Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo: Which One Is Better in 2024?

Adobe Photoshop and Affinity Photo are essential tools for businesses and designers, offering powerful features for image editing and design. We'll compare these two to determine which is the best fit for your needs, considering factors like functionality, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness.

A Quick Overview of Adobe Photoshop and Affinity Photo

What is Adobe Photoshop?

Adobe is a software company known for its creative and design tools. Adobe Photoshop is one of its flagship products, used for image editing, graphic design, and digital art.

Photoshop offers tools for background removal, image combination, and generative AI features. The integration of generative AI, such as Generative Fill and Generative Expand, distinguishes it from competitors by enabling complex edits with greater control.

What is Affinity Photo?

Affinity Photo is developed by Serif, a company that creates professional-grade software for creative and photography professionals. Their products include Affinity Designer, Affinity Photo, and Affinity Publisher, which are available across multiple platforms including macOS, Windows, and iPad.

Affinity Photo offers real-time adjustment layers for non-destructive editing with immediate visual feedback. It is the first professional photo editing application to provide 100% file format compatibility across Windows, Mac, and iPad, allowing users to work seamlessly on the same file across different devices.

Features of Adobe Photoshop and Affinity Photo

Similarities

Adobe Photoshop and Affinity Photo are both leading photo editing software options, offering a range of advanced features that cater to professional and amateur photographers alike. Despite their differences, they share several key similarities that make them both powerful tools for image manipulation.

• Advanced Image Editing: Both software solutions provide tools for removing backgrounds, combining images, and making selective edits.
• AI Integration: Each platform leverages artificial intelligence to enhance photo editing capabilities, making complex edits more accessible.
• Comprehensive Toolsets: Both offer a wide range of tools, including advanced selection tools, brush tools, and layer management for detailed editing.
• Cross-Platform Availability: Users can access both Adobe Photoshop and Affinity Photo on multiple platforms, including desktops, tablets, and mobile devices.
• Non-Destructive Editing: Both software options support non-destructive editing workflows, allowing users to make adjustments without permanently altering the original image.

Differences

Adobe Photoshop and Affinity Photo each offer unique features that set them apart. While both are powerful tools for image editing, their distinct functionalities cater to different user needs.

• Generative AI: Adobe Photoshop includes advanced AI tools like Generative Fill and Generative Expand, which are not available in Affinity Photo.
• One-Time Purchase: Affinity Photo offers a one-time purchase model with no subscription fees, unlike Adobe Photoshop, which requires a subscription.
• File Compatibility: Affinity Photo provides 100% file format compatibility across macOS, Windows, and iPad, allowing seamless work across devices, a feature not fully matched by Photoshop.
• Live Mesh Warp: Affinity Photo includes live mesh warp for real-time adjustments, a feature not found in Photoshop.
• Focus Merge: Affinity Photo offers focus merge capabilities, enabling the combination of multiple images to achieve greater depth of field, which Photoshop lacks.

User Interface and Usability

Adobe Photoshop's interface is complex, with numerous tools and panels that can overwhelm new users. The workspace is customizable, but the learning curve is steep. Affinity Photo, on the other hand, offers a more streamlined interface with fewer distractions. Its layout is intuitive, making it easier for users to find and use tools without extensive training. Both interfaces are professional, but Affinity Photo's simplicity may appeal more to beginners.

Photoshop's user experience is robust, with powerful features that cater to advanced users. However, its complexity can hinder usability for those unfamiliar with its extensive toolset. Affinity Photo provides a smoother experience with real-time adjustments and faster performance, which enhances usability. While both software options are highly functional, Affinity Photo's user-friendly design and efficient workflow make it more accessible.

Affinity Photo has a better user interface and usability.

Collaboration

Adobe Photoshop offers some collaborative features through its integration with Adobe Creative Cloud, which allows for seamless sharing and teamwork across various Adobe apps. The "Teams" membership plan suggests tailored tools for collaborative work environments, but the complexity of the interface can be a barrier for some users.

Affinity Photo, on the other hand, does not explicitly highlight any collaboration features on its webpage. While it boasts powerful editing tools and cross-platform compatibility, it lacks specific functionalities designed to facilitate teamwork. This absence makes it less suitable for collaborative projects compared to Adobe Photoshop.

Overall, Adobe Photoshop is better for collaboration.

Adobe Photoshop and Affinity Photo Pricing

Adobe Photoshop offers various subscription plans, including a standalone option at NIS 81.00 per month and a Photography Plan at NIS 70.00 per month. For those needing more, the Creative Cloud All Apps plan costs NIS 205.00 per month. Students and teachers benefit from a discounted rate of NIS 70.00 per month for the Creative Cloud All Apps plan.

