Affinity Photo has undergone a monumental transformation in late 2025, evolving from a paid perpetual-license application into the dedicated photo-editing engine within the newly unified, free-to-use Affinity creative suite. Now fully integrated with vector and layout tools under a single interface, it delivers professional-grade raster editing, non-destructive RAW processing, and unlimited layering without an upfront cost. This massive shift, following its acquisition by Canva, positions it as the premier subscription-free choice for creators who need industry-standard power on Windows 10 and 11, with optional advanced AI features available for those who need them.
Key Features
- Unified Studio Integration: Seamlessly switch between the Photo, Designer, and Publisher personas within a single application window, allowing you to edit images, create vector masks, and adjust page layouts without ever closing your document.
- Machine Learning Selections: Utilize advanced, local machine learning models to instantly isolate subjects and complex objects like hair or fur with a single click, ensuring your data stays private on your device.
- Non-Destructive RAW Editing: Process camera RAW files with ultimate control, retaining all shadow and highlight detail while applying live adjustments, lens corrections, and noise reduction that can be tweaked at any time.
- Canva AI Studio (Optional): For users needing generative capabilities, the integrated Canva AI Studio offers cloud-based tools like Generative Fill, Magic Expand, and auto-colorization, bridging the gap between desktop precision and AI creativity.
- Native Windows ARM64 Support: Fully optimized for the latest Windows hardware, including devices with Snapdragon X Elite chips, ensuring buttery-smooth performance even when composing massive multi-gigabyte projects.
- Live QR Code Generator: A new utility that lets you generate and embed functional QR codes directly into your image compositions, perfect for marketing materials and connected packaging designs.
Use Cases
This software is the ultimate solution for digital artists and photographers who demand professional layer-based editing without a mandatory monthly fee, as well as marketing creators who benefit from the seamless workflow between detailed photo retouching and graphic design layouts. It specifically targets Windows users seeking a high-performance alternative to Adobe Photoshop that respects privacy with local processing options.
With its core professional toolset now completely free and its performance optimized for modern Windows architecture, Affinity Photo V3 sets a new benchmark for accessibility and power in the creative industry.
Version 3.0.2 — December 2025
- Added improved Image Trace functionality, now delivering better results for images with transparency.
- Improved performance of typing when the context toolbar is undocked, eliminating previous lag.
- Improved reliability of "Export to Canva" workflows and startup stability in managed Windows environments.
- Fixed issue with PDF export where errors occurred if the "Tagged" option was enabled.
- Fixed issue in Canva AI where the Generative Expand Tool did not correctly utilize the last crop tool ratio.
- Fixed issue with Super Resolve failing to scale images correctly when the Initial Downsample was set to 1/3.
- Fixed issue where controls in the Develop Studio would occasionally fail to initialize or function as expected.
- Fixed various application crashes, including instances when zooming on macOS Ventura or using the color picker in a Studio without an open document on Windows.
