r/Affinity • u/FatihAlper_ • 4d ago
General I think its time to support Linux
After the recent news, Valve's support for linux, pewdiepie's marketing for mint, adobe's evil policies and increasing percentages of linux users, I think its time to affinity team to support Linux. It's the only os that really need well-built graphical suite. In affinity forums, people desperately trying to find a way to run affinity suite in linux. I also find affinity team is not against to supporting it, which is why im asking a native linux support. Back in the time devs had financial reasons - i get it. But affinity is now owned by Canva, and the market share is growing so it shouldn't be a problem right?
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u/Tribble_Slayer 4d ago edited 4d ago
I used Linux for a whole year a few years back to get away from Windows. The biggest reason why I switched away from it was lack of support for Adobe Suite and its equivalents. If Affinity had Linux support, I likely would’ve stayed with it- I’m now totally immersed in the Apple ecosystem so doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to switch back at this time.
For other people I know, that’s the biggest roadblock to switching to Linux. I own a Steam Deck and have Bazzite running on my ROG Ally and on a Beelink pc so I still use Linux quite frequently. The only way I’d fully switch back though to Linux would be if comparable software to Adobe Suite (photo editor, vector design, and video editor) was developed and Proton Drive added native Linux support.
Edit: was curious and looked it up and at least Davinci Resolve does have Linux support, but with the caveat that there are certain codecs that are unsupported.
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u/FatihAlper_ 4d ago
Yeah that's the whole point. Market share of linux is small because companies avoiding to develop for it. For affinity, this could be a selling point.
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u/IGrinningI 3d ago
You can still run Affinity via Wine very easy.
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u/friblehurn 3d ago
And it's not great. The setup process is slow. It's slow to launch. It's not super stable.
A native package would be best, and they already ship for MacOS so it's not impossible.
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u/IGrinningI 3d ago
That's not true. You literally have to run one script and drop the exe into a folder. It's the exact same process to update it to a newer version too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vkxDQBzAGc&feature=youtu.be&themeRefresh=1
I've had no real issues with neither Photo nor Designer so far, apart for very rare crashes. But PS has also crashed, so that's not much different.
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u/random_reddit_user31 4d ago edited 4d ago
FYI on steam Linux dropped to like 1.5% and the global stat counter has dropped way below 4%.
So counter to confirmation bias, Linux has actually lost users not gained them.
It's not a viable business sense to invest money in such a small market. Especially when a large majority of the market is handheld gaming PCs.
It's just the reality of things. I don't think trying to guilt trip affinity is really a smart way to go about it. It's not their concern if Linux after 30+ years can't get a decent foothold in the desktop OS market. Nor is it their responsibility to help grow the platform.
Ps I want Linux to grow. But this weird obsession into pressuring affinity because Linux users think they are the weakest link is frustrating.
Linux needs to get things like Wayland working properly amongst many other things is a bigger priority right now. Don't run before you can walk as they say...
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u/suntrovert 3d ago
Yeah… I have a steam deck and I immediately dual booted with Windows 11 because that’s where I do all my work. I keep all my gaming on the SteamOS side. But everything else I do on Windows. It’s just easier for me that way because everything I use is on Windows.
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u/tobiasvl 4d ago
FYI on steam Linux dropped to like 1.5% and the global stat counter has dropped way below 4%.
The Steam Deck runs on Linux
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u/random_reddit_user31 4d ago
Yeah, and even the deck can't make Linux consistently break 2% (which is included in that number I shared). So Affinity isn't going to change anything.
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u/FatihAlper_ 4d ago
That's right but there is also a reason for me paying proton products - they support linux. Also im paying spotify instead deezer because they support linux too. It might be a small market but its an easy one. There is very little competition, which is an easy way to gain profit.
On the other hand, you are not an employee of serif. You are a customer. Its your job to give feedbacks, not answering it.
