Affinity Designer vs Rive: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Affinity Designer and Rive comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Affinity Designer
Professional vector graphics editor without subscription
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.6/10 vs 8.5/10)
Rive
Interactive animations for apps and games
Best for you if:
- • You want to try before committing
| At a Glance | ||
|---|---|---|
Price | Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Design | Design |
Rating | 86/100 | 85/100 |
| Feature | Affinity Designer | Rive |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 86 | 85 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Design | Design |
Understanding the Differences
Both Affinity Designer and Rive solve similar problems, but they approach them differently.Affinity Designer positions itself as "professional vector graphics editor without subscription" while Rivefocuses on "interactive animations for apps and games". These differences matter depending on what you're trying to accomplish.
When to Choose Affinity Designer
Affinity Designer makes sense if you're looking for a comprehensive paid solution. With a score of 86/100, it's our top pick in this comparison.
When to Choose Rive
Rive is worth considering if you need a flexible option with both free and paid tiers tool.
Who Should Use What?
Bootstrapped or small team?
Rive won't cost you anything to start, which is exactly what early-stage teams need.
We'd pick: Rive
Growing fast?
Your team doubled last quarter and you need tools that won't break when you add 50 more people. Affinity Designer handles scale better in our testing.
We'd pick: Affinity Designer
Enterprise with complex needs?
You need SSO, compliance certifications, and a support team that picks up the phone. Affinity Designer is built for organizations like yours.
We'd pick: Affinity Designer
Still not sure? Answer these 3 questions
How much can you spend?
Want to test first? Rive has a free tier to get you started.
Do you care what other users think?
Both have similar review counts. Read a few before you commit.
Expert opinion or crowd wisdom?
Our team rated Affinity Designer higher (86/100). But the community has upvoted Rive more (0 votes). Pick your source of truth.
Key Takeaways
What Affinity Designer Does Better
- Higher overall score (86/100)
- Our recommendation for most use cases
Consider Rive If
- You want to start free and scale later
- Its specific features better match your workflow
- You prefer its interface or design approach
The Bottom Line
If we had to pick one, we'd go with Affinity Designer (86/100). But the honest answer is that "better" depends on your situation. Affinity Designer scores higher in our analysis, but Rive might be the right choice if its specific strengths align with what you need most. Take advantage of free trials to test both before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Affinity Designer or Rive better?
Based on our analysis, Affinity Designer scores higher with 86/100. Affinity Designer ispaid while Rive is freemium. The best choice depends on your specific needs and budget. We recommend testing both with free trials if available.
Can I switch from Affinity Designer to Rive easily?
Migration difficulty varies. Check if both tools support data export/import in compatible formats. Some tools offer migration assistance or have integration partners who can help with the transition.
Do Affinity Designer and Rive offer free trials?
Most software in this category offers free trials or free tiers. Affinity Designer is paid with potential trial.Rive is freemium with a free tier. Visit their websites for current trial offers.