Affinity Photo vs darktable: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Affinity Photo and darktable comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: darktable is our overall pick for image editing workflows. Pick Affinity Photo if you need its specific feature set.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Affinity Photo
Pro photo editing without the subscription
Best for you if:
- • Professional photo editing software with one-time purchase (no subscription)
- • Full Photoshop alternative at a fraction of the cost ($70 vs $240/year)
darktable
Open source photography workflow
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • You value community feedback (1 reviews)
- • Free open-source photo editing like Lightroom
- • RAW processing for 450+ camera formats
| At a Glance |  Affinity Photo |  darktable |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $21.99/one-timeAffinity Photo 2 iPad | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Image Editing | Image Editing |
Rating | 4.6/5 | 5.0/5 |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Choose Affinity Photo or darktable?
Choose Affinity Photo if
Pro photo editing without the subscription
- One-time purchase
- Professional features
- Great performance
Choose darktable if
Open source photography workflow
- Free and open source
- Non-destructive editing
- Cross-platform
- You want a fully free tool (Affinity Photo requires payment)
| Feature | Affinity Photo | darktable |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Free |
| User Rating | ★4.6/5 322 reviews | ★5.0/5 (1) |
| Categories | Image EditingGraphic Design | Image EditingProductivity |
In-Depth Analysis
Affinity Photo
Pro photo editing without the subscription
Strengths
- +One-time purchase
- +Professional features
- +Great performance
Weaknesses
- -Smaller community
- -Fewer plugins
Key features
darktable
Open source photography workflow
Strengths
- +Free and open source
- +Non-destructive editing
- +Cross-platform
Weaknesses
- -Learning curve
- -Less polished UI
Key features
Pricing: Affinity Photo vs darktable
| Plan | Affinity Photo | darktable |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $69.99 one-time Affinity Photo 2 | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | $21.99 one-time Affinity Photo 2 iPad | N/A |
| Tier 3 | $169.99 one-time Universal License | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Affinity Photo pricing and darktable pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
darktable is free. Affinity Photo is paid.
Go with: darktable
Want the highest-rated option?
Affinity Photo: 4.6/5 (322 reviews). darktable: 5.0/5 (1 reviews).
Go with: darktable
Value user reviews?
Affinity Photo: 322 reviews (4.6/5). darktable: 1 review (5.0/5).
Go with: Affinity Photo
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Affinity Photo is paid. darktable is free. Go with darktable if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are image editing tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
darktable is rated higher: 5.0/5 vs 4.6/5.
Key Takeaways
darktable
- Higher rating: 5.0/5 vs 0.0
- More user reviews (1)
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Affinity Photo
- Choose if you want pro photo editing without the subscription
The Bottom Line
darktable (5.0/5) is our pick.
What Users Say
darktable Reviews
Easy to use
organisation of all the pics, screenshots, posters etc. editing is easy. options are also good to edit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Affinity Photo or darktable better?
darktable is rated 5.0/5 in our evaluation. Affinity Photo is paid and darktable is free.
What are Affinity Photo and darktable used for?
Affinity Photo: Pro photo editing without the subscription. darktable: Open source photography workflow.
What does Affinity Photo cost vs darktable?
Affinity Photo is a paid tool. darktable is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.