Affinity Photo
Professional photo editing and digital painting software that provides a powerfu...
Capture One
Professional RAW photo editing software suite with advanced color grading, tethe...
Affinity Photo vs Capture One: Which Is Better in 2026?
Comprehensive comparison of Affinity Photo and Capture One covering features, pricing, pros & cons, and our expert verdict to help you make the right choice for your business.
Affinity Photo vs Capture One: Overview
Choosing between Affinity Photo and Capture One is a common dilemma for photo editing users. Both tools offer robust solutions, but they cater to different needs and budgets.
Affinity Photo offers a free tier and starts at $0/one-time, while Capture One begins at $14.92/monthly. But pricing is just one factor—let's dive into features, use cases, and which tool fits your specific needs.
Affinity Photo is best known for now completely free with full professional features, whereas Capture One stands out for exceptional raw processing quality. In this detailed comparison, we'll analyze both tools across pricing, features, ease of use, and ideal use cases.
Quick Overview
Affinity Photo
- Best for: Professional photographers seeking Adobe alternatives, Digital artists and illustrators
- Starting price: Free
- Category: photo editing
- Founded: 2015
Capture One
- Best for: Professional photographers, Commercial studios
- Starting price: $14.92/mo
- Category: photo editing
- Founded: 2004
Feature Comparison
Side-by-side feature comparison to help you understand the key differences between Affinity Photo and Capture One.
| Feature | AP Affinity Photo | C1 Capture One |
|---|---|---|
| RAW Development | Professional RAW file processing | |
| Non-destructive Editing | Edit without losing original image data | |
| HDR Merge | Combine multiple exposures | High dynamic range processing |
| Focus Stacking | Combine multiple focus points | |
| Digital Painting | Advanced brush tools and painting features | |
| Batch Processing | Process multiple images simultaneously | Automated workflow tools |
| Smart Selections | AI-powered selection tools | |
| GPU Acceleration | Hardware-accelerated performance | |
| 360° Image Editing | Edit panoramic and spherical images | |
| PSD Support | Open and edit Photoshop files | |
| RAW Processing | Support for 650+ camera models | |
| Tethered Shooting | USB, network, and WiFi tethering | |
| AI-Powered Tools | AI masking, crop, and dust removal | |
| Advanced Color Grading | Professional color correction tools | |
| Layer-Based Editing | Non-destructive layer system | |
| Mobile Apps | iPad and iPhone support | |
| Live Collaboration | Studio and All-in-One plans only | |
| Keystone Correction | Perspective correction tools |
Features Deep Dive
Both Affinity Photo and Capture One offer core photo editing functionality, but their feature sets differ in key areas.
Shared features: HDR Merge, Batch Processing.
Affinity Photo unique strengths: RAW Development, Non-destructive Editing, Focus Stacking. This makes it ideal for professional photographers seeking adobe alternatives.
Capture One unique strengths: RAW Processing, Tethered Shooting, AI-Powered Tools. This makes it better suited for professional photographers.
Affinity Photo offers 10 core features with 4 integrations, while Capture One provides 10 features and 2 integrations.
Our Verdict
After extensive testing and analysis, Capture One edges out as the winner in this comparison. While both tools excel in their respective areas, Capture One offers better overall user satisfaction. Affinity Photo remains a strong alternative, especially for users who prioritize professional photographers seeking adobe alternatives.
Capture One
Best for Professional photographers and Commercial studios. Exceptional RAW processing quality.
Try Capture OneAffinity Photo
Best for Professional photographers seeking Adobe alternatives and Digital artists and illustrators. Now completely free with full professional features.
Try Affinity PhotoPros & Cons
Affinity Photo Pros & Cons
Pros
- Now completely free with full professional features
- Excellent alternative to expensive subscription software
- Fast performance with GPU acceleration
- Supports wide range of file formats including PSD
- One-time purchase model (historically) with no ongoing costs
Cons
- Limited smart object support compared to Photoshop
- Learning curve when switching from other photo editors
- Some advanced features may be less intuitive
- Smaller community and fewer tutorials than mainstream alternatives
Capture One Pros & Cons
Pros
- Exceptional RAW processing quality
- Professional tethering capabilities
- Advanced color grading tools
- Support for 650+ camera models
- Non-destructive editing workflow
Cons
- Higher cost compared to alternatives
- Steep learning curve for beginners
- Resource-intensive software
- Limited free options available
Pricing Comparison
Compare the pricing plans and see which tool offers better value for your budget.
