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Software · head to head

Linearity Curve vs Affinity Designer

Linearity Curve logo

Linearity Curve

Software

Professional vector design for Mac and iPad

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Affinity Designer logo

Affinity Designer

Software

Professional graphic design software for everyone

From
$69.99/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Linearity Curve has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Linearity Curve limited to Apple ecosystem (Mac, iPad, iPhone) with no Windows or Linux support; 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)
  • They diverge on capability: Linearity Curve covers Vector editing, Affinity Designer covers Vector drawing.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Linearity Curve and Affinity Designer actually diverge.

Attributes where Linearity Curve and Affinity Designer differ
AttributeLinearity CurveAffinity Designer
Starting priceFree$69.99/one-time
Pricing modelUnknownone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsMac, IosWindows, Macos, Ios
Founded20171994

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 Linearity Curve

  • Vector editing
  • Auto Trace
  • Typography tools
  • Pen tool
  • iCloud sync
  • Adobe Creative Cloud
  • Sketch
  • Figma

Only in Affinity Designer

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

Both cover

  • Ios support

What people use each for

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

Linearity Curve

  • Vector illustration
  • Logo design
  • UI designnot Affinity Designer
  • Print designnot Affinity Designer

Affinity Designer

  • Logo design
  • Vector illustration
  • Icon designnot Linearity Curve
  • Brandingnot Linearity Curve

Both are used for vector illustration, logo design, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.

Where each one falls short

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

Linearity Curve

  • Limited to Apple ecosystem (Mac, iPad, iPhone) with no Windows or Linux support
  • Requires annual or monthly subscription for commercial use, unlike competitors offering lifetime purchase options
  • Free plan is severely limited to only 3 Curve files and 5GB storage

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)

Pricing, plan by plan

Linearity Curve

Free
  • StarterFree
    • 50 lifetime credits
    • 3 Curve files
    • 5GB storage
  • Pro$11.99/month
    • 250 monthly credits
    • Unlimited files
    • 100GB storage
  • Business$65/month
    • 500 monthly credits
    • 500GB storage
    • Brand management

Affinity Designer

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Linearity Curve if

  • You need vector editing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Mac, Ios.
  • You also want auto trace.
Linearity Curve review

Choose Affinity Designer if

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

Questions people ask

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

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Linearity Curve: Does Linearity Curve have a free plan?

Yes, Linearity offers a free Starter plan with 50 lifetime credits, 1 basic brand kit, and 5GB cloud storage. No credit card is required to access the free tier.

Source
Linearity Curve: Can I use Linearity Curve on multiple devices?

Yes, Linearity Curve is available on Mac, iPad, and iPhone, with real-time collaboration allowing teams to see changes instantly across devices.

Source
Linearity Curve: What file formats can I export from Linearity Curve?

Linearity Curve supports exporting to industry-standard formats including .ai, SVG, PDF, PNG, JPG, and TIFF, making it compatible with other design tools.

Source
Linearity Curve: Does Linearity Curve have AI-powered vectorization?

Yes, Linearity Curve includes an Auto Trace feature with three modes (Sketch, Photography, Illustration) that uses AI to instantly vectorize images into editable paths. It also includes AI-powered background removal.

Source
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