# Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Photo

**Leader by vioscaleAI score:** Affinity Photo

| Attribute | Adobe Photoshop | Affinity Photo |
|---|---|---|
| **vioscaleAI score** | 27.9 (54% (medium)) | 68.7 (54% (medium)) |
| content.faq | `[{"answer":"A cloud-based application for photo editing and design work that combines advanced image manipulation capabilities with generative AI features for tasks like background composition, object removal, and image enhancement. It is indexed under Design & Creative Software.","source":"https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop.html","question":"What is Adobe Photoshop?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"We have confirmed browser-based access to Adobe Photoshop. That is the extent of what we could verify from public sources, so it may well offer desktop or mobile clients we have not indexed.","source":"https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop.html","question":"What platforms does Adobe Photoshop support?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"We have only confirmed a cloud / SaaS deployment for Adobe Photoshop, so it appears to be vendor-hosted. If a self-hosted option exists we have not found it documented publicly.","source":"https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop.html","question":"Can Adobe Photoshop be self-hosted?","confidence":0.6}]` | `[{"answer":"An image editor available at no cost, offering photo adjustment, raw file processing, and unlimited-layer composition. It imports Photoshop files with editable structure intact and supports real-time collaborative workflows. It is indexed under Design & Creative Software.","source":"https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/photo/","question":"What is Affinity Photo?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Affinity Photo offers a free tier, so you can start without paying. Pricing changes often, so verify at source before relying on it.","source":"https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/photo/","question":"Is Affinity Photo free?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Affinity Photo supports Windows and macOS. Platforms we have not confirmed are simply not listed here rather than ruled out.","source":"https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/photo/","question":"What platforms does Affinity Photo support?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"We have independently confirmed GDPR for Affinity Photo. Certifications we do not list are ones we have not been able to verify from public sources, which is not the same as Affinity Photo not holding them. Always confirm compliance directly before you rely on it.","source":"https://affinity.serif.com/de/privacy/","question":"What security certifications does Affinity Photo have?","confidence":0.7},{"answer":"Affinity Photo is available worldwide. The vendor is headquartered in the United Kingdom.","source":"https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/photo/","question":"Where is Affinity Photo available?","confidence":0.75}]` |
| deployment.options | `{"cloud":true}` | - |
| description.long | A cloud-based application for photo editing and design work that combines advanced image manipulation capabilities with generative AI features for tasks like background composition, object removal, and image enhancement. | An image editor available at no cost, offering photo adjustment, raw file processing, and unlimited-layer composition. It imports Photoshop files with editable structure intact and supports real-time collaborative workflows. Features pixel manipulation, vector design, and layout tools in one customizable application with automated batch operations. |
| features.capabilities | `{"generative_ai":true,"raster_editing":true,"plugin_ecosystem":"Extensible via third-party integrations"}` | `{"dtp_layout":true,"generative_ai":true,"pricing_model":"freemium","psd_ai_import":true,"free_available":true,"raster_editing":true,"vector_editing":true,"realtime_collab":true,"digital_painting":true,"platform_breadth":"macOS, Windows, iOS","vector_illustration":true,"realtime_collaboration":true}` |
| integrations.count | 1 | 2 |
| integrations.list | `[{"name":"Topaz Labs"},{"name":"Adobe Express"}]` | `[{"name":"Photoshop","native":true,"category":"design","direction":"bidirectional"},{"name":"Canva","native":true,"category":"design","direction":"bidirectional"}]` |
| market.availability | `{"primaryMarkets":[],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` | `{"hqCountry":"GB","primaryMarkets":[],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` |
| platform.support | `{"web":true}` | `{"mac":true,"windows":true}` |
| pricing | `{"type":"subscription","freeTier":false,"sourceUrl":"https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop.html","retrievedAt":"2026-08-14T13:48:57.091Z"}` | `{"type":"free","plans":[{"free":true,"name":"Affinity","summary":"Completely free with no restrictions or payment required","features":["RAW development","Photo retouching","HDR merge","Focus merge","Astrophotography stacking","Batch processing","Macros","Unlimited layers","PSD import with layer fidelity","Pixel studio","Vector studio","Layout studio","Customizable workspace","Free updates with new features"],"components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":0,"currency":"USD"}],"description":"Full photo editing suite with all tools included","contactSales":false}],"summary":"Completely free. Optional Canva AI tools available with premium Canva subscription.","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/photo/","retrievedAt":"2026-09-04T16:00:51.799Z"}` |
| pricing.free_tier | no | yes |
| pricing.model | commercial | free |
| pricing.price_level | unknown | free |
| pricing.transparent | - | yes |
| reliability.status_page | yes | - |
| security.disclosure_policy | yes | - |
| security.gdpr | - | yes |

## Capabilities (Design & Creative Software)

| Capability | Adobe Photoshop | Affinity Photo |
|---|:--:|:--:|
| **Discipline** |  |  |
| Raster / photo editing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Vector illustration | - | ✓ |
| DTP / page layout | - | ✓ |
| Digital painting | - | ✓ |
| **Platform** |  |  |
| Platform breadth | - | macOS, Windows, iOS |
| **Output** |  |  |
| CMYK / print production | - | - |
| **Interoperability** |  |  |
| PSD / AI import | - | ✓ |
| **Collaboration** |  |  |
| Real-time collaboration / cloud | - | ✓ |
| **AI** |  |  |
| Generative AI features | ✓ | ✓ |
| **Extensibility** |  |  |
| Plugin / template ecosystem | Extensible via third-party integrations | - |
| **Pricing** |  |  |
| Pricing model | - | Freemium |
| Free / open-source available | - | ✓ |

*Source: vioscaleAI. Generated 2026-10-16T19:22:30.448Z. "-" = undocumented, not absent.*