Right now, creatives can access Affinity Photo, Designer, and Publisher at no cost for a full six months—timing that couldn’t be better for anyone frustrated with Adobe.
Adobe, the company behind Photoshop, has had a rocky few weeks, and Serif’s Affinity has wasted no time stepping in to offer a solution for unhappy designers, photographers, and publishers. The brand’s latest move? An unprecedented six-month free trial of its entire creative app suite. Not only does this give new users ample time to test the tools, but it also lets them lock in permanent access at half price if they decide to commit.
Why are so many creatives suddenly hunting for Adobe alternatives? Two recent issues with Adobe have fueled the shift: first, a controversial update to its terms of use that grants the software giant access to users’ work, and second, a lawsuit filed by the U.S. government over its confusing cancellation policies. While Adobe Creative Cloud still can’t be beat for sheer variety—its apps cover everything from web design to video editing—Serif’s Affinity suite stands out as one of the closest, most usable alternatives. It includes Affinity Photo (for image editing and digital art), Affinity Designer (for vector work), and Affinity Publisher (for desktop publishing), and it works on Mac, Windows, and iPad—with no monthly subscription required.
What You Need to Know About Affinity’s Deal: 6 Months Free + 50% Off
Affinity’s three core apps each serve a distinct purpose:
- Affinity Photo: Ideal for retouching photos, creating digital art, and manipulating images.
- Affinity Designer: The go-to for vector design, from logos to illustrations.
- Affinity Publisher: Perfect for laying out magazines, books, and other print/digital publications.
The current promotion applies to all three apps, whether you buy them individually or as a bundle, and works across Mac, Windows, and iPad. A key perk of Affinity is its “perpetual license” model: pay once, and you get free updates for life—no recurring fees.
Free trials for creative software are nothing new, but they rarely last longer than a month. Affinity’s six-month window is the longest we’ve seen, and it’s intentional: it gives users enough time to fully learn the tools, integrate them into their workflow, and decide if they’re a good fit—no rush.
To put that in perspective, Adobe’s Creative Cloud free trial lasts just seven days. For someone new to the platform, that’s barely enough time to explore its massive lineup of apps, let alone master how to use them.
Affinity’s pricing is another win. Normally, individual desktop apps start at $69.99, and the full suite (Photo, Designer, Publisher) costs $164.99. But right now, all apps are 50% off for perpetual licenses—making the deal even more enticing.
Will Affinity Stick to Its No-Subscription Model?
Earlier this year, Affinity was acquired by Canva—a major competitor to Adobe—sparking fears among users that Affinity might switch to a subscription model (like Adobe’s). But this latest promotion seems designed to ease those worries. By leaning into Adobe’s recent controversies and targeting creatives who are already looking for alternatives, Affinity is sending a clear message: it’s committed to keeping its one-time purchase model.
“We’re saying ‘try everything and pay nothing’ because we know switching software is a big decision—especially for busy professionals,” said Ashley Hewson, Affinity’s CEO. “Anyone who takes the trial has zero obligation to buy afterward.”
Our Take on Affinity Photo
In our review of Affinity Photo, we gave it four stars, calling it the most practical Photoshop alternative for most users. It matches many of Photoshop’s key features while being more affordable and user-friendly—something that’s resonated with creatives tired of Adobe’s subscription costs and recent missteps.
For full details on the six-month free trial and 50% off deal, check out Affinity’s official site. If you’ve been on the fence about ditching Adobe, this could be the sign you need to make the switch.
