Adobe Lightroom vs Affinity Photo: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Adobe Lightroom and Affinity Photo side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Affinity Photo leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Adobe Lightroom
Photo editing and organization
Best for you if:
- • You want AI-powered editing
Affinity Photo
Pro photo editing without the subscription
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Adobe Lightroom requires payment)
| At a Glance | Adobe Lightroom | Affinity Photo |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | From $11.99/mo, billed monthly Lightroom Plan (1TB) plan | Free 100% free |
Category | Image Editing Digital Asset Management | Image Editing Graphic Design |
Rating | 4.7/5 G2 4.6 · Capterra 4.8 3,624 reviews | 4.6/5 G2 4.5 · Capterra 4.8 333 reviews |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Watch out for | Cloud storage limits: 1TB sounds generous but fills up if you sync original RAW files (50MB each = ~20,000 photos). | No cloud storage included, must use third-party. |
Choose Adobe Lightroom or Affinity Photo?
Choose Adobe Lightroom if
- You want AI-powered editing
- You want cloud sync
Choose Affinity Photo if
- You want a fully free tool (Adobe Lightroom requires payment)
- You want one-time purchase
- You want professional features
In-Depth Analysis
Adobe Lightroom
Photo editing and organization
Lightroom pricing is straightforward but the plan structure confuses many buyers.
Watch out
Cloud storage limits: 1TB sounds generous but fills up if you sync original RAW files (50MB each = ~20,000 photos).
Strengths
- Pro: AI-powered editing
- Pro: Cloud sync
- Pro: Professional presets
Weaknesses
- Con: Subscription required
- Con: Learning curve
Key features
Affinity Photo
Pro photo editing without the subscription
Affinity Photo's one-time purchase model is exceptionally fair and generous compared to the subscription-heavy market.
Watch out
No cloud storage included, must use third-party.
Strengths
- Pro: One-time purchase
- Pro: Professional features
- Pro: Great performance
Weaknesses
- Con: Smaller community
- Con: Fewer plugins
Key features
Plans and prices: Adobe Lightroom vs Affinity Photo
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Adobe Lightroom |
| adobe.com/products/photoshop-lightroom read Oct 30, 2026 |
| Affinity Photo |
| affinity.studio/photo-editing-software read Oct 31, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Adobe Lightroom pricing and Affinity Photo pricing.
Key Takeaways
Adobe Lightroom
- Choose if you want photo editing and organization
Affinity Photo
- Has a free plan
What the data shows
On the data below, Affinity Photo leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.7/5 from 3,624 reviews for Adobe Lightroom, 4.6/5 from 333 reviews for Affinity Photo).
- Adobe Lightroom starts at $11.99/mo, billed monthly; Affinity Photo has no public paid plan price on file.
- Only Affinity Photo has a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
What Users Say
Affinity Photo Reviews
I've been using Affinity Photo since it started some years ago.
The fact that it is free, and it does everything I want it to.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Adobe Lightroom and Affinity Photo compare in 2026?
On the data below, Affinity Photo leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.7/5 from 3,624 reviews for Adobe Lightroom, 4.6/5 from 333 reviews for Affinity Photo). Adobe Lightroom starts at $11.99/mo, billed monthly; Affinity Photo has no public paid plan price on file. Only Affinity Photo has a free plan.
What are Adobe Lightroom and Affinity Photo used for?
Adobe Lightroom: Photo editing and organization. Affinity Photo: Pro photo editing without the subscription.
What does Adobe Lightroom cost vs Affinity Photo?
Adobe Lightroom's cheapest paid plan is Lightroom Plan (1TB) at $11.99/mo, billed monthly. Affinity Photo is free. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 31, 2026.
What's the main difference between Adobe Lightroom and Affinity Photo?
Adobe Lightroom's main strength: AI-powered editing. Affinity Photo's main strength: one-time purchase.