Should you use Affinity Publisher in 2025?

I've been working with Affinity Publisher at Easy Web for quite some time now. We've gradually integrated it into various projects, and I must say that what really impressed me was its unique licensing model and incredible value for money.

Honestly, for print professionals and freelancers who want a solid alternative to InDesign, this is a gem. It handles the layout of complex documents, from magazines to e-books, with disconcerting ease, without tying you to a monthly subscription. It's perfect when you're looking for performance and cost control.

However, it's important to be realistic. If you're used to the Adobe ecosystem and its advanced collaborative workflows, the transition will take some getting used to. Integration with third-party tools is less developed, and sharing files with collaborators on InDesign can sometimes be a headache.

When it comes to learning design, the learning curve is often steep. That's where Affinity Publisher comes into its own. Its surprisingly intuitive interface allows you to quickly find your feet. No more hours spent searching for a feature. It's incredibly effective for creating simple flyers, basic brochures, or even the initial layouts for an e-book. I've seen junior staff at our company, and even clients who wanted to try their hand at design, do very well with sales brochures and LinkedIn posts.

It's not just a question of simplicity, it's also a smart investment. Unlike other giants, its one-time, affordable cost removes the barrier of monthly subscriptions, a real plus for those just starting out or on a tight budget. And the best part is that this accessibility doesn't sacrifice quality. You get professional exports, ready for print or web, without having to use more complex software.

The question of how much a tool costs is always on the table, and this is where Affinity Publisher scores big. Forget about expensive monthly subscriptions; this is a one-time investment. To purchase Affinity Publisher on its own, you'll pay around €70. It's the ideal solution for freelancers or small businesses that need a powerful layout tool without breaking the bank.

But the most relevant offer for agencies and versatile designers is undoubtedly the Universal License V2. For around €170, you get access to Publisher, Designer, and Photo, which can be used on all platforms—Windows, Mac, and iPad. It's an unbeatable offer that meets the requirements of studios and provides a complete suite with no hidden costs. A real game changer in our ecosystem in 2025.

Honestly, what really impressed me about Affinity Publisher was definitely StudioLink. Just imagine: you can instantly switch between Publisher, Photo, and Designer modes without leaving the application. No more exporting an image to edit it and then reimporting it. No, you can do everything directly. At Easy Web, for our projects where graphics and layout intertwine, it saves us a tremendous amount of time and makes our workflow so much smoother. It's a real revolution in our daily workflow.

Another key feature, essential for any designer who does serious layout work, is master page management. This is the basis for creating consistent documents. You define your templates and recurring elements (headers, footers, numbering), and they are applied automatically. No more repeating the same actions page after page. For reports, magazines, or ebooks, this is an essential feature for ensuring professional consistency and optimizing your time.

At Easy Web, when we dove into Affinity Publisher, the StudioLink feature immediately won us over. Imagine instantly switching between Publisher's layout tools, Designer's vector capabilities, and Photo's photo editing options, all within the same interface. No more exporting and importing. It's a real game changer for our productivity, especially when juggling graphic design and complex layout. It simplifies the process so much!

But what also makes Publisher so powerful for professionals is its robustness in crucial areas such as preflighting and data merge. The built-in preflighting feature acts as a safety net, detecting printing errors before they become costly. And Data Merge? For customizing large-scale documents, such as letters or catalogs with variable data, it's a gold mine. We've seen its potential increase tenfold on certain client projects.