Top 10 Alternatives to Affinity Designer in 2025: A Comprehensive Comparison

As Affinity Designer remains a popular choice for graphic design, 2025 has introduced numerous powerful alternatives, each presenting unique features and capabilities. Whether you're searching for specialized tools, better pricing, or enhanced integration, this article explores the top 10 Affinity Designer alternatives, comparing them on key data points like pricing, ease of use, use cases, and target audience.

Boost Your SEO by Getting Featured in Our Blogs and get a backlink.

We publish content about startups, education, tech, funding, etc. that ranks well not only in Google but also in Perplexity, ChatGPT, Grok and other AI tools.

👉 Get featured now!

1. Adobe Illustrator

Pricing: Subscription-based, typically part of the Adobe Creative Cloud. Approximately $22.99/month as a standalone app or part of a larger Creative Cloud subscription.
Features: Robust drawing tools, advanced typography options, excellent color management, integration with other Adobe apps, cloud syncing, AI-powered features like font recognition and mockup creation.
User Reviews: Generally positive, praised for its powerful features and industry recognition (4.6/5 on G2). However, some users find it expensive and slower to reach ROI compared to alternatives.
Best For: Professional designers, illustrators, and anyone needing a comprehensive vector graphics solution.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, iPad.
Learn more about Adobe Illustrator

2. CorelDRAW Graphics Suite

Pricing: Available via subscription or one-time purchase. Subscription plans start around $249/year, or a one-time purchase of $649.
Features: Comprehensive set of tools for vector and bitmap editing, page layout, font management, live sketching, AI-powered image upscaling and effects, strong file compatibility.
User Reviews: Solid reviews, known for its versatility and feature-rich environment (4.3/5 on G2).
Best For: Graphic designers, marketers, and creative professionals needing a broad range of design tools.
Platforms: Windows, macOS
Explore CorelDRAW Graphics Suite

Get your FREE Landing Page Analysis!

Insert your landing page link and get a super useful analysis and easy fixes to get more clicks!

👉 Get Your Analysis Here!

3. Sketch

Pricing: Subscription-based. Plans start from around $10/month.
Features: Lightweight and easy-to-use, powerful vector editing tools, symbol libraries, collaboration features, prototyping tools, cloud syncing.
User Reviews: High ratings, praised for its speed, flexibility, and focus on UI/UX design (4.5/5 on G2).
Best For: UI/UX designers, web designers, and mobile app developers.
Platforms: macOS
Discover Sketch

4. Inkscape

Pricing: Completely free.
Features: A wide array of vector drawing tools, node editing, path operations, text handling, transparency effects, and support for various file formats, including SVG.
User Reviews: Generally well-regarded for being a free and feature-rich option, suitable for both beginners and professionals (4.4/5 on G2).
Best For: Users on a budget, hobbyists, and professionals needing a powerful free vector graphics tool.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux.
Check out Inkscape

5. Gravit Designer

Pricing: Free, with a pro version available (Corel Vector Pro) for a monthly fee.
Features: Comprehensive set of vector tools, including pen tools, shape creation, Boolean operations, and non-destructive editing. Cross-platform functionality, cloud saving, and various export options.
User Reviews: Good user reviews, particularly for its ease of use and accessibility (4.2/5 on G2).
Best For: Beginners, hobbyists, and anyone seeking a free, flexible vector graphics editor.
Platforms: Web-based, Windows, macOS, Linux.
Explore Gravit Designer

Validate your startup idea with the unique borrowed authority approach: we publish articles about your product in our blog and you get traffic and testers for your MVP

Prove Market Demand: See real organic traffic and waitlist conversions

Unlock High-Potential Keywords: Receive a curated list of top-performing keywords directly from Google Search Console data.

Estimate Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC): Gain financial foresight with an estimated CAC based on real keyword performance data.

🔗 Start validating your startup now

6. Canva

Pricing: Free version available, with paid plans (Canva Pro) starting around $15/month.
Features: A huge library of templates, images, and fonts, easy drag-and-drop interface, collaboration tools, good for social media graphics, presentations, and marketing materials.
User Reviews: Very popular for its ease of use, extensive templates, and suitability for non-designers (4.7/5 on G2).
Best For: Beginners, non-designers, social media marketers, and small businesses.
Platforms: Web-based, iOS, Android.
Discover Canva

