I switched to Affinity Designer 18 months ago after getting frustrated with Adobe’s subscription model. Here’s my honest assessment after using it on real client projects.
What genuinely works well: vector drawing tools are on par for 90% of professional work. The pen tool, shape tools, boolean operations, gradient controls - all solid. Performance is excellent, especially on large files. The one-time purchase price removes the monthly overhead anxiety.
Where it matches or exceeds Illustrator: pixel preview mode (seeing vector work at actual render resolution), the personas system for switching between vector and pixel workspaces, export options for web assets.
Where Illustrator still wins: the plugin ecosystem is incomparably larger. Specific production workflows like pattern creation, advanced mesh gradients, and envelope distortion are either absent or less refined in Affinity. If you work with files from other designers or agencies, .ai file compatibility is imperfect - complex files sometimes need cleanup after import.
The collaboration problem: nobody asks “can you send the Affinity file?” Clients and agencies expect .ai files. I export to PDF or SVG for handoff, which works for final deliverables but not for editable file exchange.
The honest recommendation: if you’re a solo freelancer doing brand identity, illustration, and web graphics, Affinity Designer is a legitimate primary tool. If you’re in a studio or agency environment where file exchange with Adobe users is daily, the friction is real.
Has anyone made the full switch in a team environment?