Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity by Canva: 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 Photoshop and Affinity by Canva side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Affinity by Canva 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 Photoshop
The industry-standard image editing and graphic design software for creative professionals.
Best for you if:
- • You want comprehensive set of professional-grade image editing tools
Affinity by Canva
Create vector graphics, edit photos, and build page layouts
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Adobe Photoshop requires payment)
| At a Glance | Adobe Photoshop | Affinity by Canva |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | From $22.99/mo, billed monthly Photoshop plan | Free 100% free |
Category | Graphic Design Image Editing | Graphic Design Image Editing |
Rating | 4.6/5 G2 4.6 13,416 reviews | n/a |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Choose Adobe Photoshop or Affinity by Canva?
Choose Adobe Photoshop if
- You want comprehensive set of professional-grade image editing tools
- You want advanced AI features enhance productivity and creativity
Choose Affinity by Canva if
- You want a fully free tool (Adobe Photoshop requires payment)
- You want affinity states it is free for individuals
- You want runs natively on Apple silicon and Intel Macs and on Windows
In-Depth Analysis
Adobe Photoshop
The industry-standard image editing and graphic design software for creative professionals.
At $22.99/mo (annual billed monthly), Photoshop is a premium investment for creative professionals who rely on its industry-standard tools and ecosystem.
Strengths
- Pro: Comprehensive set of professional-grade image editing tools
- Pro: Advanced AI features enhance productivity and creativity
- Pro: Seamless integration with other Adobe Creative Cloud applications
- Pro: Available on multiple devices for flexible workflows
- Pro: Extensive community and learning resources
Weaknesses
- Con: Requires a subscription, no perpetual license option
- Con: Can have a steep learning curve for beginners due to its vast feature set
- Con: Resource-intensive, requiring a powerful computer for optimal performance
Key features
Affinity by Canva
Create vector graphics, edit photos, and build page layouts
Affinity by Canva's pricing is extremely generous for individuals, offering a full-featured professional design suite at $0, which is unmatched in the market.
Strengths
- Pro: Affinity states it is free for individuals
- Pro: Runs natively on Apple silicon and Intel Macs and on Windows
- Pro: Opens PSD, AI, IDML and DWG files with layers and structure preserved
- Pro: Work can move to Canva when a team needs to keep editing
Weaknesses
- Con: An iPad version is listed
- Con: Canva AI features need a premium Canva plan
- Con: Organizations that need SSO go through Canva Enterprise or Canva Education sales
- Con: The page shows no price for any paid tier
Key features
Plans and prices: Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity by Canva
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Adobe Photoshop |
| adobe.com/creativecloud/plans.html read Oct 31, 2026 |
| Affinity by Canva |
| affinity.studio read Oct 21, 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 Photoshop pricing and Affinity by Canva pricing.
Key Takeaways
Adobe Photoshop
- Choose if you want the industry-standard image editing and graphic design software for creative professionals
Affinity by Canva
- Has a free plan
What the data shows
On the data below, Affinity by Canva leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Only Adobe Photoshop has a published user rating (4.6/5 from 13,416 reviews); Affinity by Canva has none we can show.
- Adobe Photoshop starts at $22.99/mo, billed monthly; Affinity by Canva has no public paid plan price on file.
- Only Affinity by Canva 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
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Adobe Photoshop and Affinity by Canva compare in 2026?
On the data below, Affinity by Canva leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Only Adobe Photoshop has a published user rating (4.6/5 from 13,416 reviews); Affinity by Canva has none we can show. Adobe Photoshop starts at $22.99/mo, billed monthly; Affinity by Canva has no public paid plan price on file. Only Affinity by Canva has a free plan.
What are Adobe Photoshop and Affinity by Canva used for?
Adobe Photoshop: The industry-standard image editing and graphic design software for creative professionals. Affinity by Canva: Create vector graphics, edit photos, and build page layouts.
What does Adobe Photoshop cost vs Affinity by Canva?
Adobe Photoshop's cheapest paid plan is Photoshop at $22.99/mo, billed monthly. Affinity by Canva is free. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 31, 2026.
What's the main difference between Adobe Photoshop and Affinity by Canva?
Adobe Photoshop's main strength: comprehensive set of professional-grade image editing tools. Affinity by Canva's main strength: affinity states it is free for individuals.