Affinity Designer vs Gravit Designer
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Affinity Designer was long known as a one-time-purchase alternative to Illustrator for precise vector illustration and UI design. After Canva acquired Affinity, it retired the separate Designer, Photo, and Publisher apps in October 2025 and merged them into a single application called Affinity, with the old Designer functionality living on as its Vector Studio. As of 2026, the core Affinity app -- including vector, pixel, and page layout studios -- is free to use with a Canva account, ending the previous one-time license model entirely. Premium AI features such as generative fill and background removal require an eligible paid Canva plan, but the core design toolset carries no subscription or per-seat fee.
Gravit Designer is a cross‑platform vector graphics editor that lets you create logos, UI mockups, illustrations, and print layouts. Its intuitive UI works in the browser and as a native desktop app, offering a smooth workflow for designers of any skill level. The free tier provides a robust set of tools, while the Pro subscription unlocks advanced export options, cloud storage, and premium assets. Gravit Designer supports SVG, PDF, and raster exports, making it suitable for both web and print projects.
- Core professional design toolset is now free to use
- Combines vector, photo, and layout tools in one app
- No more per-seat licensing for the base application
- Backed by Canva's ongoing development and update cadence
- Free tier offers a full set of core vector tools.
- Runs in any modern browser and as native desktop apps.
- Extensive export options including SVG and PDF.
- Intuitive UI suitable for beginners and pros alike.
- Standalone perpetual-license Designer no longer exists for those who preferred the old model
- Advanced AI features require a paid Canva subscription
- Requires a Canva account even for the free tier
- Advanced features require a paid Pro subscription.
- Limited collaboration tools compared to dedicated team platforms.
- No native mobile apps for on‑the‑go editing.
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Professional vector design tools, now part of Canva's free unified Affinity app.
The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataBoth tools offer free core vector design, but Gravit Designer adds a paid Pro tier for advanced assets, while Affinity Designer is free but ties you to a Canva account and charges for AI extras.
Key differences
- •Gravit Designer runs in browsers and as native desktop apps; Affinity Designer is desktop‑only.
- •Affiliation with Canva means Affinity requires a Canva account and links to Canva’s ecosystem; Gravit uses Google Drive/Dropbox.
- •Advanced collaboration in Gravit is limited to public links; Affinity relies on Canva’s collaboration tools, not detailed here.
- •Gravit’s free tier includes full core vector tools; Affinity’s free tier also includes core tools but AI features need a paid Canva subscription.
Pricing & value
Gravit offers a free tier and a paid Pro upgrade; Affinity is free but charges for AI features via Canva.
Ease of use / learning curve
Both provide intuitive UI for beginners and pros; no specific data shows one is easier.
Features & depth
Affinity combines vector, photo, and layout studios in one app, offering broader toolset than Gravit’s vector‑only focus.
Integrations & ecosystem
Affinity integrates tightly with Canva’s asset management; Gravit only lists Google Drive, Dropbox, Adobe Fonts.
Collaboration
Gravit provides cloud sync and public link sharing; Affinity’s collaboration details are not specified.
Scalability
Gravit’s cloud sync and team‑oriented Pro subscription support scaling; Affinity’s scalability not described.
Support
Gravit lists email, knowledge base, and community forum; Affinity only mentions no specific support channels.
Choose Affinity Designer if…
Designers who want an all‑in‑one desktop app and Canva ecosystem integration.
Choose Gravit Designer if…
Freelancers or small teams needing browser access, simple collaboration, and optional paid upgrades.
Common questions
Is there any cost to start using either tool?
Both have free tiers; Gravit’s advanced Pro features require payment, while Affinity’s AI tools need a paid Canva subscription.
Can I work on designs from a mobile device?
Gravit has no native mobile apps; Affinity Designer is desktop‑only, so neither supports on‑the‑go mobile editing.
Which tool offers better collaboration for a small team?
Gravit provides cloud sync and public link sharing for viewing/commenting; Affinity’s collaboration features are not detailed.