Affinity Designer vs Vectornator: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Affinity Designer and Vectornator 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.
Bottom line: Affinity Designer is our overall pick for graphic design workflows. Pick Vectornator if you need a fully free option.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Affinity Designer
Vector and raster design for branding, UI, and illustration
Best for you if:
- • You value community feedback (1 reviews)
- • Affinity Designer is a professional vector graphics editor that rivals Adobe Illustrator
- • It offers precise drawing tools, non-destructive effects, and both vector and raster workspaces
Vectornator
Free vector design app for Apple
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • Vectornator is a free vector design app now called Linearity Curve
- • It provides professional illustration tools on Mac, iPad, and iPhone
| At a Glance |  Affinity Designer |  Vectornator |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $69.99/onceDesktop | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
Rating | 4.7/5 | 4.4/5 |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Choose Affinity Designer or Vectornator?
Choose Affinity Designer if
Vector and raster design for branding, UI, and illustration
- One-time purchase
- Fast performance
- Cross-platform
Choose Vectornator if
Free vector design app for Apple
- Vector design app
- Free to use
- Apple platforms
- You want a fully free tool (Affinity Designer requires payment)
| Feature | Affinity Designer | Vectornator |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Free |
| User Rating | ★4.7/5 690 reviews | ★4.4/5 15 reviews |
| Categories | Graphic DesignUI/UX Design | Graphic DesignUI/UX Design |
In-Depth Analysis
Affinity Designer
Vector and raster design for branding, UI, and illustration
Strengths
- +One-time purchase
- +Fast performance
- +Cross-platform
Weaknesses
- -Smaller ecosystem
- -Fewer tutorials
Key features
Vectornator
Free vector design app for Apple
Strengths
- +Vector design app
- +Free to use
- +Apple platforms
- +Good features
- +Active development
Weaknesses
- -Apple only
- -Now Linearity Curve
- -Limited features
- -Feature gaps
- -Better alternatives exist
Key features
Pricing: Affinity Designer vs Vectornator
| Plan | Affinity Designer | Vectornator |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $69.99 once Desktop | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | $169.99 once Universal License | $11.99 Pro |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Affinity Designer pricing and Vectornator pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Vectornator is free. Affinity Designer is paid.
Go with: Vectornator
Want the highest-rated option?
Affinity Designer: 4.7/5 (690 reviews). Vectornator: 4.4/5 (15 reviews).
Go with: Affinity Designer
Value user reviews?
Affinity Designer: 690 reviews (4.7/5). Vectornator: 15 reviews (4.4/5).
Go with: Affinity Designer
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Affinity Designer is paid. Vectornator is free. Go with Vectornator if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are graphic design tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Affinity Designer is rated higher: 4.7/5 vs 4.4/5.
Key Takeaways
Affinity Designer
- Higher user rating: 4.7/5 vs 4.4/5
- Larger review base (690 reviews)
- Our pick for this comparison
Vectornator
- Completely free
The Bottom Line
Affinity Designer (5.0/5) is our pick. That said, Vectornator is free, hard to beat on price.
What Users Say
Affinity Designer Reviews
Great bit of design software
This is really easy to use and navigate. Like how Canva is integrated into the software to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Affinity Designer or Vectornator better?
Affinity Designer is rated 5.0/5 in our evaluation. Affinity Designer is paid and Vectornator is free.
What are Affinity Designer and Vectornator used for?
Affinity Designer: Vector and raster design for branding, UI, and illustration. Vectornator: Free vector design app for Apple.
What does Affinity Designer cost vs Vectornator?
Affinity Designer is a paid tool. Vectornator is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.