GIMP vs Affinity Photo

GIMP8.7Visit Affinity Photo7.7Visit

Higher score GIMP #5 in Photo Editing Software 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 6 features Visit GIMP

vs

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

• GIMP fits best

  Free layered editing and extensibility

• Affinity Photo fits best

  Free desktop editing with deep controls

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Side by side

Feature	GIMP 8.7/10 Visit ↗	Affinity Photo 7.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.7	7.7
Ranking	#5 in Photo Editing Software	#22 in Photo Editing Software
Best for	Free layered editing and extensibility	Free desktop editing with deep controls
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Features GIMP 3/6 · Affinity Photo 5/6
RAW photo support	—	✓ (best)
Layer editing	✓	✓
Masking tools	✓	✓
Batch editing	✓	✓
Cloud sync	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
AI retouching	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Specs
Platform	Multi-platform	Desktop
Our review
Pros	Free and open-source across Windows, macOS, and Linux Layers, masks, high-bit-depth processing, and broad format support Extensible through plug-ins, scripting, and command-line batch processing	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	RAW workflows require darktable or RawTherapee plug-ins Desktop-focused rather than a cloud-based editing workflow Volunteer-community maintenance may not suit buyers seeking a commercial vendor	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	GIMP is a free, open-source desktop application for creating, editing, retouching, and composing images. It is aimed at photographers, artists, designers, and other image creators who need layered editing without a paid license. Its core… 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

• GIMP — where it wins

  • Free and open-source across Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Layers, masks, high-bit-depth processing, and broad format support
  • Extensible through plug-ins, scripting, and command-line batch processing

  Where it doesn't

  • RAW workflows require darktable or RawTherapee plug-ins
  • Desktop-focused rather than a cloud-based editing workflow
  • Volunteer-community maintenance may not suit buyers seeking a commercial vendor

• 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

• GIMP8.7/10 · Free plan

  A capable free editor for layered work, masking, scripting, and plug-in-based RAW workflows.

  Visit GIMPFull 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 →