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Head-to-head · Photo Editing Software

ON1 Photo RAW vs Affinity Photo

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 7 checks side by side
Higher score ON1 Photo RAW #6 in Photo Editing Software 8.6/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 6 of 6 features Visit ON1
Affinity Photo #22 in Photo Editing Software 7.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 6 features Visit Affinity Photo

ON1 Photo RAW 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 scoreON1 Photo RAW · 8.6/10
  • Free planonly Affinity Photo
  • Free trialonly ON1 Photo RAW
  • Most featuresON1 Photo RAW · 6 of 6

ON1 Photo RAW scores higher on our rubric for photo editing software: 8.6 against 7.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #6 and #22.

Affinity Photo offers free plan; ON1 Photo RAW doesn't.

ON1 Photo RAW is the better fit for all-in-one desktop RAW editing. Affinity Photo is the better fit for free desktop editing with deep controls.

  • ON1 Photo RAW fits best

    All-in-one desktop RAW editing

  • Affinity Photo fits best

    Free desktop editing with deep controls

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Side by side

Feature ON1 Photo RAW 8.6/10 Visit ↗ Affinity Photo 7.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.6 7.7
Ranking #6 in Photo Editing Software #22 in Photo Editing Software
Best for All-in-one desktop RAW editing Free desktop editing with deep controls
Pricing model Paid Free
Starting price — Free plan
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial 30 days —
Features ON1 Photo RAW 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 Desktop Desktop
Our review
Pros
  • Combines RAW editing, layers, masking, organization, and batch processing
  • Includes HDR, panorama, focus stacking, and time-lapse tools
  • Adds AI retouching, Generative Erase, Sky Swap, and cloud synchronization
  • 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
  • No free plan is available
  • The desktop application supports only Windows and macOS
  • The listed subscription uses annual billing rather than monthly billing
  • 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

ON1 Photo RAW is desktop photo editing software for photographers who want RAW processing, organization, layer-based editing, masking, retouching, effects, and export in one application. It is aimed at hobbyists, enthusiasts, and…

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 →
  1. ON1 Photo RAWPhoto Editing Software 8.630-day trial
  2. Affinity PhotoPhoto Editing Software 7.7Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • ON1 Photo RAW — where it wins

    • Combines RAW editing, layers, masking, organization, and batch processing
    • Includes HDR, panorama, focus stacking, and time-lapse tools
    • Adds AI retouching, Generative Erase, Sky Swap, and cloud synchronization

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan is available
    • The desktop application supports only Windows and macOS
    • The listed subscription uses annual billing rather than monthly billing
  • 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
  • ON1 Photo RAW8.6/10 · 30-day trial

    A broad desktop RAW editor with layers, masking, organization, AI, and cloud sync.

    Visit ON1Full 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

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update