If you’ve been working with photos for years like I have, you know Adobe Photoshop has long ruled the world of image editing. It’s the go-to for retouching, manipulation, and creative design. But over the last few years, I started exploring Affinity Photo. It felt more like a curiosity at first, but here we are in 2025, and I’m seriously asking myself: Can Affinity Photo replace Photoshop?
This isn’t just a tech comparison. It’s my personal experience as a working photographer and designer who’s been balancing client deadlines, budget constraints, and the need for reliable editing tools. If you’re wondering whether to switch or stay, this blog is written just for you.
Understanding the Key Differences Between Photoshop and Affinity Photo
Let’s start with the basics. The first step in comparing Affinity Photo vs Photoshop is understanding the fundamental differences between the two. On the surface, they seem similar — both are packed with features for advanced retouching, compositing, and photo manipulation. But once you dive in, the workflow and experience feel surprisingly different.
I’ve worked with both tools extensively — Photoshop for years, and Affinity Photo since 2023. Photoshop remains the industry titan, no doubt about it. But can Affinity Photo replace Photoshop for real-world creative work? For many photographers and designers, it delivers exactly what they need, without the heavy baggage.
Learning Curve and Workflow: How It Feels to Make the Switch
Let’s be real: learning a new tool when you’ve used Photoshop for years feels like unlearning a language. At first, I stumbled through the interface. Shortcuts were different, tools were placed differently, and I had to constantly Google things like “how to use frequency separation in Affinity.”
But here’s the thing — Affinity Photo grew on me. Within two weeks, I noticed my workflow becoming smoother. The persona-based interface (like Photo, Liquify, and Develop personas) made it easy to separate tasks and stay focused. Unlike Photoshop, which often feels bloated, Affinity feels lightweight yet powerful, especially for tasks like skin retouching, masking, and color correction.
It made me seriously consider: can Affinity Photo replace Photoshop for what I do day to day?
Performance & System Load: A Relief for Slower Machines
One of the first things I noticed when I started using Affinity Photo was how fast it ran, even on my old MacBook. Photoshop, on the other hand, often had my fan spinning like a drone trying to take off.
Affinity is seriously optimized. I’ve worked on 300 DPI files with over 25 layers, and it didn’t break a sweat. This makes a huge difference if you’re working from home, on the go, or just not ready to upgrade your gear every year. It’s also been a game-changer for remote gigs where clients want fast turnaround, but you’re editing from less-than-ideal hardware. It’s moments like these that make you wonder: can Affinity Photo replace Photoshop entirely?
Price Matters — Especially for Small Businesses
If you’re a small business owner or solo photographer trying to control your overhead, this one’s big. Photoshop is now subscription-only — you can’t buy it outright. That’s $20.99 per month (as of 2025) just for Photoshop. Over a year, that’s about $250. And if you want access to other tools like Illustrator or Lightroom, you’re looking at a much bigger bill.
Affinity Photo? It’s still a one-time purchase — $69.99. That’s it. No monthly bleeding. No price hikes. I bought it once and have had free updates through 2025. For small design studios, online sellers, or marketing freelancers, this pricing is not just a deal — it’s a smart business move.
This one’s big if you’re running lean as a freelancer or creative entrepreneur.
Photoshop:
- $20.99/month = ~$250/year
- Want Illustrator or Lightroom? That bill grows fast
Affinity Photo:
- $69.99 one-time
- Free updates through 2025
- No monthly bleed, no subscription lock-in
For small design studios, online sellers, or freelance marketers — that’s just smart business.Compare Adobe’s pricing directly to decide what fits your workflow.
Is It Beginner-Friendly? My Take After Helping Others Learn
When I mentor beginners or run quick tutorials for interns, I often get asked: Should I learn Photoshop or Affinity Photo first? And you know what? In 2025, I say start with Affinity.
It’s less intimidating. There’s no Creative Cloud account to set up, no subscription commitment, and the layout feels simpler once you get past the first 30 minutes. The in-app tutorials and help menu are beginner-friendly, and there’s a growing community on YouTube and forums. For those just learning to edit portraits, batch process product shots, or create banners, Affinity makes it less overwhelming.
Plus, I’ve noticed newer editors pick up Affinity’s masking and retouching tools much faster than they do in Photoshop. It’s like Affinity thought about beginners, and that’s refreshing.
File Compatibility and Export Options: Can It Fit Into a Pro Workflow?
This was my biggest worry. Would Affinity mess up PSD files? Would clients complain about file formats?
Surprisingly, Affinity Photo handles PSDs well — you can open, edit, and re-export layered PSDs without losing much. That said, there are still occasional hiccups with smart objects or effects not rendering exactly like they do in Photoshop. But if you’re working solo or managing your workflow, these are easy to work around.
Affinity also supports all the major formats — JPG, TIFF, PNG, PDF, SVG, and even RAW files. Its RAW Develop persona has grown so much in the last year, I’ve used it exclusively on my last two wedding shoots without even touching Lightroom
What’s Changing in 2025? The Industry Shift I’m Seeing
Let me tell you, 2025 is looking like the year of choice. For the first time in over a decade, I’m seeing photographers and creative agencies openly ditching Adobe. More laptops come pre-installed with non-Adobe alternatives, and Affinity Photo is often at the top of that list.
