Affinity vs Graphite

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.

Graphite is a free, open-source vector graphics editor and animation engine available in alpha. Its current emphasis is vector art and graphic design, while raster editing remains a limited, experimental set of tools. Users can switch between layer-based editing and a procedural node graph, where artwork is represented so parameters can be adjusted and workflows reused or shared. The site says artwork can be zoomed and exported at any size, with raster brushes, masks, filters, and effects rendered in full detail. Graphite runs locally on the user’s hardware without a server and is described as a lightweight offline web app; a desktop app is also available. Supported platforms are Linux, macOS, web, and Windows. Scalable raster compositing remains experimental, and real-time collaboration is not available. Graphite describes itself as a community-built free-software project funded by its community. Its manual points users to Discord or GitHub discussions for help, and GitHub also hosts project discussions and source code.