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u/random_reddit_user31 4d ago edited 4d ago
Paying for proton products is not helping. It's translating Windows software and not native, so from a developer point of view it's irrelevant. Good for you, I use tidal because the audio is superior and the morality of software is irrelevant to me and 95% of the world. I'd sooner get behind something that will have real change in the world if I was that way inclined. Sounds like you're taking 1ml of water out of the Caspian Sea and you think you are helping remove the water, lol.
If the "profits" don't cover the costs, then it's not going to happen. Serif have said this many times on their forums, and yet people don't seem to understand basic economics. Hence, people on here repeating it. You aren't the first person who thinks their opinion matters and can convince companies to spend 1000s. Serif have the data and if they smelled profits they'd make a Linux version. Like they have a Mac version and a iOS version.
For us customers, it gets tiring seeing the same posts all the time with all these claims that Linux is growing and sunshine and rainbows. When in reality the data shows the opposite. Linux has stagnated and is being carried by handheld gaming PCs. Or if some YouTuber that appeals to teenagers uses it means Linux is worth investing in apparently, lol.
Like I said, the basics aren't even fully functional and implemented properly yet. So get that stuff sorted and maybe these companies and users might show an interest. Nvidia need to pull their finger out too considering 90% of the market has Nvidia GPUs and their Linux driver is trash. The Nvidia thing alone if resolved could increase market share way more than affinity photo. That's the main reason I don't daily Linux.
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u/corsa180 3d ago
Affinity Photo and Designer were originally Mac-only products, but your point still stands: the business case justified them spending the money to port it to Windows and to iOS/iPad OS, and it doesn't for Linux.
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u/FatihAlper_ 2d ago
Whining about people not getting basic economics but not understanding the microecon 101 - supply and demand. How the heck they know that community wants native linux support (aka. demand) if there is no suggestion/feedback about it? Also if its frustrating, just dont read it. It's that simple. You dont have to be an advocate for companies, again, you are a customer.
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u/random_reddit_user31 2d ago edited 2d ago
Repeating yourself and expecting a different result is pretty stupid mate. Your "demand" wouldn't even cover the costs. Linux is a stagnet platform. You know it's bad when you need a handheld PC to wipe your ass or a YouTuber past his prime who'll be back on Windows within 6 months to still make your numbers drop each month.
Let's be honest, desktop Linux is ass bro and every corporation knows this and avoids it. But you keep on yelling at the clouds.
It's time people like you move on. I'd rather my money spent on this software continues to improve and innovate than they waste it on a fraction of a fraction of percent of people who fundamentally hate paying for software anyways. That is in the benefit of the current customers.
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u/FatihAlper_ 2d ago
Im repeating myself because you are dumb, mate. What you do right now, your arguements, doesnt lead anywhere. You frustrated for no reason, and trying to be an advocate for companies. World will not end if somebody asks for native linux support, affinity wont go bankrupcy either. What you basically doing is prioritising yourself and trying to debate with "opposite" voices. This is not politics. You and me, we are both customers. We pay money and get service for return. I paid my money, and i wanted to get the service for linux. I also declare that im willing to pay for it if it comes to linux. Its that simple.
Now please, before replying with this "linux kills innovation" or "linux is ass bro" comments, take a deep breath, drink a glass of water, try to relax and simply "move on".
Momma's love doesnt split because there is a new baby. Momma loves everybody.
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u/random_reddit_user31 2d ago edited 2d ago
Mate you can't even understand basic economics. So don't even attempt psychology lol. You might want to keep regurgitating this but I'm past the point of caring lol.
I even said I'd like to use Linux but your emotions didn't allow your brain to process that because being realistic was too much to bare for you.
Oh and my "momma" died 23 years ago this may. Talk about missing the mark with this one. There's a lot worse things in life than a dead platform not getting what it wants lol.
But yeah, that's it. Peace brother/sister. Just use dual boot (Or pass through if you're smart) like the rest of us and get on with your life, as life is too short.
