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Home / Software & Apps / Photo Editing Software / Affinity Photo 2
8.2 Tested Aug 25, 2026 by Team RankingRight

Affinity Photo 2 (Desktop, one-time) review 2026

A layer-based editor that does 90% of what Photoshop does, for $69.99 once — the Photoshop alternative that professionals actually use

PriceFrom $69.99 · checked Sep 11, 2026
3-year cost69.99 $
200 RAW export—

Is the Affinity Photo 2 Worth It?

Best Photoshop alternative. Our portrait retouch went as far in Affinity as in Photoshop, and the file cost $69.99 instead of a subscription. It does not organise or develop shoots, which is why it pairs with ON1 or DxO rather than replacing Lightroom.

Affinity Photo 2 Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Layers, masks, frequency separation, focus stacking, HDR merge, panoramas — the retouching toolkit
  • Opens and saves PSD files
  • One payment; iPad version is nearly identical
  • Fast on modest hardware
Cons
  • No catalogue — pair it with a RAW developer
  • RAW development is weaker than Lightroom or DxO
  • No generative AI

Affinity Photo 2 at a Glance

8.2 Editor Score
RAW processingDemosaicing quality, noise reduction, lens corrections and camera support on our three-brand test set.
19/25
Editing toolsMasking, layers, retouching, AI selections and generative tools, and how far a portrait and a landscape could be taken.
24/25
OrganisationCataloguing, culling speed, keywords, face and subject search, cloud sync.
6/15
Ease of useTime for a beginner to finish an edit; presets and guided tools.
13/15
ValuePrice over three years; one-time licence or subscription.
20/20
Reader ratingNo reader ratings yet — not part of the score
–
Own one? Rate it:

Rubric v1: RAW processing 25 · Editing tools 25 · Organisation 15 · Ease of use 15 · Value 20. Score = Σ ÷ 10, locked Sep 11, 2026. How we rank.

Where to buy — prices checked Sep 11, 2026

Affinity — $69.99

Best priceVisit Site

Affinity Photo 2 specifications

Price$69.99 one-time; iPad $18.49
PlatformsWindows, Mac, iPad
Free version30-day trial
One-time licenceYes
RAW supportYes (Develop persona)
LayersYes, full
AI toolsSubject selection; no generative tools
Catalogue / DAMNo

Why it scored 8.2

Our portrait retouch went as far in Affinity as in Photoshop, and the file cost $69.99 instead of a subscription. It does not organise or develop shoots, which is why it pairs with ON1 or DxO rather than replacing Lightroom.

Where it loses

Organisation — no catalogue.

Still the right pick for

Anyone who wants Photoshop without the subscription.

Changelog: Sep 11 — rank 2 → 3 · all changes

Affinity Photo 28.2 · $69.99
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