# Affinity Publisher 2 for iPad — user reviews > 132 indexed App Store user reviews of Affinity Publisher 2 for iPad by Serif (Europe) Ltd., rated 4.58/5 from 581 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/affinity-publisher-2-for-ipad/id1606942224/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/affinity-publisher-2-for-ipad/id1606942224.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 447 · 4★ 53 · 3★ 13 · 2★ 12 · 1★ 29 ## What do users think of Affinity Publisher 2 for iPad? Overall sentiment: mixed **Pros** - 🚀 Powerful, desktop-level design - 👍 Seamless integration with other Affinity apps - 🚀 Smooth and responsive on iPad - 💡 Universal license for all platforms - 👍 Intuitive and clean user interface **Cons** - 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs - 🐛 Stability and reliability issues - 🐛 Compatibility problems with external keyboards - 🐛 Glitches with linked images and text - 🐛 Lack of precision and customization options **Commonly reported bugs** - Crashing when working with large files - Corrupted layers and lost work - Printing issues and scaling problems - Inconsistent behavior with text formatting and layout - Laggy performance and freezes when scrolling through font lists **Most requested features** - Support for right-to-left text (Arabic, Persian, etc.) - More templates and pre-designed layouts - Improved file management and renaming capabilities - Better support for large, complex documents - Enhanced keyboard shortcuts and power user features ## Newest reviews (15 of 132) ### 2/5 — Frustratingly hard work. *2026-06-10, version 2.6.4* I have considerable experience with various publishing software but recently bought this for personal home use. I am finding it hit and miss as to whether I can place pictures, and having spent time setting the font speciations, I start typing and it just seems to do want it wants. And where is the undo? ### 4/5 — I can still access my paid version *2026-02-01, version 2.6.4* Update: I found a notice in my account button saying “your license is active and will never expire”, so despite the ‘get’ button for in-app purchases being active, the app DOES recognize my previous purchases, yay. I bought the entire suite of apps when they were on sale. I am not happy that these apps appear to have since moved to a subscription model, but I am happy that as of now they are recognizing I bought an earlier version with no need to buy in-app purchases. Thank you for that. ### 2/5 — iPad OS 26 is here… time for real software now *2026-01-20, version 2.6.4* Over the years I have purchased the entire Affinity suite for my Mac, Windows PC, and my iPad Pros. For some reason, with the exception of ArtPro, art software developers like Serif feel that the iPad Pro is some lesser or unworthy tool unable to support a full set of functionality and abilities, such as pull down menus and the full feature set of the Mac and Windows versions. I don’t know why that is… the first iPad Pro I bought was more powerful than the Mac G5 dualie I was using in the 2000’s to make a living with Adobe Creative Suite and QuarkXPress, and it was its own Wacom tablet. The idea that you need to dumb down your software for iPad Pros is erroneous. If I could do something in Indesign in 2005 on my Mac G5 but not on my iPad Pro, its because of poor programming and lack of vision of the developer, not the device. (See ArtPro above.) The current one I have now is an iPad Pro M5 with iPadOS 26. Full multitasking support, pull down menus at the OS level, and it has a third-party keyboard/trackpad case I bought for $60 along with its Apple Pencil Pro and that wonderful touch screen. It has 16 gigs of RAM and 1 TB of internal space. And, Publisher 2 for iPad Pro has no easily discoverable way to create column guides on a master page, something I was doing in Aldus PageMaker on a Mac Plus in the late ‘80’s. In fact it was a struggle to dig deep and find where the Master Pages panel was. Why? Why such litttle belief in the iPad Pro? The hardware is better than a comparable MacBook Pro… where is the touch screen and stylus on one of those? This thing is great! Quit treating the iPad like a toy. I now own a high end MacMini and an iPad Pro instead of a laptop trying to do both insufficiently. Those two work together better than a single laptop, and it only costs a little more for big gains. All we need now is the software. Please fix. Lead the change. I’ll buy it. ### 4/5 — Pretty good, but buggy. *2026-01-19, version 2.6.4* Definitely better than InDesign in terms of value, but the UI is buggy. It’s not as