Affinity Photo 2
by Serif
Professional pixel editor without the subscription
Affinity Photo is the app you recommend when someone says "I hate paying Adobe every month." It handles 90% of what Photoshop does — layers, masks, RAW development, HDR merge, focus stacking — for a one-time $69.99. The Universal License covering Mac, Windows, AND iPad is the cherry on top. It won't replace Photoshop for heavy compositing or if you rely on specific Photoshop plugins, but for the vast majority of photographers it's more than enough.
Our Take
Pros
- ✓One-time purchase — no subscription ever
- ✓Universal License covers Mac, Windows, and iPad
- ✓Genuinely capable Photoshop alternative for most tasks
- ✓Excellent HDR merge and focus stacking built in
- ✓Clean, modern interface that feels professional
Cons
- ✗No Actions marketplace like Photoshop
- ✗Plugin ecosystem is much smaller
- ✗RAW development is decent but not as refined as dedicated RAW editors
- ✗Learning resources are fewer than Photoshop
Verdict: The best Photoshop alternative for photographers who refuse to subscribe. It handles 90% of what Photoshop does at a fraction of the cost. The Universal License across all platforms is a steal.
Composite Score
How we calculate this score
The composite score is a weighted average of ratings from major review platforms, normalized to a 0-10 scale. Each platform rating (out of 5) is doubled to fit the scale. Manual overrides may be applied by the editorial team.
Reviewer Takeaways
“The most credible Photoshop alternative available — genuinely capable for professional work”
“Focus stacking and HDR merge rival Photoshop quality at a fraction of the price”
“After a year without Photoshop I haven't missed it once — Affinity does everything I need”
Best Reviews
Affinity Photo 2 Review — The Best Photoshop Alternative?
PetaPixel · 2025-10-15
Affinity Photo 2 vs Photoshop — Full Comparison
Fstoppers · 2025-09-01
Why I Switched from Photoshop to Affinity Photo
James Popsys (YouTube) · 2025-08-20
Affinity Photo 2 Complete Tutorial for Photographers
Olivio Sarikas (YouTube) · 2025-07-10
Tutorials & Learning
Free
Affinity Photo 2 Complete Beginner Tutorial
Olivio Sarikas
HDR Merge and Focus Stacking in Affinity Photo
James Ritson
Switching from Photoshop to Affinity Photo — What You Need to Know
Affinity (Official)
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