Affinity Photo
Professional photo editing and digital painting software that provides a powerfu...
Darktable
A free and open-source photography workflow application and RAW developer that s...
Affinity Photo vs Darktable: Which Is Better in 2026?
Comprehensive comparison of Affinity Photo and Darktable covering features, pricing, pros & cons, and our expert verdict to help you make the right choice for your business.
Affinity Photo vs Darktable: Overview
Choosing between Affinity Photo and Darktable 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 Darktable also has a free option and begins at $0/one-time. 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 Darktable stands out for completely free and open-source. 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
Darktable
- Best for: Professional photographers seeking free RAW processing, Open-source enthusiasts
- Starting price: Free
- Category: photo editing
- Founded: 2009
Feature Comparison
Side-by-side feature comparison to help you understand the key differences between Affinity Photo and Darktable.
| Feature | AP Affinity Photo | D Darktable |
|---|---|---|
| RAW Development | Professional RAW file processing | |
| Non-destructive Editing | Edit without losing original image data | |
| HDR Merge | Combine multiple exposures | |
| Focus Stacking | Combine multiple focus points | |
| Digital Painting | Advanced brush tools and painting features | |
| Batch Processing | Process multiple images simultaneously | |
| Smart Selections | AI-powered selection tools | |
| GPU Acceleration | Hardware-accelerated performance | OpenCL support for faster processing |
| 360° Image Editing | Edit panoramic and spherical images | |
| PSD Support | Open and edit Photoshop files | |
| Non-destructive RAW Editing | All edits preserved in XMP sidecar files | |
| Professional Color Management | Built-in ICC profiles and scene-referred workflow | |
| Camera Tethering | Direct camera control via gPhoto2 | |
| Parametric Masks | Advanced masking with multiple blend modes | |
| Lua Scripting | Extensible with custom scripts and plugins | |
| Lighttable Management | Database-driven image organization and rating | |
| Map Integration | GPS tagging and location-based image management | |
| Export Formats | JPEG, PNG, TIFF, WebP, JPEG XL, EXR and more | |
| Multi-language Support | Available in 19+ languages |
Features Deep Dive
Both Affinity Photo and Darktable offer core photo editing functionality, but their feature sets differ in key areas.
Shared features: GPU Acceleration.
Affinity Photo unique strengths: RAW Development, Non-destructive Editing, HDR Merge. This makes it ideal for professional photographers seeking adobe alternatives.
Darktable unique strengths: Non-destructive RAW Editing, Professional Color Management, Camera Tethering. This makes it better suited for professional photographers seeking free raw processing.
Affinity Photo offers 10 core features with 4 integrations, while Darktable provides 10 features and 4 integrations.
Our Verdict
After extensive testing and analysis, Affinity Photo edges out as the winner in this comparison. While both tools excel in their respective areas, Affinity Photo offers better overall user satisfaction. Darktable remains a strong alternative, especially for users who prioritize professional photographers seeking free raw processing.
Affinity Photo
Best for Professional photographers seeking Adobe alternatives and Digital artists and illustrators. Now completely free with full professional features.
Try Affinity PhotoDarktable
Best for Professional photographers seeking free RAW processing and Open-source enthusiasts. Completely free and open-source.
Try DarktablePros & 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
Darktable Pros & Cons
Pros
- Completely free and open-source
- Professional-grade RAW processing capabilities
- Non-destructive editing workflow
- Excellent color management and scene-referred processing
- Strong community and active development
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners
- Interface can feel complex compared to commercial alternatives
- Limited compatibility with some newer camera models
- Requires technical knowledge for advanced features
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
Darktable
freemium- Non-destructive RAW editing
- Professional color management
- GPU acceleration
Pricing Comparison Analysis
Affinity Photo Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $0/one-time. 2 plans available: Free, Premium (Historical).
Darktable Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $0/one-time. 1 plans available: Free.
Verdict: Affinity Photo is more affordable at the entry level and offers a free tier. However, Darktable 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 seeking free raw processing, Darktable'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 Darktable if you need:
- Professional photographers seeking free RAW processing
- Open-source enthusiasts
- Photographers who want full control over their workflow
- Users transitioning from proprietary software
- Completely free and open-source
- Professional-grade RAW processing 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 Darktable if: You prioritize professional photographers seeking free raw processing or open-source enthusiasts. It's particularly strong for completely free and open-source and professional-grade raw processing capabilities.
Overall: Affinity Photo has a slight edge with a 4.4/5 rating from 2,500 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 Darktable FAQ
What are the main differences between Affinity Photo and Darktable?
Affinity Photo focuses on professional photographers seeking adobe alternatives with now completely free with full professional features, while Darktable excels at professional photographers seeking free raw processing with completely free and open-source. Key differences include pricing structure, feature depth, and target user base.
Is Affinity Photo or Darktable 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 Darktable?
Affinity Photo starts at $0/month with a free tier available, while Darktable starts at $0/month with a free tier available. Both offer multiple pricing tiers with different feature sets.
Can Affinity Photo integrate with Darktable?
While direct integration may vary, both Affinity Photo and Darktable support third-party integrations through platforms like Zapier. Affinity Photo integrates with Canva, Affinity Designer, Affinity Publisher, while Darktable works with Lensfun, G'MIC, OpenCL.
Which tool is easier to use, Affinity Photo or Darktable?
Based on user reviews, Affinity Photo generally receives higher marks for ease of use with a 4.4 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 Darktable offer better customer support?
Both Affinity Photo and Darktable 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 Darktable?
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 Darktable, it's particularly strong for professional photographers seeking adobe alternatives.
What are the cons of Affinity Photo compared to Darktable?
Affinity Photo's potential drawbacks include: Limited smart object support compared to Photoshop, Learning curve when switching from other photo editors. Darktable may be a better choice if these limitations affect your use case.
Should I switch from Affinity Photo to Darktable 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, Affinity Photo leads in this comparison with a 4.4 rating. However, the best choice depends on your specific requirements. Affinity Photo excels for professional photographers seeking adobe alternatives, while Darktable is ideal for professional photographers seeking free raw processing.