KritaLinux
vs
Affinity DesignerWindows
Krita as a Linux alternative to Affinity Designer
Updated
Our verdict
Krita can replace Affinity Designer for users who need a free, open‑source tool focused on illustration and painting, especially when vector work is secondary. It handles most typical tasks—layer groups, vector layers, text, gradients, and export to common formats—though it lacks native .afdesign support and advanced typography features. Designers who rely on precise vector editing and symbol libraries may find Krita sufficient, but those who need full Affinity Designer workflows will need workarounds.
- License
- GPL-3.0-only
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 5.3.4.1 (October 7, 2026)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Layer management and grouping
- Vector layer support
- Text handling and basic typography
- Export to SVG, PDF, PNG, and EPS (via export options)
- Support for large canvases and high‑resolution output
What is different
- No native .afdesign file import or export
- Missing advanced vector tools like precise symbol handling and complex path operations
- Limited typography controls compared to Affinity Designer
- No native support for EPS export (requires intermediate steps)
- No built‑in symbol library system
Opening your Affinity Designer files
Krita does not open .afdesign files directly. Users must export artwork from Affinity Designer to a common format such as SVG, PDF, or PNG and then import that into Krita. Exporting back to .afdesign is not supported; the workflow requires a round‑trip through a neutral format.
Switching from Affinity Designer to Krita, step by step
- Export your Affinity Designer project to SVG or PDF.
- Open the exported file in Krita and adjust layers if needed.
- Recreate any Affinity‑specific symbols using Krita's vector layer tools.
- Save your Krita file in .kra or export to the desired format.
- If you need to return to Affinity Designer, re‑export from Krita to SVG/PDF and re‑import.
- Keep a backup of the original .afdesign file in case you need to revert.
Key features of Krita
- Advanced brush engine with dozens of preset brushes
- Full CMYK, RGB, and HDR color space support
- Layer groups, masks, and vector layers
- HDR painting and 16/32‑bit float channels
- Resource manager for brushes, gradients, and palettes
- Python scripting for custom tools
- Docker panels for quick access to tools and filters
- Export to PSD, PNG, JPEG, TIFF, and OpenRaster
How to install Krita on Linux
flatpak install flathub org.kde.kritasudo apt install kritasudo apt install kritasudo dnf install kritasudo pacman -S kritasudo zypper install kritaFrequently asked questions
Can Krita open .afdesign files?
No, Krita does not support .afdesign natively. You must export from Affinity Designer to a neutral format first.
Does Krita support vector graphics?
Yes, Krita has vector layers, node editing, and basic path tools, but it is not as feature‑rich as dedicated vector editors.
Will I lose quality when exporting from Krita to PDF?
Krita can export high‑resolution PDFs, but complex vector effects may not translate perfectly; test the output before finalizing.
3 other alternatives to Affinity Designer
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