smooth or intuitive as it should be. I work on my iPad, so there are some touch gestures and stuff but I’d much rather work it like a laptop. ### 3/5 — Good but buggy *2025-12-23, version 2.6.4* Can be frustrating as its not stable. Quite often i have to re start the app. On Two occasions ive had to delete and re install. Even scrolling through the font list on an M4 ipad Pro is laggy and quite often the names get corrupted. Still probably the best for iOS but i also get issue’s desktop. ### 4/5 — Crashes *2025-11-29, version 2.6.4* It’s a great program but seems to crash a lot ### 4/5 — Esencial para mi iPad *2025-11-18, version 2.6.4* Sin este software me sería imposible sacar el máximo potencial a mi iPad. Gracias. ### 4/5 — Useful but *2025-10-02, version 2.6.4* The app is good, but adding Arabic support would make it better. ### 3/5 — im so sad for not supporting arabic *2025-09-23, version 2.6.4* i purchased the 1st version and i did purchase this ver hoping to support arabic ### 3/5 — Battling *2025-08-12, version 2.6.3* Having been an Adobe suit user and teacher for many years, I find myself ‘battling’ to work with Affinity…. No doubt it is a great ‘suit of apps’, and apps I will have to ‘overcome’, but I’m not finding them ‘intuitive’… [and very ‘buggy’, I’m experiencing…] ### 3/5 — Needs a 'content lock' *2025-08-02, version 2.6.3* The massive issue with all 3 of these apps is there's no way to lock the content while you pan and zoom, and it's very easy to accidentally move something slightly using the touch UI. It desperately needs a lock mode. Even the undo feature uses a gesture: double tap. Anyone could easily move something while doing that. It needs a content lock. Until then this app and the others are a liability. ### 3/5 — Useful, mostly capable, and buggy. *2025-05-09, version 2.6.2* I’ve only been using the Publisher 2 for a day and already I’ve run into many little bugs. I understand programming such a powerful document creator, especially for iPad, is complicated, but I can’t overlook the impact the bugs are having on my workflow. ### 5/5 — If you’re a digital creator making planners, printables, or eBooks—Affinity Publisher is your secret *2025-05-08, version 2.6.2* As someone who designs and sells digital planners, journals, and printable templates, I can honestly say no other app compares. Affinity Publisher gives you full control over layout, typography, and structure—without the subscription drama. Whether I’m creating interactive PDFs, printable inserts, or full-on eBooks, Publisher handles it all smoothly. And it works beautifully on both iPad and Mac—there’s no learning curve jump between devices. The interface is clean, and the built-in “Learn” section helps you get comfortable with the tools fast. What I love most? It’s professional-grade but still accessible to everyday creatives. No Adobe subscription. No hidden fees. Just a powerful design tool that lets you create, export, and sell your digital products like a pro. If you’re a digital planner seller, Etsy shop owner, or eBook creator looking to level up your designs and save money long-term—Affinity Publisher is the one. ### 4/5 — Great; but for a few wish list items. *2025-05-05, version 2.6.2* I love being able to create editorial style documents while on the go using this app. The only hang up I have is that there’s no auto spacing tool for consistent predetermined spacing between elements / pictures as is available in adobe indesign. ### 5/5 — Smooth and easy to use *2025-04-05, version 2.6.2* I love the speed and ease of use of the Affinity programs. I much prefer them to the “other” professional software I have to use for some agency work, and I wish these would become industry standard tools. Thy do everything I need them to. I of course love the-time payment model and hope that sticks around! ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Sold out to canva *2025-11-01, version 2.6.4* This is a fantastic piece of software, but be careful, it may not be around for much longer. Obviously Shareholder ROI is more important than fostering creativity. I hope the founders are enjoying their paychecks because clearly a respectable vocation wasn’t working for them. Version 3 is a joke. ### 1/5 — Way too hard to use *2025-10-14, version 2.6.4* Menu isn't the same on an iPad ### 1/5 — Keeps Crashing *2025-10-09, version 2.6.4* Making a digital planner, got 8 months worth of pages and hyperlinks before it decided it couldn’t handle the file anymore. It just crashes whenever I try to do anything now. It’s only 5 mb worth of a file. I kind of want