Affinity Photo vs Polarr

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Our analysts compared Affinity Photo vs Polarr based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Photo Editing Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Polarr Software Tool

Product Basics

Affinity Photo is a robust photo editing software designed to handle a wide array of tasks, from basic adjustments to complex manipulations. It is particularly well-suited for professional photographers, graphic designers, and digital artists due to its comprehensive toolset and high performance. The software excels in providing advanced features such as non-destructive editing, RAW processing, and sophisticated layer management, making it a powerful alternative in the photo editing industry.

One of the standout benefits of Affinity Photo is its affordability, offering a one-time purchase model rather than a subscription-based service, which can be more economical in the long run. Users appreciate its intuitive interface and the seamless experience it provides, even when handling large files or intricate projects. The software's ability to support a wide range of file formats and its compatibility with both macOS and Windows platforms further enhance its appeal.

Compared to similar products, Affinity Photo is often praised for its speed and efficiency, particularly in rendering and exporting images. For specific pricing details, it is recommended to contact SelectHub to obtain a quote tailored to individual needs.

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Polarr is a sophisticated photo editing software designed to cater to both amateur and professional photographers. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools that include advanced color correction, detailed retouching, and a variety of filters and effects. Polarr is particularly well-suited for industries such as digital marketing, social media management, and graphic design, where high-quality visual content is paramount. One of the standout benefits of Polarr is its user-friendly interface, which makes complex editing tasks accessible to users of all skill levels. Additionally, its powerful AI-driven features, such as automatic enhancement and facial recognition, streamline the editing process. Users frequently praise Polarr for its speed and efficiency, often noting that it performs comparably to more expensive, professional-grade software. Pricing for Polarr varies, with options for both monthly and annual subscriptions. For specific pricing details tailored to individual needs, users are encouraged to contact SelectHub for a personalized quote.
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$49.99 One-Time
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$59.99 Monthly
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Product Insights