There’s also a trend toward creative independence. With tighter budgets, freelancers and agencies are scaling down expensive software stacks. Affinity’s one-time payment model fits perfectly into that. And the Affinity Suite — including Designer and Publisher — means you can handle entire branding projects under one roof without a subscription.
I’ve even seen photography competitions and magazines listing Affinity-compatible formats in their guidelines. That didn’t happen five years ago.
Here are a few trends to watch for:
- AI Integration: Expect more AI-powered features in both Affinity Photo and Photoshop, making editing faster and more intuitive.
- Cloud-Based Features: Adobe is pushing for cloud-based collaboration, which could influence Affinity Photo’s future features.
- Affordability for Small Businesses: As small businesses in the photography industry look for ways to cut costs, Affinity Photo’s one-time purchase will likely become even more appealing.
Where Photoshop Still Wins — And Why I Still Keep It Around
Let’s not pretend Photoshop is obsolete. I still keep it installed, especially for high-end composite work and plug-in integration. Tools like Content-Aware Fill, Generative Expand, and access to Adobe’s AI (Firefly) are unmatched.
If you’re into complex 3D design, advanced AI workflows, or need seamless Adobe ecosystem integration, Photoshop wins. But I’ll be honest: I now open it maybe once a week. Affinity handles the other 90% of my tasks, and does it faster.
So… Can Affinity Photo Replace Photoshop?
If you’re a photographer, creative entrepreneur, or designer looking to save money, speed up editing, and simplify your toolset, then yes, Affinity Photo replace Photoshop in 2025.
It won’t replace every feature. But it replaces enough. And the freedom of owning your software without monthly bills? That’s empowering.
I’ve already shifted 80% of my projects to Affinity, and it’s been smooth, cost-effective, and creatively satisfying. If you’re still on the fence, download the free trial and edit a full project. You’ll know within a day whether it’s the right fit.
And who knows? Like me, you might just end up asking yourself, Why didn’t I try this sooner?
Should You Make the Switch? Pros and Cons of Affinity Photo
Affinity Photo replace Photoshop is a big decision for any photographer. While Affinity Photo offers impressive features, there are some things it still lacks when compared to Photoshop. Let’s dive into the pros and cons.
Pros of Affinity Photo
- Affordable One-Time Purchase: No subscription fees, making it more budget-friendly.
- Powerful Editing Tools: Features like advanced masking, detailed retouching, and seamless compositing.
- Familiar Interface: The interface is user-friendly, especially for those switching from Photoshop.
Cons of Affinity Photo
- Less Extensive Plugin Support: While Affinity Photo has a growing community of plugins, it doesn’t have the extensive library that Photoshop does.
- Limited Integration with Other Software: Unlike Adobe, which seamlessly integrates with Lightroom and Illustrator, Affinity Photo lacks such integrations.
These limitations don’t necessarily stop Affinity Photo from replacing Photoshop for many photographers, but if your workflow relies heavily on plugins or tight software integration, you might feel the difference.
What Does This Mean for You as a Photographer?
If you’re a photographer navigating your editing software options in 2025, things are getting interesting. I’ve worked with both Photoshop and Affinity Photo, and let me tell you — the gap between them is shrinking fast.
While Photoshop still leads in collaborative workflows and advanced integrations, we’re reaching a point where Affinity Photo can replace Photoshop for many photographers, especially solo creatives and small studios. You no longer need to spend a fortune to create stunning visuals.
- Photoshop still dominates large-scale, professional team environments.
- Affinity Photo is ideal for freelancers, hobbyists, and budget-conscious creatives.
Is Affinity Photo the Right Photoshop Alternative?
In my experience, Affinity Photo truly delivers on what most photographers need. It’s fast, powerful, and affordable — without locking you into a monthly subscription. That alone makes it a serious Photoshop replacement for photographers who want more control over their tools and costs.
If you’re just starting out or managing your own photography business, here’s what makes Affinity Photo stand out:
- One-time payment — no recurring fees
- Full-featured editing tools for retouching, compositing, and RAW development
- Clean interface with minimal learning curve
So, can Affinity Photo replace Photoshop for every power user? Maybe not. But for most photographers I’ve worked with — and even in my projects — Affinity Photo has been more than enough to get professional results without draining the budget.
Final Thoughts from My Experience with Affinity Photo Replace Photoshop
After years of working with Photoshop, switching to Affinity Photo felt like a bold move — but honestly, it’s one I don’t regret. From handling high-res RAW files to batch-editing portraits on a mid-range laptop, Affinity proved itself again and again.
If you’re a freelancer, small business owner, or just tired of monthly fees, the way Affinity Photo replaces Photoshop in everyday workflows is impressive. It may not cover every niche feature, but for most real-world projects, Affinity Photo replaces Photoshop isn’t just a possibility — it’s a reality that works.
Common FAQs For Affinity Photo Replace Photoshop
Can Affinity Photo handle large RAW files like Photoshop?
Yes, Affinity Photo supports large RAW files and provides advanced RAW editing features similar to Photoshop, making it a great choice for photographers who work with high-quality images.
Is Affinity Photo easier to learn than Photoshop?
Yes, many users find Affinity Photo’s interface to be more intuitive and beginner-friendly compared to Photoshop, especially for those just starting their photography journey.
What’s the biggest drawback of using Affinity Photo over Photoshop?
The biggest drawback is the lack of plugin support and integration with Adobe’s other products, which may limit workflow for certain photographers.
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