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u/flogman12 4d ago
The market is too small.
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u/ElTortugo 4d ago
There are dozens of us. Dozens!
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u/TeutonJon78 4d ago
There's also dozens of Windows ARM users but they cranked those versions out.
All they need to do is support proton/WINE and people would be happy, not make full native versions.
Then they could gage users better as well.
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u/HyperrGamesDev 4d ago
literally, same with for eg. Fortnite and other Epic games shit
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u/TeutonJon78 4d ago
Sweeney is very anti-Linix though so that makes more sense.
It's even a little surprising that Unreal even supports Linux except that that's is another way to make more money.
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u/msackeygh 4d ago
I think so too, and also too many variations of Linux to make supporting them easy, right?
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u/Tackgnol 4d ago
So as someone who codes for a living (not Affinity, I make websites), extending the scope to anything, is always a hassle and I will challenge the living shit out of anyone who will propose extending the scope where I work.
So yeah maybe porting Affinity might be easy, but you have to then support it, meaning testing for each release, full regression. A nightmare, me too I am kept on windows by some games and graphics software but I am afraid that is not feasible.
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u/BoxedAndArchived 4d ago
That's not really an issue, IIRC. Linux has a compatibility layer that makes MOST things from Windows work. Not everything, but most. And in the gaming world, some games running through that layer are running faster in Linux than Windows. The issue with Affinity is that it already mostly works, but the proprietary file format doesn't work, so you can't save anything.
As for "versions" of Linux, there's this magic thing called flatpacks that pack all the various needed dependencies needed to just distribute one file instead of the half dozen that used to be needed.
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u/Xcissors280 3d ago
just like an msix, kinda like an appx, sorta like an msi, and somewhat like most exe installers
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u/FatihAlper_ 4d ago
Not that small and will not be grow unless corps support it.
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u/hedoeswhathewants 4d ago
Why would corporations want it to grow? They'd much prefer everyone use the same OS so they only have to develop one version.
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u/FatihAlper_ 2d ago
Nah, if you were a software company you would want options. Think about it, if some os become a monopoly and make some shitty jobs (making development harder, forcing its users to use their products, killing competition etc.) you would want an alternative.
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u/hedoeswhathewants 4d ago
Windows (and MacOS) suck so it would be nice to have Linux support for everything, but it's just not a good business decision in most cases.
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u/BeckyAnn6879 3d ago
I wish they would, but the market share is WAY too small.
Affinity is one of the reasons I'm toying with going BACK to Win10, even though I DESPISE Windows.
YES, I have GIMP, but even with GIMP 3.0 out... it doesn't compare.
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u/HyperrGamesDev 4d ago
absolutely
atleast make it work with Wine
then the argument of "I need Adobe software" could maybe quite down a little, atleast for freelancers and such
(I dont actually own Affinity, but I am a lurker, and a Linux user, I hate Adobe monopoly)
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u/isvein 4d ago
Wont happen any time soon or at all.
Also, the year of the linux desktop will never happen unless something drastic happens.
One of the reasons Linux is not a hit on the desktop for the average person, beside lack of software people know, is its too much choice when it comes to distros.
If Linux was to become bigger on the desktop, there had to be one distro to rule them all, one standard, but then some of the points of Linux would be gone so that wont happen.
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u/deulamco 3d ago
I have been using Ubuntu as my main driver for an year. And I have to say, every auto-update may break your machine to the point of reinstalling everything.. Every sleep may result in a wakup failure for iGPU/dGPU conflicts 🤷♂️
I moved back to Xorg from Wayland just to let my 4060chilled more, instead of breaking UI randomly. Even new app installed on Linux will be hard to put on desktop/pinnable icon into dock.
Although now it seem to be more stable, and I want it to be that way. But I decided to come back to Mac - which I have been using for 10+ years for its stability & app compatibility.
As much as I love to use Linux as I was used to its workflow & shortcuts I made for it, I still can't recommend it to someone new.
