Alternatives to Affinity Designer 2

Vector design app for illustration, branding and UI work. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.

Replacements

Listings that take over the same core job as Affinity Designer 2.

  • Adobe Illustrator

    Adobe's vector graphics application for logos, icons, illustration and typography.

    PaidProprietaryWindowsmacOS

    Adobe Illustrator is widely used for logos and illustration and adds generative AI vector creation, but it is subscription only instead of a one-time purchase.

  • Inkscape

    A free vector editor that works natively in SVG, for logos, diagrams and illustration.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    Inkscape is free and open source, works natively in SVG and adds a Linux version, though complex documents can slow its canvas down.

  • Linearity Curve

    Apple-first vector design app with a fast, free-to-start workflow.

    FreemiumProprietarymacOSiOS

    Linearity Curve offers a free tier and a touch-friendly workflow on Mac and iOS, but drops Windows support and puts advanced features behind a paid plan.

  • Boxy SVG

    SVG editor focused on lean, fast workflows for web and icon design.

    FreemiumProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinuxWeb

    Boxy SVG is a lean SVG editor for web and icon design on Windows, macOS, Linux and web, but suits complex print illustration less well.

  • Vectr

    Online vector graphics editor with AI logo and background-removal tools.

    PaidProprietaryWeb

    Vectr moves vector work into the browser with AI logo and background-removal tools, but full features require a paid subscription.

  • CorelDRAW

    Commercial vector illustration, layout and graphic design software for Windows, Mac and the web.

    PaidProprietaryWindowsmacOSWeb

    CorelDRAW is paid and runs on Windows, macOS and the web, combining vector illustration with page layout, photo editing and typography, with the web version limited to subscribers.

  • Amadine

    A vector graphics and illustration app for Mac, iPad and iPhone with a lifetime license option.

    PaidProprietarymacOSiOS

    Amadine drops Windows but covers Mac, iPad and iPhone, with a lifetime license option, CMYK mode and export to SVG, PDF and EPS.

  • Xara Designer Pro+

    Desktop design software combining vector illustration, photo editing, page layout and no-code web design.

    PaidProprietaryWindows

    Xara Designer Pro+ is Windows only and paid, adding photo editing, page layout and no-code web design to vector drawing, with proprietary files tied to one vendor.

Also worth comparing

These listings name Affinity Designer 2 as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.

  • Affinity

    Free professional app from Canva that combines vector design, photo editing and page layout.

    FreeProprietaryWindowsmacOS

    Affinity Designer 2 is the legacy vector-only predecessor sold as a one-time purchase; it needs an existing v2 license and no longer receives new features.

  • Graphite

    A free, open-source vector graphics editor and animation engine built around a node graph.

    FreeOpen sourceWeb

    Affinity Designer 2 is a paid Windows and macOS vector app for illustration and UI work, now a legacy version needing an existing v2 license.

  • PhotoLine

    An all-purpose image editor for Windows and macOS covering photo editing, vector graphics and page layout.

    PaidProprietaryWindowsmacOS

    Affinity Designer 2 is a paid Windows and macOS vector design app for illustration and UI, now legacy, focused on vector rather than photo retouching.

  • Pixelmator Pro

    Apple's image editor for Mac and iPad with nondestructive layers, vector tools and AI features.

    PaidProprietarymacOSiOS

    Affinity Designer 2 is a one-time-purchase vector app for Windows and macOS, focused on vector design rather than photos, and its version 2 line is now legacy.

  • Sketch

    Mac-only UI design app long favored by product designers.

    PaidProprietarymacOS

    Affinity Designer 2 is a Windows and macOS vector app for UI work sold as a one-time purchase, but the version 2 line is now legacy.

  • Vectorpea

    A free online vector graphics editor that opens and edits AI, SVG and PDF files.

    FreeProprietaryWeb

    Affinity Designer 2 is a one-time-purchase desktop vector app for Windows and macOS, now legacy, requiring an existing license to install.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.