Affinity Photo vs Paint.NET: 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 Affinity Photo and Paint.NET side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a 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:
Affinity Photo
Pro photo editing without the subscription
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Paint.NET requires payment)
Paint.NET
Powerful yet simple image and photo editing software for Windows PCs.
Best for you if:
- • You want free to download and use (with optional paid version on Microsoft Store)
| At a Glance | Affinity Photo | Paint.NET |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | Free plan |
Category | Image Editing Graphic Design | Graphic Design Image Editing |
Rating | 4.6/5 G2 4.5 · Capterra 4.8 333 reviews | 4.7/5 Capterra 4.6 · SourceForge 5.0 39 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | No cloud storage included, must use third-party. | n/a |
Choose Affinity Photo or Paint.NET?
Choose Affinity Photo if
- You want a fully free tool (Paint.NET requires payment)
- You want one-time purchase
- You want professional features
- You work in image editing, not graphic design
Choose Paint.NET if
- You want free to download and use (with optional paid version on Microsoft Store)
- You want fast performance and optimized for modern hardware
- You work in graphic design, not image editing
In-Depth Analysis
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
Paint.NET
Powerful yet simple image and photo editing software for Windows PCs.
Paint.NET offers an incredibly generous pricing model, with its core software available for free.
Strengths
- Pro: Free to download and use (with optional paid version on Microsoft Store)
- Pro: Fast performance and optimized for modern hardware
- Pro: User-friendly interface, easy to learn
- Pro: Includes advanced features like layers and color management
- Pro: Active online community with tutorials and plugins
Weaknesses
- Con: Only available for Windows PCs
- Con: Some advanced features might require plugins
- Con: Not as feature-rich as professional-grade software like Adobe Photoshop
Key features
Plans and prices: Affinity Photo vs Paint.NET
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Affinity Photo |
| affinity.studio/photo-editing-software read Oct 31, 2026 |
| Paint.NET |
| getpaint.net read Nov 2, 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 Affinity Photo pricing and Paint.NET pricing.
Key Takeaways
Affinity Photo
- Choose if you want pro photo editing without the subscription
Paint.NET
- Choose if you want powerful yet simple image and photo editing software for Windows PCs
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.6/5 from 333 reviews for Affinity Photo, 4.7/5 from 39 reviews for Paint.NET).
- Both have 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 Affinity Photo and Paint.NET compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.6/5 from 333 reviews for Affinity Photo, 4.7/5 from 39 reviews for Paint.NET). Both have a free plan.
What are Affinity Photo and Paint.NET used for?
Affinity Photo: Pro photo editing without the subscription. Paint.NET: Powerful yet simple image and photo editing software for Windows PCs.
What does Affinity Photo cost vs Paint.NET?
Affinity Photo is free. Paint.NET has no public paid-plan price on file. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Nov 2, 2026.
What's the main difference between Affinity Photo and Paint.NET?
Affinity Photo's main strength: one-time purchase. Paint.NET's main strength: free to download and use (with optional paid version on Microsoft Store).