Affinity Photo, on the other hand, provides a one-time purchase model. The desktop version costs US$69.99, while the iPad version is priced at US$18.49. This pricing structure eliminates the need for ongoing subscription fees, making it a more cost-effective option for users who prefer a single payment over recurring costs.

Affinity Photo has better pricing due to its one-time purchase model.

Comparing Adobe Photoshop and Affinity Photo to Piktochart

Piktochart is a versatile platform that transforms complex ideas into captivating visuals, making it easy to create stunning infographics, reports, and presentations. With its AI-powered tools, users can effortlessly design professional-quality content that aligns perfectly with their brand, all without needing any design experience.

Pros of Piktochart

• AI-Powered Design Generator: Piktochart's AI-powered design generator allows users to create stunning visuals quickly and effortlessly, enhancing productivity and creativity.
• Wide Range of Visual Tools: From infographics to social media videos, Piktochart offers a comprehensive suite of tools to cater to various visual communication needs.
• Customizable Templates: Piktochart provides a vast array of customizable templates, making it easy to create professional-quality content for different use cases without starting from scratch.
• Cross-Platform Compatibility: Users can seamlessly work across different devices, thanks to Piktochart's compatibility with multiple platforms, ensuring flexibility and convenience.
• Support for Various Sectors: Piktochart is designed to meet the needs of diverse sectors, including education, marketing, healthcare, and nonprofits, making it a versatile tool for any industry.

Piktochart's Pricing

• Free: $0 (Free forever)
• Pro:
  • $29 per member/month (billed monthly)
  • $14 per member/month (billed annually, save 52%)
• Business:
  • $49 per member/month (billed monthly)
  • $24 per member/month (billed annually, save 52%)
• Enterprise: Custom Pricing (Contact for details)

What Are Others Saying?

Adobe Photoshop Reviews

Overall, users have given Adobe Photoshop a rating of 4.6 out of 5. While many appreciate its powerful features, the steep learning curve and high cost are common frustrations.

"The interface is too complex and cluttered, making it hard to find tools." - John D., 3.5/5

"Expensive subscription model is a big downside." - Sarah L., 3.0/5

"High system resource demand slows down my computer." - Mike T., 3.8/5

Find more of Adobe Photoshop reviews on G2!

Affinity Photo Reviews

Overall, users have given Affinity Photo a rating of 4.5 out of 5. While many appreciate its features, some find the learning curve and limited features frustrating.

"The learning curve is steep, and it lacks some advanced features." - Saniya S., 4.0/5

"Customer support is not very responsive." - Peter R., 3.0/5

"Mobile compatibility is limited, which can be inconvenient." - Adarsh P., 3.0/5

Find more of Affinity Photo reviews on G2!

Piktochart Reviews

Our users have given Piktochart an overall rating of 4.4 out of 5. They appreciate its ease of use, customizable templates, and the ability to create professional-quality visuals without design experience.

• "Easy to create content even if you're not a designer." - Jessica D.
• "My Go-To for ALL Professional Presentations!" - Jennifer K.
• "Excellent, easy way to create infographics." - Rachel L.

Find more of our reviews on G2!

Why choose one over the other?

Why Choose Adobe Photoshop:

• Consumers who need advanced AI features and a comprehensive toolset for high-quality image manipulation and design would prefer Adobe Photoshop. This software is ideal for professional photographers, designers, and creative professionals who require robust editing capabilities.

Why Choose Affinity Photo:

• Consumers looking for a cost-effective, one-time purchase model with powerful photo editing tools would prefer Affinity Photo. This software is perfect for budget-conscious users and those who need advanced retouching tools without recurring subscription fees.

Why Choose Piktochart:

• Consumers who need to create visual content quickly and easily without design experience would prefer Piktochart. This platform is ideal for communications professionals, educators, marketers, and anyone looking for user-friendly tools to produce professional-quality visuals.

Adobe Photoshop, Affinity Photo, or Piktochart: Which is the best platform for you?

Whether you're a professional photographer, a budget-conscious user, or someone who needs to create stunning visuals quickly, there's a tool for you. Adobe Photoshop and Affinity Photo offer powerful features for image editing, but if you're looking for an easy-to-use platform that transforms complex ideas into captivating visuals, we recommend Piktochart. With its AI-powered tools and customizable templates, Piktochart makes it simple to create professional-quality content without any design experience.