# Page 7 | Affinity Designer Reviews 2026. Verified Reviews, Pros & Cons | Capterra

> Page 7 - Is Affinity Designer the right Graphic Design solution for you? Explore 454 verified user reviews from people in industries like yours to make a confident choice.

Source: https://www.capterra.com/p/110533/WebPlus-X4/reviews

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Affinity Designer

4.7 (454)

[View alternatives](https://www.capterra.com/p/110533/WebPlus-X4/alternatives/)

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Last updated March 13th, 2026

# Page 7 - Reviews of Affinity Designer

## Showing most helpful reviews

Showing 151-175 of 454 Reviews

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Reviewer's Role

Length of Use

Frequency of Use

Jason N.  
Intelligence SME  
Design  
Used the software for: 1-2 years

### "Love this product"

August 26, 2018

5.0

BUY!

Pros

I make tshirt designs and Affinity designer is an incredibly effective tool for this. I regularly use it and find it to be almost as feature rich as adobe illustrator. Best of all, this is a one time fee for 50 dollars and you keep it for life. This is a great alternative to paying monthly for adobe products. Also - the company is constantly looking to make improvements on the software and has an active user community.

Cons

Some features from adobe illustrator aren't out yet, namely line tracing and a few others. I hope they continue to work on this product.

Review Source

Michael H.  
Web developer  
Information Technology and Services  
Used the software for: 6-12 months

### "A real Illustrator challenger "

October 19, 2021

5.0

I have found it to be refreshingly fast, and nice to use.

Pros

It’s fast, and very easy to install. The price is great - it’s surprisingly cheap for such a fully featured, regularly updated piece of software. Virtually all of the tools available in Adobe Illustrator are present.

Cons

Some tools are missing. Having a quick “Save for web” option is a big miss, but the export functions do work well. No mesh warp.

Alternatives considered

[Sketch](https://www.capterra.com/p/171364/Sketch/)

Reason for choosing Affinity Designer

I tried the demo, and preferred Designer.

Switched from

[Adobe Illustrator](https://www.capterra.com/p/227125/Adobe-Illustrator/)

Price

Review Source

Ronald A.  
Director  
Marketing and Advertising  
Used the software for: 1-2 years

### "Design Like a Graphic Designer"

July 30, 2020

5.0

For the first time in a long time I was able to design brochures, logos, and cutout masks for some photos where I needed to remove the backgrounds. Sometimes the backgrounds were too busy to use other software so I started trying Affinity Designer and now I'm working like a pro with it. I just love it.

Pros

It's easy to use and mostly intuitive. I like software that I can just jump into that's not too complicated. This is it.

Cons

In the beginning I looked for videos to learn certain things but eventually I came right on my own.

Review Source

Brent R.  
Owner  
Marketing and Advertising  
Used the software for: 6-12 months

### "The best Illustrator competition, but a clear second place"

November 30, 2018

5.0

I love a lot of things about Affinity Designer, and even though I have an active Adobe subscription, I will be keeping Designer around to use for icon work and some non-text logo work. It's very flexible, extremely affordable, and hash probably 75% of the functionality of Illustrator. Most people will get by fine. But if you need file compatibility, you'll be disappointed as I was.

Pros

I love how Affinity Designer was built from the ground up to address workflow and performance issues that Illustrator has suffered from. Designer is innovative and is very clearly the next closest competitor for Adobe Illustrator. Some things, like managing gradients, text, and shapes, is very well done and very slick.

Cons

Importing and exporting files to be used with Illustrator is not fun. If you're working in this industry, you're going to interact with others who use Illustrator. So the files need to be compatible. But with Designer, while you CAN import and export these files, you lose a lot. Layer effects don't translate well, font layers are turned into paths and no longer able to be edited as text, and you just end up having to redo a lot of work.