my money back tbh, since that was the reason I got it, if there’s no way to make planners with it. ### 1/5 — When will the Arabic language problem be fixed?!! *2025-06-19, version 2.6.3* It is shameful that even though it has been more than three years since I bought this application and it is not cheap, they still do not care about correcting the problem of the Arabic language (where the letters appear separate and reversed and contrary to the correct writing), and thus this deprives me of designing and writing in my native language, which is spoken by more than 450 million people around the world... ### 1/5 — Does not have full functionality of the desktop version but no where on the website does it say that *2025-05-09, version 2.6.2* I like the app and the price of it but I expected to be able to do the data merge in Publisher documents. I am not able to do that. I only bought the ipad version as that is what makes sense for me and what I am doing however when I discovered that I cannot data merge like the website indicates (no where does it say except ipad version) I contacted them to inquire if I could just buy a computer version only because I already own the iPad version so I dont want to purchase it again they said no. I have to buy the whole universal license for almost $165 even though I already purchased the IPad version for $42. It would be nice if either they gave the ipad version full functionality or let you buy only the desktop version like they allow you to buy only the ipad version. DO NOT BUY the ipad version if you need full functionality as it DOES NOT have it. I almost feel scammed. ### 1/5 — They Want Me to Move to Canva. Screw That *2025-04-01, version 2.6.1* Welp. I guess I have to delete my old update to write this new one. That’s fine. In an attempt to lighten my carry load at work each day, I’m trying to use the iPad versions of my daily-driver Mac Apps. With Publisher, this is a MISTAKE. If you’re looking for the robust tools the Macintosh app provides, just schlep your laptop to work. This app can’t be bothered to provide keyboard shortcuts, for the most basic functions, and is so glitchy I’m having to restart it any time I select a new object. If I click out of a text box, the app will just completely not recognize the keyboard I’m using, and I have to restart the app in order to type again. This REEKS of trying to get users to move to a different app, like, say, Canva! A subscription-based monstrosity which recently acquired this company. Well I’m not having it. ### 1/5 — They didn’t support Arabic Language *2025-03-01, version 2.6.1* They didn’t support Arabic Language ### 1/5 — So complicated, its unusable *2024-09-28, version 2.5.5* This software is so unusable, it is the opposite of user friendly. I use the desktop version quite successfully, and got this because I thought I could make changes on the move, but a simple thing like changing the boarders on a table is painful to say the least. Do not buy, just take your laptop with you, waste of money ### 1/5 — Glitchy, Glitchy, Glitchy *2024-07-12, version 2.5.3* Update: Still glitchy! There are so many missing features, confusing design decisions and crashes/glitches that it is honestly terrible to use. i've just opened it again this morning to do more client work and, even something as "simple" as using a raster paint brush to draw a circle and then the fill tool to flood fill the "object" ends in frustration: 1. The brush was glitching the whole time, with portions of the line disappearing; Had to go back to Document selection window and open the document again to get it to actually draw correctly. 2. Finally did that, got the circle drawn and tried to flood fill? Visibly it didn't "fill" (i.e. the circle still looked visibly empty) on the document, but the layer panel showed that it worked; had to, again, go back to the Document window to see that it had, indeed, actually filled the object. These sorts of "quirks" are constant and interrupt workflow entirely on a repeat basis throughout the course of the day, whether on the iPadOS or macOS version. Given the amount of bugs that are found on a daily basis, plus their insistence on funnelling everyone through a forum instead of a proper ticketing system, it's clear that their team doesn't care. If you want something professional for actual paid work, DO NOT BUY THIS! Original Review: ----------------- I hate to post a negative review, but this software is so infuriating to use. It crashes or glitches frequently, and randomly, has poor/no documentation, and “support” is attrocious due to their