation. Canva AI and account features need connectivity when used. ## Sources - [Introducing the all-new Affinity](https://www.canva.com/newsroom/news/all-new-affinity/) - [Why we made Affinity free](https://www.canva.com/newsroom/news/affinity-free/) - [Affinity official site](https://www.affinity.studio/) - [Access Affinity with Canva](https://www.canva.com/help/free-affinity-access/) - [Canva pricing](https://www.canva.com/pricing/) - [Affinity pricing 2026](https://checkthat.ai/brands/affinity/pricing) - [Canva AI pricing](https://www.eesel.ai/blog/canva-ai-pricing) ## Related - [Figma](https://bundl.run/apps/figma) - [Canva](https://bundl.run/apps/canva) - [Sketch](https://bundl.run/apps/sketch) - [Adobe Creative Cloud](https://bundl.run/apps/adobe-creative-cloud) - [Blender](https://bundl.run/apps/blender) - [GIMP](https://bundl.run/apps/gimp) - [Affinity Designer 2 vs Adobe Creative Cloud](https://bundl.run/compare/affinity-vs-photoshop) - [Affinity Designer 2 vs Adobe Illustrator](https://bundl.run/compare/affinity-designer-vs-illustrator) - [Affinity Designer 2 vs Inkscape](https://bundl.run/compare/affinity-designer-2-vs-inkscape) - [Affinity Designer 2 vs Affinity Photo 2](https://bundl.run/compare/affinity-designer-2-vs-affinity-photo-2) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://bundl.run/#organization", "name": "Bundl.run", "url": "https://bundl.run", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://bundl.run/og-image.png", "width": 1200, "height": 630 }, "description": "The Ninite for Mac. Install all your essential Mac apps with one terminal command.", "sameAs": [ "https://github.com/abhiofficial/bundl-mac-setup", "https://x.com/bundlrun", "https://www.producthunt.com/products/bundl-run" ], "foundingDate": "2024", "contactPoint": { "@type": "ContactPoint", "contactType": "customer support", "url": "https://bundl.run/faq" } }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://bundl.run/#website", "name": "Bundl.run", "url": "https://bundl.run", "description": "The Ninite for Mac. Install all your essential Mac apps with one terminal command.", "publisher": { "@id": "https://bundl.run/#organization" }, "inLanguage": "en-US" }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://bundl.run/authors/maya-rodriguez#person", "name": "Maya Rodriguez", "jobTitle": "Creative Software Expert", "url": "https://bundl.run/authors/maya-rodriguez", "worksFor": { "@id": "https://bundl.run/#organization" }, "description": "Maya Rodriguez specializes in design and creative software, bringing 10 years of experience as a professional graphic designer and UI/UX specialist. Maya evaluates design tools, media applications, and creative workflows with an eye toward both artistic capability and technical performance. Having worked at design agencies and as a freelance creative director, Maya understands the demanding requirements of professional creative work. Each review includes assessment of color accuracy, export quality, collaboration features, and integration with broader creative ecosystems.", "knowsAbout": [ "Design & Graphics Software", "Photo & Video Editing", "UI/UX Design Tools", "Creative Workflows", "Media Production", "Design Systems & Tokens" ], "image": "https://bundl.run/authors/maya-rodriguez.svg" }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "@id": "https://bundl.run/apps/affinity-designer-2#breadcrumb", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://bundl.run" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Apps", "item": "https://bundl.run/apps" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Affinity Designer 2", "item": "https://bundl.run/apps/affinity-designer-2" } ] }, { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://bundl.run/apps/affinity-designer-2", "url": "https://bundl.run/apps/affinity-designer-2", "name": "Affinity Designer 2 for Mac", "description": "Professional graphic design software", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://bundl.run/#website" }, "publisher": { "@id": "https://bundl.run/#organization" }, "inLanguage": "en-US", "datePublished": "2026-01-01T00:00:00Z", "dateModified": "2026-08-10T13:34:04.000Z", "author": { "@id": "https://bundl.run/authors/maya-rodriguez#person" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://bundl.run/apps/affinity-designer-2#software" }, "breadcrumb": { "@id": "https://bundl.run/apps/affinity-designer-2#breadcrumb" } }, { "@type": "SoftwareApplication", "@id": "https://bundl.run/apps/affinity-designer-2#software", "name": "Affinity Designer 2", "description": "Professional graphic design software", "applicationCategory": "MultimediaApplication", "operatingSystem": "macOS", "url": "https://bundl.run/apps/affinity-designer-2", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://img.logo.dev/affinity.serif.com", "caption": "Affinity Designer 2 app icon for Mac" }, "sameAs": [ "https://affinity.serif.com/", "https://formulae.brew.sh/cask/affinity-designer" ], "offers": { "@type": "Offer", "price": "69.99", "priceCurrency": "USD", "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock" }, "review": { "@type": "Review", "author": { "@id": "https://bundl.run/authors/maya-rodriguez#person" }, "reviewBody": "Designer 2 as a SKU is legacy; the vector craft is free inside Affinity by Canva. Performance, studios, and interop still beat paying Illustrator for most independent designers. Add Canva Pro only for AI." }, "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Affinity Designer 2", "description": "Professional graphic design software" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://bundl.run/#website" } }, { "@type": "Article", "@id": "https://bundl.run/apps/affinity-designer-2#article", "headline": "Affinity Designer 2 for Mac — Full Review & Installation Guide 2026", "description": "Designer 2 as a SKU is legacy; the vector craft is free inside Affinity by Canva. Performance, studios, and interop still beat paying Illustrator for most independent designers. Add Canva Pro only for AI.", "image": "https://img.logo.dev/affinity.serif.com", "author": { "@id": "https://bundl.run/authors/maya-rodriguez#person" }, "publisher": { "@id": "https://bundl.run/#organization" }, "datePublished": "2026-01-01T00:00:00Z", "dateModified": "2026-08-10T13:34:04.000Z", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://bundl.run/apps/affinity-designer-2" }, "articleSection": "MultimediaApplication", "speakable": { "@type": "SpeakableSpecification", "cssSelector": [ "h1", ".key-facts" ] }, "about": { "@type": "SoftwareApplication", "name": "Affinity Designer 2", "url": "https://bundl.run/apps/affinity-designer-2" } }, { "@type": "FAQPage", "@id": "https://bundl.run/apps/affinity-designer-2#faq", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is Affinity Designer 2 still sold as a paid app?