7. Lunacy

Pricing: Free.
Features: Faster than Figma, smarter than Sketch, focuses on UI/UX and web design, with real-time collaboration, cross-platform, built-in assets.
User Reviews: Positive feedback from users who appreciate its speed, simplicity, and focus on UI/UX workflows (4.4/5 on G2).
Best For: UI/UX designers looking for a free alternative to Sketch or Figma.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux.
Explore Lunacy

8. GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

Pricing: Completely free.
Features: Powerful photo editing and image manipulation tools, customizable interface, support for various plugins, and features for graphic design experimentation.
User Reviews: Well-regarded for its free and powerful capabilities (4.4/5 on Capterra).
Best For: Users seeking a free, feature-rich image editing tool for photo retouching and graphic design.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux.
Discover GIMP

9. Adobe Photoshop

Pricing: Subscription-based, part of Adobe Creative Cloud. Around $22.99/month.
Features: Extensive tools for photo retouching, compositing, digital painting, and graphic design, AI-powered features, layers, brushes, filters, and a vast ecosystem of plugins.
User Reviews: Highly praised for its capabilities and industry standard, with strong user reviews (4.8/5 on Capterra). However, can be expensive.
Best For: Professional photographers, digital artists, and graphic designers who focus on raster-based workflows.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, iPad.
Learn more about Adobe Photoshop

10. Linearity Curve

Pricing: Free plan available, with paid Pro plans starting at around $15/month.
Features: Vector drawing tools, real-time collaboration, cloud support, and AI-powered features, as well as built-in assets.
User Reviews: Solid user reviews, praised for its speed and ease of use (4.4/5 on G2).
Best For: Designers looking for a modern vector graphics tool, especially for UI design.
Platforms: macOS, iPad.
Discover Linearity Curve

This list should provide you with a comprehensive overview of some of the top alternatives to Affinity Designer in 2025, covering various needs and budgets. Remember to explore the free trials or free versions of these tools to find the best fit for you before making a commitment.

Join ElonaHunt (like ProductHunt but for women) and explore the coolest women-focused startups out there!

Discover your next big inspiration and connect with like-minded female entrepreneurs!

👉 Join the Hunt Here

FAQ

1. What are some top alternatives to Affinity Designer in 2025?

Several great alternatives exist, including Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW Graphics Suite, Sketch, Inkscape, Gravit Designer, Canva, Lunacy, GIMP, Adobe Photoshop, and Linearity Curve. Explore these alternatives

2. How much does Adobe Illustrator cost compared to Affinity Designer?

Adobe Illustrator is subscription-based and typically costs around $22.99/month, whereas Affinity Designer follows a different pricing structure. Learn more about Adobe Illustrator

3. Can I use CorelDRAW Graphics Suite on both Windows and macOS platforms?

Yes, CorelDRAW Graphics Suite is available for both Windows and macOS platforms, offering a versatile design suite for various graphics needs. Discover CorelDRAW Graphics Suite

4. Which alternative to Affinity Designer is best for UI/UX design?

Sketch is highly recommended for UI/UX design, focusing specifically on interface design and featuring robust collaboration tools. Explore Sketch

5. Is Inkscape a good free alternative to Affinity Designer?

Yes, Inkscape is a solid free and open-source alternative, offering a wide array of vector drawing tools suitable for both beginners and professionals. Learn more about Inkscape

6. What makes Canva a user-friendly option for non-designers?

Canva offers a drag-and-drop interface, a huge library of templates, and collaboration tools, making it accessible for beginners and non-designers. Discover Canva

7. Is there a free vector graphics software similar to Affinity Designer?

Lunacy is a free vector graphics software focused on UI/UX design, featuring real-time collaboration and built-in assets. Explore Lunacy

8. What are the best features of Linearity Curve as an alternative to Affinity Designer?

Linearity Curve is known for its user-friendly interface, vector drawing tools, real-time collaboration, and AI-powered features, ideal for modern design. Learn more about Linearity Curve

9. Is GIMP suitable for graphic design and photo retouching?

Yes, GIMP is a powerful free and open-source tool for photo editing and graphic design, featuring extensive editing tools and plugin support. Discover GIMP

10. What is the pricing for CorelDRAW Graphics Suite as an alternative to Affinity Designer?

CorelDRAW Graphics Suite is available via subscription starting around $249/year or a one-time purchase of $649. Learn more about CorelDRAW Graphics Suite

About the Author

Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.

Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).

She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.

For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.

About the Publication

Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.

Mission and Purpose

Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.

Key Features

The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:

Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials

Impact and Growth

Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:

3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
100+ startup tools built
5,000+ pieces of articles and news written

Partnerships

Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.

Recognition

Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.