Affinity Designer vs Linearity Curve
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.
Linearity Curve is a vector graphics editor built for illustrators, brand designers, and motion artists who want a fluid, modern alternative to legacy desktop tools. It combines a pen and node-based drawing toolkit with pressure-sensitive brushes, mesh-style gradients, and an Auto Trace tool that converts raster images into editable vector paths. The app runs natively on Mac, iPad, and iPhone with layouts tuned to each device, and includes AI-assisted tools such as background removal and a magic eraser for quick cleanup work. Files can round-trip with Figma, Illustrator, and Sketch, and the software includes CMYK support and PDF editing for teams producing both print and digital assets.
- 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
- Native touch and Apple Pencil support on iPad/iPhone
- Fast, modern interface compared to legacy vector tools
- AI tools speed up background removal and image tracing
- Cross-compatible with Figma, Illustrator, and Sketch files
- 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
- No Windows or Linux desktop app
- Full feature set requires a paid plan
- Smaller plugin/extension ecosystem than older incumbents
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Professional vector design tools, now part of Canva's free unified Affinity app.
The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataAffinity Designer offers a free, all‑in‑one vector/photo/layout app tied to Canva, while Linearity Curve provides a paid, native Apple‑focused vector tool with stronger touch/Pencil support and broader file compatibility.
Key differences
- •Cost model: Affinity Designer is free; Linearity Curve requires a subscription.
- •Platform support: Affinity works on desktop (no OS specified) and requires a Canva account; Linearity is native to macOS, iPadOS, and iPhoneOS only.
- •AI features: Affinity’s AI tools need a paid Canva subscription, whereas Linearity includes AI background removal and auto‑trace in its core offering.
- •File compatibility: Linearity explicitly imports/exports Figma, Illustrator, and Sketch files; Affinity lists SVG, PDF, PSD but no mention of those formats.
- •Collaboration: Affinity integrates with Canva’s asset management and collaboration ecosystem; Linearity has no stated collaboration integration.
Pricing & value
Affinity Designer is free to use; Linearity Curve requires a paid subscription.
Ease of use / learning curve
Linearity is built natively for Apple devices with touch and Pencil support, offering a modern interface.
Features & depth
Linearity includes pressure‑sensitive brushes, mesh gradients, PDF editing, and AI tools without extra subscription.
Integrations & ecosystem
Linearity lists direct compatibility with Figma, Illustrator, Sketch; Affinity only integrates with Canva.
Collaboration
Affinity ties into Canva’s asset management and collaboration features; Linearity has no collaboration integrations mentioned.
Scalability / lock‑in
Affinity’s free base app avoids per‑seat licensing; Linearity’s subscription may increase cost as team grows.
Support & updates
Affinity is backed by Canva’s ongoing development cadence; Linearity’s support details are not specified.
Choose Affinity Designer if…
Teams needing a zero‑cost, Canva‑linked design suite and no Apple‑only requirement.
Choose Linearity Curve if…
Apple‑centric designers who want native touch/Pencil tools, richer file compatibility, and built‑in AI features.
Common questions
Is there any cost to start using Affinity Designer?
No, the core vector, photo, and layout tools are free; advanced AI features require a paid Canva subscription.
Can Linearity Curve run on Windows or Linux?
No, Linearity Curve is only available as native apps for macOS, iPadOS, and iPhoneOS.
Which tool offers better compatibility with existing Figma or Illustrator files?
Linearity Curve explicitly supports import/export of Figma, Illustrator, and Sketch files; Affinity Designer lists SVG, PDF, PSD only.