software
Photoshop vs Affinity Photo 2026: Cost & Features
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.
Adobe Photoshop
Professional image editing desktop software with advanced AI, retouching, and design tools.
Professional photographers, designers, and agencies requiring cutting-edge AI tools, extensive plugin support, and team collaboration within Creative Cloud ecosystem.
Score67%
VS
Affinity Photo
Perpetual-license desktop image editor offering professional-grade features without subscription.
Freelancers, hobbyists, students, and small studios seeking professional editing without recurring costs and preferring perpetual ownership over subscription models.
Score63%
Quick Answer
AI SummaryPhotoshop 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.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose 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.
Community feedback
Was this verdict helpful?
Thanks — we'll use this to improve our verdicts.
Adobe Photoshop
7/10
Affinity Photo
8/10
Choose Adobe Photoshop if
Professional photographers, designers, and agencies requiring cutting-edge AI tools, extensive plugin support, and team collaboration within Creative Cloud ecosystem.
Choose Affinity Photo if
Best pickFreelancers, hobbyists, students, and small studios seeking professional editing without recurring costs and preferring perpetual ownership over subscription models.
Track this comparison
Get notified when prices change, new specs ship, or our verdict updates.
Triggers: price change new spec verdict update
No spam. Stop anytime.
Key Differences at a Glance
- Pricing Model:✓ Affinity Photo wins($99.99 one-time purchase vs $9.99-$19.99/month or $239.88/year)
- Annual Cost (5 years):✓ Affinity Photo wins($99.99 (lifetime) vs $1,199.40 (subscription))
- AI-Powered Features:✓ Adobe Photoshop wins(Generative Fill, Super Resolution, Object Selection AI, 100+ AI tools vs Content-Aware Fill, limited AI integration)
Key Facts & Figures
80 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | Adobe Photoshop | Affinity Photo | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| AI Feature Set Count(features) | 12+ AI tools | — | — |
| Professional Adoption Rate(percent) | 94% of creative professionals | — | — |
| Active User Base(millions) | 25 million active users | — | — |
| Maximum File Size Performance(MB) | 4000+ MB optimized | — | — |
| Annual Cost (Yearly)(USD) | $281.88/year | — | — |
| Monthly Subscription Cost (Standard Plan)(USD) | $19.99/month | — | — |
| Annual Subscription Cost (Standard Plan)(USD) | $239.88/year | — | — |
| Available Editing Tools(count) | 500+ advanced tools | — | — |
| Typical Learning Time (Beginner to Productive)(hours) | 40+ hours | — | — |
| Professional Industry Adoption Rate(percent) | 90%+ of design agencies, studios, freelancers | — | — |
| AI-Powered Generative Features | 7 (Generative Fill, Super Resolution, Generative Expand, etc.) | — | — |
| Learning Time to Proficiency(days) | 100-200 hours | — | — |
| Monthly Subscription Cost (Single App)(USD) | $22.49 | — | — |
| Batch Photo Processing Capability(photos per action) | 50-100 (with scripts) | — | — |
| Average Project File Size(MB) | 500-2000 (PSD) | — | — |
| Non-Destructive Editing Coverage(percent) | 70% (requires workarounds) | — | — |
| Maximum Canvas Dimensions(pixels) | 300,000 x 300,000 | — | — |
| Pre-Made Templates(count) | ~500 templates | — | — |
| Estimated Learning Time to Proficiency(hours) | 60+ hours | — | — |
| Annual Cost (if paying monthly)(USD) | $239.88 | — | — |
| File Size Handling (optimal performance)(MB) | Handles 2000+ MB efficiently | — | — |
| AI Generation Credits/Month(credits) | 100 Firefly credits | — | — |
| Available Plugins/Extensions(count) | 75,000+ | — | — |
| Learning Curve (1=Easy, 10=Hard)(difficulty rating) | 8/10 | — | — |
| Annual Cost (12 months)(USD) | $251.88 | — | — |
