Canva, the AI-driven visual communication platform, recently made a significant move by acquiring the professional creative software suite Affinity. This strategic acquisition positions Canva as a strong competitor against industry giants like Adobe, Google, and Microsoft, expanding its functionality and offerings.

In March, Canva announced the acquisition of Affinity, a UK-based company known for its three apps – Affinity Designer 2, Affinity Photo 2, and Affinity Publisher 2. These apps are designed to cater to professional graphic designers, illustrators, and typographers, enhancing Canva’s suite as a comprehensive solution for all designers.

During Canva Create 2024, Affinity unveiled its latest version, v2.5, introducing advanced editing features. The update includes Variable Font support, providing designers with a wider range of typographic design options, and the Stroke Width Tool for precise curve editing directly on documents.

With over 3 million users, mostly creative professionals, Affinity apps are available across various platforms, including Apple iPad, Apple Mac, and Microsoft Windows devices. Additionally, these apps now support ARM64 chips, making them optimized for upcoming Windows PCs that prioritize performance and power efficiency.

Canva’s acquisition of Affinity marks a significant milestone in its journey towards offering a complete suite of tools for designers, solidifying its position in the competitive design software market. As Canva continues to evolve and enhance its offerings, designers can expect more innovative features and capabilities to empower their creative projects.