  • Cost-Effective: Affinity Photo offers a one-time purchase model, eliminating the need for ongoing subscription fees, making it a budget-friendly option for professionals and hobbyists alike.
  • High Performance: The software is optimized for both macOS and Windows, ensuring smooth and fast performance even with large files and complex edits.
  • Comprehensive Toolset: Affinity Photo provides a wide range of professional-grade tools, from advanced selection techniques to detailed retouching capabilities, allowing for precise and high-quality edits.
  • Non-Destructive Editing: With features like live filters, adjustments, and layer effects, users can make changes without permanently altering the original image, preserving the integrity of their work.
  • Seamless Workflow Integration: Affinity Photo supports a variety of file formats, including PSD, making it easy to integrate into existing workflows and collaborate with users of other software.
  • Advanced Layer Management: The software offers robust layer handling, including unlimited layers, layer groups, and adjustment layers, enabling complex compositions and edits.
  • Precision and Control: Tools like the Pen Tool and advanced brush dynamics provide users with the precision needed for detailed work, such as digital painting and intricate selections.
  • Regular Updates: Affinity Photo is continually updated with new features and improvements, ensuring users have access to the latest tools and technologies.
  • Cross-Platform Consistency: The software maintains a consistent user experience across both macOS and Windows, allowing users to switch between platforms without a learning curve.
  • Extensive Learning Resources: Affinity Photo offers a wealth of tutorials, forums, and documentation, helping users of all skill levels to master the software and improve their editing skills.
  • Customizable Interface: Users can tailor the workspace to their preferences, enhancing productivity by allowing them to focus on the tools and features they use most frequently.
  • High-Quality Output: Affinity Photo supports high-resolution outputs and professional color spaces, ensuring that final images meet the standards required for print and digital media.
  • Batch Processing: The software includes batch processing capabilities, enabling users to apply consistent edits to multiple images efficiently, saving time on repetitive tasks.
  • Advanced Retouching: Tools like frequency separation, inpainting, and liquify provide powerful options for retouching photos, making it easier to achieve professional results.
  • Panorama Stitching: Affinity Photo's panorama stitching feature allows users to create seamless panoramic images from multiple photos, expanding creative possibilities.
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  • Time Efficiency: Polarr's intuitive interface and advanced tools streamline the photo editing process, allowing users to achieve professional results quickly.
  • Cost-Effective: Offers a range of pricing plans, including a free version, making high-quality photo editing accessible without significant financial investment.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility: Available on multiple platforms including iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows, ensuring seamless workflow across devices.
  • Customizable Workflows: Users can create and save their own filters and presets, tailoring the software to their specific editing needs and preferences.
  • Advanced AI Features: Utilizes artificial intelligence to enhance photos automatically, reducing the need for manual adjustments and improving overall efficiency.
  • Non-Destructive Editing: Allows users to make changes without permanently altering the original image, providing flexibility and peace of mind.
  • Comprehensive Toolset: Includes a wide range of editing tools such as color correction, retouching, and cropping, enabling detailed and precise adjustments.
  • High-Quality Output: Ensures that edited photos maintain high resolution and clarity, suitable for both digital and print media.
  • Community and Support: Offers access to a community of users and extensive support resources, including tutorials and forums, to help users maximize their editing potential.
  • Privacy and Security: Prioritizes user data protection with robust privacy policies and secure data handling practices.
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  • Non-Destructive Editing: Allows you to make changes to your images without permanently altering the original file.
  • Advanced Layer System: Supports unlimited layers, including adjustment layers, live filter layers, and mask layers.
  • Comprehensive RAW Editing: Provides a complete workspace for developing RAW files with extensive controls for exposure, white balance, and more.
  • Panorama Stitching: Seamlessly combines multiple images to create wide-angle panoramas with automatic alignment and color correction.
  • Focus Stacking: Merges multiple images taken at different focal distances to produce a single image with a greater depth of field.
  • HDR Merge: Combines several exposure-bracketed images into a single high dynamic range (HDR) image with tone mapping controls.
  • Batch Processing: Automates repetitive tasks by applying the same set of edits to multiple images simultaneously.
  • Retouching Tools: Includes a variety of tools such as the Healing Brush, Clone Stamp, and Inpainting Brush for precise image correction.
  • Advanced Selection Refinement: Offers sophisticated selection tools and refinement options to accurately isolate subjects or areas within an image.
  • Live Filters: Apply filters non-destructively, allowing you to adjust settings and see real-time previews without permanently altering the image.
  • Customizable Workspaces: Tailor the interface to your workflow with flexible panels and toolbars that can be rearranged and saved as presets.
  • Vector Drawing Tools: Integrates vector tools for creating and editing shapes, paths, and text, making it suitable for both raster and vector graphics.
  • Macros: Record and replay a series of actions to automate complex workflows and repetitive tasks.
  • 360° Image Editing: Edit and export 360-degree images with support for equirectangular projections and live editing previews.
  • PSD Import/Export: Fully compatible with Adobe Photoshop files, allowing you to import and export PSD files with layers and effects intact.
  • Color Management: Supports ICC color profiles and offers advanced color correction tools, including curves, levels, and color balance adjustments.
  • Text Tools: Comprehensive text editing capabilities, including artistic text, frame text, and extensive typographic controls.
  • Plugins Support: Compatible with a wide range of Photoshop plugins to extend functionality and enhance your editing capabilities.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility: Available on macOS, Windows, and iPad, ensuring a consistent experience across different devices.
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  • Advanced Filters: Polarr offers a wide range of customizable filters that can be fine-tuned to achieve the desired look for your photos.
  • AI-Powered Enhancements: Utilize artificial intelligence to automatically enhance your images, including adjustments to lighting, color, and clarity.
  • Layer Support: Similar to professional software, Polarr allows for multiple layers, enabling complex edits and compositions.
  • Masking Tools: Precision masking tools let you apply adjustments to specific areas of your photo, such as radial, gradient, and brush masks.
  • Batch Processing: Efficiently edit multiple photos at once with batch processing capabilities, saving time on repetitive tasks.
  • Custom Overlays: Add custom overlays to your images, including textures, gradients, and shapes, to create unique effects.
  • Face Detection: Automatically detect and enhance facial features, making portrait editing more intuitive and efficient.
  • Color Correction: Comprehensive color correction tools allow for precise adjustments to hue, saturation, and luminance.
  • Lens Distortion Correction: Correct lens distortions such as barrel and pincushion effects to ensure your images are geometrically accurate.
  • Export Options: Multiple export options, including various file formats and quality settings, ensure your images are ready for any platform or use case.
  • Cross-Platform Availability: Polarr is available on multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, ensuring seamless editing across devices.
  • Customizable Workspace: Tailor the user interface to your workflow with customizable panels and toolbars.
  • History Management: Easily revert to previous states of your edit with a detailed history panel that tracks all changes.
  • Text and Graphics Tools: Add text and graphic elements to your photos with a variety of fonts, shapes, and styles.
  • RAW File Support: Edit RAW files directly within Polarr, preserving the highest quality and detail from your camera's sensor.
  • Preset Sharing: Share your custom presets with others or import presets created by the community to expand your editing toolkit.
  • Local Adjustments: Make localized adjustments to exposure, contrast, and other settings without affecting the entire image.
  • Blending Modes: Utilize various blending modes to combine layers and create complex effects.
  • Gradient Maps: Apply gradient maps to your images for creative color grading and stylization.
  • Custom LUTs: Import and apply custom LUTs (Look-Up Tables) for consistent color grading across your projects.
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Product Ranking

#8

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Photo Editing Software

#23

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Photo Editing Software

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Analyst Rating Summary

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Basic Editing Tools
User Interface and Experience
Advanced Editing Tools
Basic Editing Tools

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

Affinity Photo
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Advanced Editing Tools Basic Editing Tools Collaboration Platform Capabilities User Interface And Experience 88 100 39 62 90 77 92 68 81 72 0 25 50 75 100
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Awards

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated Affinity Photo and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Basic Editing Tools.

