Photoshop vs Affinity Photo
type: Article
description: Photoshop dominates professional workflows with superior AI tools, extensive plugin ecosystem, and industry-standard status, while Affinity Photo offers a one-time purchase model at 90% lower cost with comparable core editing capabilities for most users.
language: en-US
date published: 2026-07-08T13:10:17.696Z
date created: 2026-07-08T13:10:17.696Z
date modified: 2026-07-08T13:10:17.758Z
content reference time: 2026-07-08T13:10:17.758Z
author: A Versus B
publisher: A Versus B
about: Adobe Photoshop
about: Affinity Photo
abstract: Photoshop dominates professional workflows with superior AI tools, extensive plugin ecosystem, and industry-standard status, while Affinity Photo offers a one-time purchase model at 90% lower cost with comparable core editing capabilities for most users.
text: Pricing Model. Annual Cost (5 years). AI-Powered Features. Plugin Support. Non-Destructive Editing. RAW Processing Speed. Industry Adoption
conclusion text: Choose Photoshop if you're a professional requiring AI-assisted workflows, extensive plugin ecosystems, and industry-standard file compatibility for team collaboration. Choose Affinity Photo if you prefer lifetime ownership, one-time payment, and need powerful editing capabilities without subscription costs—ideal for freelancers and hobbyists who don't require cutting-edge AI tools.
additional property: AI Feature Set Count
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 12+ AI tools | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: Professional Adoption Rate
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 94% of creative 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: 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: 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: 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 (Creative Cloud only) | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: Platform Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: Windows, macOS, iPad, Web | 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
additional property: Layer Support & Masking
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: Extensive (unlimited layers, advanced masks) | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: Time to First Professional Output
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 40-60 hours | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: Maximum Layers per Project
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: Unlimited | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: Supported File Formats
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 40+ (includes PSD, TIFF, RAW, PDF, AI) | Affinity Photo: N/A
additional property: Free Trial Duration
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Adobe Photoshop: 7 days | 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/photoshop-vs-affinity-photo)
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/api/v1/schema/photoshop-vs-affinity-photo)
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/adobe-photoshop-vs-affinity-photo)
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/photoshop-vs-gimp
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/photoshop-vs-pixlr
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/adobe-photoshop-vs-pixelmator-pro
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/adobe-photoshop-vs-canva
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/adobe-photoshop-vs-gimp
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/canva-vs-photoshop)
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/canva-vs-photoshop))
teaches: How to choose between Adobe Photoshop and Affinity Photo
genre: Software

primaryImage
type: ImageObject
width: 1200
height: 630
caption: 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 pixel-based image editor with unlimited creative tools and compositing capabilities.
image: ImageObject
  caption: Adobe Photoshop
subject of: Photoshop vs Affinity Photo
image: ImageObject
  caption: Adobe Photoshop

Affinity Photo
type: SoftwareApplication
alternate name: AP
language: en-US
description: Perpetual-license desktop image editor offering professional-grade features without subscription.
image: ImageObject
  caption: Affinity Photo
subject of: Photoshop vs Affinity Photo
image: ImageObject
  caption: Affinity Photo

Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Structured Comparison Data
type: Dataset
description: Machine-readable comparison dataset for Photoshop vs Affinity Photo. Contains 121 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: Professional Adoption Rate
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Industry Use
variable measured: Active User Base
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Adoption
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: Features
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
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variable measured: AI-Powered Tools Available
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
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: Extensibility
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: Total Cost
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: Features
variable measured: Platform Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Compatibility
variable measured: Annual Cost (Individual Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Template Library Size
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Content
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: Features
variable measured: Free Trial Duration
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Native AI Features
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: AI Integration
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: Number of Built-in Templates
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Internet Dependency
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Accessibility
variable measured: Available Templates
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Design
variable measured: Maximum Canvas Resolution
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Technical Specs
variable measured: Free Cloud Storage
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Storage
variable measured: Stock Photos Included
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Content Library
variable measured: Professional Font Library
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Design Tools
variable measured: Advanced Editing Tools
variable measured: Industry Adoption Rate
variable measured: Monthly Subscription Cost
variable measured: Annual Cost
variable measured: Storage Size
variable measured: Minimum RAM Recommended
variable measured: AI-Powered Tools
variable measured: Available Plugins
variable measured: Professional Industry Adoption
is based on: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/photoshop-vs-affinity-photo)

Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary
type: DefinedTermSet
language: en-US
description: Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Photoshop vs Affinity Photo.
has defined term: Artificial Intelligence
has defined term: Industry Use
has defined term: Adoption
has defined term: Performance
has defined term: Pricing
has defined term: Features
has defined term: Usability
has defined term: Industry
has defined term: Workflow
has defined term: Capabilities
has defined term: Content Library
has defined term: User Experience
has defined term: Convenience
has defined term: AI Features
has defined term: Advanced Features
has defined term: Core Features
has defined term: Extensibility
has defined term: Hardware Optimization
has defined term: Total Cost
has defined term: Photography Features
has defined term: Compatibility
has defined term: Content
has defined term: Photography
has defined term: Output Quality
has defined term: Accessibility
has defined term: AI Integration
has defined term: Design
has defined term: Technical Specs
has defined term: Storage
has defined term: Design Tools
has defined term: Market
has defined term: System Requirements
has defined term: Ecosystem
has defined term: Professional Use
has defined term: Editing Capabilities
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: AI & Intelligence
has defined term: File Compatibility
has defined term: Development
has defined term: Learning
has defined term: Capability
has defined term: AI & Automation
has defined term: Value

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Total Cost
type: DefinedTerm
term code: total-cost
in defined term set: Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

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

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

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

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

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

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

AI Integration
type: DefinedTerm
term code: ai-integration
in defined term set: Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

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

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

Storage
type: DefinedTerm
term code: storage
in defined term set: Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

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

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

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

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

Professional Use
type: DefinedTerm
term code: professional-use
in defined term set: Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

AI & Intelligence
type: DefinedTerm
term code: ai-&-intelligence
in defined term set: Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

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

Development
type: DefinedTerm
term code: development
in defined term set: Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

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

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

AI & Automation
type: DefinedTerm
term code: ai-&-automation
in defined term set: Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Value
type: DefinedTerm
term code: value
in defined term set: Photoshop vs Affinity Photo — Attribute Category Vocabulary

faq
type: FAQPage
language: en-US
is accessible for free: true
conditions of access: Free
date modified: 2026-07-08T13:10:17.758Z
author: A Versus B
publisher: A Versus B
is part of: photoshop-vs-affinity-photo)
main entity: Is Affinity Photo really as good as Photoshop for professional work?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Affinity Photo handles 90% of professional photo editing tasks excellently—RAW processing, layers, masks, and adjustments match Photoshop's core features. However, if your workflow depends on Generative Fill (AI-powered object removal/addition), Super Resolution (4x upscaling), or 40,000+ specialized plugins, Photoshop is superior. For traditional photography and design without AI tools, Affinity Photo is competitive.
    language: en-US
main entity: Can I use Affinity Photo files in Photoshop and vice versa?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Affinity Photo exports to PSD (Photoshop format) with 95% compatibility, but native Affinity (.afphoto) files require Affinity to open. Photoshop cannot directly open Affinity's native format. For team collaboration in Creative Cloud environments, Photoshop is required; Affinity works best for solo freelancers.
    language: en-US
main entity: Is the Photoshop subscription worth $240/year compared to Affinity's $100 one-time cost?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Yes, if you use AI features (Generative Fill saves hours monthly), need 40,000+ plugins, or collaborate with agencies using Creative Cloud. No, if you edit occasionally, prefer perpetual ownership, work offline, or don't require cutting-edge AI—Affinity Photo saves $1,099 over 10 years with nearly identical core editing capabilities.
    language: en-US
main entity: Does Affinity Photo require an internet connection or subscription activation?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: No. Affinity Photo is completely offline after installation—no internet, no cloud activation, no subscription checks. Photoshop requires periodic internet validation and blocks full feature access without an active subscription, making Affinity ideal for users with unreliable connectivity.
    language: en-US
main entity: Which software has better performance on large files (100MB+ PSDs)?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Both handle large files well with GPU acceleration, but Affinity Photo's dual-persona design (separated Photo and Designer modes) uses memory slightly more efficiently. For extreme files (500MB+), Photoshop's 40-year optimization edge gives marginal advantage, but real-world performance is nearly identical on modern hardware (16GB+ RAM).
    language: en-US