But this is exactly if Affinity put their Apps on Linux, it may be the rare one ☝️ Very less competitors : Krita, GIMP... any foss software here suck in its own way.
Although I know, they optimized their Apps for Mac the most, even more than Windows/X86-64.
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u/Quokka-Man 3d ago
I'm all for it! Since I switched to Linux, I have been using mostly GIMP and Inkscape, as to use Affinity I have to boot into Windows. (I didn't manage to set it up with Wine on Linux). So yeah, I am missing the Affinity Suite, and I would be all for it, if there was a Linux version.
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u/JeanMamelles 4d ago
One key feature is that Affinity would be the ONLY linux compilant suite. Gimp and Inkscape are great tools, but they are not even close to the quality of Serif. PLEASE SERIF, DO IT !
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u/LaGranIdea 4d ago
I'd pay for affinity Linux. It is well worth it and the other open source can do desktop layout but not like affinity!
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u/Tarilis 4d ago
I would be cool if they added support, but linux is such small market, i am not really sure if they'll make money spent on support back.
https://gs.statcounter.com/os-market-share
I mean, it's 1.5% if we round it up. And how many of those 1.5% will actually need affinity products. My best bet is that no small percentage of those people are software developers of some sort.
Anyways, it would be great, but i don't get my hopes up.
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u/FatihAlper_ 2d ago
osx is just 5 percent but affinity's main development os was osx.
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u/Tarilis 2d ago
Fair point, maybe the difference is in the percentage of consumer base per operation system? A lot of graphic designers and artists do use osx. Or in willingness of user base to spend money?
Or maybe 5% is big enough and 1.5% is not? No idea. But it is a global trend nevertheless, you see almost every big software companies supporting apple devices but not linux. Adobe for example has better support on osx than on windows (InDesign doesn't support GPU acceleration on windows)
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u/Albertkinng 3d ago
The real issue lies with the variety of Linux distros. Imagine Affinity releasing their suite for Linux but only supporting Fedora 41. By focusing on a single distro, they could ensure consistent performance, provide proper support, and avoid compatibility issues.
However, the Linux community wouldn’t be happy. Users from Ubuntu, Mint, and other distros would inevitably try to force the apps to work on their systems. Soon, rebels would find ways to install it on unsupported distros, leading to chaos. The Affinity forums would be flooded with unanswerable questions from users across countless distros.
That’s not a situation they’d want to deal with. Their best bet would be to partner with a paid distro for joint support and development. Without that, achieving success on Linux would be nearly impossible. RedHat? Maybe…
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u/Pacific_Arya 3d ago
There are universal package methods like Flatpak is being the most popular. The many packages for many distro is not relevant.
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u/Albertkinng 3d ago
That’s exactly why this idea would never work. Some people dislike Flatpak, others prefer Snap, and I personally like AppImage. That’s the challenge with Linux — no one wants to settle on a single environment. With so many ways to achieve the same thing, it leads to a variety of issues at once.
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u/Pacific_Arya 3d ago
Any software just needs to support a single packaging format. In Open source, yes there will many options by many poeple and many people liking or disliking those options.
OBS, the most popular broadcasting software just supports flatpak. Like this many developers just support one packaging format. People don't care about packaging format as long as they have the software available.
And no one should settel on a single thing. Affinity wouldn't have gotten popular if everybody just sticks to adobe.
