Affinity Photo Reviews & Product Details

What I like most about Affinity Photo is its exceptional performance, especially the hardware acceleration that makes editing high-resolution RAW files feel incredibly smooth and responsive. The UI/UX also feels modern and far less cluttered than legacy software, and features like “Live Filter Layers” make it easy to maintain a fully non-destructive workflow.

As someone who uses the full suite, I find the StudioLink integration to be a real game-changer. Being able to access Photo’s professional retouching tools directly inside Publisher—without constantly switching between apps—has noticeably streamlined and optimized my workflow. On top of that, the pricing/ROI is hard to beat: the one-time purchase model for the V2 Universal License delivers professional-grade tools like advanced frequency separation and HDR merging, without the burden of a monthly subscription. Overall, it strikes an ideal balance of power, speed, and cost-efficiency. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

The biggest drawback of Affinity Photo, in my view, is that it still lacks some of the more advanced AI-driven capabilities offered by its main competitors—especially tools like generative fill or more sophisticated neural filters, which have increasingly become industry standards for speeding up retouching work. Also, even though the UI/UX is strong, the app can run into integration friction: third-party plugin support isn’t always as seamless as it could be, and the industry’s heavy reliance on .psd files as the primary exchange format can create additional hurdles. Finally, I’ve found the Support/Onboarding resources to be less comprehensive than Adobe’s, which can make troubleshooting more niche technical issues a bit more time-consuming when you’re working at a high-output professional pace. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Since its update to Affinity by Canva, it has received many improvements by consolidating the 3 apps into one.

It is a very comprehensive software with a small learning curve to start using, and the best part is that it can be used for free with basic day-to-day functions. However, if you want the AI functions, they are unlocked when synchronized with the CANVA PRO account, and you would already have several software with the same account and value: Affinity graphic design, photo editing, page design, and Canva, all in the same account. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

So far, the only thing I've noticed is some slowness when running certain processes, since there are three software programs in the same application, which could be understandable. Let's hope for an update that improves optimization. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

This is an amazing alternative to photoshop, it basically has everything you may need to edit a photo and to compose a design within the tool. It has good performance, great integration with Canva, an understandable UI. The pricing is unbeatable by being free! And the AI is getting better and better! Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I would love a bit more of support and tutorials to make it even better! Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

It’s faster than Photoshop, and the interface feels very responsive and smooth to use. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

You have to have an account to use it, and that limits your access when you’re working offline. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Affinity Photo is highly regarded for its one-time purchase model, which removes the need for a subscription. The software delivers professional-grade features, including non-destructive editing, live filters, and advanced tools such as HDR, focus stacking, and panorama creation. Its interface is fast and intuitive, similar to Photoshop, making it approachable for both beginners and experienced users. Overall, Affinity Photo stands out as an excellent value and a strong alternative to Photoshop. I use Affinity Photo at work for everything from RAW processing in the Develop Persona to creating complex composites in the Photo Persona. I take advantage of features like live filters, AI tools such as Generative Fill/Expand and Smart Selections for efficiency, and appreciate its seamless integration with Designer and Publisher for flexible workflows. The ability to customize panels and tools to suit specific tasks—whether I'm designing social media graphics, album art, or UI elements—makes it a versatile choice for a wide range of creative projects. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

There isn't anything I dislike about Affinity Photo. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I find Affinity Photo really easy to use and understand, especially when working with 360 images. I love that I can view images in VR mode and edit them simultaneously, which is amazing. Affinity Photo allows me to quickly remove unwanted elements, like tripods and people, from videos efficiently and effortlessly, doing it fast and easy in just three clicks. Additionally, the initial setup was really easy, as our professor explained it to us quickly. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I find it harder to locate tools because I'm used to Photoshop's design. I would love if they have a learn mode like Adobe, which leads you to their videos to learn that specific tool of the software. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I like Affinity Photo for its ease of use and layout, which helps me with typography layouts, editing sketches, photo editing, and image compositing. I appreciate how the integration of typefaces allows me to prototype edits and see them in different settings, and how the ability to adjust and tweak brushes adds versatility to my work. Additionally, the initial setup was super easy and straightforward, only requiring registration. This combination of features makes Affinity Photo valuable for creating business cards and graphic designs effectively. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I find it challenging to use OpenType features and have difficulty accessing alternate characters when editing layouts. The software also functions better with a wider screen display. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I use Affinity Photo for image manipulation and creating mockups. It's a big money saver for a solo designer like me because it's a one-time purchase, not a subscription, saving me over $100 every year. I like the affordability and the thoughtful user experience of the app, which doesn't feel overwhelming and offers easy control and customization. I can do all kinds of projects with it and have mastered the software in a shorter time. The switch from a competitor to Affinity Photo was really easy, especially if your fundamentals are clear. Also, the initial setup was easy, taking just a few clicks. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I find the app a bit laggy coming from Photoshop. Laggy means it's missing the smoothness on zoom or when moving around the project. I think Photoshop utilizes the GPU and CPU better than Affinity. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I really like the freedom of navigation and the array of photo editing tools. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I dislike the confusing nature of the image enhancement menu. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

The interface is very user-friendly and reliable for new users to learn, and above all, it's reasonably priced. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Just the learning time you need to master the program Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.