How to Choose Between Adobe Photoshop and Affinity Photo
type: HowTo
description: Photoshop dominates professional workflows with superior AI tools, extensive plugin ecosystem, and industry-standard status, while Affinity Photo offers a one-time purchase model at 90% lower cost with comparable core editing capabilities for most users.
language: en-US
total time: PT3M
step: Consider: Pricing Model
step: Consider: Annual Cost (5 years)
step: Consider: AI-Powered Features
step: Consider: Plugin Support
step: Consider: Non-Destructive Editing
step: Consider: RAW Processing Speed
step: Consider: Industry Adoption
tool: A Versus B Comparison Guide
tip: HowToTip
  text: Choose Photoshop if you're a professional requiring AI-assisted workflows, extensive plugin ecosystems, and industry-standard file compatibility for team collaboration. Choose Affinity Photo if you prefer lifetime ownership, one-time payment, and need powerful editing capabilities without subscription costs—ideal for freelancers and hobbyists who don't require cutting-edge AI tools.

Consider: Pricing Model
type: HowToStep
position: 1
text: Pricing Model: Adobe Photoshop has $9.99-$19.99/month or $239.88/year, while Affinity Photo has $99.99 one-time purchase.

Consider: Annual Cost (5 years)
type: HowToStep
position: 2
text: Annual Cost (5 years): Adobe Photoshop has $1,199.40 (subscription), while Affinity Photo has $99.99 (lifetime).

Consider: AI-Powered Features
type: HowToStep
position: 3
text: AI-Powered Features: Adobe Photoshop has Generative Fill, Super Resolution, Object Selection AI, 100+ AI tools, while Affinity Photo has Content-Aware Fill, limited AI integration.

Consider: Plugin Support
type: HowToStep
position: 4
text: Plugin Support: Adobe Photoshop has 40,000+ plugins available (Adobe UXP + legacy), while Affinity Photo has 500+ plugins available.

Consider: Non-Destructive Editing
type: HowToStep
position: 5
text: Non-Destructive Editing: Adobe Photoshop has Smart Objects, Adjustment Layers, full non-destructive workflow, while Affinity Photo has Pixel Personas, full non-destructive workflow.

Consider: RAW Processing Speed
type: HowToStep
position: 6
text: RAW Processing Speed: Adobe Photoshop has GPU-accelerated, 2-4 seconds per image, while Affinity Photo has GPU-accelerated, 2-3 seconds per image.

Consider: Industry Adoption
type: HowToStep
position: 7
text: Industry Adoption: Adobe Photoshop has 95% of professional agencies use Photoshop, while Affinity Photo has 15% adoption among design professionals.

claimreview
type: ClaimReview
is accessible for free: true
conditions of access: Free
claim reviewed: Photoshop vs Affinity Photo
review body: Photoshop dominates professional workflows with superior AI tools, extensive plugin ecosystem, and industry-standard status, while Affinity Photo offers a one-time purchase model at 90% lower cost with comparable core editing capabilities for most users.
review rating: Rating
  rating: 5
  worst rating: 1
  best rating: 5
  alternate name: Verified Comparison
author: A Versus B
item reviewed: Photoshop vs Affinity Photo

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

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

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

Monthly Subscription Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: $20.99 | Affinity Photo: $0 (one-time $99.99)
value reference: Affinity Photo

Annual Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: $276/year (or $55/month for annual plan) | Affinity Photo: N/A

Storage Size
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 8 GB | Affinity Photo: N/A

Minimum RAM Recommended
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 8 GB (16 GB optimal) | Affinity Photo: N/A

AI-Powered Tools
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 15+ (Generative Fill, Super Resolution, Neural Filters, Style Transfer, etc.) | Affinity Photo: N/A

Available Plugins
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 900+ | Affinity Photo: N/A

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

Non-Destructive Editing Support
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: Full (adjustment layers, smart objects, layer masks) | 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

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)

Monthly Subscription Cost (Single App Plan)
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: $9.99/month | Affinity Photo: N/A

Minimum RAM Required
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 4GB | Affinity Photo: N/A

