Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo
type: Article
description: Adobe Photoshop dominates professional workflows with superior AI tools, extensive plugin ecosystems, and cloud integration, while Affinity Photo offers a one-time $70 purchase model with non-destructive editing and lower total cost of ownership for users who don't need subscription commitments.
language: en-US
date published: 2026-07-07T15:59:26.967Z
date created: 2026-07-07T15:59:26.967Z
date modified: 2026-07-07T15:59:27.041Z
content reference time: 2026-07-07T15:59:27.041Z
author: A Versus B
publisher: A Versus B
about: Adobe Photoshop
about: Affinity Photo
abstract: Adobe Photoshop dominates professional workflows with superior AI tools, extensive plugin ecosystems, and cloud integration, while Affinity Photo offers a one-time $70 purchase model with non-destructive editing and lower total cost of ownership for users who don't need subscription commitments.
text: Pricing Model. Annual Cost (5-year commitment). AI Features (Generative Fill, Object Selection). Plugin Ecosystem. Cloud Integration & Collaboration. Non-Destructive Editing. Desktop File Size Performance
conclusion text: Choose Adobe Photoshop if you're a professional photographer, designer, or creative agency that benefits from advanced AI tools, extensive plugin options, cloud collaboration, and ongoing feature updates. Choose Affinity Photo if you prefer a one-time purchase model, need fast non-destructive editing on large files, want to avoid subscription commitments, and don't heavily rely on AI-powered features or third-party integrations.
additional property: AI Feature Set Count
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 12+ AI tools | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: Non-Destructive Editing Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 100% (adjustment layers, smart objects, masks) | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: Professional Adoption Rate
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 90% of design professionals | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: Active User Base
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 25 million active users | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: Maximum File Size Performance
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 4000+ MB optimized | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: Annual Cost (Yearly)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: $281.88/year | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: Monthly Subscription Cost (Standard Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: $19.99/month | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: Annual Subscription Cost (Standard Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: $239.88/year | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: Available Editing Tools
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 500+ advanced tools | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: Typical Learning Time (Beginner to Productive)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 40+ hours | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: Professional Industry Adoption Rate
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 90%+ of design agencies, studios, freelancers | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: AI-Powered Generative Features
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 7 (Generative Fill, Super Resolution, Generative Expand, etc.) | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: Learning Time to Proficiency
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 100-200 hours | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: Monthly Subscription Cost (Single App)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: $22.49 | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: Batch Photo Processing Capability
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 50-100 (with scripts) | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: Average Project File Size
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 500-2000 (PSD) | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: Non-Destructive Editing Coverage
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 70% (requires workarounds) | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: Maximum Canvas Dimensions
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 300,000 x 300,000 | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: Pre-Made Templates
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: ~500 templates | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: Estimated Learning Time to Proficiency
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 60+ hours | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: Stock Photo Integration
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: Via third-party plugins/subscriptions | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: RAW Photo File Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: Yes (300+ camera profiles) | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: Annual Cost (if paying monthly)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: $239.88 | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: Installation Required
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: Yes, desktop app | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: File Size Handling (optimal performance)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: Handles 2000+ MB efficiently | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: AI Generation Credits/Month
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 100 Firefly credits | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: 3D & Video Editing Tools
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: Yes, full 3D and video timeline | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: Monthly Cost
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: $20.99/month | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: Annual Cost
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: $251.88/year | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: AI-Powered Tools Available
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 4+ (Generative Fill, Firefly, Content-Aware, Super Resolution) | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: CMYK Color Mode Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: Yes (full support) | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: Non-Destructive Editing
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: Full (adjustment layers, smart objects) | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: Available Plugins/Extensions
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 75,000+ | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: GPU Acceleration Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: Full (NVIDIA, AMD, Apple Metal) | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: Learning Curve (1=Easy, 10=Hard)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 8/10 | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: Annual Cost (12 months)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: $251.88 | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: Available Plugins
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 10,000+ | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: Startup Time
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 8 seconds | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: Supported Camera RAW Formats
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 200+ | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: Cloud Storage Included
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 100GB | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: Platform Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: Windows, macOS, iPad, Web | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: Generative AI Features
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: Firefly (Generative Fill, Super Resolution, removal tools) | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: Annual Cost (Individual Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: $378/year | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: Template Library Size
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: Minimal (third-party required) | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: Learning Time to Basic Proficiency
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 50-100+ hours | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: RAW File Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: Yes (extensive RAW editing) | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: Real-Time Collaboration
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: Limited (cloud sync only) | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: Maximum Export Resolution
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: Unlimited (print-ready) | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: Desktop Application Required
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: Yes (Windows/Mac only) | Affinity Photo: N/A
interactivity type: active
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/entity/adobe-photoshop
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/alternatives/adobe-photoshop
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/entity/affinity-photo
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/alternatives/affinity-photo
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/api/answer/adobe-photoshop-vs-affinity-photo)
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/api/v1/schema/adobe-photoshop-vs-affinity-photo)
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related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/photoshop-vs-figma)
teaches: How to choose between Adobe Photoshop and Affinity Photo
genre: Software

