Affinity Photo 2 Review: A Powerful Photoshop Alternative

Four years ago, Serif shook up the photo editing space with the release of Affinity Photo 2, a low-cost yet powerful Photoshop competitor. It aimed to deliver professional-grade tools for a flat fee, a refreshing alternative to Adobe‘s subscription model. But how does it stack up in 2024?

As both a professional photographer and software reviewer, I‘ve seen my share of programs come and go over the years. When Affinity Photo 2 launched in 2020, it made waves with its affordable price point and broad toolset. However, the image editing landscape has evolved rapidly since then, driven in no small part by machine learning advancements.

In this in-depth review, we‘ll take a critical look at where Affinity Photo 2 stands today. Can it still compete with the industry behemoths? Has Serif kept pace with new AI-powered editing trends? And crucially, is Affinity Photo still a compelling value for photographers and creative pros in 2024? Let‘s dive in.

What‘s New Since Launch?

First, a quick recap of Affinity Photo‘s journey since version 2 debuted. Serif has continued its tradition of releasing substantial free updates, adding a number of noteworthy features and enhancements over the years:

Version 2.3 (2022):

• Non-destructive raw layer editing
• Improved selection refinement tools
• HEIC image format support

Version 2.5 (2023):

• AI-powered object removal & replacement
• Batch processing for HDR and focus stacking
• Expanded GPU acceleration

Version 2.7 (2024):

• Neural filters for skin retouching and creative effects
• Cloud documents for cross-device workflows
• Enhanced Apple Pencil support on iPad

While some of these additions play catch-up to other editors, Serif‘s steady development pace has kept Affinity Photo feeling modern and competitive. The interface also received a refresh, with an even cleaner look and improved touch optimization.

Performance & Stability

To gauge real-world performance, I ran Affinity Photo 2.7 through its paces on my 2022 MacBook Pro (M2 Max, 64GB RAM). Even with the latest hardware, photo editing software can often feel sluggish when bogged down by complex edits or large file sizes.

I‘m happy to report that Affinity Photo feels snappy in day-to-day use. RAW files from my 45MP Canon R5 loaded quickly in the Develop Persona, with edits applying in near real-time. Serif has clearly optimized for Apple Silicon, as everything from layer manipulations to AI-powered tools felt responsive.

In my experience with previous versions, Affinity Photo was generally stable but would occasionally encounter memory leaks or crashes during long editing sessions. Over several weeks of regular use, version 2.7 didn‘t exhibit any crashes or freezing. Anecdotally, the Affinity community forums also suggest stability has improved, with fewer bug-related posts compared to the version 2 launch era.

Editing Workflow

Affinity Photo 2‘s interface will still feel familiar to users of earlier versions, though some Personas have gained new tools. The layer-based editing workflow in the Photo Persona remains largely the same, while the Liquify, Develop, and Tone Mapping Personas retain their specialized tool subsets.

The continued lack of a full photo management solution to rival Lightroom is a disappointment. While Affinity‘s photo stacks can help organize related images and virtual copies, it falls short for those managing large image libraries. If you rely on Affinity Photo as your sole editor, you‘ll likely need a separate program like Adobe Bridge or ON1 Photo RAW for DAM.

That said, the editing tools themselves have matured nicely. Affinity was arguably already class-leading for precise selection and masking, but the addition of AI-powered selection tools in version 2.5 was very welcome. Object removal works well for most basic jobs, though it still falls short of Adobe‘s latest content-aware fill for more complex scenes.

Some of my favorite new additions are the non-destructive editing capabilities for raw files and the ability to apply filters or adjustments as live layers. These make for a more flexible, forgiving workflow when fine-tuning the look of an image. I also appreciate the option to save adjustment presets, which has sped up my editing on numerous occasions.

Neural filters introduce powerful AI editing tools

The aforementioned neural filters, like many AI-powered features from competitors, can feel a bit gimmicky for professional work. However, I‘ve found the skin retouching filter to be surprisingly useful for quickly cleaning up portraits. It‘s not a full replacement for manual techniques, but it provides a solid starting point.

Benchmarks

To quantify performance, I ran a set of tests to measure common tasks on my M2 Max MacBook Pro with 64GB RAM, comparing Affinity Photo 2.7 against Adobe Photoshop 2024. I used a 45MP raw image and a complex 20-layer PSD for stress testing. Lower numbers are better:

Photoshop retains an edge, but the gap has closed significantly since my initial review of Affinity Photo 2. Serif‘s continuous optimization has paid off, with operations like HDR merging and AI object removal seeing dramatic speed improvements over earlier versions.