| Startup Time(milliseconds) | 8 seconds | — | — |
| Supported Camera RAW Formats(count) | 200+ | — | — |
| Cloud Storage Included(GB) | 100GB | — | — |
| Annual Cost (Individual Plan)(USD) | $378/year | — | — |
| Learning Time to Basic Proficiency(hours) | 50-100+ hours | — | — |
| Time to First Professional Output(hours) | 40-60 hours | — | — |
| Supported File Formats(formats) | 40+ (includes PSD, TIFF, RAW, PDF, AI) | — | — |
| Free Trial Duration(days) | 7 days | — | — |
| Processing Speed (1GB file, typical operation)(seconds) | 2-4 seconds | — | — |
| Supported File Formats (export)(count) | 40+ formats (PSD, JPEG, PNG, HEIF, WebP, AVIF, PDF, SVG) | — | — |
| Available Templates(count) | ~500 built-in templates | — | — |
| Maximum Canvas Resolution(pixels) | 300,000 x 300,000 | — | — |
| Free Cloud Storage(GB) | 2GB (requires Creative Cloud) | — | — |
| Professional Font Library(count) | Adobe Fonts library (240,000+ via subscription) | — | — |
| Industry Adoption Rate(percent) | Used by 90% of professional designers/photographers | — | — |
| Monthly Subscription Cost(USD) | $20.99 | $0 (one-time $99.99) | |
| Annual Cost(USD) | $276/year (or $55/month for annual plan) | — | — |
| Storage Size(GB) | 8 GB | — | — |
| Minimum RAM Recommended(GB) | 8 GB (16 GB optimal) | — | — |
| AI-Powered Tools(count) | 15+ (Generative Fill, Super Resolution, Neural Filters, Style Transfer, etc.) | — | — |
| Available Plugins(count) | 900+ | — | — |
| Professional Industry Adoption(%) | 90% of professional designers/photographers | — | — |
| Design Templates Available(count) | Minimal (0-100) | — | — |
| Time to Proficiency(hours) | 8-12 weeks | — | — |
| Active Users (2024)(millions) | Estimated 15+ million | — | — |
| Minimum RAM Requirement(GB) | 8 GB recommended | — | — |
| Monthly Subscription Cost (Individual)(USD) | $9.99 (single app) / $55 (full Creative Cloud) | — | — |
| Average Application Load Time(seconds) | 12-15 seconds on standard hardware | — | — |
| Photo Retouching Capability(capability score 1-10) | 9.5/10 - industry-leading Content-Aware Fill, Generative Fill, Neural Filters | — | — |
| UI/UX Design Workflow Efficiency(efficiency score 1-10) | 6.5/10 - possible but requires workarounds for design systems | — | — |
| Hours to Proficiency(hours) | 80-120 hours | — | — |
| Typical Project File Size(MB) | 500-2000+ MB per complex project | — | — |
| Batch Editing Speed (100 photos)(minutes) | 120-180 minutes (manual or scripting) | — | — |
| Selection & Masking Tools(tool count) | 20+ (Magic Wand, Select Subject, Refine Edge, Content-Aware) | — | — |
| One-Time Purchase Cost(USD) | Not available | $69.99 | — |
| 5-Year Total Cost of Ownership(USD) | $900 (single app) / $1,800 (Creative Cloud) | $69.99 | |
| Third-Party Plugin Support(plugins) | 15,000+ plugins available | 500+ plugins available | |
| Large File Processing Speed (800MB file)(seconds) | 45-60 seconds | 28-35 seconds | |
| Monthly Subscription Cost (Single App Plan)(USD) | $9.99/month | — | — |
| Minimum RAM Required(GB) | 4GB | — | — |
| Installation Size(GB) | 4GB | — | — |
| Generative AI Features | Adobe Firefly (Generative Fill, Expand, Super Resolution, 150+ filters) | — | — |
| Supported Layer Adjustment Types(count) | 25+ (Smart Objects, adjustment layers, clipping masks) | — | — |
| Supported Export Formats(count) | 20+ (PSD, PSB, PDF, PNG, JPG, TIFF, WebP, EPS, AI import, SVG import) | — | — |
| Feature Release Frequency(per year) | 12+ major updates monthly | — | — |
| AI Generative Credits (Monthly)(credits) | 100 credits included | — | — |
| Average Time to Basic Proficiency(hours) | 40-60 hours | — | — |
| Built-in Design Templates(templates) | 30+ template packs | — | — |
| Annual Effective Cost (Year 1)(USD) | $99.99 | $99.99 | |
| 5-Year Total Cost(USD) | $99.99 | $99.99 | |