Review Source

Carlos A.  
Director Kandy CPaaS/UC Solutions Marketing  
Telecommunications  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "It has enhanced my productivity and streamlined my processes"

December 8, 2017

5.0

Pros

Intuitive tools, smart and simple layer controls, streamlined UI. The use of the machine resources is optimal and I particularly love the easy switch between Draw, Pixel and Export persona, that significantly accelerates the way I work. It is a one time purchase (not a subscription) so it has effectively replaced my previous vector illustrations editing software.

Cons

Export options are a little limited and it just misses a few key features to be able to replace my current publishing software and their announced Affinity Publisher keeps getting delayed. PDF export makes files that are heavier in filesize than other solutions, not an issue when exporting a PDF for print, but can be for PDFs for a website where each KB is key.

Review Source

Shreepurna J.  
Creative Manager  
Broadcast Media  
Used the software for: 6-12 months

### "Affinity - New Tool For Creative People"

February 12, 2021

4.0

I started using Affinity in January last year, it was hard to switch but quick to learn. I would recommend people to use Affinity more for their design process.

Pros

This application software is so easy to understand and use and a good replacement for Photoshop. People who are looking for an affordable and better way to design should switch to Affinity.

Cons

I think the Affinity is less popular and should be advertised to more among students and new startups who are looking for affordable to start their design process.

Switched from

[Adobe Creative Cloud](https://www.capterra.com/p/48969/Adobe-Creative-Cloud/)

More Affordable

Review Source

Sorin A.  
Digital Marketer  
Management Consulting  
Used the software for: 1-2 years

### "Photoshop killer?"

November 27, 2019

4.0

I've used Affinity Designer mainly to get away from the Adobe subscription model. I've not only found it much cheaper, but also more capable in a lot of sections. The UI feels natural. The app loads fast and I get things done. What can I say? Designing on a budget doesn't have to look cheap!

Pros

\- Affordable: It's a one price only, so you don't pay per month. How cool is that? - Fast: The app loads fast and graphical effects are quickly applied. Designing felt very easy. - Updates: Just like the big boys (Adobe), Affinity provides updates for the app. So you'll get more functionality and stability over time.

Cons

\- Features: It doesn't have all the bells and whistles of Photoshop and it probably will never have them. - Updates: We have to be honest - it's not updated as often as Adobe's counterpart. - Affinity: It's not such a mature company yet, so it's safe to say you need to be cautious about planning your entire design future with them.

Review Source

DA

Daniel A.  
Freelance Designer  
Arts and Crafts  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "Huge Value For Any Designer Seeking to Get Out of the Adobe Subscription Prison"

January 20, 2020

5.0

My overall experience with Affinity Designer has been very positive. The software has allowed me to create hundreds of vector designs with ease and I've saved hundreds of dollars getting out of the Adobe subscription model! I highly recommend the Affinity suite to any professional designer or photographer.

Pros

Affinity Designer allows you to create professional vector designs and illustrations without a lifetime subscription. It has won many accolades for it's ease of use and functionality from Apple and others in the design industry. For $50 you get the equivalent of an Adobe Illustrator AND support for pixel/raster designs alongside vector work.

Cons

Although the team Serif is constantly updating the software, Affinity Designer lacks some of the features that have been native to Illustrator for many years like vectorizing raster images or a scissors tool. This will often lead you to search for a workaround on the Affinity forums or YouTube.

Switched from

[Adobe Illustrator](https://www.capterra.com/p/227125/Adobe-Illustrator/)

No more monthly subscription fee!

Review Source

WS

Wil S.  
Sys Admin  
Information Technology and Services  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "Affinity Designer"

February 11, 2023

5.0

Great Software for designing logos and other vector graphics. A great alternative to the more expensive Adobe products

Pros

Great overall software and the Affinity Designer Software 2 with the universal license is even better.

Cons

I feel it has a slight learning curve coming from Adobe

Alternatives considered

[Inkscape](https://www.capterra.com/p/178240/Inkscape/)

Review Source

VR

Verified Reviewer  
Marketing  
Marketing and Advertising  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "Great Adobe Replacement"

January 28, 2019

4.0

Overall, this is a great tool for beginners. If you don't mind having dedicated iOS apps and working the cloud and just using this platform as a start, then I would highly recommend this.