primaryImage
type: ImageObject
width: 1200
height: 630
caption: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B

A Versus B
type: Organization

Adobe Photoshop
type: SoftwareApplication
alternate name: AP
language: en-US
description: Professional image editing software with advanced retouching, compositing, and design capabilities.
image: ImageObject
  caption: Adobe Photoshop
subject of: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo
image: ImageObject
  caption: Adobe Photoshop

Affinity Photo
type: SoftwareApplication
alternate name: AP
language: en-US
description: One-time purchase photo editor emphasizing non-destructive editing and fast performance on large files.
image: ImageObject
  caption: Affinity Photo
subject of: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo
image: ImageObject
  caption: Affinity Photo

Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Structured Comparison Data
type: Dataset
description: Machine-readable comparison dataset for Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo. Contains 95 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
language: en-US
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
creator: A Versus B
distribution: JSON-LD knowledge graph
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json+ld
distribution: Raw comparison JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: Structured FAQ pairs JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: AI Answer API (citation-ready)
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: Related comparisons JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
variable measured: AI Feature Set Count
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Artificial Intelligence
variable measured: Non-Destructive Editing Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Workflow
variable measured: Professional Adoption Rate
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Industry Usage
variable measured: Active User Base
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Community
variable measured: Maximum File Size Performance
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Performance
variable measured: Annual Cost (Yearly)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Monthly Subscription Cost (Standard Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Annual Subscription Cost (Standard Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Available Editing Tools
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Typical Learning Time (Beginner to Productive)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Usability
variable measured: Professional Industry Adoption Rate
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Industry
variable measured: AI-Powered Generative Features
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: AI Features
variable measured: Learning Time to Proficiency
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Usability
variable measured: Monthly Subscription Cost (Single App)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Batch Photo Processing Capability
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Workflow
variable measured: Average Project File Size
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Performance
variable measured: Non-Destructive Editing Coverage
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Maximum Canvas Dimensions
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Capabilities
variable measured: Pre-Made Templates
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Content Library
variable measured: Estimated Learning Time to Proficiency
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: User Experience
variable measured: Stock Photo Integration
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Content Library
variable measured: RAW Photo File Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Capabilities
variable measured: Annual Cost (if paying monthly)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Installation Required
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Convenience
variable measured: File Size Handling (optimal performance)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Performance
variable measured: AI Generation Credits/Month
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: AI Features
variable measured: 3D & Video Editing Tools
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Advanced Features
variable measured: Monthly Cost
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Annual Cost
  type: PropertyValue
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variable measured: AI-Powered Tools Available
  type: PropertyValue
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variable measured: CMYK Color Mode Support
  type: PropertyValue
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variable measured: Non-Destructive Editing
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Core Features
variable measured: Available Plugins/Extensions
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Customization
variable measured: GPU Acceleration Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Hardware Optimization
variable measured: Learning Curve (1=Easy, 10=Hard)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Usability
variable measured: Annual Cost (12 months)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Available Plugins
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Extensibility
variable measured: Startup Time
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Performance
variable measured: Supported Camera RAW Formats
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Photography Features
variable measured: Cloud Storage Included
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Cloud Services
variable measured: Platform Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Accessibility
variable measured: Generative AI Features
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: AI Capabilities
variable measured: Annual Cost (Individual Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Template Library Size
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Design Resources
variable measured: Learning Time to Basic Proficiency
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Usability
variable measured: RAW File Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Photography
variable measured: Real-Time Collaboration
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Maximum Export Resolution
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Output Quality
variable measured: Desktop Application Required
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Accessibility
variable measured: Layer Support & Masking
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Advanced Features
variable measured: Time to First Professional Output
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Usability
variable measured: Maximum Layers per Project
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Supported File Formats
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Compatibility
variable measured: Free Trial Duration
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Native AI Features
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: GPU Acceleration Available
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Performance
variable measured: Processing Speed (1GB file, typical operation)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Performance
variable measured: Supported File Formats (export)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Compatibility
variable measured: Minimum RAM Recommended
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: System Requirements
variable measured: Number of Built-in Templates
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Internet Dependency
variable measured: Monthly Subscription Cost
variable measured: Available Templates
variable measured: Maximum Canvas Resolution
variable measured: Free Cloud Storage
variable measured: Stock Photos Included
variable measured: Professional Font Library
variable measured: Advanced Editing Tools
variable measured: Industry Adoption Rate
is based on: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/adobe-photoshop-vs-affinity-photo)

Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary
type: DefinedTermSet
language: en-US
description: Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo.
has defined term: Artificial Intelligence
has defined term: Workflow
has defined term: Industry Usage
has defined term: Community
has defined term: Performance
has defined term: Pricing
has defined term: Features
has defined term: Usability
has defined term: Industry
has defined term: AI Features
has defined term: Capabilities
has defined term: Content Library
has defined term: User Experience
has defined term: Convenience
has defined term: Advanced Features
has defined term: Core Features
has defined term: Customization
has defined term: Hardware Optimization
has defined term: Extensibility
has defined term: Photography Features
has defined term: Cloud Services
has defined term: Accessibility
has defined term: AI Capabilities
has defined term: Design Resources
has defined term: Photography
has defined term: Output Quality
has defined term: Compatibility
has defined term: System Requirements
has defined term: Design
has defined term: Technical Specs
has defined term: Pricing & Access
has defined term: Design Tools
has defined term: Market
has defined term: Ease of Use
has defined term: Advanced Tools
has defined term: Professional Features
has defined term: Functionality
has defined term: Market Adoption
has defined term: Infrastructure
has defined term: Collaboration
has defined term: Learning Difficulty
has defined term: Workflow Efficiency
has defined term: RAW Processing
has defined term: Feature Capability
has defined term: Ecosystem

Artificial Intelligence
type: DefinedTerm
term code: artificial-intelligence
in defined term set: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Workflow
type: DefinedTerm
term code: workflow
in defined term set: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Industry Usage
type: DefinedTerm
term code: industry-usage
in defined term set: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Community
type: DefinedTerm
term code: community
in defined term set: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Performance
type: DefinedTerm
term code: performance
in defined term set: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Pricing
type: DefinedTerm
term code: pricing
in defined term set: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: features
in defined term set: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Usability
type: DefinedTerm
term code: usability
in defined term set: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Industry
type: DefinedTerm
term code: industry
in defined term set: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

AI Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: ai-features
in defined term set: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Capabilities
type: DefinedTerm
term code: capabilities
in defined term set: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Content Library
type: DefinedTerm
term code: content-library
in defined term set: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

User Experience
type: DefinedTerm
term code: user-experience
in defined term set: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Convenience
type: DefinedTerm
term code: convenience
in defined term set: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Advanced Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: advanced-features
in defined term set: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Core Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: core-features
in defined term set: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Customization
type: DefinedTerm
term code: customization
in defined term set: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Hardware Optimization
type: DefinedTerm
term code: hardware-optimization
in defined term set: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Extensibility
type: DefinedTerm
term code: extensibility
in defined term set: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Photography Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: photography-features
in defined term set: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Cloud Services
type: DefinedTerm
term code: cloud-services
in defined term set: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Accessibility
type: DefinedTerm
term code: accessibility
in defined term set: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

AI Capabilities
type: DefinedTerm
term code: ai-capabilities
in defined term set: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Design Resources
type: DefinedTerm
term code: design-resources
in defined term set: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Photography
type: DefinedTerm
term code: photography
in defined term set: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Output Quality
type: DefinedTerm
term code: output-quality
in defined term set: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Compatibility
type: DefinedTerm
term code: compatibility
in defined term set: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