| AI-Powered Features Count(features) | 5-8 AI-assisted features (Content-Aware Fill, limited integration) | 5-8 AI-assisted features (Content-Aware Fill, limited integration) | |
| Compatible Plugins(plugins) | 500+ | 500+ | |
| Professional Market Adoption(percent) | 15% of design professionals | 15% of design professionals | |
| RAW File Processing Speed(seconds) | 2-3 seconds per image (GPU-accelerated) | 2-3 seconds per image (GPU-accelerated) | |
| Lifetime Cost Savings (vs Photoshop)(USD) | $1,099.41 cheaper over 10 years | $1,099.41 cheaper over 10 years |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
Adobe Photoshop leads2 ties
Adobe Photoshop
Attribute
Affinity Photo
- $9.99-$19.99/month or $239.88/yearPricing Model$99.99 one-time purchase(winner)
- $1,199.40 (subscription)Annual Cost (5 years)$99.99 (lifetime)(winner)
- Generative Fill, Super Resolution, Object Selection AI, 100+ AI tools(winner)AI-Powered FeaturesContent-Aware Fill, limited AI integration
- 40,000+ plugins available (Adobe UXP + legacy)(winner)Plugin Support500+ plugins available
- Smart Objects, Adjustment Layers, full non-destructive workflowNon-Destructive EditingPixel Personas, full non-destructive workflow
- GPU-accelerated, 2-4 seconds per imageRAW Processing SpeedGPU-accelerated, 2-3 seconds per image
- 95% of professional agencies use Photoshop(winner)Industry Adoption15% adoption among design professionals
- Pricing Model
Adobe Photoshop
$9.99-$19.99/month or $239.88/year
Affinity Photo
$99.99 one-time purchase(winner)
- Annual Cost (5 years)
Adobe Photoshop
$1,199.40 (subscription)
Affinity Photo
$99.99 (lifetime)(winner)
- AI-Powered Features
Adobe Photoshop
Generative Fill, Super Resolution, Object Selection AI, 100+ AI tools(winner)
Affinity Photo
Content-Aware Fill, limited AI integration
- Plugin Support
Adobe Photoshop
40,000+ plugins available (Adobe UXP + legacy)(winner)
Affinity Photo
500+ plugins available
- Non-Destructive Editing
Adobe Photoshop
Smart Objects, Adjustment Layers, full non-destructive workflow
Affinity Photo
Pixel Personas, full non-destructive workflow
- RAW Processing Speed
Adobe Photoshop
GPU-accelerated, 2-4 seconds per image
Affinity Photo
GPU-accelerated, 2-3 seconds per image
- Industry Adoption
Adobe Photoshop
95% of professional agencies use Photoshop(winner)
Affinity Photo
15% adoption among design professionals
Full Comparison
| Attribute | Adobe Photoshop | Affinity Photo |
|---|---|---|
| AI Feature Set Count(features) | 12+ AI tools | — |
| Professional Adoption Rate(percent) | 94% of creative professionals | — |
| Professional Market Adoption(percent) | 15% of design professionals | — |
| Active User Base(millions) | 25 million active users | — |
| Maximum File Size Performance(MB) | 4000+ MB optimized | — |
| Average Project File Size(MB) | 500-2000 (PSD) | — |
| File Size Handling (optimal performance)(MB) | Handles 2000+ MB efficiently | — |
| Startup Time(milliseconds) | 8 seconds | — |
| GPU Acceleration Available(yes/no) | Yes (CUDA, OpenCL, Metal) | — |
Show 5 more attributesProcessing Speed (1GB file, typical operation)(seconds) 2-4 seconds — Average Application Load Time(seconds) 12-15 seconds on standard hardware — Typical Project File Size(MB) 500-2000+ MB per complex project — Large File Processing Speed (800MB file)(seconds) 45-60 seconds 28-35 seconds RAW File Processing Speed(seconds) 2-3 seconds per image (GPU-accelerated) — | ||
| Annual Cost (Yearly)(USD) | $281.88/year | — |
| Monthly Subscription Cost (Standard Plan)(USD) | $19.99/month | — |
| Annual Subscription Cost (Standard Plan)(USD) | $239.88/year | — |
| Monthly Subscription Cost (Single App)(USD) | $22.49 | — |
| Annual Cost (if paying monthly)(USD) | $239.88 | — |