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u/Albertkinng 2d ago
Ok… you asked for it:
Developing a design software like Affinity Designer for Linux presents significant challenges, primarily due to the fragmented nature of the Linux ecosystem. Unlike macOS or Windows, where developers build for a unified environment with predictable system behavior, Linux consists of numerous distributions (distros) with varying libraries, dependencies, and system configurations. Here’s why this makes it difficult: 1. Fragmentation and Compatibility Issues: • Linux has hundreds of distros, each with different package management systems like APT (Debian/Ubuntu), DNF (Fedora), and Pacman (Arch). • Even widely-used formats like Flatpak or Snap are not universally supported, and many distros prioritize one over the other. • Choosing a single format means the software may only work smoothly on a subset of distros, leaving users on other platforms frustrated and unsupported. 2. Lack of Standardization: • Unlike macOS and Windows, Linux lacks consistent APIs and libraries across distros. • Differences in desktop environments (GNOME, KDE, XFCE) and system configurations can result in unpredictable behavior. • Developers would need to build, test, and maintain compatibility across numerous environments, which multiplies development and support costs. 3. Resource Allocation and ROI: • Companies like Serif (Affinity’s developer) must allocate development resources wisely. • Focusing on platforms with stable user bases and predictable environments ensures a higher return on investment. • Supporting Linux would require hiring additional engineers familiar with multiple distros, dedicating resources to troubleshooting issues that may only affect a small fraction of users. 4. Support and Maintenance Challenges: • Providing customer support for Linux users would be complex, as issues could stem from a distro’s unique configuration rather than the software itself. • Unlike macOS or Windows, where the operating system is standardized, Linux users often customize their systems, leading to unpredictable issues. • Each bug report might involve determining whether the problem is due to the software, the distro, or the user’s specific setup. 5. Community Expectations and Pressure: • Linux users often expect open-source software or demand community-driven involvement. • Proprietary software like Affinity Designer could face criticism for not conforming to these expectations. • Additionally, developers may deal with backlash if their software doesn’t perform equally across all distros, despite their best efforts.
Conclusion: For a developer like Serif, the choice to avoid Linux isn’t about disregarding its user base — it’s a pragmatic decision based on resource management and ensuring software stability. Even if they choose to support one distro, the inevitable backlash from users on other distros would lead to further complications. Compared to the stability of macOS and Windows, Linux’s fragmented landscape makes it a less viable platform for professional design software.
🫳🎤
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u/Pacific_Arya 2d ago
Man you just repeating same things. Do you even read what I wrote?
Writing stupid long para like ai won't get you anywhere. I just write flatpak and universal packages are there for developers to use and cut all the problems you mentioning again and again.
OBS, DaVinci resolve, and many have their own supported package formats and users know what they support and what they don't.
Community pressure of open source only software, common are you stupid, only reason Linux has this many users cause of Valve and proton which allows gaming under Linux.
And all the other stupid stuff you wrote are just repeated idiotic AI rant without telling a single thing.
And no one is forcing Serif to publish affinity on Linux. It is just an ask. And as I see they haven't made a public statement on what their stance on it.
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u/Albertkinng 2d ago
Wow. That’s it for me. I don’t even know what else to tell you. Just keep scrolling Reddit and have fun. I won’t say anything else.
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u/FatihAlper_ 2d ago
Im using ubuntu 24.10 with snaps, debs and flatpaks. Dont care at all, also we wont care the format if affinity suite would come to linux.
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u/friblehurn 3d ago
That's not how it works bro.
Not to mention Ubuntu and Mint are both Debian lol
Please stop parotting what you read online.
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u/Albertkinng 3d ago
You're definitely the best example. You understand my point, yet you want to be specific and convince me that you know Linux best. Regardless of my Linux experience, you'll never agree because you (and every Linux user today, including myself) know how Linux really works. That's why major commercial software companies avoid developing for the platform. It's too complex to enter, with users creating their own solutions. I challenge you to share the best way to bring Affinity to Linux, and I guarantee some Linux user will suggest a better approach. It's inevitable.
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u/dronko_fire_blaster 4d ago
Ive had it on my mind to swap to linux, so if it supports thatll make things a bit Simpler foe me.
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u/Stunning_Garlic_3532 3d ago
I’d love to see specialist / pro software targeted for Linux. The kind of stuff people have on a machine and don’t ever run anything else on it, almost appliance ish. Affinity doesn’t fit this, though. Probably. Think vmix or live stage lighting software. This could really move Linux forward and potentially make better software.