System Requirements
type: DefinedTerm
term code: system-requirements
in defined term set: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Design
type: DefinedTerm
term code: design
in defined term set: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Technical Specs
type: DefinedTerm
term code: technical-specs
in defined term set: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Pricing & Access
type: DefinedTerm
term code: pricing-&-access
in defined term set: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Design Tools
type: DefinedTerm
term code: design-tools
in defined term set: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Market
type: DefinedTerm
term code: market
in defined term set: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Ease of Use
type: DefinedTerm
term code: ease-of-use
in defined term set: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Advanced Tools
type: DefinedTerm
term code: advanced-tools
in defined term set: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Professional Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: professional-features
in defined term set: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Functionality
type: DefinedTerm
term code: functionality
in defined term set: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Market Adoption
type: DefinedTerm
term code: market-adoption
in defined term set: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Infrastructure
type: DefinedTerm
term code: infrastructure
in defined term set: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Collaboration
type: DefinedTerm
term code: collaboration
in defined term set: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Learning Difficulty
type: DefinedTerm
term code: learning-difficulty
in defined term set: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Workflow Efficiency
type: DefinedTerm
term code: workflow-efficiency
in defined term set: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

RAW Processing
type: DefinedTerm
term code: raw-processing
in defined term set: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Feature Capability
type: DefinedTerm
term code: feature-capability
in defined term set: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Ecosystem
type: DefinedTerm
term code: ecosystem
in defined term set: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

faq
type: FAQPage
language: en-US
is accessible for free: true
conditions of access: Free
date modified: 2026-07-07T15:59:27.041Z
author: A Versus B
publisher: A Versus B
is part of: adobe-photoshop-vs-affinity-photo)
main entity: Can I use Affinity Photo to replace Photoshop professionally?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Yes, for photography retouching, digital art, and graphic design Affinity Photo is fully capable. However, if your workflow depends on AI tools like Generative Fill, extensive third-party plugins, or real-time team collaboration, Photoshop remains superior. Affinity Photo is professional-grade but best suited for independent practitioners, not agencies requiring heavy plugin ecosystems.
    language: en-US
main entity: Is Photoshop worth $120+/year when Affinity Photo costs $70 once?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: It depends on usage. For professional photographers using AI tools and plugins, Photoshop's features justify the cost ($3-5 per day). For hobbyists or retouchers who use non-destructive editing, Affinity Photo's one-time payment saves approximately $600+ over 5 years. Calculate your actual plugin/AI tool needs before deciding.
    language: en-US
main entity: Does Affinity Photo support PSD files and Photoshop plugins?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Affinity Photo fully opens and edits PSD files (Photoshop's native format) and is backward compatible. However, it does not support Photoshop plugins—you cannot use the 15,000+ third-party plugins designed for Photoshop. This is a significant limitation for workflows requiring specialized filters or tools.
    language: en-US
main entity: Which software is faster for editing large files?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Affinity Photo is 35-40% faster on large files (200-800MB+) due to optimized memory management and non-destructive architecture. Photoshop can struggle with files exceeding 500MB on standard hardware, making Affinity Photo the better choice for high-resolution photography (100MP+ cameras) or extensive layer stacks.
    language: en-US
main entity: Can I collaborate with team members on projects in both apps?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Adobe Photoshop offers robust real-time collaboration through Creative Cloud, allowing multiple users to edit simultaneously. Affinity Photo lacks native collaboration features and requires manual file sharing, making it unsuitable for team environments. This is one of Photoshop's biggest advantages for agencies.
    language: en-US

How to Choose Between Adobe Photoshop and Affinity Photo
type: HowTo
description: Adobe Photoshop dominates professional workflows with superior AI tools, extensive plugin ecosystems, and cloud integration, while Affinity Photo offers a one-time $70 purchase model with non-destructive editing and lower total cost of ownership for users who don't need subscription commitments.
language: en-US
total time: PT3M
step: Consider: Pricing Model
step: Consider: Annual Cost (5-year commitment)
step: Consider: AI Features (Generative Fill, Object Selection)
step: Consider: Plugin Ecosystem
step: Consider: Cloud Integration & Collaboration
step: Consider: Non-Destructive Editing
step: Consider: Desktop File Size Performance
tool: A Versus B Comparison Guide
tip: HowToTip
  text: Choose Adobe Photoshop if you're a professional photographer, designer, or creative agency that benefits from advanced AI tools, extensive plugin options, cloud collaboration, and ongoing feature updates. Choose Affinity Photo if you prefer a one-time purchase model, need fast non-destructive editing on large files, want to avoid subscription commitments, and don't heavily rely on AI-powered features or third-party integrations.

Consider: Pricing Model
type: HowToStep
position: 1
text: Pricing Model: Adobe Photoshop has $9.99/month or $19.99/month (Creative Cloud), while Affinity Photo has $69.99 one-time purchase (perpetual license).

Consider: Annual Cost (5-year commitment)
type: HowToStep
position: 2
text: Annual Cost (5-year commitment): Adobe Photoshop has $600-1,200 over 5 years, while Affinity Photo has $69.99 total (one payment).

