Adobe Photoshop is the industry standard that's defined photo editing for 30 years. Affinity Photo 2 is a one-time-purchase alternative that covers 80–90% of what most users need at a fraction of the cost. The question isn't whether Photoshop is more powerful — it is. The question is whether most people need that power.
Affinity Photo
Affinity Photo wins for hobbyists and budget-conscious professionals. Photoshop wins for power users who need the deepest feature set and industry-standard workflows.
Specs Comparison
| Spec | Adobe Photoshop | Affinity Photo |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $19.99/mo (Photography Plan) | $69.99 one-time |
| 3-year cost | ~$720 | ~$70–$90 |
| Generative AI tools | Excellent (Generative Fill) | Limited |
| RAW editing | Via Lightroom (separate app) | Built-in |
| Performance | Good (improving) | Excellent (especially Apple Silicon) |
| Industry standard | Yes | Not universally |
Pricing Model
Adobe Photoshop is subscription-only. The Photography Plan (Photoshop + Lightroom) is $19.99/mo ($239.88/year). Over three years that's ~$720. There's no perpetual license option.
Affinity Photo 2 is a one-time purchase at $69.99 on desktop and $18.99 on iPad. No subscription, no ongoing cost. Version updates have historically come as paid upgrades at a fraction of the original price. Over three years, Affinity Photo 2 likely costs under $100 total.
Feature Depth
Photoshop's feature set is unmatched: Content-Aware Fill, Neural Filters, Generative Fill (AI-powered object generation), Warp, advanced masking, and 3D tools. For retouching professionals, compositing artists, and anyone doing complex image manipulation for commercial clients, Photoshop's toolset is still ahead.
Affinity Photo 2 handles layer-based editing, RAW development, frequency separation, focus stacking, and panorama stitching without breaking a sweat. Its live filters are non-destructive and genuinely excellent. For photography editing, it covers all but the most esoteric professional workflows.
Performance
Affinity Photo 2 is notably faster on launch and on large file operations than Photoshop on the same hardware. Apple Silicon performance on the Mac is especially strong. Photoshop has improved, but Affinity's engineers didn't carry 30 years of legacy architecture.
For photographers editing 50MP RAW files, Affinity Photo's responsiveness is a real daily quality-of-life advantage.
Adobe Photoshop Strengths
- Generative Fill and Neural Filters (AI features)
- Industry-standard — accepted by every client and agency
- Deepest retouching toolset in the market
- Native integration with other Adobe products (Lightroom, Illustrator)
Affinity Photo Strengths
- One-time purchase — no subscription ($69.99)
- Faster on launch and large files
- Excellent RAW development built in
- iPad version nearly as powerful as desktop
Adobe Photoshop Weaknesses
- $19.99/mo minimum — expensive over time
- Slower launch times and heavier resource usage
- Subscription required even for basic use
Affinity Photo Weaknesses
- Not accepted by all commercial clients (who may require PSDs)
- Smaller third-party plugin ecosystem
- Generative AI features less developed than Photoshop's
Best For
- a: Professional photographers and designers working in agency environments where PSD files and Adobe workflows are required
- b: Hobbyists, independent photographers, and cost-conscious professionals who don't need AI features or agency compatibility
FAQ
Can Affinity Photo open Photoshop PSD files?
Yes — Affinity Photo can open and export PSD files. Compatibility is good but not perfect; complex Smart Objects and some adjustment layers may not convert identically.
Does Affinity Photo have an AI content removal tool?
Affinity Photo 2 includes an Inpainting tool for removing objects, but it's less powerful than Photoshop's AI-driven Generative Fill. For casual removal needs it works well.