# Affinity Photo 2 vs Adobe Photoshop

Published January 1, 2026 · Updated August 10, 2026

Affinity Photo 2 is the top pick for most Mac users looking at design. It has a free tier and installs in one Homebrew command. Adobe Photoshop is the stronger choice if you want photo editing. As of November 2026, both install with brew install --cask affinity-photo-2 and brew install --cask adobe-photoshop.

For most Mac users in 2026, Affinity Photo 2 is the better choice for design because it scored higher on the price, license, and catalog ordering fields we store. Both install with a single Homebrew command, so the switching cost is low. Choose Adobe Photoshop instead if you want photo editing.

## Head to head

| Factor | Affinity Photo 2 | Adobe Photoshop |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Paid | Paid |
| Open Source | No | No |
| Replaces | — | — |
| Best for | photo editing, design, raster | photo editing, design, adobe |
| Install | brew install --cask affinity-photo-2 | brew install --cask adobe-photoshop |
| Category | Design & Creative | Design & Creative |

## Affinity Photo 2

Professional photo editing software with a one-time purchase model, no subscription required.

Install: `brew install --cask affinity-photo-2`

[Affinity Photo 2 on Bundl](https://bundl.run/apps/affinity-photo-2)

## Adobe Photoshop

The world's leading image editing software for photo retouching, compositing, and design.

Install: `brew install --cask adobe-photoshop`

[Adobe Photoshop on Bundl](https://bundl.run/apps/adobe-photoshop)

## Features

- **RAW Image Processing.** Both develop RAW well. Choose Camera Raw if your archive and catalogue already live in Adobe; choose Affinity if you want free pro development on Mac.
- **AI-Powered Features.** Photoshop leads generative AI. Affinity is enough when you need assistive selection and cleanup, not prompt-driven production.
- **Retouching Tools.** Photoshop is faster for high-volume AI-assisted retouching. Affinity matches quality when you have time for careful manual work.
- **Compositing.** Photoshop edges compositing speed and AI selection. Affinity is capable for many commercial composites without the subscription.
- **Color Management.** Both manage colour well for professional work. Adobe still sets the soft-proofing habits many print vendors expect.
- **Plugin Support.** Photoshop wins plugin depth by a wide margin.
- **Non-Destructive Editing.** Both excel at non-destructive editing. Neither forces destructive workflows for modern commercial work.

## FAQ

### Is Affinity Photo free now?

Yes. The unified Affinity app from Canva includes professional photo tools at no cost. Canva premium is only required for certain AI studio features. Check adobe.com plan cards if your region differs.

### How much is Photoshop in 2026?

Single-app Photoshop is commonly about US$22.99/month on annual billed-monthly plans. Creative Cloud Standard is about US$54.99/month and Pro about US$69.99/month for individuals on annual billed-monthly pricing. verify live regional pricing on Adobe's site. Affinity's free tier is the right baseline for most freelancers.

### Can Affinity replace Photoshop completely?

For many freelancers, yes. For generative-heavy campaigns, advanced Camera Raw team workflows, or plugin-dependent production, Photoshop still matters. Agency pipelines may still force Photoshop regardless of price.

### How good is PSD compatibility?

Affinity opens and exports PSD for many layered jobs, but complex smart objects, certain adjustment stacks, and plugin-powered files can diverge. Test client files before promising perfect round-trips.

### What about generative AI fill?

Photoshop's Firefly generative features are mature inside Adobe plans. Affinity offers Canva AI tools to premium Canva accounts. Choose based on which ecosystem you already pay for.

### Is Photography plan still a thing?

Adobe still packages photography-oriented plans that include Photoshop with Lightroom-oriented offerings; exact names and prices shift. check Adobe's current photography and single-app cards.

### Which is better for Apple Silicon Macs?

Both are optimised. Affinity often feels lighter on RAM for similar composites; Photoshop offers deeper ecosystem integrations.

### Should students pick Affinity or Photoshop?

If cost is primary, Affinity free. If coursework or internships require Photoshop proficiency and Adobe files, learn Photoshop (education discounts may apply).

### Did Adobe price increases change the verdict?

They reinforce it for independents. Higher CC Pro pricing makes free Affinity more attractive unless you need multi-app Adobe AI features.

### Can I use both?

Yes. many pros keep Affinity as daily driver and rent Photoshop monthly only when a job needs Firefly or perfect Adobe-native delivery.

