Affinity Photo 2 vs Photoshop: A comparison

When comparing Affinity Photo 2 vs Photoshop, there are some noticeable differences. However, there are also similarities: you can edit photos with both programs.

Affinity Photo 2 vs Photoshop: How the image editing programs are similar

In the age of digital photography, post-processing photos is at least as important as taking the photos themselves. There are many different programs for this. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. One of the most well-known is Photoshop from Adobe. However, Affinity Photo 2 is looking to compete with it.

• Anyone who has worked with Photoshop will quickly find their way around Affinity Photo 2. The interfaces of the two programs are very similar.

• In both cases, the tools are located on the left-hand side of the screen and the layers on the right. But the rest of the layout will also look familiar to Photoshop users.

• The keyboard shortcuts for various tools in Affinity Photo 2 are also almost identical to those in Photoshop. This means you don’t have to get used to a new way of working when you switch between the two programs.

• With Affinity Photo 2, you can also edit RAW files, just like in Photoshop.

• You can also work with filters in both image editing programs. For example, you can blur your images or reduce noise in both Affinity Photo 2 and Photoshop.

This is how the applications differ

So, Affinity Photo 2 and Photoshop have a lot in common. But there are also a few differences.

• The biggest difference is definitely the sales model. Adobe relies on a subscription model for Photoshop. Photoshop is available in a bundle with Lightroom as a subscription from €23.79 per month (as of October 2024).

• In contrast, you don’t have to take out a subscription for Affinity Photo 2. For Mac and Windows, the program normally costs a one-time fee of €74.99 (as of October 2024), while the Affinity V2 universal license for Affinity Photo 2, Affinity Designer 2 and Affinity Publisher 2 costs a one-time fee of €174.99. There is also an iPad version of Affinity Photo 2 for a one-time fee of €19.99.

• One difference in using Affinity Photo 2 and Photoshop lies in the naming of tools and settings. Even though both programs have very similar functions, they are sometimes named differently or have different icons. Tools can also be located in different places on the toolbar.

• In addition, you can switch between different personas in Affinity Photo 2. In these workspaces, you can, for example, edit RAW files or export your files in different formats. In the Photo Persona, you can also edit images that are not RAW files.