Darktable
A free and open-source photography workflow application and RAW developer that s...
Affinity Photo
Professional photo editing and digital painting software that provides a powerfu...
Darktable vs Affinity Photo: Which Is Better in 2026?
Comprehensive comparison of Darktable and Affinity Photo covering features, pricing, pros & cons, and our expert verdict to help you make the right choice for your business.
Darktable vs Affinity Photo: Overview
Choosing between Darktable and Affinity Photo is a common dilemma for photo editing users. Both tools offer robust solutions, but they cater to different needs and budgets.
Darktable offers a free tier and starts at $0/one-time, while Affinity Photo 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.
Darktable is best known for completely free and open-source, whereas Affinity Photo stands out for now completely free with full professional features. In this detailed comparison, we'll analyze both tools across pricing, features, ease of use, and ideal use cases.
Quick Overview
Darktable
- Best for: Professional photographers seeking free RAW processing, Open-source enthusiasts
- Starting price: Free
- Category: photo editing
- Founded: 2009
Affinity Photo
- Best for: Professional photographers seeking Adobe alternatives, Digital artists and illustrators
- Starting price: Free
- Category: photo editing
- Founded: 2015
Feature Comparison
Side-by-side feature comparison to help you understand the key differences between Darktable and Affinity Photo.
| Feature | D Darktable | AP Affinity Photo |
|---|---|---|
| Non-destructive RAW Editing | All edits preserved in XMP sidecar files | |
| Professional Color Management | Built-in ICC profiles and scene-referred workflow | |
| GPU Acceleration | OpenCL support for faster processing | Hardware-accelerated performance |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 360° Image Editing | Edit panoramic and spherical images | |
| PSD Support | Open and edit Photoshop files |
Features Deep Dive
Both Darktable and Affinity Photo offer core photo editing functionality, but their feature sets differ in key areas.
Shared features: GPU Acceleration.
Darktable unique strengths: Non-destructive RAW Editing, Professional Color Management, Camera Tethering. This makes it ideal for professional photographers seeking free raw processing.
Affinity Photo unique strengths: RAW Development, Non-destructive Editing, HDR Merge. This makes it better suited for professional photographers seeking adobe alternatives.
Darktable offers 10 core features with 4 integrations, while Affinity Photo 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
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
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
Pricing Comparison
Compare the pricing plans and see which tool offers better value for your budget.
Darktable
freemium- Non-destructive RAW editing
- Professional color management
- GPU acceleration
Affinity Photo
freemium- Full professional features
- 360 Image Editing
- Digital Painting
- One-time purchase
- All platforms
- Perpetual license
Pricing Comparison Analysis
Darktable Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $0/one-time. 1 plans available: Free.
Affinity Photo Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $0/one-time. 2 plans available: Free, Premium (Historical).
Verdict: Darktable is more affordable at the entry level and offers a free tier. However, Affinity Photo may offer better value at scale with Now completely free with full professional features.
For budget-conscious teams, Darktable is the clear winner. For teams prioritizing professional photographers seeking adobe alternatives, Affinity Photo's pricing may be justified.
Which Tool Is Best For You?
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
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
Final Verdict
Choose Darktable if: You need professional photographers seeking free raw processing or open-source enthusiasts. It excels at completely free and open-source and professional-grade raw processing capabilities.
Choose Affinity Photo if: You prioritize professional photographers seeking adobe alternatives or digital artists and illustrators. It's particularly strong for now completely free with full professional features and excellent alternative to expensive subscription software.
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.
Darktable vs Affinity Photo FAQ
What are the main differences between Darktable and Affinity Photo?
Darktable focuses on professional photographers seeking free raw processing with completely free and open-source, while Affinity Photo excels at professional photographers seeking adobe alternatives with now completely free with full professional features. Key differences include pricing structure, feature depth, and target user base.
Is Darktable or Affinity Photo better for small businesses?
Darktable 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 Darktable's lower starting price of $0/month.
What is the pricing difference between Darktable and Affinity Photo?
Darktable starts at $0/month with a free tier available, while Affinity Photo starts at $0/month with a free tier available. Both offer multiple pricing tiers with different feature sets.
Can Darktable integrate with Affinity Photo?
While direct integration may vary, both Darktable and Affinity Photo support third-party integrations through platforms like Zapier. Darktable integrates with Lensfun, G'MIC, OpenCL, while Affinity Photo works with Canva, Affinity Designer, Affinity Publisher.
Which tool is easier to use, Darktable or Affinity Photo?
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. Darktable is known for professional-grade raw processing capabilities.
Does Darktable or Affinity Photo offer better customer support?
Both Darktable and Affinity Photo provide customer support, with options varying by plan tier. Darktable offers support through standard support channels. Check each tool's specific plan for support details.
What are the pros of Darktable compared to Affinity Photo?
Darktable's main advantages include: Completely free and open-source, Professional-grade RAW processing capabilities, Non-destructive editing workflow. Compared to Affinity Photo, it's particularly strong for professional photographers seeking free raw processing.
What are the cons of Darktable compared to Affinity Photo?
Darktable's potential drawbacks include: Steep learning curve for beginners, Interface can feel complex compared to commercial alternatives. Affinity Photo may be a better choice if these limitations affect your use case.
Should I switch from Darktable to Affinity Photo 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. Darktable excels for professional photographers seeking free raw processing, while Affinity Photo is ideal for professional photographers seeking adobe alternatives.