## Sources

- [Introducing the all-new Affinity - free for everyone](https://www.canva.com/newsroom/news/all-new-affinity/)
- [Why we made Affinity free](https://www.canva.com/newsroom/news/affinity-free/)
- [Affinity product site](https://www.affinity.studio/)
- [Adobe Photoshop plans](https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/plans.html)
- [Changes to Creative Cloud individual plans](https://helpx.adobe.com/account/individual/subscriptions-and-plans/plan-types-and-eligibility/changes-to-individual-plan.html)
- [Adobe Creative Cloud plans](https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/plans.html)
- [Adobe Photoshop product page](https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop.html)

## Related

- [Affinity Photo 2 vs GIMP](https://bundl.run/compare/affinity-photo-2-vs-gimp)
- [Affinity Photo 2 vs Pixelmator Pro](https://bundl.run/compare/affinity-photo-2-vs-pixelmator-pro)
- [Affinity Designer 2 vs Affinity Photo 2](https://bundl.run/compare/affinity-designer-2-vs-affinity-photo-2)
- [Pixelmator Pro vs Adobe Photoshop](https://bundl.run/compare/pixelmator-vs-photoshop)
- [GIMP vs Adobe Photoshop](https://bundl.run/compare/gimp-vs-photoshop)
- [Canva vs Adobe Photoshop](https://bundl.run/compare/canva-vs-adobe-photoshop)