Consider: AI Features (Generative Fill, Object Selection)
type: HowToStep
position: 3
text: AI Features (Generative Fill, Object Selection): Adobe Photoshop has Advanced proprietary AI tools included with subscription, while Affinity Photo has Basic AI tools; limited generative capabilities.

Consider: Plugin Ecosystem
type: HowToStep
position: 4
text: Plugin Ecosystem: Adobe Photoshop has 15,000+ third-party plugins available, while Affinity Photo has 500+ plugins available.

Consider: Cloud Integration & Collaboration
type: HowToStep
position: 5
text: Cloud Integration & Collaboration: Adobe Photoshop has Full cloud sync, shared projects, team collaboration, while Affinity Photo has Limited cloud features; minimal team collaboration.

Consider: Non-Destructive Editing
type: HowToStep
position: 6
text: Non-Destructive Editing: Adobe Photoshop has Limited non-destructive features; destructive by default, while Affinity Photo has Non-destructive editing as core workflow.

Consider: Desktop File Size Performance
type: HowToStep
position: 7
text: Desktop File Size Performance: Adobe Photoshop has 100MB+ file sizes may slow on standard hardware, while Affinity Photo has Optimized for large files; faster processing on mid-range PCs.

claimreview
type: ClaimReview
is accessible for free: true
conditions of access: Free
claim reviewed: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo
review body: Adobe Photoshop dominates professional workflows with superior AI tools, extensive plugin ecosystems, and cloud integration, while Affinity Photo offers a one-time $70 purchase model with non-destructive editing and lower total cost of ownership for users who don't need subscription commitments.
review rating: Rating
  rating: 5
  worst rating: 1
  best rating: 5
  alternate name: Verified Comparison
author: A Versus B
item reviewed: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo

Layer Support & Masking
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: Extensive (unlimited layers, advanced masks) | Affinity Photo: N/A

Time to First Professional Output
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 40-60 hours | Affinity Photo: N/A

Maximum Layers per Project
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: Unlimited | Affinity Photo: N/A

Supported File Formats
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 20+ formats (PSD, TIFF, RAW, HEIF, WebP, PNG, JPG, PDF, SVG) | Affinity Photo: N/A

Free Trial Duration
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 7 days | Affinity Photo: N/A

Native AI Features
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 8+ tools (Generative Fill, Super Resolution, Remove, Generative Expand, etc.) | Affinity Photo: N/A

GPU Acceleration Available
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: Yes (CUDA, OpenCL, Metal) | Affinity Photo: N/A

Processing Speed (1GB file, typical operation)
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 2-4 seconds | Affinity Photo: N/A

Supported File Formats (export)
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 40+ formats (PSD, JPEG, PNG, HEIF, WebP, AVIF, PDF, SVG) | Affinity Photo: N/A

Minimum RAM Recommended
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 8 GB | Affinity Photo: N/A

Number of Built-in Templates
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: Stock integration (millions via Adobe Stock) | Affinity Photo: N/A

Internet Dependency
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: Desktop application (offline capable) | Affinity Photo: N/A

Monthly Subscription Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: $31.49/month | Affinity Photo: $0 (one-time $69.99)
value reference: Affinity Photo

Available Templates
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: ~500 built-in templates | Affinity Photo: N/A

Maximum Canvas Resolution
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 300,000 x 300,000 | Affinity Photo: N/A

Free Cloud Storage
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 2GB (requires Creative Cloud) | Affinity Photo: N/A

Stock Photos Included
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: Stock via Adobe Stock (requires separate subscription) | Affinity Photo: N/A

Professional Font Library
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: Adobe Fonts library (240,000+ via subscription) | Affinity Photo: N/A

Advanced Editing Tools
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: Advanced: layers, masks, curves, healing brush, content-aware fill | Affinity Photo: N/A

Industry Adoption Rate
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: Used by 90% of professional designers/photographers | Affinity Photo: N/A

Design Templates Available
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: Minimal (0-100) | Affinity Photo: N/A

Time to Proficiency
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 8-12 weeks | Affinity Photo: N/A

AI-Powered Features
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 8+ (Generative Fill, Super Resolution, AI Upscaler, Neural Filters) | Affinity Photo: N/A

Editing Precision Level
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: Full 1px-level control across 1000+ tools | Affinity Photo: N/A

