Affinity Photo vs Pixelmator Pro
A detailed comparison of Affinity Photo and Pixelmator Pro to help you choose the best tool for your needs in 2026.
Affinity Photo
Affinity Photo is a professional photo editing software with a one-time purchase of $69.99, positioned as a Photoshop alternative without subscription.
PRICING
$69.99 one-time
Pixelmator Pro
Mac-only photo editor with one-time purchase
RATING
Live Data
Affinity Photo
Pixelmator Pro
No live data available for this tool yet.
Visit Website💡 Data sourced from FMHY (Free Media Heck Yeah) and updated regularly. GitHub stars reflect real-time community adoption.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Detailed breakdown of features, pricing, and capabilities
| Feature | Affinity Photo | Pixelmator Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Paid $69.99 one-time | Freemium |
| Open Source | ||
| Self-Hosted | — | |
| User Rating | — | |
| Migration Difficulty | N/A | — |
| Best For | General use | — |
Why Choose Pixelmator Pro Over Affinity Photo?
Mac-only photo editor with one-time purchase
KEY FEATURES
Pros & Cons
Affinity Photo
KNOWN FOR
Affinity Photo is a professional photo editing software with a one-time purchase of $69.99, positioned as a Photoshop alternative without subscription...
PAIN POINTS
- Still a cost (one-time)
- Less third-party plugin support than Photoshop
- Smaller community than Photoshop
Pixelmator Pro
Why Consider Switching from Affinity Photo?
Free open-source alternative (GIMP)
Web-based free option (Photopea)
Lower-cost one-time purchase
Common Affinity Photo Pain Points
Still a cost (one-time)
Impact: $69.99 upfront
Less third-party plugin support than Photoshop
Impact: Some Photoshop plugins don't work
Smaller community than Photoshop
Impact: Fewer tutorials and resources
How to Migrate from Affinity Photo to Pixelmator Pro
- 1
Download GIMP or Photopea
- 2
Export Photoshop files as PSD (Affinity can open them)
- 3
Learn basic Affinity shortcuts (can mimic Photoshop)
- 4
Test your common workflows
- 5
Decide if one-time purchase is worth it
Pro Tips
- GIMP is completely free but has a learning curve
- Photopea is web-based and free — great for quick edits
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Affinity Photo open PSD files?
Yes, Affinity Photo can open and edit PSD files. It also saves to PSD format.
Is GIMP as good as Photoshop?
GIMP is very capable but has a different interface. It's free and open-source, making it the best free alternative.
Other Affinity Photo Alternatives
Not sure Pixelmator Pro is right for you? Check these other options: