Photoshop vs Affinity Photo

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Our analysts compared Photoshop vs Affinity Photo 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.

Product Basics

Photoshop is a versatile software designed for photo editing, graphics, and design tasks. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools for manipulating images, creating digital artwork, and designing graphics. Users can perform tasks such as retouching photos, compositing images, and creating intricate designs with precision. The software is particularly suited for photographers, graphic designers, and digital artists due to its robust capabilities and extensive feature set.

Industries such as advertising, marketing, publishing, and web design benefit significantly from Photoshop's advanced functionalities. Unique benefits include its powerful layer-based editing system, extensive brush library, and sophisticated selection tools. Popular features like content-aware fill, smart objects, and customizable workspaces enhance productivity and creativity.

Compared to similar products, users often praise Photoshop for its depth, flexibility, and industry-standard status. Pricing varies, typically offered as a subscription model with monthly or annual payment options. For specific pricing details, users are encouraged to contact SelectHub for a tailored quote based on their needs.

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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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$9.99 Monthly
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$49.99 One-Time
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Product Insights

  • Enhanced Creativity: Photoshop provides a wide array of tools and features that allow users to bring their creative visions to life, from intricate photo manipulations to stunning digital paintings.
  • Professional Quality: The software's advanced capabilities ensure that users can produce high-resolution, print-ready images suitable for professional use in marketing, advertising, and publishing.
  • Time Efficiency: With features like batch processing and automated actions, Photoshop helps streamline repetitive tasks, saving valuable time for designers and photographers.
  • Non-Destructive Editing: Photoshop's use of layers and masks allows for adjustments and edits without permanently altering the original image, providing flexibility and peace of mind.
  • Versatile File Compatibility: The software supports a wide range of file formats, making it easy to import and export images for various purposes, from web design to print media.
  • Precision and Control: Tools like the Pen Tool and Smart Guides offer unparalleled precision, enabling users to create detailed and accurate designs and selections.
  • Extensive Learning Resources: Adobe offers comprehensive tutorials, forums, and support, making it easier for users to learn and master Photoshop, regardless of their skill level.
  • Integration with Other Adobe Products: Seamless integration with other Adobe Creative Cloud applications, such as Illustrator and InDesign, enhances workflow efficiency and project consistency.
  • Customization Options: Users can tailor their workspace and tools to fit their specific needs, improving productivity and comfort during long editing sessions.
  • Advanced Retouching Capabilities: Photoshop's retouching tools, such as the Healing Brush and Clone Stamp, allow for precise corrections and enhancements, making it ideal for portrait and fashion photography.
  • Creative Filters and Effects: A vast library of filters and effects enables users to experiment with different styles and moods, adding unique touches to their projects.
  • Scalability for Different Projects: Whether working on a small social media graphic or a large billboard design, Photoshop's tools and features scale to meet the demands of any project size.
  • Collaboration Features: Cloud documents and shared libraries facilitate collaboration among team members, ensuring consistency and efficiency in multi-person projects.
  • Regular Updates: Adobe frequently updates Photoshop with new features and improvements, ensuring that users always have access to the latest tools and technologies.
  • Global Industry Standard: As the industry standard for photo editing and graphic design, proficiency in Photoshop is a valuable skill that enhances career opportunities and professional credibility.
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  • 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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  • Layers: Allows for non-destructive editing by stacking multiple elements in a single image.
  • Selection Tools: Includes the Magic Wand, Lasso, and Quick Selection tools for precise area selections.
  • Adjustment Layers: Enables color and tonal adjustments without altering the original image.
  • Brush Tool: Offers customizable brushes for painting and retouching with various textures and effects.
  • Clone Stamp Tool: Copies pixels from one part of an image to another, useful for removing imperfections.
  • Smart Objects: Embeds images or vector graphics in a way that preserves their original quality when transformed.
  • Filters: Provides a range of effects like blur, sharpen, and distort to enhance or stylize images.
  • Pen Tool: Creates precise paths and shapes, essential for vector-based design and complex selections.
  • Content-Aware Fill: Automatically fills in selected areas by analyzing surrounding pixels, ideal for removing unwanted objects.
  • Text Tool: Adds and customizes text with various fonts, sizes, and styles directly onto images.
  • Layer Masks: Controls the visibility of different parts of a layer, allowing for seamless blending and compositing.
  • Blend Modes: Alters how layers interact with each other, offering creative options for combining images.
  • History Panel: Tracks and allows undoing multiple steps, providing flexibility in the editing process.
  • Actions: Automates repetitive tasks by recording and replaying a series of steps, enhancing workflow efficiency.
  • 3D Tools: Enables the creation and manipulation of 3D objects and scenes within a 2D workspace.
  • Camera Raw: Processes raw images with advanced controls for exposure, color balance, and detail enhancement.
  • Liquify Tool: Warps and reshapes image areas, useful for retouching portraits and creating artistic effects.
  • Artboards: Manages multiple layouts within a single document, ideal for web and app design projects.
  • Vector Shapes: Draws and edits scalable shapes and paths, essential for logo design and illustrations.
  • Export Options: Supports various file formats and export settings, ensuring compatibility with different platforms and devices.
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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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Product Ranking

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Photo Editing Software

#8

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Photo Editing Software

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Analyst Rating Summary

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Basic Editing Tools
Security
Advanced Editing Tools
Platform Capabilities
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Basic Editing Tools
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Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

Photoshop
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Advanced Editing Tools Basic Editing Tools Collaboration Platform Capabilities User Interface And Experience 96 100 75 91 91 88 100 39 62 90 0 25 50 75 100
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Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

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Awards

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated Photoshop and concluded it deserves the award for the Best Overall Photo Editing Software available today and earns best-in-class honors for Basic Editing Tools and Security.

Analysts' Pick Award
Basic Editing Tools Award
Security Award

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

Basic Editing Tools Award

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Industry Standard: Photoshop is widely recognized as the go-to software in various creative industries, ensuring compatibility and smooth collaboration on projects.
Comprehensive Toolset: From basic adjustments to advanced manipulations, Photoshop offers an extensive array of tools catering to virtually every photo editing and graphic design need.
Powerful RAW Processing: Photoshop provides robust tools for adjusting RAW files, giving photographers extensive control over image parameters from the outset of their workflow.
AI-Powered Features: Features like Neural Filters leverage artificial intelligence to enable complex edits and achieve stunning results with simplified workflows.
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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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Subscription-Based Model: Unlike a one-time purchase, the subscription model means ongoing costs for users, which can be a deterrent for budget-conscious businesses.
Steep Learning Curve: Photoshop's extensive features come with a price - mastering its interface and tools takes time and effort, potentially hindering productivity for new users.
Limited Native RAW Editing: Requiring a separate plugin (Adobe Camera RAW) for native RAW image editing can be seen as an unnecessary hurdle compared to software with built-in RAW support.
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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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Can Photoshop really shop 'til it drops when it comes to features? User reviews from the last year suggest a resounding "yes," with many considering it the undisputed king of image editing. Users consistently highlight its unparalleled power and versatility as major strengths, particularly praising the depth and breadth of its toolset. For instance, the AI-powered features like Generative Fill and Neural Filters are often lauded for their ability to achieve complex edits with surprising ease, setting Photoshop apart from more streamlined alternatives like PhotoWorks. While Photoshop's subscription model and steep learning curve are commonly cited drawbacks, users generally agree that the investment is justified for professionals and serious hobbyists who require the utmost control and precision in their work.

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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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Screenshots

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