Affinity Photo vs PaintShop Pro
Last Updated:Our analysts compared Affinity Photo vs PaintShop Pro based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Photo Editing Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.
Product Basics
Affinity Photo is a robust photo editing software designed to handle a wide array of tasks, from basic adjustments to complex manipulations. It is particularly well-suited for professional photographers, graphic designers, and digital artists due to its comprehensive toolset and high performance. The software excels in providing advanced features such as non-destructive editing, RAW processing, and sophisticated layer management, making it a powerful alternative in the photo editing industry.
One of the standout benefits of Affinity Photo is its affordability, offering a one-time purchase model rather than a subscription-based service, which can be more economical in the long run. Users appreciate its intuitive interface and the seamless experience it provides, even when handling large files or intricate projects. The software's ability to support a wide range of file formats and its compatibility with both macOS and Windows platforms further enhance its appeal.
Compared to similar products, Affinity Photo is often praised for its speed and efficiency, particularly in rendering and exporting images. For specific pricing details, it is recommended to contact SelectHub to obtain a quote tailored to individual needs.
PaintShop Pro is a comprehensive photo editing software that excels in managing tasks such as photo retouching, graphic design, and image composition. It is particularly well-suited for photographers, graphic designers, and digital artists due to its robust set of tools and user-friendly interface. Industries like marketing, advertising, and media production often find it invaluable for creating high-quality visual content.
One of the standout benefits of PaintShop Pro is its affordability compared to other high-end photo editing software, making it accessible for both professionals and hobbyists. Popular features include advanced photo editing tools, AI-powered enhancements, and a wide array of creative filters and effects. Users appreciate its versatility and the ability to handle both simple and complex editing tasks efficiently.
In comparison to similar products, PaintShop Pro is praised for its ease of use and cost-effectiveness. Pricing details can vary, so it's recommended to contact SelectHub for a tailored quote based on specific needs.
Product Assistance
Product Insights
- Cost-Effective: Affinity Photo offers a one-time purchase model, eliminating the need for ongoing subscription fees, making it a budget-friendly option for professionals and hobbyists alike.
- High Performance: The software is optimized for both macOS and Windows, ensuring smooth and fast performance even with large files and complex edits.
- Comprehensive Toolset: Affinity Photo provides a wide range of professional-grade tools, from advanced selection techniques to detailed retouching capabilities, allowing for precise and high-quality edits.
- Non-Destructive Editing: With features like live filters, adjustments, and layer effects, users can make changes without permanently altering the original image, preserving the integrity of their work.
- Seamless Workflow Integration: Affinity Photo supports a variety of file formats, including PSD, making it easy to integrate into existing workflows and collaborate with users of other software.
- Advanced Layer Management: The software offers robust layer handling, including unlimited layers, layer groups, and adjustment layers, enabling complex compositions and edits.
- Precision and Control: Tools like the Pen Tool and advanced brush dynamics provide users with the precision needed for detailed work, such as digital painting and intricate selections.
- Regular Updates: Affinity Photo is continually updated with new features and improvements, ensuring users have access to the latest tools and technologies.
- Cross-Platform Consistency: The software maintains a consistent user experience across both macOS and Windows, allowing users to switch between platforms without a learning curve.
- Extensive Learning Resources: Affinity Photo offers a wealth of tutorials, forums, and documentation, helping users of all skill levels to master the software and improve their editing skills.
- Customizable Interface: Users can tailor the workspace to their preferences, enhancing productivity by allowing them to focus on the tools and features they use most frequently.
- High-Quality Output: Affinity Photo supports high-resolution outputs and professional color spaces, ensuring that final images meet the standards required for print and digital media.
- Batch Processing: The software includes batch processing capabilities, enabling users to apply consistent edits to multiple images efficiently, saving time on repetitive tasks.
- Advanced Retouching: Tools like frequency separation, inpainting, and liquify provide powerful options for retouching photos, making it easier to achieve professional results.
- Panorama Stitching: Affinity Photo's panorama stitching feature allows users to create seamless panoramic images from multiple photos, expanding creative possibilities.
- Cost-Effective Solution: PaintShop Pro offers a robust set of photo editing tools at a fraction of the cost of other professional software, making it accessible for both hobbyists and professionals.
- User-Friendly Interface: The intuitive layout and customizable workspace allow users to quickly find and use the tools they need, enhancing productivity and reducing the learning curve.
- Advanced Editing Capabilities: With features like layers, masks, and adjustment layers, users can perform complex edits and achieve professional-quality results without needing multiple software programs.
- Comprehensive Toolset: PaintShop Pro includes a wide range of tools for photo retouching, graphic design, and digital painting, providing a versatile solution for various creative projects.
- Non-Destructive Editing: The software supports non-destructive editing, allowing users to make changes without permanently altering the original image, thus preserving the original data.
- Batch Processing: Users can save time by applying the same edits to multiple photos simultaneously, streamlining workflows for tasks like resizing, renaming, and applying filters.