insistence on using forums, rather than a proper ticketing system. The Good: You can transfer files between desktop and iPad to work on them how and as you need. You pay once for the whole fricking suite. The Bad: Did you want palm rejection or gesture control settings? Tough. The system is set to work in one way and tough luck if you need to disable or change anything. Did you want to draw without the colour picker popping up? Tough. There are no settings for it, so it sucks to be you. Did you want to draw a vector line using a brush? Go for it. Then go back and pick the brush again because the software refuses to let you actually draw using anything other than a plain, round vector brush, so you have to then pick the brush afterwards. Again. What’s that? You changed the stroke width before choosing the brush you just changed to? Well, you’ll have to change the stroke weight again because every brush has a different default stroke weight and ignores the current setting. Did you want to add a gradient to an object or shape? Go to the FX section and set it up exactly how you want. What’s that? You want to change the direction of the gradient, maybe to make it vertical instead of horizontal? Tough. That setting doesn’t exist. Did you want to change the colour you’ve selected? Well, go wild … up until it glitches and decides to snap back to the previous colour every. single. time. (The only work around I’ve found is closing the document and going back into it, which is great up until it starts doing it again 20 seconds later. Lather, rinse, repeat.) Did you want to know how something works? Go to their website and look through the wonderful, text-based documentation. What’s that? You want to actually have images to go along with the “step-by-step” instructions? Sucks to be you. Did you want to know how something works specifically on the iPad? Fat chance of that happening. If it ain’t on the quick guide, you’re up a creek. Nevermind that the interface is quite different, you’re on your own. Did you want to duplicate a layer? Try tapping on the later to bring up the menu … oh, you wanted things like copy/paste, clear layer and duplicate layer there? HA! It’s hidden in a squirrely menu at the top of the screen, because that makes sense and is intuitive. Supposedly. For someone. Somewhere. Did you need support? Well, good luck. Support happens exclusively through their forum, which has mainly old information not pertaining to v2. Did you want to know how to identify new content that’s applicable to the current software version? Well, good luck. You’ll have to look at the post date and hope they’re talking about what you have. While companies like to defend the lack of support by saying how people will get quicker answers through a forum, it’s a cop out. The answers you find there are (a) not from the devs so not necessarily correct and (b) often require so much back and forth it’s not worth the effort. This program, however, NEEDS proper ticketing because it is SO. BLEEDING. GLITCHY! I wish I could use this daily without pulling my hair out or feeling like throwing my iPad against the wall. Procreate has some quirks, but at least it works pretty reliably. Can’t wait for the day when they release an alternative to Publisher. If you’re looking for something that’s reliable enough to use daily in a production environment, this is NOT IT. ### 1/5 — RTL text *2024-06-20, version 2.5.2* Has the problem of Arabic and Persian typing (RTL) been solved in this update? If this problem is solved, I will be happy to be able to buy and use these applications… ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Ugh! *2026-05-05, version 2.6.4* You guys are taking foreeeever to release the new iPad update! I’m melting here guys!! ### 5/5 — Affinity Publisher *2026-04-18, version 2.6.4* Having previously been a professional graphic artist for 16 years and in need of a professional suite of graphic design and publishing Apps I discovered Affinity Suite. All three Apps are excellent, packed with features, great support and community, a wealth of official andthird party filters, textures etc. The user interface is excellent too and very easy to transition to from the likes of Ad**e (which is my background). The one off payment licence option is incredible value and allows you to download all the versions you want (Mac, iPad, PC etc). I use mostly Designer for vector illustrating and Publisher for (no surprise here) publishing illustrated books. Photo is also excellent but I’ve yet to properly delve into it. I’m still learning the Apps using the excellent