Pros

I have used the Adobe Suite before - Illustrator included. At the time it seemed like you needed to use one platform, since that was the standard. However since these lower cost options became available, the standards are a bit blurred and everything is starting to become compatible. This is very easy to use and has a majority of the same features that Illustrator has ( for more than half the price)

Cons

Some of the tools - specifically text tools are lacking a little bit, there seem to be updates happening fairly often, which are addressing some of the problems.

Review Source

VR

Verified Reviewer  
Principal Content Strategist  
Health, Wellness and Fitness  
Used the software for: 1-2 years

### "A terrific alternative to Photoshop"

February 8, 2021

5.0

Very positive. I prefer to use it instead of Photoshop.

Pros

It's a well-designed application that makes it easy to create both pixel and vector based images. Plus, it offers terrific resources for learning how to get the most out of its features.

Cons

Some features do require a bit of a learning curve, especially if you're coming from Photoshop. However, there is a wealth of resources that both the developer and other users provide that makes it easy to solve issues fast.

Reason for choosing Affinity Designer

Cheaper and greater features.

Review Source

VR

Verified Reviewer  
editor  
Marketing and Advertising  
Used the software for: Less than 6 months

### "Alternativa decisamente più economica rispetto alla concorrenza che non manca di strumenti"

July 14, 2023

4.0

software che mi sento di consigliare assolutamente per la politica d'acquisto molto conveniente. non manca di funzionalità rispetto alla controparte adobe, ma l'ho utilizzato solo temporaneamente perchè abituato ad illustrator. vi invito a dargli una chance, perchè escludendo un fattore di pura abitudine, non rimpiangerete illustrator

Pros

prezzo decisamente più vantaggioso rispetto alla suite adobe, software fluido e bella interfaccia.

Cons

non ho usato tanto affinity designer perchè abituato a illustrator, ma per una pura questione di abitudine e non per altri motivi

Review Source

VR

Verified Reviewer  
Procurement Officer  
Telecommunications  
Used the software for: 1-2 years

### "Affinity Designer Honest Review"

August 15, 2019

5.0

Well, it helps a lot for me because every day, I need to make some post on my Facebook page, and this software is a blessing for me.

Pros

I was searching for software would be alternative to Photoshop, and I found "Affinity Designer" This software is so powerful. The most I like to this software is: It is a LIFETIME LICENSE. Very cost-effective to those beginners like me. Also, there's a lot of tutorials online, especially on YouTube.

Cons

Honestly, I don't see any cons so far, and I really love using it for my everyday task.

Review Source

JV

Janet V.  
Game Artist  
Computer Games  
Used the software for: 1-2 years

### "Great value for a low price"

March 30, 2021

5.0

Easy to get into and affordable.

Pros

Definitely the price. Affinity Designer is a rival for Adobe's Photoshop and it offers a much more reasonable one-time payment than Adobe's subscription service, which most will complain is even difficult to cancel. Using the vector persona was super easy for someone who hadn't done that type of art before. The fact that the pixel and vector persona are separated but in the same program is also pretty neat.

Cons

At this point, I have no complaints. Affinity Designer is a wonderful substitute for Adobe's products, which is what I assume most people are looking for.

Switched from

[Adobe Creative Cloud](https://www.capterra.com/p/48969/Adobe-Creative-Cloud/)

Adobe's subscription model is expensive and cancelling can be frustrating.

Review Source

HD

Hugo D.  
Marketing digital  
Marketing and Advertising  
Used the software for: 6-12 months

### "Affinity experience"

November 2, 2022

5.0

Pros

C'est un logiciel peu cher qui nécessite pas d'abonnementDe plus il est facile à prendre en main

Cons

N'est pas forcément intuitif pour un débutant mais avec des tutoriels on s'en sort très facilement

Review Source

AM

Antonio M.  
Owner  
Information Technology and Services  
Used the software for: 6-12 months

### "The best vector design software"

January 22, 2021

5.0

We use Designer for making everything related to vectors - from logos, to promotional images we put on T-shirts and coasters. It is amazingly easy to use and very resource friendly. It was also the cheapest option on the market, and coupled with being the best, I'd say it's a win-win situation.