Show 11 more attributesMonthly Cost(USD) $20.99/month — Annual Cost (12 months)(USD) $251.88 — Annual Cost (Individual Plan)(USD) $378/year — Monthly Subscription Cost(USD) $20.99 $0 (one-time $99.99) Annual Cost(USD) $276/year (or $55/month for annual plan) — Monthly Subscription Cost (Individual)(USD) $9.99 (single app) / $55 (full Creative Cloud) — One-Time Purchase Cost(USD) Not available $69.99 5-Year Total Cost of Ownership(USD) $900 (single app) / $1,800 (Creative Cloud) $69.99 Monthly Subscription Cost (Single App Plan)(USD) $9.99/month — Annual Effective Cost (Year 1)(USD) $99.99 — 5-Year Total Cost(USD) $99.99 — | ||
| Available Editing Tools(count) | 500+ advanced tools | — |
| AI-Powered Generative Features | 7 (Generative Fill, Super Resolution, Generative Expand, etc.) | — |
| Non-Destructive Editing Coverage(percent) | 70% (requires workarounds) | — |
| AI-Powered Tools Available | 4+ (Generative Fill, Firefly, Content-Aware, Super Resolution) | — |
| CMYK Color Mode Support | Yes (full support) | — |
Show 12 more attributesReal-time Collaboration Limited (cloud sync only) — Maximum Layers per Project(layers) Unlimited — Supported File Formats(formats) 40+ (includes PSD, TIFF, RAW, PDF, AI) — Number of Built-in Templates(templates) Stock integration (millions via Adobe Stock) — Advanced Editing Tools(feature count) Advanced: layers, masks, curves, healing brush, content-aware fill — AI-Powered Tools(count) 15+ (Generative Fill, Super Resolution, Neural Filters, Style Transfer, etc.) — Offline Functionality(null) Full offline editing with all tools available — Photo Retouching Capability(capability score 1-10) 9.5/10 - industry-leading Content-Aware Fill, Generative Fill, Neural Filters — UI/UX Design Workflow Efficiency(efficiency score 1-10) 6.5/10 - possible but requires workarounds for design systems — Available AI Features(count) Generative Fill, Object Selection, Super Resolution, Neural Filters (8+ AI tools) Basic Liquify, Content-Aware Fill (2 AI tools) Maximum Layers(layers) Unlimited — Built-in Design Templates(templates) 30+ template packs — | ||
| Typical Learning Time (Beginner to Productive)(hours) | 40+ hours | — |
| Learning Time to Proficiency(days) | 100-200 hours | — |
| Learning Curve (1=Easy, 10=Hard)(difficulty rating) | 8/10 | — |
| Learning Time to Basic Proficiency(hours) | 50-100+ hours | — |
| Time to First Professional Output(hours) | 40-60 hours | — |
Show 1 more attributeTime to Proficiency(hours) 8-12 weeks — | ||
| Professional Industry Adoption Rate(percent) | 90%+ of design agencies, studios, freelancers | — |
| Batch Photo Processing Capability(photos per action) | 50-100 (with scripts) | — |
| Non-Destructive Editing Capabilities(feature set) | Limited (Smart Objects, adjustment layers require workarounds) | Full (native non-destructive by default with live adjustment stacks) |
| Maximum Canvas Dimensions(pixels) | 300,000 x 300,000 | — |
| RAW Photo File Support | Yes (300+ camera profiles) | — |
| Pre-Made Templates(count) | ~500 templates | — |
| Stock Photo Integration(millions available) | Via third-party plugins/subscriptions | — |
| Stock Photos Included(millions) | Stock via Adobe Stock (requires separate subscription) | — |
| Estimated Learning Time to Proficiency(hours) | 60+ hours | — |
| Installation Required | Yes, desktop app | — |
| AI Generation Credits/Month(credits) | 100 Firefly credits | — |
| AI Generative Credits (Monthly)(credits) | 100 credits included | — |
| 3D & Video Editing Tools | Yes, full 3D and video timeline | — |
| Layer Support & Masking | Extensive (unlimited layers, advanced masks) | — |
| Non-Destructive Editing | Full (adjustment layers, smart objects) | — |
| Available Plugins/Extensions(count) | 75,000+ | — |
| Compatible Plugins(plugins) | 500+ | — |
| GPU Acceleration Support | Full (NVIDIA, AMD, Apple Metal) | — |
| Supported Camera RAW Formats(count) | 200+ | — |
| Cloud Storage Included(GB) | 100GB | — |
| Free Cloud Storage(GB) | 2GB (requires Creative Cloud) | — |