Installation Size
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 4GB | Affinity Photo: N/A

Generative AI Features
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: Adobe Firefly (Generative Fill, Expand, Super Resolution, 150+ filters) | Affinity Photo: N/A

Supported Layer Adjustment Types
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 25+ (Smart Objects, adjustment layers, clipping masks) | Affinity Photo: N/A

Supported Export Formats
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 20+ (PSD, PSB, PDF, PNG, JPG, TIFF, WebP, EPS, AI import, SVG import) | Affinity Photo: N/A

Feature Release Frequency
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 12+ major updates monthly | Affinity Photo: N/A

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

AI Generative Credits (Monthly)
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 100 credits included | Affinity Photo: N/A

Platform Availability
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: Desktop only (Windows 10+, macOS 11+) | Affinity Photo: N/A

Average Time to Basic Proficiency
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 40-60 hours | Affinity Photo: N/A

Built-in Design Templates
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 30+ template packs | Affinity Photo: N/A

Monthly Subscription Cost (Standalone)
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: $31.49/month | Affinity Photo: N/A

Learning Time to Proficiency
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 40-60 hours | Affinity Photo: N/A

Batch Edit Speed (100 Photos)
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 180-300 seconds | Affinity Photo: N/A

Native RAW Camera Support
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: Partial (via Camera Raw Filter) | Affinity Photo: N/A

Maximum Layer Support
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: Unlimited | Affinity Photo: N/A

File Format Support (Input)
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: PSD, PSB, TIFF, JPG, PNG, GIF, PDF, RAW (limited) | Affinity Photo: N/A

AI-Powered Features
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: 5 (Generative Fill, Super Resolution, Upscale, Denoise, Removal) | Affinity Photo: N/A

Annual Effective Cost (Year 1)
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: N/A | Affinity Photo: $99.99

5-Year Total Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: N/A | Affinity Photo: $99.99

AI-Powered Features Count
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: N/A | Affinity Photo: 5-8 AI-assisted features (Content-Aware Fill, limited integration)

Compatible Plugins
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: N/A | Affinity Photo: 500+

Professional Market Adoption
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: N/A | Affinity Photo: 15% of design professionals

RAW File Processing Speed
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: N/A | Affinity Photo: 2-3 seconds per image (GPU-accelerated)

Lifetime Cost Savings (vs Photoshop)
type: PropertyValue
value: Adobe Photoshop: N/A | Affinity Photo: $1,099.41 cheaper over 10 years

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/photoshop-vs-affinity-photo)
object: Adobe Photoshop
object: Affinity Photo

Advanced Editing Tools
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Industry Adoption Rate
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Market

Monthly Subscription Cost
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Annual Cost
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Storage Size
type: PropertyValue
value reference: System Requirements

Minimum RAM Recommended
type: PropertyValue
value reference: System Requirements

AI-Powered Tools
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Available Plugins
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Ecosystem

Professional Industry Adoption
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Professional Use

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

Design Templates Available
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Design

Time to Proficiency
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Usability

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

Monthly Subscription Cost (Single App Plan)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Minimum RAM Required
type: PropertyValue
value reference: System Requirements

Installation Size
type: PropertyValue
value reference: System Requirements

Generative AI Features
type: PropertyValue
value reference: AI & Intelligence

Supported Layer Adjustment Types
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Editing Capabilities

Supported Export Formats
type: PropertyValue
value reference: File Compatibility

Feature Release Frequency
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Development

Maximum Layers
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

AI Generative Credits (Monthly)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: AI Features

Platform Availability
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Accessibility

Average Time to Basic Proficiency
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Learning

Built-in Design Templates
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

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

Learning Time to Proficiency
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Usability

Batch Edit Speed (100 Photos)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Performance

Native RAW Camera Support
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Compatibility

Maximum Layer Support
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Capability

File Format Support (Input)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Compatibility

AI-Powered Features
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Annual Effective Cost (Year 1)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

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

AI-Powered Features Count
type: PropertyValue
value reference: AI & Automation

Compatible Plugins
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Extensibility

Professional Market Adoption
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Industry Use

RAW File Processing Speed
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Performance

Lifetime Cost Savings (vs Photoshop)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Value