Canva, the popular web-based design platform, has taken a bold step in challenging Adobe’s dominance in the digital design industry by acquiring the Affinity creative software suite. This recent acquisition gives Canva control over Affinity Designer, Photo, and Publisher, well-known applications for creative professionals on various devices.
Although the exact financial details of the deal have not been disclosed, reports estimate its value to be in the hundreds of millions of British pounds. This strategic move aligns with Canva’s goal of reaching a wider audience, including professionals in the creative field. Despite having around 170 million monthly users globally as of January, Canva previously lacked offerings tailored specifically to professionals like illustrators, photographers, and video editors—something that Affinity’s suite addresses effectively.
Affinity’s creative software suite is a significant competitor to Adobe’s Creative Suite.
For example, Affinity Designer 2 offers vector-based capabilities similar to Adobe Illustrator, presenting exciting possibilities for integration within Canva’s platform.
Canva has emphasized its dedication to empowering designers of all levels, recognizing the importance of catering to professional designers alongside its core user base. Affinity applications have over three million users globally, with their one-time purchase model, without subscription fees, proving especially appealing to those seeking alternatives to Adobe’s subscription-based model.
While Canva intends to maintain the independence of Affinity’s applications, some minor integrations are expected in the future. With the addition of Affinity and its team in the UK, Canva strengthens its position to compete with Adobe in the broader creative software market.
Given Canva’s reputation for its user-friendly interface among creatives, this acquisition offers a promising opportunity to attract professionals who may be dissatisfied with Adobe’s subscription model.
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