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "New users get free Affinity from affinity.studio with a Canva account. The old paid Designer 2 storefront is not the current retail model." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is Affinity really free?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes for core professional tools. Optional Canva AI Studio features require a Canva premium plan." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How much is Canva Pro for AI tools?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Commonly about $144/year per person in USD for Pro. Confirm on Canva's pricing page for your region." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can it replace Adobe Illustrator?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "For logos, icons, illustration, brand systems, and most print work, often yes. Gaps remain in some advanced effects and the plugin ecosystem." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Does it run on Apple Silicon and macOS Tahoe?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes, native Apple Silicon builds with GPU acceleration, supported on current macOS including Tahoe 26.x." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Will my .afdesign files open?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. Open legacy Designer files and common AI/SVG/PDF/PSD interchange formats in the free Affinity app." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do I need internet to design?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Local tools work offline after activation. Canva AI and account features need connectivity when used." } } ], "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://bundl.run/apps/affinity-designer-2" } }, { "@type": "ItemList", "name": "Affinity Designer 2 Video Tutorials", "description": "Tutorial videos for learning Affinity Designer 2 on Mac", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "item": { "@type": "VideoObject", "name": "Affinity Designer 2: Tutorial for Beginners [2024]", "description": "----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 🔥VIDEO & GRAPHICS ASSETS ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 💻 MY ", "thumbnailUrl": "https://i.ytimg.com/vi/8y5CDmJSt8g/mqdefault.jpg", "uploadDate": "2024-01-09T17:00:10Z", "duration": "PT1H59M37S", "embedUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/embed/8y5CDmJSt8g", "interactionStatistic": { "@type": "InteractionCounter", "interactionType": "https://schema.org/WatchAction", "userInteractionCount": 276756 } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "item": { "@type": "VideoObject", "name": "Affinity Designer Tutorial | Complete Beginner’s Course", "description": "A complete beginner's guide to the Affinity Designer desktop application. If you're a new or first-time user then this is the video for you. By the end of this extensive lesson you will have everythin", "thumbnailUrl": "https://i.ytimg.com/vi/90gXByC8-Rs/mqdefault.jpg", "uploadDate": "2024-08-07T19:26:26Z", "duration": "PT45M58S", "embedUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/embed/90gXByC8-Rs", "interactionStatistic": { "@type": "InteractionCounter", "interactionType": "https://schema.org/WatchAction", "userInteractionCount": 94844 } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "item": { "@type": "VideoObject", "name": "Complete Beginners Guide To Affinity 2025 🔥", "description": "I’m Will Paterson. I run a brand identity agency in the North of England, and I teach graphic design on the internet. In this video I’m going to walk you through the brand new Affinity from absolute z", "thumbnailUrl": "https://i.ytimg.com/vi/lTeperbIZBc/mqdefault.jpg", "uploadDate": "2025-10-30T17:05:41Z", "duration": "PT27M16S", "embedUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/embed/lTeperbIZBc", "interactionStatistic": { "@type": "InteractionCounter", "interactionType": "https://schema.org/WatchAction", "userInteractionCount": 583823 } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "item": { "@type": "VideoObject", "name": "Affinity Designer - Tutorial for Beginners in 13 MINUTES! [ FULL GUIDE ]", "description": "[ 1.3K LIKES! ] Learn everything with this Affinity Designer tutorial in 13 mins! How to use Affinity Designer for beginners, good as Affinity Designer 2 tutorial as well. Enable SUBTITLES if you have", "thumbnailUrl": "https://i.ytimg.com/vi/IN5jnYXMPGg/mqdefault.jpg", "uploadDate": "2022-06-16T11:00:06Z", "duration": "PT13M56S", "embedUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/embed/IN5jnYXMPGg", "interactionStatistic": { "@type": "InteractionCounter", "interactionType": "https://schema.org/WatchAction", "userInteractionCount": 227978 } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 5, "item": { "@type": "VideoObject", "name": "Affinity Designer: The Comprehensive Guide for Beginners and Beyond", "description": "Hello Designers! and welcome to Affinity Designer: The Comprehensive Guide for Beginners and Beyond. This MEGA tutorial covers everything you need to become proficient in Affinity Designer. Whether yo", "thumbnailUrl": "https://i.ytimg.com/vi/MwXOeIqXHFk/mqdefault.jpg", "uploadDate": "2024-09-10T12:29:05Z", "duration": "PT4H50M50S", "embedUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/embed/MwXOeIqXHFk", "interactionStatistic": { "@type": "InteractionCounter", "interactionType": "https://schema.org/WatchAction", "userInteractionCount": 96933 } } } ], "numberOfItems": 5 } ] } ```