It‘s worth noting that Photoshop still feels a bit snappier when navigating large PSDs with many layers. However, for most editing tasks, Affinity Photo now holds its own. It loads raw images nearly as quickly and applies edits with minimal lag. Again, Apple Silicon optimization deserves some credit here.

Value & Pricing

Perhaps the biggest draw of Affinity Photo remains its perpetual license model. In a market dominated by subscriptions, the option to pay a flat $79.99 for a full-featured editor is highly appealing. It‘s a refreshing contrast to Photoshop‘s $239.88 annual cost.

Of course, there are trade-offs. Adobe Creative Cloud includes cloud storage, mobile apps, and AI-powered web tools that integrate with the photography plans. If you‘re invested in that ecosystem, Affinity Photo may feel lacking in comparison.

Still, for those who prefer a traditional purchase model, Affinity Photo represents a tremendous value. Serif‘s inclusion of free updates with each major version means you‘ll get new features without additional cost. Paired with the optional pro-level Affinity creative apps, it‘s viable as a low-cost full Adobe replacement.

Who Is It For?

As of 2024, Affinity Photo‘s appeal remains broad:

• Professional photographers: While it may not fully replace Photoshop for advanced editing, Affinity covers most needs at a fraction of the cost. Anecdotally, I‘ve seen more of my colleagues adopt it in recent years.

• Graphic designers: The seamless vector workflow with Affinity Designer makes it well-suited for designers who need pixel editing capabilities. Affinity Publisher rounds out the trifecta for publishing work.

• Hobbyists & Enthusiasts: If you‘re not tied to Creative Cloud, Affinity Photo‘s perpetual license is an unbeatable value for non-professional use. No recurring costs and a surplus of free tutorials lessen the barrier to entry.

• Students & Institutions: Affinity‘s education pricing makes it an attractive option for students and eligible staff, with 50% off and free 30-day trials. Site licensing is also available.

• iPad Power Users: While not the focus of this review, it‘s worth mentioning that Affinity Photo for iPad has evolved into a remarkably capable tablet editor. With Apple Pencil 2 support, it‘s one of the top options for iOS editing as of 2024.

Alternatives in 2024

As mentioned, Adobe Photoshop remains the 800-pound gorilla of the photo editing world. If you need the absolute cutting edge in AI tools and don‘t mind the subscription, it‘s hard to beat. However, a few other notable competitors have emerged since my initial Affinity Photo 2 review:

Pixelmator Pro 3 ($59.99): Pixelmator‘s latest release rivals Affinity Photo in both price and capabilities, with a slick Mac-centric interface. Optimized for Apple Silicon, RAW & PSD support included.

Skylum Luminar Neo ($119/yr): Once a Creative Cloud challenger, Luminar has pivoted heavily toward a subscription model built around AI editing. Ideal if you prize simplicity.

Photoshop Elements 2024 ($99.99): A stripped-down Photoshop with a beginner-friendly interface and guided edits. Lacks some advanced features but covers essentials. Bundled with Adobe Premiere Elements.

Final Thoughts

As a working photographer, I was cautiously optimistic about Affinity Photo when version 2 launched in 2020. Four years on, it‘s cemented itself as my top recommendation for pros and enthusiasts looking to escape Adobe‘s orbit.

With regular free updates and impressive performance gains, Affinity Photo has steadily matured into a genuine Photoshop rival. While some gaps remain, Serif‘s pace of development suggests it will continue to close them. The interface and tool selection feel thoroughly modern for 2024, with smart AI-powered additions alongside robust traditional editing capabilities.

Crucially, the value proposition remains unmatched. At just $79.99 for a perpetual license, Affinity Photo is a no-brainer for budget-conscious creatives. If you can live without some of Creative Cloud‘s ancillary features, it‘s an excellent choice as your primary editor.

Of course, Serif can‘t rest on its laurels. Adobe, Capture One, and others continue to push the envelope with AI integration and cloud workflows. It remains to be seen how effectively Affinity can compete with the resources of larger players.

But if the past four years are any indication, Affinity Photo‘s future looks bright. It‘s evolved from a promising Photoshop alternative to a truly viable option for working professionals. For new users, there‘s never been a better time to invest in Affinity Photo. If you haven‘t tried it yet, the free trial is an easy way to see if it fits your needs.

As for me? Affinity Photo has secured its place in my editing workflow for the foreseeable future. Between the time and money I‘ve saved with Affinity‘s efficient interface and one-time pricing, I have no regrets about embracing it back in 2020. In an industry obsessed with subscriptions, Affinity Photo remains a refreshing option – and one that I hope sticks around for many years to come.