Designers fear Canva’s influence could transform Affinity into another subscription trap

• Designers describe the loss of Affinity’s forums as a major creative setback
• Many users fear recurring payments could replace Affinity’s affordable one-time purchase model
• Canva’s acquisition has raised doubts about Affinity’s independence and design philosophy

The creative community is uneasy as Affinity’s official store and forums go dark, prompting speculation the popular photo editor and design suite may be moving toward a subscription model similar to Adobe products.

The abrupt pause on purchases, combined with a cryptic message promising that “creative freedom is coming,” has left many wondering what the future holds.