The Best Affinity Photo AlternativesTop Image Editors & Digital Painting Tools like Affinity Photo

Affinity Photo is described as 'Real-time raster graphics editor with non-destructive edits, unlimited layers, and workspace for RAW editing, supporting major colour spaces and formats' and is a leading Image Editor in the photos & graphics category. There are more than 50 alternatives to Affinity Photo for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad and Web-based apps. The best Affinity Photo alternative is GIMP, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Affinity Photo are Krita, Adobe Photoshop, Paint.NET and Photopea.

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Affinity Photo alternatives are mainly Image Editors but may also be Photo Editors or Digital Painting Tools.  Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Affinity Photo.
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Real-time raster graphics editor with non-destructive edits, unlimited layers, and workspace for RAW editing, supporting major colour spaces and formats.

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Affinity Photo alternatives page was last updated Feb 13, 2025
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Alternatives
  1. GIMP icon
     4629 likes
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    GIMP delivers powerful functionalities for photo retouching, image composition, and format conversion. As a versatile tool, it serves as both a simple paint program and a high-end retouching suite, and offers batch processing for mass image tasks in an accessible open-source platform.

    189 GIMP alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Haiku
    • Flatpak
    • AmigaOS

    Properties

    1.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Support for Layers
    2.  Photo effects
    3.  DRM Free
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    6.  High-resolution images
    7.  Retouch photos
    8.  Open PSD files
    9.  Image Processing
    10.  Dark Mode
    11.  Color to Alpha
    12.  Works Offline

    GIMP VS Affinity Photo

     
    Comments about GIMP as an Alternative to Affinity Photo
    Top Positive Comment
    Indiana Lake
    Feb 27, 2023
    1

    The best thing about this is the fact that it’s free and open–source. To compare it to Adobe Photoshop, I don’t think it’s ready. It makes a really convenient tool for when you’re starting out with designing and editing simple images for personal publication. But like some users here, I agree to the observation that it’s rather difficult to create a smooth, intuitive workflow.

    Top Negative Comment
    TopSock
    Oct 9, 2021
    -1

    It doesn't have non-destructive adjustment layers.

    Most Recent Comment
    WillZegal
    Positive Oct 9, 2024
    0

    Powerfull and free on every OS. Affinity needs a licence for EACH OS AND to pay full licence for each new version, except if you bought the whole Serifs products licence. Then you've 25% discount for upgrade. Gimp is a bit dense and unclear, but not so much compared to Affinity (V1 owned). I bought Affinity Photo at a discount price, hopping it will be easyer, but it's not obvious.

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    3 of 5 comments
    Affinity Photo Icon
    GIMP icon
    • Most users think GIMP is a great Affinity Photo alternative.

    • GIMP is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to Affinity Photo.

    • GIMP is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Affinity Photo.

    • GIMP is Free and Open SourceAffinity Photo is Paid and Proprietary
    • GIMP is CustomizableAffinity Photo is not according to our users
  2. Krita icon
     1344 likes
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    Free, open-source painting software designed by artists for artists. Offers customizable UI, 9 brush engines, color management, tablet support, non-destructive editing, and privacy features. Portable and available on major platforms, supporting seamless texture creation.

    143 Krita alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Country of Origin

    • NL flagNetherlands
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android Tablet
    • Epic Games Store
    • PortableApps.com
    • Steam

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Digital Drawing
    2.  Blending brushes
    3.  Keyframe Animation
    4.  Drawing 2D
    5.  Advanced brush settings
    6.  Drawing Tablet Support
    7.  Digital-painting focused
    8.  Sketching
    9.  Color blending
    10.  Support for Layers
    11.  Texture painting
    12.  Dark Mode

    Krita VS Affinity Photo

     
    Comments about Krita as an Alternative to Affinity Photo
    Guest
    Negative Jun 5, 2020
    3

    You draw, you don't edidit photos

    Guest
    Negative Oct 1, 2022
    0

    The text tool is awful. Not even close to Affinity.

