To: Serif, Canva, and the Affinity Community

We, graphic designers, editors, illustrators, photographers, advertisers, and other creative professionals, officially request the development of a native version of the Affinity suite for Linux.

With Serif’s recent acquisition by Canva, there is a unique opportunity to establish Affinity as an accessible and professional alternative in the market. This initiative would not only benefit Linux users but also expand Affinity and Canva’s reach into a new segment.

Why is Linux a viable market?

1. A growing market 🚀
   Linux is seeing increasing adoption among creatives, developers, video editors, and motion designers.
   Distributions such as Ubuntu, Fedora, Pop!_OS, Zorin OS, and Arch Linux are becoming increasingly popular among designers and graphics professionals.
   Companies like Valve (Steam) and Blackmagic (DaVinci Resolve) have already invested in Linux and are seeing positive results.
2. Lack of strong competition 🏆
   There is no professional and integrated graphics suite on Linux at the level of Affinity.
   Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign are not available on Linux, creating a gap in the market.
   Software like GIMP, Krita, Inkscape, and Scribus are fantastic, but they do not fully replace the professional workflow of Affinity.
   
   
3. Easier development 🖥️
   Technologies like Wine and Proton already allow many users to run Affinity on Linux, but a native version would ensure better performance and compatibility.
   An official version could be distributed via Flatpak or AppImage, ensuring compatibility across distributions.
   The Affinity codebase for macOS could facilitate a port to Linux, as both share a UNIX-like core.
   
   
4. Expansion of Affinity and Canva’s user base 🌍
   The Linux community is highly engaged and tends to support companies that invest in the platform.
   Many professionals are willing to purchase a perpetual Affinity license for Linux, as they prefer to avoid Adobe’s subscription model.
   With Linux’s market growth, Affinity’s presence would solidify Canva’s position in the global creative industry.
   
   

Our Request
We ask Canva and Serif to consider developing the full Affinity suite for Linux (Photo, Designer, and Publisher). This initiative:

• Does not undermine open-source software (GIMP, Krita, Inkscape, Scribus) but rather complements them, strengthening Linux as a viable system for professionals.
• Creates a real alternative to Adobe in the Linux market, benefiting designers, illustrators, and graphic editors.
• Encourages more Windows and macOS users to migrate to Linux, knowing they will have high-quality tools available.

Next Steps

• Assess the feasibility of a Linux port.
• Consider a Beta version to test the market.
• Engage with the community to understand needs and technical challenges.

We urge Canva and Serif to hear our voices and consider this unique opportunity to expand Affinity’s impact! 🚀

Sign and share to bring Affinity to Linux!