Workbooks as reference when I get stuck. I can’t recommend this suite enough. ### 5/5 — Affinity is Perfect Intergration *2026-04-03, version 2.6.4* The tool set is unbelievably extensive. The integration of publisher, design and photo is the best feature. Being able to move in and out of these modes without leaving the file is so productive. Looking forward to the upcoming Canva version for iPad. ### 5/5 — Diseño editorial profesional en iPad, sin limites *2026-03-18, version 2.6.4* Affinity Publisher 2 en iPad es increíble. Tiene todo lo necesario para trabajar diagramación profesional sin depender de una computadora. El control de tipografía, grids y estilos es muy completo, y el rendimiento es excelente. Perfecta para diseñadores, creadores de contenido y cualquier persona que quiera llevar sus ideas a un nivel más profesional desde el iPad. ### 5/5 — I was loving it until this month… *2025-11-29, version 2.6.4* Last year I purchased the bundle with the 3 apps (Designer, Publisher and Photo) and started to learn to use them. My main is Designer. And I loved it until this month when they announced they are launching a free version with the three apps in one. And it’s with a Canva account, which I stopped using because if you don’t pay the subscription, you can’t use the designs you need. As of right now, I’m having problems with my files. So, why did I pay for the one-time payment bundle if it was gonna launch for free this year?? And the iPad version of the new app isn’t out yet. Which meand my projects are being delayed. So, be careful and research the apps beforehand. ### 5/5 — Link up get all three apps cause this one is the last one you’ll need to complete the suite *2025-10-17, version 2.6.4* Wow, this app is amazing First of all. All three apps are free now which is absolutely outstanding at least for the rest of this month so hurry up you don’t want to miss this completely free trial forever and ever I would like to mention so go go go right now before have to pay again please don’t miss this opportunity. This app is great as well as all three other apps that affinity has published get it so go go go it while you’re at it. You should probably download a 50 follower Designer 2 cause all three of them are $0.00 tax included and for the apps interface epic it’s pretty good. I like it if you have all three apps, unless you use all through the apps features without even having to go to the other app, so download it please it’s awesome. ### 5/5 — Arabic and Persian typing *2025-10-15, version 2.6.4* awsome desktop class app, the only thing I need is the ability to type arabic, persian, middle eastern languages thank you ### 5/5 — After two years use *2025-09-13, version 2.6.3* For 99% of us, 98% of the time, the iPad version of Affinity Publisher will be adequate. It does almost everything the desktop version does. Both do almost everything InDesign does, and usually better—faster and with fewer steps. I'd say the biggest drawback is the learning curve. The UI is initially confusing—everything's hidden behind a mystery icon, and there are more menus hidden within. The Affinity apps are monstrously powerful and it takes some time to learn all they can do. Where the iPad version will disappoint most users, I think, is it lacks data merge. So you can't automate, say, mailing labels or name badges. This means nothing to me but it might ruin it for you. Neither version, to my knowledge, can properly handle long tables. InDesign treats a table like a text frame and you just link your overflowing frame to another to continue the table flow. Publisher requires cumbrous workarounds. Nor does the iPad version work well for large or complex publications. There is no Book Panel. More importantly, say for publishing an indexed paper, there are only limited indexing functions. Any one of these flaws might make Publisher unusable for you. For most of us most of the time it's no big deal. To me it's a life changer. I can do layout on my iPad. ### 5/5 — Pourquoi passer de Adobe à Affinity *2025-07-29, version 2.6.3* Lorsque vient le temps de rationaliser la valeur ajoutée d’un produit dans le travail quotidien, les fonctionnalités qui laisse l’espace à la créativité sont biens intégrées dans Affinity et il n’y a pas de surprise lorsque vient le temps de consacrer une partie de son budget ### 5/5 — Just awesome! *2025-06-06, version 2.6.3* This is such a great app! I am so glad I found it. I was given a 6 month trial for the desktop and mobile device that I JUST had to make the investment. --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-27.*