8 things to consider when switching to Affinity

Monday 24 November 2025, 15:15 by Nando Harmsen | 6,134 views | 20 comments

This article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.

With the introduction of Affinity as free graphics software, it may be tempting to use it instead of Adobe's software. Are you considering the switch? Then it is worth keeping a few things in mind. I have listed them here.

The new Affinity by Canva costs absolutely nothing. That makes switching attractive. For example, from Adobe, where, as you know, you pay an annual fee. That makes a considerable difference.

Affinity by Canva combines three programmes. A vector-based programme such as Adobe Illustrator. A layout programme such as Adobe InDesign, and a pixel-editing programme such as Adobe Photoshop.

The latter is the most interesting one for photographers, although InDesign can also be useful when designing, for example, a photobook. The advantage of Affinity is that you do not have to switch between different programmes.

For this article, I am focusing on switching from Photoshop to Affinity. However, these points also apply to switching from Illustrator or InDesign.

1. You need to take time to learn

Although Affinity looks a lot like Photoshop, it is not exactly the same. Tools are in different places, and the appearance is slightly different. You have to find your way around Affinity.

This takes time, which means that working smoothly with Affinity is not possible overnight.

Are you used to working in a certain way in Photoshop? Then you have to learn to do this in Affinity now. Give yourself time to do that.

2. File formats

Affinity works with a new file format that is unique to Affinity. These files cannot yet be opened in other software, should you use it. Keep this in mind, especially when working on a project with several people.

This does not have to be a problem, because Affinity can read a very large number of other file formats. Files created in Photoshop can simply be opened. And you can also save files in Affinity as a Photoshop file. Or a Tiff, or any other format.

3. Not everything from Photoshop is built in

Affinity is not Photoshop. There are functions you may use in Photoshop that are not supported by Affinity.

These include smart objects and AI-generated content. Affinity may rasterise them and show them as the final result, but they can no longer be edited. This does not have to be a problem, but it is something to keep in mind.

There are other functions in Photoshop that are not supported by Affinity, such as a timeline. Check what you use in Photoshop and whether it is available in Affinity, so that you are well prepared for the switch.

4. Raw workflow

With Adobe, you have Adobe Camera Raw, which saves edits made to a Raw file as a small separate XML document. This is read every time you open the Raw file again. Affinity does not work this way.

Affinity can handle Raw files, but you have to save this as a separate Affinity file. Every edited Raw photo therefore creates a separate file.

If you want to be able to adjust the edits later, bear in mind that such a photo file can easily take up ten times as much hard drive space. More than 300 MB per photo is not unusual.

It is also good to know that every photo has to be opened, edited and saved separately. This makes editing many Raw files very time-consuming and difficult. Affinity is not the best choice for this kind of work.

5. Not everything is free

Affinity is free. You do not have to pay anything for it. However, if you want to use Canva AI, there is an annual fee. This gives you functions such as upscaling, portrait lighting, canvas expansion, and much more.

It is possible that future additions will also cost money. Do you use these functions, or do you think you will need them? Then Affinity is no longer free.

The basic functions of Affinity will remain free, it has been promised. If you do not use AI, for whatever reason, you can assume that Affinity will simply remain free.

6. Fonts

Adobe provides a large number of fonts. Do you use text, for example when making photobooks or on a photo itself? Then keep in mind that only a limited number of fonts are available.

Do you use several fonts, or would you like a wider choice of fonts? Then you may have to download fonts from an external supplier. These are usually not free.

This can also cause problems if you have 'old' Photoshop or InDesign documents with a variety of fonts. Check carefully whether this applies to you.

If you still have Creative Cloud installed, the fonts will also be visible in Affinity. Once you cancel Creative Cloud, these fonts will no longer be on the computer.

7. Quality of Canva AI

Canva AI is only available if you buy a Canva Premium plan. This recurring annual fee gives you access to various AI tools.

I do not have personal experience with it, but people say that the Canva AI tools are not very good. Especially when you compare them with, for example, the tools in Photoshop or Topaz.

It is certainly possible that this will improve in the near future. How useful the current AI tools in the paid plan are is something you will have to find out for yourself.

8. Wait before cancelling your Creative Cloud subscription

It may be tempting to get rid of your Adobe subscription straight away. Wait a little before doing that. You may still need to go back to Photoshop 'quickly'.

As you become more familiar with Affinity and are happy with it, it is time to cancel the subscription. Check carefully when the subscription expires. Especially if you paid for a year and still have six months left.

Are you thinking of switching as a photographer?

Affinity is not a replacement for Lightroom, for example. It does not offer a catalogue function for managing your photos. It is intended for editing and manipulating individual graphic files, including photos.

If you want to use Affinity for Raw photos as a photographer, consider using a catalogue programme and a raw editor alongside Affinity.

Are you thinking of switching to Affinity as a photographer? Then I would like to hear why or why not. Share your opinion below this post.

Switching is a very personal choice. Naturally, you want that choice to be respected. That also means respecting the opinions of others. Keep that in mind when commenting.

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