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    Affinity Photo

    Professional, non-destructive photo editor with RAW development and layers, entirely free since Canva's 2024 acquisition.

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    ToolTrim verdict3.6/ 5Average

    Worth switching once you'd otherwise pay for a photo editor subscription and don't need the AI tools gated behind Canva premium.

    Affinity Photo, preview 1
    About

    In practice. What you can do with Affinity Photo.

    Affinity Photo is a layer-based, non-destructive photo editor with RAW development, HDR and focus merging, astrophotography stacking, frequency-separation retouching and batch macro automation, built for professional workflows with ICC profile support.

    Since Canva's 2024 acquisition, the full core app is free with a Canva account; only extra AI tools (Generative Fill/Expand, Super Resolve) require a paid Canva plan whose price isn't shown on the Affinity page itself. It fits a designer or photographer who wants professional retouching without a subscription, though PSD round-tripping with Photoshop has real limits.

    Practical uses

    • RAW photo retouchingDevelop a RAW file with lens correction and noise reduction, then retouch with frequency separation, all for free.
    • Batch client deliveryApply a macro to batch-process a client's full photo set instead of editing each image by hand.

    Features & use cases

    Photo editing
    Photo enhancement
    Design tools

    Pros and cons. What Affinity Photo does well, and what to expect.

    Pros

    • The full professional editing app, RAW development included, is entirely free.
    • Batch macros and ICC profile support suit a real client-delivery workflow.

    Cons

    • Exporting to Photoshop does not preserve editability; must save as PDF or PNG instead.
    • AI tools require a separate paid Canva plan whose price isn't shown on this page.

    When it makes sense. Keep Affinity Photo, or challenge it?

    Keep if

    • You want a professional, non-destructive photo editor without paying a subscription for the core app.

    Challenge if

    • You need reliable PSD round-tripping with Photoshop for a team already on Adobe's ecosystem.

    Pricing. What does Affinity Photo cost ?

    Free

    $0

    Permanent free plan

    • Full core editing app free; AI features (Generative Fill/Expand, Smart Selections, Colorize, Super Resolve) gated behind Canva premium

    Official pricingChecked on September 25, 2026

    Alternatives. What could replace Affinity Photo?

    Current

    Our verdict. What to know about Affinity Photo.

    Why this verdict

    Average

    Added value

    The full core editing app, including RAW development, HDR Merge, frequency separation and batch macros, is entirely free since the 2024 Canva acquisition, with only extra AI tools gated behind Canva premium.

    Simplicity

    The feature set (frequency separation, liquify, batch macros, ICC profile workflow) targets skilled photo editors, not a result in under an hour without training.

    Fit for purpose

    Delivers layer-based non-destructive editing, RAW development and advanced retouching as described, matching what it promises.

    Performance

    RAW development, HDR/Focus Merge, astrophotography stacking, frequency separation and 30+ blend modes cover professional-level photo editing, though the AI tools stay gated behind a separate Canva plan.

    Reversibility

    Exporting to Photoshop does not preserve editability, forcing a save as PDF or PNG instead, a real limit on moving work to another tool.

    The AI angle

    Affinity Photo vs AI

    AI augments this tool
    Go further with AI

    Affinity Photo remains a manual editing tool with a one-time purchase, with no native generative AI — its differentiation remains price (no subscription) rather than AI features like Photoshop.

    Can AI replace it?

    Replace Affinity Photo with an AI? No, but it lags behind Photoshop's generative AI features (generative fill). Its value remains precise manual control with no subscription. Verdict: challenged on generative AI, but differentiated by its no-subscription business model.

    Affinity Photo Summary

    Category
    productivity tool.
    Price from
    Free.
    Best for
    A designer or photographer who needs professional-grade, non-destructive photo editing without paying a recurring subscription.
    Avoid if
    You need reliable PSD round-tripping with Photoshop for a team already on Adobe's ecosystem.
    Alternatives
    Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom, Capture One.
    ToolTrim verdict
    Worth switching once you'd otherwise pay for a photo editor subscription and don't need the AI tools gated behind Canva premium.

    Frequently asked questions.

    What to know before choosing Affinity Photo.

    What is Affinity Photo used for?

    Professional, non-destructive photo editor with RAW development and layers, entirely free since Canva's 2024 acquisition.

    How much does Affinity Photo cost?

    Affinity Photo costs $0 (free). Price verified on 2026-09-25.

    Is Affinity Photo suitable for beginners?

    A designer or photographer who needs professional-grade, non-destructive photo editing without paying a recurring subscription.

    Is Affinity Photo worth the price?

    Worth switching once you'd otherwise pay for a photo editor subscription and don't need the AI tools gated behind Canva premium.

    What are the best alternatives to Affinity Photo?

    The main alternatives to Affinity Photo are: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom, Capture One.

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