    Affinity Photo Icon
    Krita icon
    • Most users think Krita is a great Affinity Photo alternative.

    • Krita is the most popular Android Tablet alternative to Affinity Photo.

    • Krita is Free and Open SourceAffinity Photo is Paid and Proprietary
    • Krita is LightweightAffinity Photo is not according to our users
  3. Adobe Photoshop icon
     2399 likes
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    Comprehensive raster graphics editor offering advanced photo and image editing features. Supports multiple layers, masks, alpha compositing, various color models, and has limited vector graphics, 3D, and video capabilities. Extensible via plug-ins.

    223 Adobe Photoshop alternatives

    License model

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Wine
    • ReactOS

    Properties

    1.  Intuitive Interface

    Features

    1.  RAW Photo Editors
    2.  Color correction
    3.  Photo effects
    4.  Advanced brush settings
    5.  Image Processing
    6.  Raster graphics
    7.  Support for Layers
    8.  Color Picker
    9.  Resizing dpi
    10.  Hardware Accelerated
    11.  Support for CMYK Mode
    12.  Non Destructive Editing

    Adobe Photoshop VS Affinity Photo

     
    Comments about Adobe Photoshop as an Alternative to Affinity Photo
    Gregor Zobjak
    Jun 24, 2023
    1

    Still the market leader in terms of themes AI & plugin support, other features are almost identically available as in Affinity Photo...

    Pedro Trujillo
    Positive May 8, 2022
    0

    Expensive.... but, the best

    Affinity Photo Icon
    Adobe Photoshop icon
    • Almost everyone thinks Adobe Photoshop is a great Affinity Photo alternative.

    • Adobe Photoshop is the most popular Web-based, iPhone & iPad alternative to Affinity Photo.

    • Adobe Photoshop is the most popular commercial alternative to Affinity Photo.

    • Adobe Photoshop is Paid and ProprietaryAffinity Photo is also Paid and Proprietary
  4. Paint.NET icon
     1633 likes
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    Free Windows image editor with support for layers, plugins, and special effects. Offers intuitive interface, works offline, ad-free, and portable, consuming fewer resources.

    166 Paint.NET alternatives

    License model

    • FreeProprietary

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • .NET Framework

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  User friendly
    3.  Minimalistic

    Features

    1.  Support for Layers
    2.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    3.  Dark Mode
    4.  Support for image plugins
    5.  Export to PNG
    6.  Community-based
    7.  Transparency
    8.  Ad-free
    9.  Portable
    10.  Built-in Color Picker
    11.  Works Offline
    12.  No registration required

    Paint.NET VS Affinity Photo

     
    Comments about Paint.NET as an Alternative to Affinity Photo
    Gregor Zobjak
    Positive Jun 24, 2023
    0

    Good for basic Photo editing but is only available for Windows. I think it's one of the best free Photo editing applications

    Affinity Photo Icon
    Paint.NET icon
    • Paint.NET is Free and ProprietaryAffinity Photo is Paid and Proprietary
    • Paint.NET is Lightweight and MinimalisticAffinity Photo is not according to our users
  5. Photopea icon
     308 likes
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    Online photo editor, which can work with PSD, XCF and Sketch files (Photoshop, Gimp and Sketch App). Convert between PSD, XCF, JPG, PNG and many other formats.

    104 Photopea alternatives

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Platforms

    • Online

    Top Photopea Features

    1.  Web-Based
    2.  Open PSD files
    3.  Support for Layers
    4.  Vectorize raster images
    5.  Photoshop-like
    6.  Sketch to PSD
    7.  RAW Photo Editors
    8.  Text tool
    9.  Dark Mode
    10.  Ad-free
    11.  Colorize Photo
    12.  No registration required

    Photopea VS Affinity Photo

     
    Comments about Photopea as an Alternative to Affinity Photo
    Gregor Zobjak
    Positive Jun 24, 2023
    0

    just like an Online & free version of Photoshop.. has almost all features.