Pros

Absolutely everything! Affinity Designer does everything one would expect from a vector design software for just a fraction of the price of the competitors.

Cons

There is nothing I found lacking in Affinity Designer! I believe I finally found a great competitor to the best known software in this field, and one that I will keep on using!

Review Source

Mxolisi K.  
Managing Director  
Design  
Used the software for: Less than 6 months

### "Affinity Designer is perfect for beginners"

September 21, 2018

5.0

The one major benefit and the reason I started using Affinity is the fact that its cheaper than Adobe Illustrator as you do only once-off payment compared to the monthly subscription you are tied to with Adobe.

Pros

This software is perfect for new and professional designers. It's easy to learn and understand and can go toe to toe with the best design software at a much lower price point. If you are familiar with any other design software you'll quickly get the hang of Affinity Designer. In the tool selection you are spoilt for choice, if you can think it chances are this software has a tool to bring it to life. Pen tool, pencil tool for custom shapes, brush tool and gradient tool to name a few. Affinity is amazing I definitely recommend it to you.

Cons

This software is easy to use, cheaper than the closest competitor and does everything at the same level if not better, there isn't anything I can think of as draw back or that I like the least its a well thought out software and is perfect for the work I do.

Review Source

Carlton R.  
Owner  
Design  
Used the software for: 1-2 years

### "Great Affordable Design Software"

February 12, 2019

5.0

Pros

Affinity Designer has thought through several of the most commonly used design features and enhanced them to make it faster and easier to use than most design software. It is affordable and has extensive font options.

Cons

The one thing that has frustrated me for a while is ​it does not have any live trace options. It would be great to have this​ option. The other thing is that the workspace organization​ complicated at times. overall it is easy to use though.

Review Source

Christian K.  
Programmer Analyst  
Information Technology and Services  
Used the software for: 1-2 years

### "Best Illusrator Replacement I've Found"

October 1, 2018

5.0

I use Affinity Designer on my MacBook Pro to design different graphics for websites and print media. I've been using it for just over a year now and have no desire to go back to Illustrator. I've created website icons, email graphics, t-shirt designs, and company logos in it and can say that it is a positive experience. Looking forward to getting an iPad and trying it out on that platform.

Pros

\- The biggest pro for me is the no subscription required! - The user interface and keyboard shortcuts feel familiar after being a Illustrator user for years. - Loads fast and renders bigger eps quickly. - Supports art boards to be able to have a single file with multiple designs within (useful when trying to make a matching icon/graphics set).

Cons

I've found a few minor bugs that had already been reported. Seems that they'll be fixed in the near future, but wish the updates would come a little faster.

Review Source

VR

Verified Reviewer  
Team Trainer  
Computer Software  
Used the software for: 6-12 months

### "Affinity Designer is a great replacement for Adobe Illustrator"

November 5, 2018

5.0

Affinity Designer is a great program and a great low one time price.

Pros

I love how it looks a lot like adobe's program but it has new things added on as well as is completely cheaper. There are no yearly subscriptions on this program which is a HUGE Plus. I love how this company affinity listens to its customers. I read a lot info in the forums. I'm just excited once they create a competitor to adobe lightroom.

Cons

I think they are limited on the programs they have currently but once the company builds competitive programs to adobe's programs, it would be smart to sell a bundle since currently they sell stuff individually.

Review Source

MK

Moussa K.  
Graphiste chez Guinea digital  
Internet  
Used the software for: 1-2 years

### "Affinity Designer review"

September 29, 2022

5.0

Affinity designer is a very good software to create advertising banners for your brand or product

Pros

What a great ad design software, I created my 1xbet fleyer with this software and I got a lot of traffic with my design

Cons

In fact the software is really perfect, no worries for the moment

Review Source

OH

Omar H.  
Machine Learning engineer - Intern  
Information Technology and Services  
Used the software for: 6-12 months

### "Great value for you money."

September 19, 2021

5.0

It has been extremely pleasant I must say. Despite the fact that I have very limited experience I was able to hit the ground running quickly and get things done with it at a fast pace.

