# Affinity Photo vs darktable

**Leader by vioscaleAI score:** Affinity Photo

| Attribute | Affinity Photo | darktable |
|---|---|---|
| **vioscaleAI score** | 68.7 (54% (medium)) | 52.4 (59% (medium)) |
| activity.commits_last_30d | - | 100 |
| adoption.dependent_repos | - | 0 |
| adoption.github_stars | - | 13,279 |
| content.faq | `[{"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}]` | `[{"answer":"Darktable is a free, open-source photography application providing non-destructive raw image development and editing. It functions as a virtual darkroom and lighttable, managing photos in a database with professional color management, GPU acceleration, and optional AI-powered features. It is indexed under Design & Creative Software.","source":"https://www.darktable.org","question":"What is darktable?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"darktable is open source, so it can be self-hosted and used at no licence cost. It is released under the GPL-3.0 licence. Pricing changes often, so verify at source before relying on it.","source":"https://www.darktable.org","question":"Is darktable free to use?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"darktable supports Windows, macOS and Linux. Platforms we have not confirmed are simply not listed here rather than ruled out.","source":"https://www.darktable.org","question":"What platforms does darktable support?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Yes. darktable can be deployed self-hosted, so it does not have to run on the vendor's infrastructure.","source":"https://www.darktable.org","question":"Can darktable be self-hosted?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Yes. darktable is published under the GPL-3.0 licence, a copyleft licence, so check its terms before embedding it in a closed-source product. Licence terms can change between releases, so verify against the repository for the version you intend to use.","source":"https://github.com/darktable-org/darktable","question":"Is darktable open source?","confidence":0.95}]` |
| deployment.options | - | `{"self_hosted":true}` |
| description.long | 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. | A digital photo management and editing application that organizes images in a database and enables non-destructive raw image processing and enhancement for photographers. |
| features.capabilities | `{"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}` | `{"cmyk_print":true,"dtp_layout":false,"generative_ai":true,"pricing_model":"open_source","free_available":true,"raster_editing":true,"digital_painting":false,"platform_breadth":"Linux, Windows (10+), macOS (Intel and Apple Silicon), FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD","plugin_ecosystem":"Lua API for scripting and extensibility","vector_illustration":false,"realtime_collaboration":false}` |
| integrations.count | 2 | - |
| integrations.list | `[{"name":"Photoshop","native":true,"category":"design","direction":"bidirectional"},{"name":"Canva","native":true,"category":"design","direction":"bidirectional"}]` | - |
| language.primary | - | C |
| license.spdx | - | GPL-3.0 |
| market.availability | `{"hqCountry":"GB","primaryMarkets":[],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` | `{"primaryMarkets":[],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` |
| platform.support | `{"mac":true,"windows":true}` | `{"mac":true,"linux":true,"windows":true}` |
| pricing | `{"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"}` | `{"type":"open_source","plans":[{"free":true,"name":"darktable","summary":"Free and open-source","features":["Non-destructive raw image editing","Virtual lighttable and darkroom interface","Digital negative database management","Professional color management for print output","GPU-accelerated processing","AI-powered features: denoise, upscale, object masking","Editing modules: local contrast, contrast equalizer, retouch, liquify","Lua scripting API for customization"],"contactSales":false}],"summary":"Free, open-source","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://www.darktable.org","retrievedAt":"2026-08-16T21:32:58.849Z"}` |
| pricing.free_tier | yes | yes |
| pricing.model | free | open_source |
| pricing.price_level | free | free |
| pricing.transparent | yes | yes |
| release.cadence_days | - | 63 |