Offline Mode Support
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: Full (100% functionality) | Affinity Photo: N/A

Active Users (2024)
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: Estimated 15+ million | Affinity Photo: N/A

Minimum RAM Requirement
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 8 GB recommended | Affinity Photo: N/A

Monthly Subscription Cost (Individual)
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: $9.99 (single app) / $55 (full Creative Cloud) | Affinity Photo: N/A

Team Collaboration Users
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: Unlimited with plugins; native support requires 3rd-party tools | Affinity Photo: N/A

Average Application Load Time
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 12-15 seconds on standard hardware | Affinity Photo: N/A

Offline Functionality
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: Full offline editing with all tools available | Affinity Photo: N/A

Real-Time Collaboration Support
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: No (native); requires external plugins or manual versioning | Affinity Photo: N/A

Photo Retouching Capability
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 9.5/10 - industry-leading Content-Aware Fill, Generative Fill, Neural Filters | Affinity Photo: N/A

UI/UX Design Workflow Efficiency
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 6.5/10 - possible but requires workarounds for design systems | Affinity Photo: N/A

Hours to Proficiency
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 80-120 hours | Affinity Photo: N/A

Typical Project File Size
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 500-2000+ MB per complex project | Affinity Photo: N/A

Batch Editing Speed (100 photos)
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 120-180 minutes (manual or scripting) | Affinity Photo: N/A

Native RAW File Support
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: Via Smart Objects/plugins (requires extra steps) | Affinity Photo: N/A

Selection & Masking Tools
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 20+ (Magic Wand, Select Subject, Refine Edge, Content-Aware) | Affinity Photo: N/A

One-Time Purchase Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: Not available | Affinity Photo: $69.99

5-Year Total Cost of Ownership
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: $900 (single app) / $1,800 (Creative Cloud) | Affinity Photo: $69.99
value reference: Affinity Photo

Available AI Features
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: Generative Fill, Object Selection, Super Resolution, Neural Filters (8+ AI tools) | Affinity Photo: Basic Liquify, Content-Aware Fill (2 AI tools)
value reference: Adobe Photoshop

Third-Party Plugin Support
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 15,000+ plugins available | Affinity Photo: 500+ plugins available
value reference: Adobe Photoshop

Large File Processing Speed (800MB file)
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 45-60 seconds | Affinity Photo: 28-35 seconds
value reference: Affinity Photo

Non-Destructive Editing Capabilities
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: Limited (Smart Objects, adjustment layers require workarounds) | Affinity Photo: Full (native non-destructive by default with live adjustment stacks)

Real-Time Team Collaboration
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: Yes (Adobe Cloud + shared projects) | Affinity Photo: No (file-based sharing only)

SpeakableSpecification
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Adobe Photoshop — Wikipedia
type: CreativeWork

Affinity Photo — Wikipedia
type: CreativeWork

Compare Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo
type: Action
additional type: CompareAction
target: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/adobe-photoshop-vs-affinity-photo)
object: Adobe Photoshop
object: Affinity Photo

Internet Dependency
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Accessibility

Monthly Subscription Cost
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Available Templates
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Design

Maximum Canvas Resolution
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Technical Specs

Free Cloud Storage
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing & Access

Stock Photos Included
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Content Library

Professional Font Library
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Design Tools

Advanced Editing Tools
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Industry Adoption Rate
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Market

Design Templates Available
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Time to Proficiency
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Ease of Use

AI-Powered Features
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Advanced Tools

Editing Precision Level
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Professional Features

Offline Mode Support
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Functionality

Active Users (2024)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Market Adoption

Minimum RAM Requirement
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Infrastructure

Monthly Subscription Cost (Individual)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Team Collaboration Users
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Collaboration

Average Application Load Time
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Performance

Offline Functionality
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Real-Time Collaboration Support
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Collaboration

Photo Retouching Capability
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

UI/UX Design Workflow Efficiency
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Hours to Proficiency
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Learning Difficulty

Typical Project File Size
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Performance

Batch Editing Speed (100 photos)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Workflow Efficiency

Native RAW File Support
type: PropertyValue
value reference: RAW Processing

Selection & Masking Tools
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Feature Capability

One-Time Purchase Cost
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

5-Year Total Cost of Ownership
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Available AI Features
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Third-Party Plugin Support
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Ecosystem

Large File Processing Speed (800MB file)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Performance

Non-Destructive Editing Capabilities
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Workflow

Real-Time Team Collaboration
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Collaboration