Affinity Photo vs Adobe Photoshop
A comprehensive head-to-head comparison of two leading photography solutions in 2026. Compare features, pricing, ratings, and more to find the right fit.
Quick Verdict
Choose Affinity Photo if you need Photo editing and prefer comprehensive paid features. Choose Adobe Photoshop if you prioritize Advanced photo editing and want plans starting at $22.99/month. Affinity Photo has a higher user rating (4.6 vs 4.5).
Affinity Photo vs Adobe Photoshop: At a Glance
| Criteria | Affinity Photo | Adobe Photoshop |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.6 | 4.5 |
| Pricing | $69.99/one-time | $22.99/month |
| Pricing Model | one-time | subscription |
| Free Plan | ||
| Platforms | Windows, Macos, Ios | Windows, Macos, Ipad |
| Category | Photography | Photography |
| Founded | 1994 | 1982 |
Feature Comparison: Affinity Photo vs Adobe Photoshop
| Feature | Affinity Photo | Adobe Photoshop |
|---|---|---|
| Photo editing | ||
| RAW processing | ||
| Non-destructive editing | ||
| AI enhancement | ||
| Retouching tools | ||
| Batch processing | ||
| Vector support | ||
| HDR tools | ||
| Affinity Designer | ||
| Affinity Publisher | ||
| Dropbox | ||
| OneDrive | ||
| iCloud | ||
| Adobe Bridge | ||
| Desktop deployment | ||
| Advanced photo editing | ||
| Layer-based editing | ||
| Selection tools | ||
| Color correction | ||
| Digital painting | ||
| 3D design | ||
| Typography tools | ||
| Adobe Creative Cloud | ||
| Lightroom | ||
| Illustrator | ||
| After Effects | ||
| Stock photos | ||
| Behance | ||
| Creative Cloud Libraries |
Affinity Photo vs Adobe Photoshop: Pricing Breakdown
Affinity Photo Pricing
Model: one-time
- Full version
- All features
- Lifetime updates
- No subscription
Adobe Photoshop Pricing
Model: subscription
- Photoshop
- Lightroom
- 20GB cloud storage
- Portfolio website
- Photoshop desktop
- Photoshop on iPad
- 100GB cloud storage
- Premium fonts
- 20+ Creative Cloud apps
- 100GB cloud storage
- Portfolio website
- Premium fonts
Pros and Cons
Affinity Photo
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.6/5)
- Available on 3 platforms (Windows, Macos, Ios)
- Rich feature set with 15+ capabilities
- Strong Photo editing functionality
- Strong RAW processing functionality
Cons
- No free plan available
- May require time to learn advanced features
Adobe Photoshop
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.5/5)
- Available on 3 platforms (Windows, Macos, Ipad)
- Rich feature set with 15+ capabilities
- Strong Advanced photo editing functionality
- Strong Layer-based editing functionality
Cons
- No free plan available
- May require time to learn advanced features
Who Should Use Affinity Photo vs Adobe Photoshop?
Choose Affinity Photo if you:
- Need Photo editing
- Have a budget of $69.99/one-time+
- Work primarily on Windows and Macos
- Value RAW processing
Choose Adobe Photoshop if you:
- Need Advanced photo editing
- Have a budget of $22.99/month+
- Work primarily on Windows and Macos
- Value Layer-based editing
Frequently Asked Questions: Affinity Photo vs Adobe Photoshop
Is Affinity Photo better than Adobe Photoshop?
It depends on your needs. Affinity Photo has a 4.6/5 user rating while Adobe Photoshop has 4.5/5. Affinity Photo excels in Photo editing and RAW processing, while Adobe Photoshop stands out with Advanced photo editing and Layer-based editing. Consider your budget ($69.99/one-time vs $22.99/month), platform needs, and specific feature requirements.
Which is cheaper, Affinity Photo or Adobe Photoshop?
Affinity Photo starts at $69.99/one-time. Adobe Photoshop starts at $22.99/month. Compare the specific plan features to determine the best value for your use case.
Can I use Affinity Photo and Adobe Photoshop together?
While both are photography tools, some teams use complementary software together. Check each product's API and integration capabilities for compatibility. However, most users find that one solution covers their core photography needs.
What are the main differences between Affinity Photo and Adobe Photoshop?
The key differences include: pricing model (one-time vs subscription), platform support (Windows, Macos, Ios vs Windows, Macos, Ipad), and feature focus. Affinity Photo emphasizes Photo editing, RAW processing, Non-destructive editing while Adobe Photoshop focuses on Advanced photo editing, Layer-based editing, Selection tools. User ratings differ slightly: 4.6 vs 4.5 out of 5.
Ready to choose?
Explore detailed reviews, user ratings, and pricing for both Affinity Photo and Adobe Photoshop.