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Software · head to head

Affinity Designer vs Subframe

Affinity Designer logo

Affinity Designer

Software

Professional graphic design software for everyone

From
$69.99/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
S

Subframe

Software

The AI-native design tool built for code

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Subframe has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Affinity Designer sold as a one-time purchase rather than a subscription: the Windows or macOS edition was priced at CA$94.99, the cross-platform Universal License at CA$224.99, and the standalone iPad edition at CA$24.99 (Internet Archive capture, 1 January 2024); Subframe the free plan is capped at 1 project, 10 pages, and 2 prototypes with limited AI usage and only 24 hour version history, versus unlimited AI on the $29 per editor per month Pro plan, as of August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Affinity Designer and Subframe actually diverge.

Attributes where Affinity Designer and Subframe differ
AttributeAffinity DesignerSubframe
Starting price$69.99/one-timeFree
Pricing modelone-timefreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, Macos, IosWeb
Founded1994Unknown

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Affinity Designer

  • Vector drawing
  • Bezier tools
  • Gradient tools
  • Typography
  • Pixel-perfect editing
  • Artboards
  • Symbols
  • Non-destructive effects

Only in Subframe

Nothing recorded that Affinity Designer does not also cover.

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Affinity Designer

  • Logo designnot Subframe
  • Vector illustrationnot Subframe
  • Icon designnot Subframe
  • Brandingnot Subframe

Subframe

No use cases recorded yet. See the Subframe review.

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Affinity Designer

  • Sold as a one-time purchase rather than a subscription: the Windows or macOS edition was priced at CA$94.99, the cross-platform Universal License at CA$224.99, and the standalone iPad edition at CA$24.99 (Internet Archive capture, 1 January 2024)

Subframe

  • The free plan is capped at 1 project, 10 pages, and 2 prototypes with limited AI usage and only 24 hour version history, versus unlimited AI on the $29 per editor per month Pro plan, as of August 2026.

Pricing, plan by plan

Affinity Designer

$69.99/one-time
  • Standard$69.99/one-time
    • Full version
    • All features
    • Lifetime updates

Subframe

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Subframe review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Affinity Designer if

  • You need vector drawing.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Ios.
  • You also want bezier tools.
Affinity Designer review

Choose Subframe if

  • You want to start without paying.
Subframe review

Questions people ask

Is Affinity Designer or Subframe better?
Neither clearly leads. Affinity Designer starts at $69.99/one-time and Subframe at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Affinity Designer or Subframe?
Subframe has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $69.99/one-time for Affinity Designer and Free for Subframe.
Does Affinity Designer or Subframe run on more platforms?
Affinity Designer runs on Windows, Macos, Ios. Subframe runs on Web.
Can I use Subframe for free?
Yes. Subframe has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Affinity Designer starts at $69.99/one-time.
What is Affinity Designer best used for?
Affinity Designer is most often used for logo design, vector illustration, icon design, branding. Of those, logo design and vector illustration are not what Subframe is typically brought in for.
What can Affinity Designer do that Subframe cannot?
Affinity Designer covers Vector drawing, Bezier tools, Gradient tools, Typography.
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