Basic Editing Tools Award

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Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Professional Features: Affinity Photo boasts a comprehensive suite of tools, including RAW file development, layers, blending modes, and a vast library of brushes, making it suitable for intricate photo editing tasks.
User-Friendly Interface: Its intuitive design and customizable workspace make it easy to navigate and utilize its features, even for users transitioning from other software.
Cost-Effective Solution: Unlike subscription-based models, Affinity Photo offers a one-time purchase, providing access to all future updates without recurring fees, making it a budget-friendly choice for businesses.
Cross-Platform Compatibility: With versions available for macOS, Windows, and iPad, users can seamlessly switch between devices while working on the same project, ensuring flexibility and efficiency.
High Performance: Known for its speed and smooth operation, Affinity Photo allows for efficient handling of large files and complex edits, optimizing workflow and productivity.
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Intuitive Design: Polarr is praised for its user-friendly interface, which makes it easy for both beginners and experienced users to navigate and edit photos effectively.
Filter Variety: Users frequently cite the wide array of filters available in Polarr as a significant advantage, allowing for diverse creative options and quick photo enhancements.
Lightroom-like Adjustments: Polarr offers a suite of editing tools comparable to Adobe Lightroom, providing professional-level control over color, tone, and other image parameters.
Creative Overlays: Polarr allows users to apply various overlays, such as weather effects, to add unique visual elements and enhance the mood of their photos.
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Limited Content-Aware Editing: Affinity Photo's content-aware fill and other related tools are not as sophisticated as Photoshop's, potentially making complex edits or object removal more challenging and time-consuming.
No Built-in Asset Management: Unlike Photoshop, Affinity Photo lacks integrated tools for organizing and managing image libraries, which can be a significant hurdle for businesses dealing with large volumes of visual assets.
Absence of AI-Powered Noise Reduction: While Affinity Photo offers noise reduction tools, it lacks the advanced AI-powered capabilities found in Photoshop, potentially limiting its effectiveness for images with high noise levels.
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Limited Organizational Features: Polarr lacks robust organizational tools, making it less suitable for businesses that manage large volumes of photos.
Potential Feature Gaps: While Polarr offers a comprehensive set of editing tools, businesses with highly specialized needs might find certain advanced features lacking compared to industry-leading software like Adobe Lightroom.
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Is Affinity Photo a picture-perfect solution for your editing needs? Users rave about Affinity Photo's affordability, with its one-time purchase price standing in stark contrast to Adobe Photoshop's subscription model. This makes it particularly appealing to hobbyists or those on a budget who don't want to be locked into recurring payments. Users also appreciate Affinity Photo's user-friendly interface, which many find comparable to Photoshop's, making it relatively easy to learn and navigate. The software's ability to handle large files and deliver smooth performance, even on less powerful machines, is another significant plus highlighted by users. However, Affinity Photo isn't without its drawbacks. Users point out its limited plugin compatibility compared to Photoshop, which boasts a more extensive library. This can be a dealbreaker for professionals who rely on specific plugins for their workflow. Another limitation is the absence of advanced features like AI-powered tools and content-aware fill, which are available in Photoshop. While Affinity Photo excels in many areas, these missing features can be a hurdle for users requiring more sophisticated editing capabilities. Overall, Affinity Photo emerges as a capable and budget-friendly alternative for photographers and editors who prioritize value for money and ease of use. However, professionals seeking a full-fledged suite of tools and advanced features might find Photoshop a more suitable, albeit pricier, option.

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Is Polarr the 'polar' opposite of a bad photo editing app? Users seem to think so, praising its intuitive design and powerful features that rival even industry giants like Adobe Lightroom. A standout feature is its custom filter creation, allowing for a personalized editing experience. One user raved about finally finding an app that "goes beyond simple" and offers the advanced tools they craved, like creating their own filters. This customization sets Polarr apart from apps offering only pre-made filters, which can feel limiting. However, some users have reported occasional glitches and a confusing interface after recent updates, particularly with the overlay feature. Despite these hiccups, the overall sentiment leans positive, with many highlighting Polarr's value for its price, especially compared to expensive alternatives. Polarr seems best suited for photography enthusiasts and aspiring professionals who want more control over their edits without the hefty price tag of professional-grade software. Its balance of advanced features and user-friendly design makes it ideal for those transitioning from basic editing apps to more sophisticated tools. However, users accustomed to the seamless experience of top-tier software might find the occasional glitches and interface quirks a drawback.

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