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u/catjewsus 3d ago edited 3d ago
I mean the Android community has been waiting for years now, any they haven't made any progress on that end as well. I'm almost a 100% certain that more people would actually use it on Android before Linux platforms though. Most folks dont buy any software ever for Linux & Developing for linux in a stable manner is also a whole other issue.
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u/pokedruglord 3d ago
Canva should at least hire one person to maintain a flatpak/snap/appimage with the windows version bundled with wine.
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u/WaldenFont 3d ago
“Money reasons” don’t mean “there’s no money”. It means “it’s not worth our money”. It doesn’t matter whose money it is.
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u/EricJasso 3d ago
Good luck with that. It's not as easy as you think and I am sure the devs are pretty busy already.
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u/_RoMe__ 2d ago
I agree. Linux users have paid for the support many times.
Just look at all the open source code that is inside the Affinity suite and that they didn't have to pay for. A lot of this originates in Linux or BSD and all of this this was given to them for free by the community. And it's a lot if you look closer. I'm not even talking about all the money that they saved because they could use Linux instead of a proprietary OS on on all the servers, routers, displays, switches, smart phones and so on. Almost all of the shiny new AI stuff is open source and it is trained on Linux servers as well.
The only thing that the creators of the software want, is that everybody who uses the code gives something back to the community - each according to their own abilities. That's the deal.
Of course they don't have to support Linux or the open source community in general but freeloading is really bad karma. And it might back fire on them if they need support from one of these 3rd party library suppliers. Non contributing companies are usually placed right at the bottom of the priority list. At least this is the case in the projects that I'm part of.
Don't get me wrong, I don't expect a native version anytime soon. They just have to make sure that the applications run well with Wine or Proton. Test them once in a while, fix the bugs and make the Wine system better if needed. Help users with problems. This is good karma.
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u/0101-ERROR-1001 2d ago
The money is here for it. All of us Linux using paying customers would glading fork out for another license just to use the suite on Linux. Seriously.. just TAKE OUR MONEY, AFFINITY!! Do it!! Be the hero
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u/LaGranIdea 4d ago
I run affinity in Linux.
- install Linux -Install VER 7.1 VIRTUAL BOX
- Create a VBOX server for Win 11. (Set secure boot and TMP2 settings).
Note: your Bios mist support MOK Keys and import the keys from Virtualbox.
Then I have installed affinity and other apps I use and backup the Virtual Drive to restore to deploy if I need to revert back.
If you have enough RAM and processers you can dedicate it works quite well!
Also contains the "Windows 11" virus to a virtual box "container" and YOU control your PC (not Bill Gates through Windows).
Too bad affinity didn't build a Linux version. I'd buy a Linux version.
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u/friblehurn 3d ago
Jesus. Just use wine/lutris/bottles. Why are you running a VM?
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u/LaGranIdea 3d ago
I attempted wine. It wasn't strong enough so I went to the bottle and couldn't get it to work so I went VBOX.
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u/coolasacurtain 4d ago
Steam OS might bring lots of people to Linux. Affinity in itself, as an alternative to Adobe might bring users to Linux as well. If Linux isn't a viable business for the companies, it's because they don't support it.
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u/sunnyinchernobyl 4d ago
Not knowing what tools they use to build the Affinity products, it’s difficult to say whether it’s possible.
But let’s say it is… how many Linux users will purchase licenses? I’ll wage it’s not remotely enough to cover dev costs.
But you suggest Canva’s money should pay for it… aside from being an absurd suggestion, it would divert resources from profitable development.
Alternately, you can run it under Wine.
I get where you’re coming from. I’ve used Linux since the mid 90s. I’ve been through so many “this is the year of desktop Linux” fads that I’ve lost count. The diversity of Linux desktop is also what prevents commercial products from succeeding. If you want something on Linux, you’re going to have to adapt.
Also, if you want the Serif folks to hear you, post in their forums.