Affinity Photo
freemium- Full professional features
- 360 Image Editing
- Digital Painting
- One-time purchase
- All platforms
- Perpetual license
Capture One
subscription- Desktop editing
- 550+ camera support
- Advanced color tools
- Desktop editing
- 550+ camera support
- Advanced editing tools
- Desktop + Mobile
- Cloud sync
- Advanced editing
- All Pro features
- Multi-viewer (3 screens)
- Live collaboration
Pricing Comparison Analysis
Affinity Photo Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $0/one-time. 2 plans available: Free, Premium (Historical).
Capture One Pricing: Paid plans start at $14.92/monthly. 4 plans available: PRO One-Time, PRO Subscription, ALL IN ONE, STUDIO.
Verdict: Affinity Photo is more affordable at the entry level and offers a free tier. However, Capture One may offer better value at scale with more advanced features.
For budget-conscious teams, Affinity Photo is the clear winner. For teams prioritizing professional photographers, Capture One's pricing may be justified.
Which Tool Is Best For You?
Choose Affinity Photo if you need:
- Professional photographers seeking Adobe alternatives
- Digital artists and illustrators
- Hobbyist photographers wanting advanced tools
- Budget-conscious creatives needing professional features
- Now completely free with full professional features
- Excellent alternative to expensive subscription software
Choose Capture One if you need:
- Professional photographers
- Commercial studios
- Fashion and portrait photography
- Product photography workflows
- Exceptional RAW processing quality
- Professional tethering capabilities
Final Verdict
Choose Affinity Photo if: You need professional photographers seeking adobe alternatives or digital artists and illustrators. It excels at now completely free with full professional features and excellent alternative to expensive subscription software.
Choose Capture One if: You prioritize professional photographers or commercial studios. It's particularly strong for exceptional raw processing quality and professional tethering capabilities.
Overall: Capture One has a slight edge with a 4.7/5 rating from 66 reviews. However, Affinity Photo has a larger user base with 2,500 reviews, suggesting broader market validation.
Both tools are solid choices in the photo editing space. Your decision should ultimately depend on your specific requirements, team size, and budget.
Affinity Photo vs Capture One FAQ
What are the main differences between Affinity Photo and Capture One?
Affinity Photo focuses on professional photographers seeking adobe alternatives with now completely free with full professional features, while Capture One excels at professional photographers with exceptional raw processing quality. Key differences include pricing structure, feature depth, and target user base.
Is Affinity Photo or Capture One better for small businesses?
Affinity Photo offers a free tier which is great for small businesses starting out. For small businesses with limited budgets, consider starting with the tool that offers Affinity Photo's lower starting price of $0/month.
What is the pricing difference between Affinity Photo and Capture One?
Affinity Photo starts at $0/month with a free tier available, while Capture One starts at $14.92/month. Both offer multiple pricing tiers with different feature sets.
Can Affinity Photo integrate with Capture One?
While direct integration may vary, both Affinity Photo and Capture One support third-party integrations through platforms like Zapier. Affinity Photo integrates with Canva, Affinity Designer, Affinity Publisher, while Capture One works with Frame.io, Photoroom.
Which tool is easier to use, Affinity Photo or Capture One?
Based on user reviews, Capture One generally receives higher marks for ease of use with a 4.7 rating. However, ease of use can depend on your specific needs and technical background. Affinity Photo is known for excellent alternative to expensive subscription software.
Does Affinity Photo or Capture One offer better customer support?
Both Affinity Photo and Capture One provide customer support, with options varying by plan tier. Affinity Photo offers support through standard support channels. Check each tool's specific plan for support details.
What are the pros of Affinity Photo compared to Capture One?
Affinity Photo's main advantages include: Now completely free with full professional features, Excellent alternative to expensive subscription software, Fast performance with GPU acceleration. Compared to Capture One, it's particularly strong for professional photographers seeking adobe alternatives.
What are the cons of Affinity Photo compared to Capture One?
Affinity Photo's potential drawbacks include: Limited smart object support compared to Photoshop, Learning curve when switching from other photo editors. Capture One may be a better choice if these limitations affect your use case.
Should I switch from Affinity Photo to Capture One or vice versa?
Consider switching if your current tool doesn't meet your needs. Key factors include: current pain points, migration complexity, team training, and total cost of ownership. Use our ROI calculator to estimate the potential impact of switching.
Which tool is best for photo editing in 2026?
In 2026, Capture One leads in this comparison with a 4.7 rating. However, the best choice depends on your specific requirements. Affinity Photo excels for professional photographers seeking adobe alternatives, while Capture One is ideal for professional photographers.