I Tried Affinity for iPad, and I’m in Love With This App!

When I first got my iPad and Apple Pencil, one of the first things I downloaded was Adobe Illustrator. I loved being able to sit down, pick up the Pencil and create wherever I happened to be. There was just one problem: the monthly subscription. Eventually, I couldn’t justify the expense and started looking for alternatives that wouldn’t come with another recurring bill.

So you can imagine my excitement when I received an email announcing that Affinity was finally bringing its creative app to the iPad. Even better, the core app is free! I downloaded it, gave it a try, and I have to say, I’m impressed. My Apple Pencil finally has a new playground!

There’s something worth explaining about the name behind the app. Affinity was originally developed by British software company Serif, which Canva acquired in 2024. Canva now owns Affinity, but the two remain distinct products. Affinity is the professional creative application, while Canva is the company behind it. You need a free Canva account to sign in and use Affinity, but you don’t need a paid Canva subscription to access its main creative tools.

The iPad app brings sketching, vector design, photo editing and page layout together in one place. You can move from an initial drawing to a finished design without constantly switching applications or exporting files. Sketch Studio takes advantage of Apple Pencil pressure and tilt sensitivity, while Sketch to Shapes turns hand-drawn forms into clean vector shapes. The Mask Tool also helps with tricky selections, such as hair and fur. You can even work with RAW photographs and create multi-page projects, including brochures, zines and photo books.

This isn’t simply a desktop application squeezed onto a smaller screen. Affinity has been designed for touch, with support for Apple Pencil Pro features such as barrel roll, squeeze and hover. The iPad version does have some differences from desktop, though. Features such as Books, Batch, Data Merge, macro recording and Astrophotography Studio aren’t available on iPad at launch. Still, there’s an impressive amount of creative power packed into the app.

And then there’s Adobe. I’ve enjoyed using Illustrator, but I eventually walked away because I didn’t want another monthly subscription. I want to open an app, get creative and enjoy myself without worrying about the next bill. Affinity gives iPad users another serious option, combining tools that would normally require several separate applications. It’s no surprise that some users are calling it a wake-up call for Adobe. I can understand their reaction.

There are also Canva AI Studio features, including Generative Expand, image upscaling, motion blur reduction and noise reduction. Decompose Layer can separate a flat image into editable layers. These are optional extras that require a Canva Premium plan. The important distinction is that the core sketching, vector, photo editing and layout tools remain free for individuals. That’s a refreshing change in a world where so many creative applications seem to come with a monthly price tag.

I don’t mind paying for good software, but I don’t believe every creative tool needs to become a permanent monthly expense. And here’s one little thing I hope doesn’t happen: let’s hope Canva continues to invest in Affinity and gives it room to grow. We’ve finally got a serious alternative, and I’d much rather see it keep improving than disappear into another subscription maze.

For someone who enjoyed Illustrator on the iPad but eventually gave it up because of the cost, this is genuinely exciting. I’ve tried Affinity, and I’m already looking forward to spending more time with it. If you have an iPad and enjoy drawing, photography or graphic design, it’s well worth a look. You can find it through the App Store or visit Affinity’s official website.

I’ve found a new creative companion, and my Apple Pencil has found a new best friend. I have a feeling we’re going to be spending quite a bit of time together!