Affinity Photo logo

Affinity Photo

Version Latest  ·  Updated: July 9, 2026
Free WindowsmacOSiOS ★ 4.6 (724 ratings)

Professional-grade photo editor with RAW support, layer-based editing, and advanced retouching tools for all skill levels.

John R. Lucas
John R. Lucas
Senior Image & Video Editor
LinkedIn ↗

Affinity Photo — Key Facts

Latest Version
Latest
License
Free
Platforms
Windows, macOS, iOS
Price
Free to download
Official Site
www.affinity.studio
User Rating
★ 4.6 / 5 (724 ratings)

About Affinity Photo

Affinity Photo download puts a serious Photoshop alternative in your hands — one that has been building credibility since its 2015 debut. Available for windows, macOS, and iPad, it covers the full spectrum from beginner touchups to studio-level retouching. Drop a folder of files in and the catalogue indexes fast. Layers, masks, and adjustment layers are all here, alongside CMYK support and a colour management engine that professionals in print and commercial photography actually care about. photo editors rarely sees a free tool hit this ceiling.

The workflow is non-destructive end to end, which means edits stay live and reversible. Open a CR3 or ARW file and the RAW develop persona launches automatically — white balance sliders, a live histogram, and curves are right on screen with no extra menu hunting. Export lands in JPEG, PNG, TIFF, or native PSD format, so round-tripping with Photoshop-based collaborators is painless. Batch processing queues let you apply an identical exposure or colour profile correction across hundreds of images in one pass. EXIF and metadata are preserved throughout. batch editing alone makes this worth the install for event photographers.

Affinity Photo holds its own against gimp in filter breadth — lighting, blur, distortion, shadow, and shimmer effects are all present and responsive. Focus stacking and panorama stitching are built in, which rivals often charge extra for or exclude entirely. The tool set also includes digital painting with customisable brushes and a dedicated selection refinement engine. It does not yet match Photoshop's plugin ecosystem, and some generative AI retouching tools found in Adobe's suite are absent. Performance on large layered TIFF files stays smooth on mid-range hardware.

The verdict: Affinity Photo is genuinely hard to beat at its current free price point, following Canva's acquisition and the move to a no-cost model. Beginners get a clear, persona-based UI that separates develop, edit, and export stages. Professionals get CMYK output, blend mode depth, and real RAW processing. The iPad app remains on the App Store separately. If you shoot RAW and need a capable desktop editor without a subscription, this is the affinity photo download to make. nondestructive editing and cross-platform availability seal the deal.

Affinity Photo is a free photo editors available for Windows, macOS, iOS. Browse more free software or raw programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Affinity Photo open and edit RAW files from Canon and Sony cameras?
Yes, fully. Affinity Photo's dedicated Develop Persona opens RAW files from Canon CR3 and Sony ARW formats without any third-party plugin. The Develop Persona gives you white balance, exposure, a live histogram, and lens correction in a single screen. As of the current version, it supports several hundred camera models. Switch to the Photo Persona once you're done developing and continue with non-destructive layer edits.
Does Affinity Photo support PSD files for Photoshop round-tripping?
Yes, with strong compatibility. Affinity Photo reads and writes the .psd format, preserving layers, masks, and adjustment layers in most cases. Open a layered Photoshop file via File > Open and the layer stack appears intact in the Layers panel. Some advanced Photoshop-specific smart objects may not translate perfectly, so flatten any problem layers before handing off to a Photoshop-only collaborator.
Is batch processing available for applying the same colour profile to hundreds of photos?
Yes, batch processing is built directly into Affinity Photo under File > New Batch Job. You select a macro — a recorded sequence of adjustments like exposure correction or a specific colour profile — and apply it to an entire folder of JPEG, TIFF, or RAW files at once. Output format and destination folder are set in the same dialogue. There is no cap on the number of files per batch job.
Does Affinity Photo include focus stacking for macro or landscape photography?
Yes, focus stacking is a native feature, not an add-on. Load your source images via File > New Focus Merge, and Affinity Photo aligns and blends the sharpest zones from each frame automatically. The tool works well for macro photography sets of 10–30 images and produces a merged result on a standard layer you can refine further with masks. No plugin purchase or export to a third-party app is needed.
John R. Lucas
Reviewed by John R. Lucas
Senior Image & Video Editor · PicturesQuePhotoVideo
Senior editor reviewing photo and video software since 2014. Based in Vancouver, BC. Specialises in RAW developer pipelines, color grading workflows, codec utilities and non-linear editor selection for desktop creators.
View LinkedIn profile ↗
Program Details
VersionLatest
LicenseFree
PlatformsWindows, macOS, iOS
Developerwww.affinity.studio
UpdatedJuly 9, 2026
CategoryPhoto Editors
User Rating
4.6
724 ratings
More in Photo Editors