Comparison

Affinity Designer 2 for iPad vs RefMemo

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Affinity Designer 2 for iPad

Create stunning illustrations, branding, logos, UI/UX designs, and more with a powerful touch-focused vector graphics app. Optimized for iPad and Apple Pencil, it offers real-time performance and precise tools for both vector and raster workflows.

Highlights
  • Vector Warp
  • Shape Builder Tool
  • Knife Tool
  • Drawing scale
  • Vector Flood Fill
  • Switch between vector and raster workspaces
  • Sophisticated typography
Features
Read full description

Affinity Designer 2 for iPad takes the power and precision of the Apple Design Award-winning desktop app and converts it into an incredible touch-focused creative experience. Packed with tons of new features and hundreds of enhancements to optimize your workflow, the graphic design app has everything you need to seamlessly create stunning illustrations, branding, logos, icons, UI/UX designs, print projects, typography, posters, labels, flyers, stickers, concept art, digital art, and much more – all completely free from the confines of your desk. OPTIMIZED FOR IPAD • Fully integrated and optimized iPad gesture controls to speed up your workflow • iOS16 ready, including optimization for virtual memory swap, dramatically increasing performance on large documents. • Sensitive to pressure, tilt, and angle, the app harnesses the full power and precision of Apple Pencil • Command controller hosting on-screen modifiers • Quick Menu for context-sensitive access to commands • Use as your very own digital sketchbook, canvas, logo maker, sticker maker, flyer maker, and more POWERFUL TOOLS & FUNCTIONALITY • Vector Warp • Shape Builder Tool • Knife Tool • DXF/DWF import • Measure & Area tools • Drawing scale – including ability for different scales set per artboard • X-ray, hide effects, and greyscale view modes • Multiple shadow, outline, and overlay layer effects per object • Powerful grids and guides • Transform Tool • Vector Flood Fill • Spiral Tool REAL-TIME PERFORMANCE • Pan and zoom at 120fps • Live gradients, transforms, effects, and adjustments • Optimized for documents of any complexity, zoom to over 1,000,000% for absolute precision • Live pixel, retina, wireframe, and x-ray views of vector artwork in and out of split screen mode • Live Pattern Preview • Seamless switching between tools and editing modes for frustration-free design • Incredibly accurate results with minimal nodes PRECISE VECTOR TOOLS • Rock solid vector tools that work just the way you want them to • The best Pen Tool, Node Tool, curve editing, and smart shape tools available • Powerful Contour Tool to create abstract objects or increase the width of single open curves • Pencil and brush stabilization for drawing super-smooth curves freehand • Non-destructive Boolean operations • Live effects, blend modes, and image adjustments • Incredibly smooth gradient and transparency controls RASTER OR VECTOR, YOU DECIDE • Switch between fully-featured vector and raster workspaces with a single tap – paint, draw, or sketch in raster and then create cool, custom vector art • High quality raster tools for painting, texturing, masking, finishing artwork, or even creating tattoo designs • Use raster brushes, edit single pixels on icons, mask and add grain to your crisp vectors, enclose and clip pixel layers – it’s true creative freedom not found in other software or drawing apps SOPHISTICATED TYPOGRAPHY • Flexible text handling including comprehensive support for OpenType • Artistic text and text frames • Full control over character and paragraph styles • Flow text and type along any drawn path • Extensive library of free fonts BUILT FOR YOUR WORKFLOW • Unlimited artboards • Savable history with alternate futures • Customizable shortcuts with attached keyboard or new quick menu • Adobe Illustrator ® (Ai files), PSD, PDF, EPS, SVG, JPG, JPEG XL, TIFF, EXR, DXF, and DWG file support • Linked symbols and constraints • Save documents as template files to re-use time and time again • Quickly access royalty free images through the Stock Panel or import files from Affinity Photo or other photo editor • Select Same and Select Object functions PERFECT COLOR & OUTPUT • Professional CMYK, LAB, RGB, PANTONE© and Greyscale color models • Full 16-bit per channel editing • End-to-end ICC color management • Slice export for exporting multiple elements in a single tap • Live pixel preview to see exactly how your design will export

About

RefMemo

Features
Read full description

RefMemo is the visual reference app made for illustrators and creative people. If your ideas live scattered across Pinterest folders, phone screenshots, and notes on your computer, RefMemo brings them together on simple, beautiful boards — so everything for a project sits in one place. Drop in images and screenshots, save color palettes, keep links and documents, and jot ideas as notes. Speak an idea out loud and RefMemo turns your voice into text on the card. Arrange everything freely on an infinite canvas, group related things into collections, and open any board in seconds. WHAT YOU CAN DO - Build boards for each project, character, story, or client - Add images and screenshots from your library or camera - Save color palettes and copy the exact HEX codes - Keep reference links and documents beside your visuals - Write notes — or speak them and let voice-to-text do the typing - Group items into collections and preview them full-screen - Works offline, and syncs securely across your devices MADE FOR CREATIVES Whether you illustrate children's books, design surfaces and patterns, or simply collect inspiration, RefMemo keeps your visual thinking organized and close at hand. YOUR PRIVACY Your boards belong to you. RefMemo doesn't collect analytics or advertising data, and never sells or shares your content. Export a backup or delete your account and all data at any time. Start gathering your references — and stop losing your ideas.

Screenshots

RefMemo3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: RefMemo at none against Affinity Designer 2 for iPad's 4. RefMemo also leads on update cadence (every 6 days vs every 6 weeks) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, ads and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Affinity Designer 2 for iPad sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. RefMemo asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Affinity Designer 2 for iPad ships an update every 6 weeks, RefMemo every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Affinity Designer 2 for iPad versus RefMemo: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAffinity Designer 2 for iPadRefMemo
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (3.2K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews51.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings3.2K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 6 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size1.7 GB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSerif (Europe) Ltd.Inna Ogando

Bugs and requests

Affinity Designer 2 for iPad

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Crashes when switching between vector and pixel layers
  • Exported files not retaining expected quality or format
  • Grid spacing and snapping issues
  • Disappearing or unresponsive UI elements

Requested features

5 requests
  • Vector trace tool
  • Better layer management and organization
  • Improved Apple Pencil support and pressure sensitivity
  • Ability to rename documents on creation
  • Customizable keyboard shortcuts and UI

RefMemo

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Affinity Designer 2 for iPad

One-time4
  • Free 7-Day TrialFree
  • Designer 2 for iPad LicenseFree
  • Affinity Collection for iPad$36.99
Show 1 more
  • Affinity V2 Universal License$164.99
None

RefMemo

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Affinity Designer 2 for iPad free?
Affinity Designer 2 for iPad is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is RefMemo free?
RefMemo is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Affinity Designer 2 for iPad or RefMemo have ads?
Neither Affinity Designer 2 for iPad nor RefMemo shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Affinity Designer 2 for iPad or RefMemo?
Affinity Designer 2 for iPad ships an update every 6 weeks, and RefMemo every 6 days. Most recently, Affinity Designer 2 for iPad was updated on October 15, 2026 and RefMemo on October 9, 2026.

Other comparisons