Adobe Illustrator vs Affinity

Adobe Illustrator creates vector graphics such as logos, icons, drawings, typography, and illustrations for print, web, video, and mobile. Its artwork uses points, lines, and curves, so it can scale up or down without pixel blurring. Pen, Curvature, Pencil, and Shape Builder tools create and edit lines, curves, and complex shapes. Generative Shape Fill and Text to Vector Graphic add AI-assisted creation, while Text to Pattern and Generative Recolor support custom patterns and color palettes. The Font Browser offers filtering, and font libraries sync across Adobe apps. Illustrator vectors can be imported into After Effects while preserving layer structure. The product has desktop and mobile apps and is listed for iOS, macOS, web, and Windows. Illustrator requires a membership and has no free plan. The individual Illustrator plan is $22.99 a month, billed annually monthly, and lists 100GB cloud storage, 25 monthly generative credits, Adobe Express Premium, and a seven-day free trial. Desktop use requires an internet connection at least once every 99 days to validate membership. Desktop requirements for version 30.0 and later include Windows 10/11 or macOS 13 through 26, with 8GB RAM minimum and 16GB recommended.

Affinity is a desktop creative app combining vector design, pixel editing and page layout in one application. Individuals can use its Pixel, Vector and Layout tools without payment or tool restrictions, and the free plan includes export tools and Canva integration. A free Canva account is required to download and use Affinity; Canva premium is needed for Canva AI tools inside the app. It runs on Windows and macOS and is optimized for Apple silicon and Intel on macOS. Imported PSD, AI, IDML and DWG files can retain their layers and structure. Finished assets can be exported to Canva for live collaboration and campaigns, while designs can be imported into Cavalry for animation. After download and license activation, Affinity can be used offline. Help, lessons, stock libraries, Canva integrations and AI tools require an internet connection. The app can be installed on as many devices as desired, and the site says it will receive free updates. An iPad version is being built, with no release date announced.