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Canva has launched Affinity for iPad, bringing professional design tools to Apple tablets for free. The app combines vector design, photo editing, illustration, and page layouts in one creative workspace.
It targets digital artists and designers seeking desktop-level capabilities through touchscreen controls. The launch expands Canva’s Affinity ecosystem beyond Mac and Windows devices.
Available through Apple's App Store, Affinity for iPad supports Apple Pencil and touch interactions. Individual users can access its core creative tools without paying subscription fees. A free Canva account remains necessary to sign in and use the application. Optional AI-powered features require a separate Canva Pro subscription.
The launch introduces Sketch Studio, a dedicated workspace for drawing and illustration. It simplifies sketch-to-vector workflows through masking tools and automatic shape conversion.
Artists can turn rough drawings into cleaner geometric designs without switching applications. The feature also supports Apple Pencil Pro gestures, including pressure sensitivity, tilt, squeeze, and barrel roll.
Affinity also brings together three established creative workspaces within its iPad application. Vector Studio handles graphic design, while Pixel Studio supports detailed photo editing. Layout Studio provides tools for page design and publishing projects. Users can save different creative tasks within the same .af file.
Canva has also integrated its AI Studio into the application for users seeking additional editing capabilities. Features include Generative Expand, automatic motion blur reduction, noise removal, and image upscaling.
These optional tools require a Canva premium subscription, with Canva Pro starting at USD 18 monthly. Affinity product design head Neil Ladkin highlighted the team's focus on tablet-based creativity.
He said the development process considered how creators use Apple Pencil and position tools. Ladkin also emphasized the app's portability and flexibility for professional creative workflows.
The launch also addresses earlier concerns surrounding Canva's 2024 acquisition of Serif. Some Affinity users feared the company would introduce mandatory subscriptions or restrict essential features. Canva continues to offer its core design software without subscription charges for individuals.
Affinity for iPad requires iPadOS 18 or later and supports several compatible iPad generations. The application can also import older Affinity Designer, Photo, and Publisher V1 and V2 files. However, some desktop features remain unavailable in the initial iPad release.
The move gives iPad users access to multiple professional creative workflows within one application. It also strengthens Canva's position in the digital design market without placing core tools behind subscriptions.
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