Head-to-head · Photo Editing Software
Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo
Adobe Photoshop leads on 0 checks, Affinity Photo on 1, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 7 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreAdobe Photoshop · 9.4/10
- Free planonly Affinity Photo
- Free trialonly Adobe Photoshop
- Most featuresAdobe Photoshop · 6 of 6
Adobe Photoshop scores higher on our rubric for photo editing software: 9.4 against 7.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #22.
Affinity Photo offers free plan; Adobe Photoshop doesn't. On platform, Adobe Photoshop gives you Multi-platform where Affinity Photo offers Desktop.
Adobe Photoshop is the better fit for professional compositing and advanced editing. Affinity Photo is the better fit for free desktop editing with deep controls.
- Adobe Photoshop fits best
Professional compositing and advanced editing
- Affinity Photo fits best
Free desktop editing with deep controls
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Side by side
| Feature | Adobe Photoshop 9.4/10 Visit ↗ | Affinity Photo 7.7/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.4 | 7.7 |
| Ranking | #1 in Photo Editing Software | #22 in Photo Editing Software |
| Best for | Professional compositing and advanced editing | Free desktop editing with deep controls |
| Pricing model | Paid | Free |
| Starting price | — | Free plan |
| Free plan | — | ✓ (best) |
| Free trial | 7 days | — |
| Features Adobe Photoshop 6/6 · Affinity Photo 5/6 | ||
| RAW photo support | ✓ | ✓ |
| Layer editing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Masking tools | ✓ | ✓ |
| Batch editing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cloud sync | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| AI retouching | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Platform | Multi-platform | Desktop |
| Our review | ||
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| Our verdict | Adobe Photoshop is an image-editing application for creating, retouching, compositing, and transforming photos and graphics. It is aimed at professionals and advanced editors who need editable layers, masks, RAW adjustments, batch… 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 Photoshop — where it wins
- Editable layers, masks, Smart Objects, and Camera Raw support
- Batch processing, automated conversion, and cloud documents
- Generative Fill, Generative Expand, and AI-powered Harmonize
Where it doesn't
- Desktop, web, and mobile versions have different feature sets
- Web and full desktop access require a plan or trial
- Cloud storage ranges from 100GB to 1TB by plan
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 Photoshop9.4/10 · 7-day trial
A deep, multi-platform editor for compositing, retouching, RAW work, and AI-assisted edits.
Try Adobe PhotoshopFull 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 →
More comparisons
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- Adobe Photoshop vs Capture One
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- Adobe Photoshop vs ON1 Photo RAW
- Adobe Photoshop vs DxO PhotoLab
- Adobe Photoshop vs Zoner Photo Studio X
All photo editing software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update