| release.history | - | `[{"url":"https://github.com/darktable-org/darktable/releases/tag/nightly","date":"2026-10-15T00:48:48Z","type":"prerelease","version":"nightly"},{"url":"https://github.com/darktable-org/darktable/releases/tag/release-5.6.2","date":"2026-10-04T16:36:31Z","type":"stable","version":"release-5.6.2"},{"url":"https://github.com/darktable-org/darktable/releases/tag/release-5.6.1","date":"2026-08-27T07:02:41Z","type":"stable","version":"release-5.6.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/darktable-org/darktable/releases/tag/release-5.6.0","date":"2026-06-21T09:18:30Z","type":"stable","version":"release-5.6.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/darktable-org/darktable/releases/tag/release-5.4.1","date":"2026-02-05T17:01:49Z","type":"stable","version":"release-5.4.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/darktable-org/darktable/releases/tag/release-5.4.0","date":"2025-12-21T08:46:44Z","type":"stable","version":"release-5.4.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/darktable-org/darktable/releases/tag/release-5.2.1","date":"2025-08-06T06:18:52Z","type":"stable","version":"release-5.2.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/darktable-org/darktable/releases/tag/release-5.2.0","date":"2025-06-21T10:50:55Z","type":"stable","version":"release-5.2.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/darktable-org/darktable/releases/tag/release-5.0.1","date":"2025-02-12T12:30:14Z","type":"stable","version":"release-5.0.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/darktable-org/darktable/releases/tag/release-5.0.0","date":"2024-12-21T18:04:40Z","type":"stable","version":"release-5.0.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/darktable-org/darktable/releases/tag/release-4.8.1","date":"2024-07-24T20:03:39Z","type":"stable","version":"release-4.8.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/darktable-org/darktable/releases/tag/release-4.8.0","date":"2024-06-21T15:51:19Z","type":"stable","version":"release-4.8.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/darktable-org/darktable/releases/tag/release-4.6.1","date":"2024-02-17T14:16:07Z","type":"stable","version":"release-4.6.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/darktable-org/darktable/releases/tag/release-4.6.0","date":"2023-12-21T18:18:49Z","type":"stable","version":"release-4.6.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/darktable-org/darktable/releases/tag/release-4.4.2","date":"2023-07-22T17:28:22Z","type":"stable","version":"release-4.4.2"},{"url":"https://github.com/darktable-org/darktable/releases/tag/release-4.4.1","date":"2023-07-01T06:18:27Z","type":"stable","version":"release-4.4.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/darktable-org/darktable/releases/tag/release-4.4.0","date":"2023-06-21T15:28:29Z","type":"stable","version":"release-4.4.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/darktable-org/darktable/releases/tag/release-4.2.1","date":"2023-02-22T18:45:50Z","type":"stable","version":"release-4.2.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/darktable-org/darktable/releases/tag/release-4.2.0","date":"2022-12-21T11:48:14Z","type":"stable","version":"release-4.2.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/darktable-org/darktable/releases/tag/release-4.0.1","date":"2022-09-17T09:36:54Z","type":"stable","version":"release-4.0.1"}]` |
| security.gdpr | yes | - |
| security.scorecard | - | 5.6 |
| security.vulnerabilities | - | `{"count":0,"source":"https://advisories.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/advisories?ecosystem=go&package_name=github.com%2Fdarktable-org%2Fdarktable&per_page=100","last_12m":0,"max_severity":null}` |

## Capabilities (Design & Creative Software)

| Capability | Affinity Photo | darktable |
|---|:--:|:--:|
| **Discipline** |  |  |
| Raster / photo editing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Vector illustration | ✓ | ✗ |
| DTP / page layout | ✓ | ✗ |
| Digital painting | ✓ | ✗ |
| **Platform** |  |  |
| Platform breadth | macOS, Windows, iOS | Linux, Windows (10+), macOS (Intel and Apple Silicon), FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD |
| **Output** |  |  |
| CMYK / print production | - | ✓ |
| **Interoperability** |  |  |
| PSD / AI import | ✓ | - |
| **Collaboration** |  |  |
| Real-time collaboration / cloud | ✓ | ✗ |
| **AI** |  |  |
| Generative AI features | ✓ | ✓ |
| **Extensibility** |  |  |
| Plugin / template ecosystem | - | Lua API for scripting and extensibility |
| **Pricing** |  |  |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Open-source (free) |
| Free / open-source available | ✓ | ✓ |

*Source: vioscaleAI. Generated 2026-10-16T20:58:44.412Z. "-" = undocumented, not absent.*