Photoshop Alternative: Why I Switched To Affinity Photo

I’m so happy to say that I finally found the best Photoshop alternative! No need for subscription, it’s very easy to use, and I didn’t have a hard time adjusting to the new software.

So if you are looking for a photo editing software with similar (and even better) characteristics to Photoshop, let me introduce you to Affinity Photo!

Why did I decide to switch from Photoshop to Affinity Photo? The main reason: the price.

For five months of Adobe’s Photography subscription plan ($49.99), you can keep Affinity Photo forever (updates included). 

That’s right, you can get Affinity Photo for only $50! Just one payment!

I don’t know about you, but I don’t particularly like subscription based services. So if you are like me, this is definitely the software for you.

The first time I came across Affinity Photo, I didn’t pay too much attention to it. I was content with my Photoshop CS6.

The problem started the day I decided to update my MacBook Pro. Bad decision, the new MacOS wasn’t compatible with my old version of Photoshop.

Naturally, I panicked. What was I supposed to do now? I needed Photoshop to work!

The only thing I knew is that I didn’t want to pay for the Adobe subscription. So I went on Google to find a solution.

After a few hours of research, I realized that I only had two options: 1) downgrade from the newest MacOS to the one I had before the upgrade, or 2) look for a Photoshop alternative.

The first option looked hard and I didn’t trust myself to follow the instruction correctly. Rebooting a MacBook can seem easy, but I just didn’t want to mess up and risk losing everything.

Here’s when my prayers were answers. I found the best Photoshop alternative on the App Store.

So before deciding anything, I did my research. I watched a few videos on YouTube and read some articles written by designers that were already using Affinity Photo.

The verdict? Affinity Photo had nothing to envy about Photoshop, and it was perfect for a blogger like me.

The Pros And Cons Of Affinity Photo

There were a few differences, but for me, none of them were a deal breaker. Besides, at that time, I was more focused on the price.

PROS

• It doesn’t make my laptop slower.
• Supports many of the same keyboard shortcuts as Photoshop.
• I can import my old PSD file into Affinity Photo.
• I can save new designs as PSD files, if needed.
•  The interface is very similar to Photoshop, so it wasn’t hard to adjust.
• Available for Mac, Windows, and iPad.
• I can use my Lightroom Mobile presets by using LUTs.
• It has an integrated Stock photo option with Unsplash.
• Supports Photoshop brushes, shapes, etc.

CONS

• There aren’t many tutorials available, so if there’s something you don’t know how to do, you might have to figure out yourself. They do have a forum where other users can help you out.
• There were some tools that are part of Photoshop that Affinity Photo doesn’t have, but that you can get in Affinity Designer (the equivalent of Illustrator). Especially if you create more complex logos.
• Even though you can export projects as PSD files; some users have said that when opening on Photoshop, there might be some problems when trading files with clients or other Photoshop users.

Have in mind that I’m not a designer, so I don’t use the full potential of the software. If you are a blogger like me, it does have everything we need.

I can use it to edit photos (and delete unwanted elements in photos), create Pinterest templates, design different freebies that I offer to my subscribers, create some of the products I sell on my blog, etc.

Before making the switch from Photoshop to Affinity Photo, I recommend making a list of all the things you usually do. Then do some research to know if those features are available in Affinity Photo.

This Photoshop alternative is powerful. It is a great software and it deserves more popularity.

I even recommend it over Canva. So if you are already paying for the PRO version or if you are thinking about getting it, this is a great alternative as well.

While it can be difficult to learn if you don’t have previous knowledge on a software similar to Photoshop, in the long run you will own a more complete tool for your business.

How To Get Affinity Photo

You have two options to get this photo editing software:

1. If you own a a MacBook, you can get it in the App Store. Just type “Affinity photo” in the search bar (or click here).

I recommend this option, since when there’s an update ready, you can easily update it from the App Store.

2. If you own a Windows computer, you can go to their website and purchase the product there.

You can also get a free trial! If you are interested, but still not sure if it’s for you, click the button below to get the free trial for 90 days.

A great opportunity, not only bloggers like me, but also for other creatives that are willing to make the switch.

I read many articles from photographers and graphic designers, that love Affinity Photo. So it is very interesting to see what other professionals have to say.

In my opinion, Adobe thinks they own the market so they can charge whatever they want; and we, as consumers, should try to diversify. There are more options out there!

Now tell me, what do you think about Affinity Photo? Would you like to try it? Do you currently use Photoshop or Canva? Let me know in the comments!

Also, if you are interested in a more in depth Affinity Photo review, let me know! I can definite show you my work flow with this software.

Sincerely,