Pros

I like a few things about this software. I love it's ease of use. I like that is extremely cheap when compared to the alternative and that it was a time purchase and not subscription based. I like that the fact that there are learning resources offered by the company for when you get stuck. I use it all the time. I use it for making YouTube video thumbnails, for editing my resume.... etc. I would absolutely recommend this software, it is cheap, reliable and a great investment .

Cons

There isn't a lot of things I dislike about this software. However I do have a very minor comment about the start-up time. It takes about 2-3 minutes sometimes to start-up. But this understandable of course considering that most software of that nature are quite large and require time to bootup, so it is a not a huge issue for me.

Review Source

VR

Verified Reviewer  
Co-Founder & Strategist  
Computer Games  
Used the software for: Less than 6 months

### "Adequate for my vector graphics needs, disappointed about lack of features."

June 23, 2020

3.0

It takes some getting used to, switching from Adobe Illustrator. The learning experience was fast for me, although there is not "much to learn" due to the lack of features. But overall, I am satisfied with this software because of all the value it provides.

Pros

I love that this is a one-time purchase software that is really cheap for small studios and freelancers. If you make any amount of money with design, there is no reason why you should not get Affinity Designer. Blazingly fast, you can scroll, zoom, and create designs super quickly and smoothly. I love the fact that you can use it for basic "Photoshop"y things as well.

Cons

The pathfinding options are clunky. Lack of useful features like "blend tool", "shape builder tool" Lack of basic features like a vector-based pattern fill. Edge artifacts when exporting.

Review Source

SK

Sahar K.  
Grafik Designerin  
Design  
Used the software for: 1-2 years

### "Affinity Designer / Photo & Publisher"

February 4, 2021

5.0

Perfekt für Professionelle Grafik Designer / im Bereich Corporate Design ( Logo / Magazine etc..) / Künstler / Photografen / Illustratoren

Pros

Diese App gehört dir nach dem Kauf, also kein Abo! Sie hat mehr zu bieten als die Adobe Programme von der Schnelligkeit des Arbeitsflows und Effizienz! Unter Mac OS X ist es möglich zwischen den verschieden Apps zu Switchen, genial - es spart enorm viel Zeit und die Dateien müssen nicht jedes Mal neu in das jeweilige Programm importiert werden. Es ist sehr einfach die Programme zu lernen/ intuitiv und übersichtliche Darstellung. 5 Sterne für diese Programme ich bin ausnahmslos begeistert !

Cons

Es gibt keine Nachteile der Programme von Affinity es wäre nur schön wenn es in Zukunft eine automatische Vektorisierung von Bitmap Dateien geben würde! Dafür muss ich im Moment ein anderes Programm nutzen.

Review Source

IEG

Ina Eliza G.  
Administrator  
Insurance  
Used the software for: 6-12 months

### "A great alternative to Illustrator."

August 28, 2019

5.0

I started to use Affinity Designer in order to wake up the creativity in me. I took several classes to learn how to use it - each class was having a certain project as a goal. It is not so difficult to learn and I think you learn best when you have a certain end in mind. If you are used with Illustrator, it will be very easy to use Affinity Designer. Some cannot give up using Illustrator, but if you are just beginning or on a tight budget, I really recommend Affinity Designer.

Pros

I like how much you get for the money you pay. It is a one-time payment, very budget-friendly, and you get a software that gives you everything you need to create what you have in mind: create a logo, write something or make an amazing artwork to print, to share. I am still amazed by the things that you can do with this software.

Cons

It is not that I don't like this, but you really need to put in the time and energy to learn it. And this was expected because you can create such amazing things with it. You can find tutorials and classes that will guide you. Just take your time and don't give up.

Switched from

[GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)](https://www.capterra.com/p/168960/GIMP/)

I just wanted a software that worked better, no crashes, had more option, was more organized and the same time was not a burden for my budget.

Review Source

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