| Platform Support(platforms) | Windows, macOS, iPad, Web | — |
| Supported File Formats (export)(count) | 40+ formats (PSD, JPEG, PNG, HEIF, WebP, AVIF, PDF, SVG) | — |
| Template Library Size(templates) | Minimal (third-party required) | — |
| Available Templates(count) | ~500 built-in templates | — |
| Design Templates Available(count) | Minimal (0-100) | — |
| RAW File Support | Yes (extensive RAW editing) | — |
| Maximum Export Resolution(pixels) | Unlimited (print-ready) | — |
| Desktop Application Required | Yes (Windows/Mac only) | — |
| Internet Dependency(text) | Desktop application (offline capable) | — |
| Platform Availability(null) | Desktop only (Windows 10+, macOS 11+) | — |
| Free Trial Duration(days) | 7 days | — |
| Native AI Features | 8+ tools (Generative Fill, Super Resolution, Remove, Generative Expand, etc.) | — |
| Maximum Canvas Resolution(pixels) | 300,000 x 300,000 | — |
| Professional Font Library(count) | Adobe Fonts library (240,000+ via subscription) | — |
| Industry Adoption Rate(percent) | Used by 90% of professional designers/photographers | — |
| Storage Size(GB) | 8 GB | — |
| Minimum RAM Recommended(GB) | 8 GB (16 GB optimal) | — |
| Minimum RAM Required(GB) | 4GB | — |
| Installation Size(GB) | 4GB | — |
| Available Plugins(count) | 900+ | — |
| Third-Party Plugin Support(plugins) | 15,000+ plugins available(winner) | 500+ plugins available |
| Professional Industry Adoption(%) | 90% of professional designers/photographers | — |
| Non-Destructive Editing Support(text) | Full (adjustment layers, smart objects, layer masks) | — |
| Supported Layer Adjustment Types(count) | 25+ (Smart Objects, adjustment layers, clipping masks) | — |
| AI-Powered Features(count) | 8+ (Generative Fill, Super Resolution, AI Upscaler, Neural Filters) | — |
| Editing Precision Level(pixel precision) | Full 1px-level control across 1000+ tools | — |
| Offline Mode Support(percentage) | Full (100% functionality) | — |
| Active Users (2024)(millions) | Estimated 15+ million | — |
| Minimum RAM Requirement(GB) | 8 GB recommended | — |
| Team Collaboration Users(number of simultaneous users) | Unlimited with plugins; native support requires 3rd-party tools | — |
| Real-Time Collaboration Support | No (native); requires external plugins or manual versioning | — |
| Real-Time Team Collaboration(feature) | Yes (Adobe Cloud + shared projects) | No (file-based sharing only) |
| Hours to Proficiency(hours) | 80-120 hours | — |
| Batch Editing Speed (100 photos)(minutes) | 120-180 minutes (manual or scripting) | — |
| Native RAW File Support | Via Smart Objects/plugins (requires extra steps) | — |
| Selection & Masking Tools(tool count) | 20+ (Magic Wand, Select Subject, Refine Edge, Content-Aware) | — |
| Generative AI Features | Adobe Firefly (Generative Fill, Expand, Super Resolution, 150+ filters) | — |
| Supported Export Formats(count) | 20+ (PSD, PSB, PDF, PNG, JPG, TIFF, WebP, EPS, AI import, SVG import) | — |
| Feature Release Frequency(per year) | 12+ major updates monthly | — |
| Average Time to Basic Proficiency(hours) | 40-60 hours | — |
| AI-Powered Features Count(features) | 5-8 AI-assisted features (Content-Aware Fill, limited integration) | — |
| Lifetime Cost Savings (vs Photoshop)(USD) | $1,099.41 cheaper over 10 years | — |
Adobe PhotoshopAffinity PhotoAI Feature Set Count(features)
12+ AI tools
—
Professional Adoption Rate(percent)
94% of creative professionals
—
Professional Market Adoption(percent)
15% of design professionals
—
Active User Base(millions)
25 million active users
—
Maximum File Size Performance(MB)
4000+ MB optimized
—
Average Project File Size(MB)
500-2000 (PSD)
—
File Size Handling (optimal performance)(MB)
Handles 2000+ MB efficiently
—
Startup Time(milliseconds)
8 seconds
—
GPU Acceleration Available(yes/no)
Yes (CUDA, OpenCL, Metal)
—
Show 5 more attributes
