Canva frees Affinity tools for iPad users

Canva has released the Affinity creative suite for iPad, making its professional vector, photo, and layout tools available to users at no initial cost. The new application is optimized for touchscreens and Apple Pencil input, allowing designers to work with pro-grade software directly on their tablets. This move extends the company’s design portfolio beyond the desktop, where it relaunched the suite as a unified application last year.

The timeline of Affinity’s integration into Canva’s ecosystem began in 2024 when Canva acquired Serif, the developer of the software. At that time, the acquisition raised questions about the product’s future pricing and feature set. Canva and Serif promised that the software would not immediately shift to a subscription-only model. The company has maintained that promise, keeping the core tools accessible without a recurring fee for individual users.

The iPad version introduces a specific Sketch Studio designed for freehand drawing. This mode includes tools that help simplify the process of turning rough sketches into clean vector shapes. It also features optimized masking tools. The app supports the full range of Apple Pencil Pro capabilities, including pressure sensitivity, tilt, barrel roll, and hover functions. These features give artists more control over their tools and shortcuts.

Neil Ladkin, the product design head at Affinity, stated that the development team prioritized the needs of people who create on iPads. “Every development decision was made by people who create on iPad themselves, from how the Apple Pencil responds to where the tools sit,” Ladkin said. He added that the app is built for users who might rotate their canvases repeatedly to perfect a single line.

File compatibility remains a key feature of the update. Users can save sketch, vector, photo, and layout projects within a single .af file. This reduces the need to export or convert files between different programs. The app also supports other major design file types. Canva has integrated its AI Studio into the iPad application. This includes features like Generative Expand for extending backgrounds, automatic motion blur, noise reduction, and image resolution scaling.

The pricing structure for Affinity on iPad is tiered. The core tools for sketching, vector design, photo editing, and layout are free for individuals. Users must create a free Canva account to access these basic functions. The AI tools are optional and require a separate Canva Pro subscription. That plan starts at $18 per month. The app is available for download now on compatible iPad devices.

The release follows Canva’s strategy of bundling different creative tools under one brand. By offering the desktop-grade features of Affinity on a mobile platform for free, Canva competes directly with other design applications on the App Store. The addition of AI features provides an upsell path for users who need advanced editing capabilities. The core suite remains free, preserving the original appeal of the software for those who prefer a one-time or no-cost model.