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@graph": [
    {
      "@type": "Organization",
      "@id": "https://bundl.run/#organization",
      "name": "Bundl.run",
      "url": "https://bundl.run",
      "logo": {
        "@type": "ImageObject",
        "url": "https://bundl.run/og-image.png",
        "width": 1200,
        "height": 630
      },
      "description": "The Ninite for Mac. Install all your essential Mac apps with one terminal command.",
      "sameAs": [
        "https://github.com/abhiofficial/bundl-mac-setup",
        "https://x.com/bundlrun",
        "https://www.producthunt.com/products/bundl-run"
      ],
      "foundingDate": "2024",
      "contactPoint": {
        "@type": "ContactPoint",
        "contactType": "customer support",
        "url": "https://bundl.run/faq"
      }
    },
    {
      "@type": "WebSite",
      "@id": "https://bundl.run/#website",
      "name": "Bundl.run",
      "url": "https://bundl.run",
      "description": "The Ninite for Mac. Install all your essential Mac apps with one terminal command.",
      "publisher": {
        "@id": "https://bundl.run/#organization"
      },
      "inLanguage": "en-US"
    },
    {
      "@type": "Person",
      "@id": "https://bundl.run/authors/maya-rodriguez#person",
      "name": "Maya Rodriguez",
      "jobTitle": "Creative Software Expert",
      "url": "https://bundl.run/authors/maya-rodriguez",
      "worksFor": {
        "@id": "https://bundl.run/#organization"
      },
      "description": "Maya Rodriguez specializes in design and creative software, bringing 10 years of experience as a professional graphic designer and UI/UX specialist. Maya evaluates design tools, media applications, and creative workflows with an eye toward both artistic capability and technical performance. Having worked at design agencies and as a freelance creative director, Maya understands the demanding requirements of professional creative work. Each review includes assessment of color accuracy, export quality, collaboration features, and integration with broader creative ecosystems.",
      "knowsAbout": [
        "Design & Graphics Software",
        "Photo & Video Editing",
        "UI/UX Design Tools",
        "Creative Workflows",
        "Media Production",
        "Design Systems & Tokens"
      ],
      "image": "https://bundl.run/authors/maya-rodriguez.svg"
    },
    {
      "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
      "@id": "https://bundl.run/compare/affinity-photo-vs-photoshop#breadcrumb",
      "itemListElement": [
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 1,
          "name": "Home",
          "item": "https://bundl.run"
        },
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 2,
          "name": "Apps",
          "item": "https://bundl.run/apps"
        },
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 3,
          "name": "Compare",
          "item": "https://bundl.run/compare"
        },
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 4,
          "name": "Affinity Photo 2 vs Adobe Photoshop",
          "item": "https://bundl.run/compare/affinity-photo-vs-photoshop"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "@type": "WebPage",
      "@id": "https://bundl.run/compare/affinity-photo-vs-photoshop",
      "url": "https://bundl.run/compare/affinity-photo-vs-photoshop",
      "name": "Affinity Photo 2 vs Adobe Photoshop",
      "description": "For most Mac users in 2026, Affinity Photo 2 is the better choice for design because it scored higher on the price, license, and catalog ordering fields we store. Both install with a single Homebrew command, so the switching cost is low. Choose Adobe Photoshop instead if you want photo editing.",
      "isPartOf": {
        "@id": "https://bundl.run/#website"
      },
      "publisher": {
        "@id": "https://bundl.run/#organization"
      },
      "inLanguage": "en-US",
      "datePublished": "2026-01-01T00:00:00Z",
      "dateModified": "2026-08-10T13:34:04.000Z",
      "image": "https://bundl.run/og-image.png",
      "author": {
        "@id": "https://bundl.run/authors/maya-rodriguez#person"
      },
      "mainEntity": {
        "@id": "https://bundl.run/compare/affinity-photo-vs-photoshop#article"
      },
      "breadcrumb": {
        "@id": "https://bundl.run/compare/affinity-photo-vs-photoshop#breadcrumb"
      }
    },
    {
      "@type": "Article",
      "@id": "https://bundl.run/compare/affinity-photo-vs-photoshop#article",
      "headline": "Affinity Photo 2 vs Adobe Photoshop — Which is Better in 2026?",
      "description": "For most Mac users in 2026, Affinity Photo 2 is the better choice for design because it scored higher on the price, license, and catalog ordering fields we store. Both install with a single Homebrew command, so the switching cost is low. Choose Adobe Photoshop instead if you want photo editing.",
      "image": "https://bundl.run/og-image.png",
      "speakable": {
        "@type": "SpeakableSpecification",
        "cssSelector": [
          "h1",
          ".quick-answer",
          ".tldr-summary"
        ]
      },
      "author": {
        "@id": "https://bundl.run/authors/maya-rodriguez#person"
      },
      "publisher": {
        "@id": "https://bundl.run/#organization"
      },
      "datePublished": "2026-01-01T00:00:00Z",
      "dateModified": "2026-08-10T13:34:04.000Z",
      "mainEntityOfPage": {
        "@type": "WebPage",
        "@id": "https://bundl.run/compare/affinity-photo-vs-photoshop"
      },
      "isPartOf": {
        "@id": "https://bundl.run/#website"
      },
      "about": [
        {
          "@type": "SoftwareApplication",
          "name": "Affinity Photo 2",
          "url": "https://bundl.run/apps/affinity-photo-2"
        },
        {
          "@type": "SoftwareApplication",
          "name": "Adobe Photoshop",
          "url": "https://bundl.run/apps/adobe-photoshop"
        }
      ],
      "mentions": [
        {
          "@type": "SoftwareApplication",
          "name": "Affinity Photo 2",
          "url": "https://bundl.run/apps/affinity-photo-2"
        },
        {
          "@type": "SoftwareApplication",
          "name": "Adobe Photoshop",
          "url": "https://bundl.run/apps/adobe-photoshop"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "@type": "FAQPage",
      "@id": "https://bundl.run/compare/affinity-photo-vs-photoshop#faq",
      "mainEntity": [
        {
          "@type": "Question",
          "name": "Is Affinity Photo free now?",
          "acceptedAnswer": {
            "@type": "Answer",
            "text": "Yes. The unified Affinity app from Canva includes professional photo tools at no cost. Canva premium is only required for certain AI studio features. Check adobe.com plan cards if your region differs."
          }
        },
        {
          "@type": "Question",
          "name": "How much is Photoshop in 2026?",
          "acceptedAnswer": {
            "@type": "Answer",
            "text": "Single-app Photoshop is commonly about US$22.99/month on annual billed-monthly plans. Creative Cloud Standard is about US$54.99/month and Pro about US$69.99/month for individuals on annual billed-monthly pricing. verify live regional pricing on Adobe's site. Affinity's free tier is the right baseline for most freelancers."
          }
        },
        {
          "@type": "Question",
          "name": "Can Affinity replace Photoshop completely?",
          "acceptedAnswer": {
            "@type": "Answer",
            "text": "For many freelancers, yes. For generative-heavy campaigns, advanced Camera Raw team workflows, or plugin-dependent production, Photoshop still matters. Agency pipelines may still force Photoshop regardless of price."
          }
        },
        {
          "@type": "Question",
          "name": "How good is PSD compatibility?",
          "acceptedAnswer": {
            "@type": "Answer",
            "text": "Affinity opens and exports PSD for many layered jobs, but complex smart objects, certain adjustment stacks, and plugin-powered files can diverge. Test client files before promising perfect round-trips."
          }
        },
        {
          "@type": "Question",
          "name": "What about generative AI fill?",
          "acceptedAnswer": {
            "@type": "Answer",
            "text": "Photoshop's Firefly generative features are mature inside Adobe plans. Affinity offers Canva AI tools to premium Canva accounts. Choose based on which ecosystem you already pay for."
          }
        },
        {
          "@type": "Question",
          "name": "Is Photography plan still a thing?",
          "acceptedAnswer": {
            "@type": "Answer",
            "text": "Adobe still packages photography-oriented plans that include Photoshop with Lightroom-oriented offerings; exact names and prices shift. check Adobe's current photography and single-app cards."
          }
        },
        {
          "@type": "Question",
          "name": "Which is better for Apple Silicon Macs?",
          "acceptedAnswer": {
            "@type": "Answer",
            "text": "Both are optimised. Affinity often feels lighter on RAM for similar composites; Photoshop offers deeper ecosystem integrations."
          }
        },
        {
          "@type": "Question",
          "name": "Should students pick Affinity or Photoshop?",
          "acceptedAnswer": {
            "@type": "Answer",
            "text": "If cost is primary, Affinity free. If coursework or internships require Photoshop proficiency and Adobe files, learn Photoshop (education discounts may apply)."
          }
        },
        {
          "@type": "Question",
          "name": "Did Adobe price increases change the verdict?",
          "acceptedAnswer": {
            "@type": "Answer",
            "text": "They reinforce it for independents. Higher CC Pro pricing makes free Affinity more attractive unless you need multi-app Adobe AI features."
          }
        },
        {
          "@type": "Question",
          "name": "Can I use both?",
          "acceptedAnswer": {
            "@type": "Answer",
            "text": "Yes. many pros keep Affinity as daily driver and rent Photoshop monthly only when a job needs Firefly or perfect Adobe-native delivery."
          }
        }
      ],
      "isPartOf": {
        "@id": "https://bundl.run/compare/affinity-photo-vs-photoshop"
      }
    }
  ]
}
```