Processing Speed (1GB file, typical operation)(seconds)
2-4 seconds
—
Average Application Load Time(seconds)
12-15 seconds on standard hardware
—
Typical Project File Size(MB)
500-2000+ MB per complex project
—
Large File Processing Speed (800MB file)(seconds)
45-60 seconds
28-35 seconds
RAW File Processing Speed(seconds)
2-3 seconds per image (GPU-accelerated)
—
Annual Cost (Yearly)(USD)
$281.88/year
—
Monthly Subscription Cost (Standard Plan)(USD)
$19.99/month
—
Annual Subscription Cost (Standard Plan)(USD)
$239.88/year
—
Monthly Subscription Cost (Single App)(USD)
$22.49
—
Annual Cost (if paying monthly)(USD)
$239.88
—
Show 11 more attributes
Monthly Cost(USD)
$20.99/month
—
Annual Cost (12 months)(USD)
$251.88
—
Annual Cost (Individual Plan)(USD)
$378/year
—
Monthly Subscription Cost(USD)
$20.99
$0 (one-time $99.99)
Annual Cost(USD)
$276/year (or $55/month for annual plan)
—
Monthly Subscription Cost (Individual)(USD)
$9.99 (single app) / $55 (full Creative Cloud)
—
One-Time Purchase Cost(USD)
Not available
$69.99
5-Year Total Cost of Ownership(USD)
$900 (single app) / $1,800 (Creative Cloud)
$69.99
Monthly Subscription Cost (Single App Plan)(USD)
$9.99/month
—
Annual Effective Cost (Year 1)(USD)
$99.99
—
5-Year Total Cost(USD)
$99.99
—
Available Editing Tools(count)
500+ advanced tools
—
AI-Powered Generative Features
7 (Generative Fill, Super Resolution, Generative Expand, etc.)
—
Non-Destructive Editing Coverage(percent)
70% (requires workarounds)
—
AI-Powered Tools Available
4+ (Generative Fill, Firefly, Content-Aware, Super Resolution)
—
CMYK Color Mode Support
Yes (full support)
—
Show 12 more attributes
Real-time Collaboration
Limited (cloud sync only)
—
Maximum Layers per Project(layers)
Unlimited
—
Supported File Formats(formats)
40+ (includes PSD, TIFF, RAW, PDF, AI)
—
Number of Built-in Templates(templates)
Stock integration (millions via Adobe Stock)
—
Advanced Editing Tools(feature count)
Advanced: layers, masks, curves, healing brush, content-aware fill
—
AI-Powered Tools(count)
15+ (Generative Fill, Super Resolution, Neural Filters, Style Transfer, etc.)
—
Offline Functionality(null)
Full offline editing with all tools available
—
Photo Retouching Capability(capability score 1-10)
9.5/10 - industry-leading Content-Aware Fill, Generative Fill, Neural Filters
—
UI/UX Design Workflow Efficiency(efficiency score 1-10)
6.5/10 - possible but requires workarounds for design systems
—
Available AI Features(count)
Generative Fill, Object Selection, Super Resolution, Neural Filters (8+ AI tools)
Basic Liquify, Content-Aware Fill (2 AI tools)
Maximum Layers(layers)
Unlimited
—
Built-in Design Templates(templates)
30+ template packs
—
Typical Learning Time (Beginner to Productive)(hours)
40+ hours
—
Learning Time to Proficiency(days)
100-200 hours
—
Learning Curve (1=Easy, 10=Hard)(difficulty rating)
8/10
—
Learning Time to Basic Proficiency(hours)
50-100+ hours
—
Time to First Professional Output(hours)
40-60 hours
—
Show 1 more attribute
Time to Proficiency(hours)
8-12 weeks
—
Professional Industry Adoption Rate(percent)
90%+ of design agencies, studios, freelancers
—
Batch Photo Processing Capability(photos per action)
50-100 (with scripts)
—
Non-Destructive Editing Capabilities(feature set)
Limited (Smart Objects, adjustment layers require workarounds)
Full (native non-destructive by default with live adjustment stacks)
Maximum Canvas Dimensions(pixels)
300,000 x 300,000
—
RAW Photo File Support
Yes (300+ camera profiles)
—
Pre-Made Templates(count)
~500 templates
—
Stock Photo Integration(millions available)
Via third-party plugins/subscriptions
—
Stock Photos Included(millions)
Stock via Adobe Stock (requires separate subscription)
—
Estimated Learning Time to Proficiency(hours)
60+ hours
—
Installation Required
Yes, desktop app
—
AI Generation Credits/Month(credits)
100 Firefly credits
—
