top of page
Search

Should You Choose Affinity Over Adobe?

  • Writer: Birkir Asgeirsson
    Birkir Asgeirsson
  • Mar 28
  • 3 min read

Updated: Nov 22


This post was originally written for Affinity V2 but has been updated for Affinity V3.


Affinity Studio

I’ve relied on powerful design tools my entire career. After years of dealing with Adobe’s rising prices, performance issues, and questionable business practices, I finally decided to try the Affinity ecosystem. This isn’t a sponsored post, just my experience after using Affinity.


And honestly? It’s been a breath of fresh air. Affinity is stable, beautifully designed, and, thanks to Canva’s acquisition, now free. Even better, Photo, Designer, and Publisher are combined into one unified app, making the workflow smoother than ever.


Adobe

Adobe has dominated the creative industry for years, but they’ve made a series of decisions that push professionals and hobbyists alike to seek alternatives. Here are a few major reasons why Adobe is losing favor:


1. Overpriced Subscription Model

Adobe no longer allows you to buy their software outright just like in the old days. Instead, you’re locked into a monthly or annual subscription. Even worse, if you decide to cancel your plan, you might be hit with an early termination fee. This is an anti-consumer practice that many users find frustrating.


2. Using Your Work to Train AI

Recently, Adobe has been accused of using customers' work to train their AI models without explicit consent. This raises serious ethical and privacy concerns, especially for professionals who create proprietary or sensitive content.


3. Performance Issues

Despite its high price, Adobe software is often bloated and slow. Many users experience lag, crashes, and memory leaks, even on high-end machines.


4. Bad Customer Support

Adobe’s customer support is notorious for being unhelpful. Users often report long wait times, ineffective responses, and difficulty resolving issues. When you’re paying a premium for a service, you should expect better support.


Affinity Suite

The Affinity Suite was already popular for being fast, affordable, and powerful, but Affinity V3 takes things to another level.


With Photo, Designer, and Publisher merged into one app, creatives can now switch between workflows instantly, without loading separate programs. And since Canva acquired Affinity, the software is now completely free, making it a no-brainer for creatives everywhere.


1. Free to Use — No Subscription

Affinity V3 costs nothing. No subscription. No one-time fee. No early cancellation penalties.

Just download and create.

2. Lightning-Fast, Stable Performance

Affinity has always been known for speed, and V3 continues that legacy. The app is lightweight, stable, and running smoothly.

3. No AI Training on Your Work

Affinity does not use your projects to train AI. Your files remain private and secure.

4. Easy Transition from Adobe

The interface feels familiar, the tools behave similarly, and most Adobe hotkeys still work.Plus, the app can open .PSD and .AI files, so you don’t lose access to your old projects.


The Downsides

No software is perfect, and Affinity does have its limitations:


  • No Advanced AI Features Yet – Adobe Firefly and other AI tools are becoming common in creative workflows. As of now, Affinity’s AI offerings are minimal. While some creatives see this as a good thing, the reality is that AI is a major part of the industry’s future. Affinity must adopt AI wisely to stay competitive.

  • Limited Tool Range - Affinity combines Photo, Designer, and Publisher, but there are still no official alternatives to Lightroom or After Effects.


Conclusion

Affinity V3 is one of the strongest Adobe alternatives ever made. It’s free, powerful, privacy-conscious, and streamlined, all without the weight of subscriptions or bloat. While it lacks advanced AI tools and a broader software lineup, it delivers incredible value for designers and photographers.

If Canva expands the Affinity ecosystem further, Adobe may finally face real competition.


Pros

  • Free, no subscription or hidden fees.

  • Smooth learning curve for Adobe users.

  • Fast and stable performance.

  • Doesn’t use your work for AI training.

  • Unified app combining Photo, Designer & Publisher.


Cons

  • Limited AI tools.

  • No direct replacement for Lightroom or After Effects for example.


Adobe alternetives


I highly recommend Affinity, especially for designers and photographers looking for a reliable, free alternative to Adobe. If they expand their software lineup, they could become an even stronger competitor in the creative industry.


What are your thoughts on Affinity vs. Adobe? Have you made the switch yet?

 
 
bottom of page