- Designers describe loss of Affinity Forums as major creative setback
- Many users fear that recurring payments will replace Affinity’s affordable one-time purchase model.
- Canva acquisition raised doubts about Affinity’s independence and design philosophy
The creative community is uneasy as Affinity’s official store and forums go dark, leading to speculation that the popular photo editor and design suite may be moving toward a subscription model similar to Adobe’s products.
The abrupt pause in shopping, combined with a cryptic message promising that “creative freedom is coming,” has many people wondering what the future holds.
Canva’s acquisition of Affinity in 2024 could begin to reshape the once-single-purchase software lineup.
Sudden silence fuels user anxiety
Affinity’s decision to disable new purchases and close its official forums without a clear explanation has sparked concern among longtime users.
Designers active on the r/graphic_design subreddit describe the situation as chaotic, citing the disappearance of the mobile app and the lack of a migration plan.
One user lamented the loss of “a decade of software and design support” as the forums went offline.
Another admitted to feeling “the horrible feeling of having to abandon yet another software and company that I loved.”
These frustrations reflect broader industry dissatisfaction with subscription-based models.
Adobe’s move toward cloud-based plans and AI integration has alienated some professionals, and Affinity users now fear a similar outcome.
The disappearance of direct purchase options is seen by many as a warning sign that the company may soon introduce recurring fees.
Since acquiring Affinity in 2024, Canva has largely left the suite’s pricing and features unchanged.
However, speculation is growing that Canva may now be preparing to align Affinity with its AI-powered platform.
Some speculate that the upcoming “Affinity 3” update could incorporate Canva’s AI tools in a bid to compete with Adobe’s generative features.
Optimists say it could improve the efficiency of users of the best free photo editing tools, while skeptics warn it could weaken the professional standards that once distinguished Affinity from its competitors.
The vague promise of “true creative freedom” did not reassure users.
Many believe this phrase signals a marketing shift rather than true user-centered improvement.
Although Canva and Affinity have previously committed to maintaining fair pricing and accessibility, the secrecy surrounding the current changes has raised doubts.
Via Creative block
Follow TechRadar on Google News And add us as your favorite source to get our news, reviews and expert opinions in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!
And of course you can too follow TechRadar on TikTok for news, reviews, unboxings in video form and receive regular updates from us on WhatsApp Also.