AI Generative Credits (Monthly)(credits)
100 credits included
—
3D & Video Editing Tools
Yes, full 3D and video timeline
—
Layer Support & Masking
Extensive (unlimited layers, advanced masks)
—
Non-Destructive Editing
Full (adjustment layers, smart objects)
—
Available Plugins/Extensions(count)
75,000+
—
Compatible Plugins(plugins)
500+
—
GPU Acceleration Support
Full (NVIDIA, AMD, Apple Metal)
—
Supported Camera RAW Formats(count)
200+
—
Cloud Storage Included(GB)
100GB
—
Free Cloud Storage(GB)
2GB (requires Creative Cloud)
—
Platform Support(platforms)
Windows, macOS, iPad, Web
—
Supported File Formats (export)(count)
40+ formats (PSD, JPEG, PNG, HEIF, WebP, AVIF, PDF, SVG)
—
Template Library Size(templates)
Minimal (third-party required)
—
Available Templates(count)
~500 built-in templates
—
Design Templates Available(count)
Minimal (0-100)
—
RAW File Support
Yes (extensive RAW editing)
—
Maximum Export Resolution(pixels)
Unlimited (print-ready)
—
Desktop Application Required
Yes (Windows/Mac only)
—
Internet Dependency(text)
Desktop application (offline capable)
—
Platform Availability(null)
Desktop only (Windows 10+, macOS 11+)
—
Free Trial Duration(days)
7 days
—
Native AI Features
8+ tools (Generative Fill, Super Resolution, Remove, Generative Expand, etc.)
—
Maximum Canvas Resolution(pixels)
300,000 x 300,000
—
Professional Font Library(count)
Adobe Fonts library (240,000+ via subscription)
—
Industry Adoption Rate(percent)
Used by 90% of professional designers/photographers
—
Storage Size(GB)
8 GB
—
Minimum RAM Recommended(GB)
8 GB (16 GB optimal)
—
Minimum RAM Required(GB)
4GB
—
Installation Size(GB)
4GB
—
Available Plugins(count)
900+
—
Third-Party Plugin Support(plugins)
15,000+ plugins available
500+ plugins available
Professional Industry Adoption(%)
90% of professional designers/photographers
—
Non-Destructive Editing Support(text)
Full (adjustment layers, smart objects, layer masks)
—
Supported Layer Adjustment Types(count)
25+ (Smart Objects, adjustment layers, clipping masks)
—
AI-Powered Features(count)
8+ (Generative Fill, Super Resolution, AI Upscaler, Neural Filters)
—
Editing Precision Level(pixel precision)
Full 1px-level control across 1000+ tools
—
Offline Mode Support(percentage)
Full (100% functionality)
—
Active Users (2024)(millions)
Estimated 15+ million
—
Minimum RAM Requirement(GB)
8 GB recommended
—
Team Collaboration Users(number of simultaneous users)
Unlimited with plugins; native support requires 3rd-party tools
—
Real-Time Collaboration Support
No (native); requires external plugins or manual versioning
—
Real-Time Team Collaboration(feature)
Yes (Adobe Cloud + shared projects)
No (file-based sharing only)
Hours to Proficiency(hours)
80-120 hours
—
Batch Editing Speed (100 photos)(minutes)
120-180 minutes (manual or scripting)
—
Native RAW File Support
Via Smart Objects/plugins (requires extra steps)
—
Selection & Masking Tools(tool count)
20+ (Magic Wand, Select Subject, Refine Edge, Content-Aware)
—
Generative AI Features
Adobe Firefly (Generative Fill, Expand, Super Resolution, 150+ filters)
—
Supported Export Formats(count)
20+ (PSD, PSB, PDF, PNG, JPG, TIFF, WebP, EPS, AI import, SVG import)
—
Feature Release Frequency(per year)
12+ major updates monthly
—
Average Time to Basic Proficiency(hours)
40-60 hours
—
AI-Powered Features Count(features)
5-8 AI-assisted features (Content-Aware Fill, limited integration)
—
Lifetime Cost Savings (vs Photoshop)(USD)
$1,099.41 cheaper over 10 years
—
Pros & Cons
11 pros·6 cons across both
Adobe Photoshop
+6-3
Pros
- Generative Fill AI removes/adds objects with natural results
- Super Resolution increases image quality by up to 4x without quality loss
- 40,000+ compatible plugins and extensions expand functionality
- Seamless integration with Lightroom, Premiere Pro, After Effects (Creative Cloud)
- Neural Filters apply AI-powered stylizations and adjustments