    Guest
    Positive Oct 30, 2019
    0

    Online version, fully supporting PSD file format and EVERY PS function. Free.

    Affinity Photo Icon
    Photopea icon
    • Photopea is Freemium and ProprietaryAffinity Photo is Paid and Proprietary
  6. Graphite icon
     66 likes
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    Graphite is a free, open source vector and raster graphics editor, available now in alpha. Get creative with a fully nondestructive editing workflow that combines layer-based compositing with node-based generative design.

    54 Graphite alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Online

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Support for Layers
    2.  Dark Mode
    3.  No Tracking
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  Node Based
    6.  No registration required
    7.  Non Destructive Editing
    8.  Live Preview
    9.  Text to Image Generation
    10.  WYSIWYG Support
    11.  Export to SVG

    Graphite VS Affinity Photo

     
    Comments about Graphite as an Alternative to Affinity Photo
    Pedro Trujillo
    Negative Apr 29, 2024
    0

    Even the most basic functions are slowwwwwww. It's a good idea, but it's not ready.

    Affinity Photo Icon
    Graphite icon
    • Graphite is Free and Open SourceAffinity Photo is Paid and Proprietary
    • Graphite is Privacy focused and LightweightAffinity Photo is not according to our users
  7. Pixlr icon
     383 likes
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    Explore this platform for free, web-based photo editing; it provides tools like overlays, double exposure, and color splash for detailed modifications plus Pro features like Influence Masks and advanced blending.

    217 Pixlr alternatives

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Web-Based
    2.  Retouch photos
    3.  Support for Layers
    4.  Gradients
    5.  Dark Mode
    6.  Correct Red Eyes
    7.  Photo effects
    8.  Multiple languages
    9.  Open PSD files
    10.  Custom overlays
    11.  AI-Powered

    Pixlr VS Affinity Photo

     
    • Most users think Pixlr is a great Affinity Photo alternative.

    • Pixlr is the most popular Android alternative to Affinity Photo.

    • Pixlr is Freemium and ProprietaryAffinity Photo is Paid and Proprietary
    • Pixlr is LightweightAffinity Photo is not according to our users
  8. Pixelmator icon
     419 likes
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    Image editing software for macOS and iOS, offering nondestructive, GPU-powered editing with machine learning features, RAW support, custom brushes, and seamless macOS integration for touch-ups, painting, and creative compositions.

    148 Pixelmator alternatives

    License model

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad

    Properties

    1.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Open PSD files
    2.  RAW Photo Editors
    3.  Retouch photos
    4.  Healing brush
    5.  Stickers
    6.  Tablet support
    7.  Multiple Font Colors
    8.  Asset Pipeline
    9.  Support for 64 bit

    Pixelmator VS Affinity Photo

     
    Comments about Pixelmator as an Alternative to Affinity Photo
    Guest
    Positive Jun 7, 2020
    0

    Because it's simpler and it works.

    Affinity Photo Icon
    Pixelmator icon
    • Almost everyone thinks Pixelmator is a great Affinity Photo alternative.

    • Pixelmator is Paid and ProprietaryAffinity Photo is also Paid and Proprietary
  9. Procreate icon
     160 likes
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    Procreate is a versatile, award-winning app for creative digital drawing and painting on iOS. It delivers a robust, professional toolset with hundreds of configurable brushes, a powerful layering system, vector graphic tools, and comprehensive design capabilities, ensuring desktop-level flexibility and power.

    58 Procreate alternatives

    License model

    Platforms

    • iPhone
    • iPad

    Top Procreate Features

    1.  Apple Pencil support
    2.  Texture for brushes
    3.  Custom Brushes
    4.  Drawing 2D
    5.  Love
    6.  Dark Mode
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Support for Layers
    9.  No registration required
    10.  Support for 4K
    11.  Works Offline
    12.  Drawing Tablet Support

    Procreate VS Affinity Photo

     
9 of 92 Affinity Photo alternatives