darktable vs Affinity Photo: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between darktable and Affinity Photo 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.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated March 16, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
darktable
Open source photography workflow
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • Free open-source photo editing like Lightroom
- • RAW processing for 450+ camera formats
Affinity Photo
Professional photo editing
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.5/10 vs 8.2/10)
- • Professional photo editing software with one-time purchase (no subscription)
- • Full Photoshop alternative at a fraction of the cost ($70 vs $240/year)
| At a Glance |  darktable |  Affinity Photo |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Paid |
Best For | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
Rating | 82/100 | 85/100 |
| Feature | darktable | Affinity Photo |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Paid |
| Editorial Score | 82 | 85 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 43 | 0 |
| Categories | Graphic DesignImage Editing | Graphic DesignImage Editing |
How darktable and Affinity Photo Compare
darktable
Open source photography workflow
Free · 82/100 score
Affinity Photo
Professional photo editing
Paid · 85/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
darktable is free. Affinity Photo is paid.
Go with: darktable
Want the highest-rated option?
darktable: 82/100. Affinity Photo: 85/100.
Go with: Affinity Photo
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Affinity Photo
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
darktable is free. Affinity Photo is paid. Go with darktable if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are graphic design tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Affinity Photo scores higher: 85/100 vs 82/100.
Key Takeaways
Affinity Photo
- Higher score: 85/100 vs 82
- Our pick for this comparison
darktable
- Completely free
- More community upvotes (43)
The Bottom Line
Affinity Photo (85/100) is our pick. That said, darktable is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is darktable or Affinity Photo better?
Affinity Photo scores 85/100 in our evaluation. darktable is free and Affinity Photo is paid.
What are darktable and Affinity Photo used for?
darktable: Open source photography workflow. Affinity Photo: Professional photo editing.
What does darktable cost vs Affinity Photo?
darktable is completely free. Affinity Photo is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.