Canva announced the availability of the Affinity application for iPad devices, in a new expansion of the professional design ecosystem that the company has been developing since its acquisition of Serif, the original developer of Affinity software.
The new version was launched on Monday, November 2, 2026, to provide vector design and editing tools Photos, drawing, and pages within a unified app optimized for touch and Apple Pencil interaction.
The step gains its importance from providing basic creative tools for free to individual users, which opens the way for a wider category of designers to benefit from capabilities that were previously associated with... Usually with high-cost professional applications or periodic subscriptions.
The Verge
Affinity is moving from the desktop to the iPad experience
Canva has reintroduced Affinity on PC as an app that brings together a wide range of professional design tools, rather than the traditional separation of photo editing Vector graphics and page layout.
The iPad version aims to transfer this method to a more flexible environment, especially for designers who rely on direct drawing or need to review their work on the go.
The user can work with vector elements, images and designs Multiple layers within a single workspace, without having to move the project between different applications at each stage.
The application also supports the .af file format, which allows working on multiple creative elements within the same project.
Sketch Studio focuses on drawing with a pen
One of the most notable additions to the version الجديدة بيئة Sketch Studio، التي تستهدف تسهيل الرسم الحر وتحويل الأفكار الأولية إلى عناصر يمكن تطويرها داخل التصميم.
Its tools support drawing operations, modifying shapes and visual masks, in addition to capabilities that help transform rough drawings into geometric shapes. More regular.
The application supports Apple Pencil Pro capabilities, including pressure and tilt sensitivity and some advanced gestures, allowing for more precise interaction between hand movement and the tools used.
These details gain practical importance for logo designers, illustrators, and content makers who... They need to go from the initial idea to an editable and developable file.
What is free and what is paid?
The information posted confirmed that basic tools for drawing, vector design, image editing, and page layout are available for free to individuals, with a free Canva account required.
As for Additional AI tools within AI Studio, require a Canva Pro subscription.
These tools include functions such as enlarging image backgrounds using artificial intelligence, noise reduction, resolution enhancement, and some image processing effects.
The Verge reported that a Canva Pro subscription starts at $18 Monthly in the market covered by the report; Prices may vary according to country or subscription plan.
Canva thus maintains a clear separation between its free core design toolset and paid generative features.
How does the move affect the design market?
Affinity is available for free over iPad is one of the choices of designers who are looking for alternatives to traditional design software.
The step does not necessarily mean that the user can dispense with all competing applications; Business requirements remain tied to file compatibility, attachments, workflow within teams, and business needs Printing and production.
But it gives freelancers and small studios a chance to try out a professional system without the cost of a basic license.
It may also contribute to increasing reliance on tablets within the stages of creative production, instead of using them only for drawing or reviewing work.
Canva's strategy after Serif acquisition
When Canva acquired Serif in 2024, questions arose among users about the future of the licensing model, and the prospect of turning Affinity's software into entirely subscription-based products.
The new version shows that basic tools are still available Free, with a paid model for additional AI-related features.
This is an attempt to combine the needs of professionals who want direct control over their tools with the connected services model that Canva relies on.
What's next?
The practical test will be during The coming period will depend on the stability of the application on different iPad devices, its performance with large projects, and the ease of exchanging files between tablets and computers.
The designers' actual experience will also be a critical factor in determining Affinity's ability to expand its presence Within the professional design tools market.
