The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →You can download the current Affinity app free for Windows and macOS from Affinity’s official download page. Publisher’s page-layout tools now live in its Layout studio, and there is no separate Publisher installer. An iPad version is in development with no release date, and no iPhone or iOS version of the new app is offered. Downloading and activating the app requires a free Canva account.
What “Affinity Publisher” now refers to
Canva’s overview of Affinity describes the original Affinity Publisher as page-layout software for books, magazines, marketing materials and other multi-page layouts. Affinity has since released a new, combined app. Its download page describes photo editing, graphic design and page layout under one roof, so a search for “Affinity Publisher” will usually lead you to this single app. Open the Layout studio inside it to find the page-layout workspace.
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Older Affinity V1 and V2 apps, including a separate Publisher, are still covered by Affinity’s FAQ and are discussed below. If you are installing for the first time, you only need the current app.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsPlatform availability: Windows, macOS, iPad and iOS
The table below separates the current app from the older V2 suite, because the iOS part of the title applies only to the older iPad version.
#1 Best Overall
- Used Book in Good Condition
| Platform | Current Affinity app (combined, with Layout studio) | Older Affinity V2 iPad app |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | Available, free download | Not applicable as a separate listing in Affinity’s current FAQ |
| macOS | Available, free download, native on Intel and Apple silicon | Not applicable as a separate listing in Affinity’s current FAQ |
| iPadOS | Not released. Affinity lists iPadOS as “coming soon” and gives no release date | An iPad version exists, but it cannot open .af files saved by the current desktop app |
| iPhone or iOS | Not offered on Affinity’s current download page | Not stated as a current option in Affinity’s current FAQ |
Affinity’s launch-era announcement, quoted by Canva in its Affinity newsroom post, attributes this sentence to Ash Hewson, CEO of Affinity: “The all-new Affinity is available today for Mac and Windows, with iPad coming soon.” That statement dates from launch, so use the download page for current availability.
How to download and install the app
- Open the Affinity download page and choose the macOS or Windows option. The Mac app runs natively on both Intel and Apple silicon Macs.
- On Windows, pick the installer that matches your processor and use case: personal Intel/AMD, personal ARM, enterprise Intel/AMD, or enterprise ARM. Check your processor architecture first, and choose an enterprise installer only if the device is for business use.
- Run the installer, then sign in with a Canva account or create a free one. A free account is required to download and activate the app, so the device needs an internet connection at this step.
- After activation, you can use the app offline, including for extended periods. Product help, lessons, stock libraries, Canva integrations and AI features may still need an internet connection.
The official page says the Mac and Windows versions are the same app on different operating systems. Personal users can install it on multiple devices.
Rank #2
- Used Book in Good Condition
System requirements
These are the minimums and recommendations listed on Affinity’s download page. Requirements can change, so confirm them on the live page before installing.
| Platform | Requirements listed by Affinity |
|---|---|
| macOS | macOS 10.15 (Catalina) or later; Intel or Apple silicon; 4 GB RAM minimum (8 GB or more recommended); 3.5 GB free storage; 1280×768 minimum display |
| Windows | Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit); x64 processor with SSE2; 4 GB RAM minimum (8 GB or more recommended); 2.5 GB free storage; DirectX 10-compatible GPU; 1280×768 minimum display |
Account, cost and licensing
The Layout, Vector and Pixel tools and the export features are free with a free Canva account, according to Affinity’s FAQ. Canva premium plans unlock Canva AI features inside Affinity. Those features are optional, and ordinary layout work does not require them.
Rank #3
Affinity’s Affinity terms tie use to your Canva account and describe the software access as a license, not a sale of the software. If you need to know exactly what you are agreeing to, read those terms rather than relying on a summary.
If you already own Affinity V1 or V2
Affinity’s FAQ says V2 licences remain valid and its activation servers will stay online. V2 apps will not receive future updates. Previous purchases can be downloaded again by signing in to your Serif Affinity account.
Rank #4
- Used Book in Good Condition
Desktop V1 and V2 apps
The new desktop app opens files created in V1 and V2, so you can move existing projects into it. The compatibility runs one way, though. V1 and V2 cannot open files created or saved in the new app. If you may need to return to an older version, keep a copy of the original file before opening it in the new app.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →V2 on iPad
The V2 iPad app cannot open files saved in the new app, including its .af files. If you need the same project on desktop and iPad, do not assume the two will work together. The new iPad version has no announced release date, so there is no confirmed timeline for closing this gap.
Best Value
- It can be a gift option
- Easy to read text
- This product will be an excellent pick for you
Choosing the right route
- You use Windows or a Mac and want page layout: download the current combined app from the official download page and use the Layout studio.
- You need Affinity on an iPad today: the V2 iPad app is the only iPad version Affinity names, but it cannot read files saved in the new desktop app.
- You need Affinity on an iPhone: no iPhone or iOS version of the new app is listed on Affinity’s current pages.
- You want Canva AI features: these require a Canva premium plan. The core tools do not.
For current availability, check the Get Affinity page, which lists product information and the FAQ.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
