Adobe Lightroom vs Affinity Photo

Adobe Lightroom9.2Visit Affinity Photo7.7Visit

Higher score Adobe Lightroom #2 in Photo Editing Software 9.2/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 5 of 6 features Try Adobe Lightroom

vs

Affinity Photo #22 in Photo Editing Software 7.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 6 features Visit Affinity Photo

• Adobe Lightroom fits best

  RAW workflows and cross-device photo editing

• Affinity Photo fits best

  Free desktop editing with deep controls

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Side by side

Feature	Adobe Lightroom 9.2/10 Visit ↗	Affinity Photo 7.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	7.7
Ranking	#2 in Photo Editing Software	#22 in Photo Editing Software
Best for	RAW workflows and cross-device photo editing	Free desktop editing with deep controls
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	—	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	7 days	—
Features Adobe Lightroom 5/6 · Affinity Photo 5/6
RAW photo support	✓	✓
Layer editing	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Masking tools	✓	✓
Batch editing	✓	✓
Cloud sync	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
AI retouching	✓	✓
Specs
Platform	Multi-platform	Desktop
Our review
Pros	Comprehensive RAW processing, masking, and selective adjustments AI tools cover culling, retouching, Lens Blur, and distraction removal Syncs photos and edits across web, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android	Free plan includes RAW development, unlimited layers, and batch processing Advanced masking, retouching, HDR Merge, and Focus Merge tools Generative fill, expand, smart selections, and depth-aware masking
Cons	Advanced features and expanded synchronization require a subscription The broad feature set may exceed the needs of occasional editors Lightroom Classic is oriented toward desktop-focused workflows	Available for macOS and Windows; iPad support is coming soon Some optional Canva AI tools require a Canva premium plan The extensive toolset may be more than casual editors need
Our verdict	Adobe Lightroom combines photo organization with editing tools for photographers, creators, and anyone managing digital image libraries. It supports exposure, color, effects, cropping, presets, selective adjustments, masking, RAW import… Read the review →	Affinity Photo is professional photo-editing software for photographers, designers, and other visual creators. It runs on macOS and Windows and combines non-destructive editing, RAW development, layered compositions, masks, retouching, HDR… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Adobe Lightroom — where it wins

  • Comprehensive RAW processing, masking, and selective adjustments
  • AI tools cover culling, retouching, Lens Blur, and distraction removal
  • Syncs photos and edits across web, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android

  Where it doesn't

  • Advanced features and expanded synchronization require a subscription
  • The broad feature set may exceed the needs of occasional editors
  • Lightroom Classic is oriented toward desktop-focused workflows

• Affinity Photo — where it wins

  • Free plan includes RAW development, unlimited layers, and batch processing
  • Advanced masking, retouching, HDR Merge, and Focus Merge tools
  • Generative fill, expand, smart selections, and depth-aware masking

  Where it doesn't

  • Available for macOS and Windows; iPad support is coming soon
  • Some optional Canva AI tools require a Canva premium plan
  • The extensive toolset may be more than casual editors need

• Adobe Lightroom9.2/10 · Free plan · 7-day trial

  A broad Lightroom workflow for RAW editing, masking, organization, and synchronized access.

  Try Adobe LightroomFull verdict →
• Affinity Photo7.7/10 · Free plan

  A free desktop editor with deep controls for RAW, layers, masking, retouching, and batch work.

  Visit Affinity PhotoFull verdict →