- Industry standard used by 95% of professional design agencies
Cons
- Subscription cost of $19.99/month ($239.88/year) or $9.99 for Photoshop-only plan totals $1,199.40 over 5 years
- Requires continuous internet connection for cloud features and subscription validation
- Steep learning curve with overwhelming interface containing 200+ tools and nested menus
Affinity Photo
+5-3
Pros
- $99.99 one-time purchase with all future updates included—90% cheaper than Photoshop's 5-year cost
- Dual-persona interface (Photo and Designer personas) switches between 16-bit photography and vector design modes seamlessly
- Non-destructive adjustment layers and Smart Objects enable full reversible editing
- GPU-accelerated processing with LiveDraw real-time brushes and effects preview
- No subscription or internet connection required—complete offline functionality
Cons
- Only 500+ plugins available versus Photoshop's 40,000+, limiting third-party extensibility
- Limited AI features—lacks generative fill, super resolution, and object recognition tools available in Photoshop
- 15% adoption rate among professionals means fewer resources, tutorials, and community support compared to Photoshop
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
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.
Resources & Learn More
Curated sources to dive deeper
Where to Buy
As an affiliate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Learn more about our affiliate disclosure
Wikipedia
Related Comparisons
12 more to explore
Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo
softwarePhotoshop vs GIMP
softwarePhotoshop vs Pixlr
softwareAdobe Photoshop vs Pixelmator Pro
softwareAdobe Photoshop vs Canva
softwareAdobe Photoshop vs GIMP
softwareCanva vs Photoshop
softwareCanva vs Photoshop
softwarePhotoshop vs Figma
softwareAdobe Photoshop vs Adobe Lightroom
softwareAdobe Photoshop vs Photopea
softwareAdobe Photoshop vs Canva
software
Related Articles
5 articles
- technology
Best Streaming Services in 2026: Top Picks for Every Budget & Interest
Navigating the crowded streaming landscape in 2026 can be overwhelming. We've tested and ranked the best streaming services that offer the most value, from Netflix's massive library to budget-friendly options like Tubi, helping you cut cable and find your perfect entertainment solution.
Read article - technology
Best Live TV Streaming Services & Plans for Spring 2026: Complete Buyer's Guide
Tired of overpaying for cable? Discover the best live TV streaming services and plans for Spring 2026, including YouTube TV's new genre-based packages starting at $55/month. Our comprehensive guide breaks down pricing, channels, and features to help you cut the cord.
Read article - technology
Philo in 2026: Streaming TV Service Review, Pricing & Reddit Community Insights
Explore Philo's evolution heading into 2026, including pricing tiers, channel lineup, and how it compares to competitors like Sling TV. Discover what the r/PhiloTV Reddit community thinks about the service's current offerings and future prospects.
Read article - technology
Best US Fighter Jets 2026: Top American Combat Aircraft Ranked
Discover the most advanced US fighter jets dominating the skies in 2026. From the legendary F-22 Raptor to the versatile F-35 Lightning II, we rank America's best combat aircraft based on performance, stealth, and air superiority capabilities.
Read article - technology
Philo in 2026: Pricing, Lineup & How It Compares to Sling TV
As we head into 2026, Philo continues to position itself as an affordable streaming alternative for cable TV lovers. Discover what Philo offers, how its pricing stacks up against competitors like Sling TV, and what the Reddit community thinks about its future.
Read article
Explore More
Related comparisons and categories
Explore Entities
More Software
AI generated