- Designers describe loss of Affinity forums as major creative setback
- Many users fear that recurring payments could replace Affinity’s affordable one-time purchase model.
- Canva acquisition has raised questions about Affinity’s independence and design philosophy
The creative community is uneasy as Affinity’s official store and forums go dark, leading to speculation that the popular photo editor and design suite may be moving toward a subscription model similar to Adobe products.
The abrupt pause in shopping, combined with a cryptic message promising that “creative freedom is coming,” has left many wondering what the future holds.
Canva’s acquisition of Affinity in 2024 may be starting to reshape the once-only software lineup.
Sudden silence fuels user anxiety
Affinity’s decision to disable new purchases and close its official forums without a clear explanation has caused concern among long-time users.
Designers active on the r/graphic_design subreddit describe the situation as chaotic, citing the disappearance of the mobile app and the lack of a migration plan.
One user lamented the loss of “a decade of software and design support” when the forums went offline.
Another admitted to feeling “a terrible feeling that I’m going to have to abandon other software and a company I loved.”
These frustrations reflect broader industry dissatisfaction with subscription-based models.
Adobe’s shift toward cloud-based plans and AI integration alienated some professionals, and Affinity users now fear a similar outcome.
Many see the disappearance of direct purchase options as a warning sign that the company could soon introduce recurring fees.
Since acquiring Affinity in 2024, Canva has left the suite’s pricing and functionality largely unchanged.
However, speculation is growing that Canva could now be preparing to align Affinity with its AI-powered platform.
Some believe the upcoming “Affinity 3” update could integrate Canva’s AI tools in a bid to compete with Adobe’s generative features.
Optimists argue that this could improve efficiency for users of the best free photo editing tools, while skeptics warn that it may weaken the professional standards that once set Affinity apart from its competitors.
The vague promise of “true creative freedom” has not reassured users.
Many believe the phrase indicates a marketing shift rather than a genuine user-focused improvement.
Although Canva and Affinity previously committed to fair pricing and accessibility, the secrecy surrounding the current changes has raised questions.
Through creative blog
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