- RAW File Support: PaintShop Pro supports a wide range of RAW file formats, enabling photographers to work with high-quality images directly from their cameras.
- Extensive Learning Resources: The software comes with a variety of tutorials, guides, and community forums, helping users to continuously improve their skills and stay updated with new features.
- Customizable Scripts: Users can create and use scripts to automate repetitive tasks, increasing efficiency and allowing for more consistent results across projects.
- Regular Updates: Corel frequently updates PaintShop Pro with new features, bug fixes, and performance improvements, ensuring that users have access to the latest tools and technologies.
- Integration with Other Software: PaintShop Pro can easily integrate with other software and plugins, providing a seamless workflow for users who rely on multiple tools for their creative processes.
- Comprehensive File Format Support: The software supports a wide range of file formats, ensuring compatibility with various devices and other software, making it easier to share and collaborate on projects.
- Enhanced Performance: Optimized for both 32-bit and 64-bit systems, PaintShop Pro delivers fast and responsive performance, even when working with large files or complex projects.
- Creative Filters and Effects: A vast library of filters and effects allows users to experiment with different styles and enhance their photos creatively, adding a unique touch to each project.
- Customer Support: Corel offers dedicated customer support, ensuring that users can get help with any issues or questions they may have, thus maintaining a smooth and efficient workflow.
- Non-Destructive Editing: Allows you to make changes to your images without permanently altering the original file.
- Advanced Layer System: Supports unlimited layers, including adjustment layers, live filter layers, and mask layers.
- Comprehensive RAW Editing: Provides a complete workspace for developing RAW files with extensive controls for exposure, white balance, and more.
- Panorama Stitching: Seamlessly combines multiple images to create wide-angle panoramas with automatic alignment and color correction.
- Focus Stacking: Merges multiple images taken at different focal distances to produce a single image with a greater depth of field.
- HDR Merge: Combines several exposure-bracketed images into a single high dynamic range (HDR) image with tone mapping controls.
- Batch Processing: Automates repetitive tasks by applying the same set of edits to multiple images simultaneously.
- Retouching Tools: Includes a variety of tools such as the Healing Brush, Clone Stamp, and Inpainting Brush for precise image correction.
- Advanced Selection Refinement: Offers sophisticated selection tools and refinement options to accurately isolate subjects or areas within an image.
- Live Filters: Apply filters non-destructively, allowing you to adjust settings and see real-time previews without permanently altering the image.
- Customizable Workspaces: Tailor the interface to your workflow with flexible panels and toolbars that can be rearranged and saved as presets.
- Vector Drawing Tools: Integrates vector tools for creating and editing shapes, paths, and text, making it suitable for both raster and vector graphics.
- Macros: Record and replay a series of actions to automate complex workflows and repetitive tasks.
- 360° Image Editing: Edit and export 360-degree images with support for equirectangular projections and live editing previews.
- PSD Import/Export: Fully compatible with Adobe Photoshop files, allowing you to import and export PSD files with layers and effects intact.
- Color Management: Supports ICC color profiles and offers advanced color correction tools, including curves, levels, and color balance adjustments.
- Text Tools: Comprehensive text editing capabilities, including artistic text, frame text, and extensive typographic controls.
- Plugins Support: Compatible with a wide range of Photoshop plugins to extend functionality and enhance your editing capabilities.
- Cross-Platform Compatibility: Available on macOS, Windows, and iPad, ensuring a consistent experience across different devices.
- Advanced Photo Editing: Comprehensive tools for retouching, restoring, and enhancing photos.
- Layers and Masks: Non-destructive editing with layers and masks for complex compositions.
- RAW Image Processing: Support for RAW files from various camera models, allowing detailed adjustments.
- AI-Powered Tools: Artificial intelligence features like AI Upsampling and AI Artifact Removal for improved image quality.
- Content-Aware Editing: Smart tools such as Content-Aware Fill and Content-Aware Clone for seamless object removal and background filling.
- Batch Processing: Automate repetitive tasks by applying the same edits to multiple photos simultaneously.
- Creative Filters and Effects: A wide range of artistic filters and effects to enhance or stylize images.
- Text and Graphics Tools: Add and customize text, shapes, and vector graphics within your photos.
- Photo Management: Organize, tag, and search your photo library efficiently with built-in management tools.
- HDR Tools: Create high dynamic range images by merging multiple exposures for balanced lighting.
- 360-Degree Photo Editing: Edit and enhance 360-degree photos, including straightening and removing tripods.
- Templates and Presets: Use pre-designed templates and presets for quick edits and creative projects.
- Customizable Workspace: Tailor the interface to your workflow with customizable toolbars and palettes.
- Learning Resources: Access tutorials, guides, and a supportive community for continuous learning.
- Plugin Support: Extend functionality with third-party plugins and add-ons.
Product Ranking
#8
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Photo Editing Software
#21
among all
Photo Editing Software
Analyst Rating Summary
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Awards
SelectHub research analysts have evaluated Affinity Photo and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Basic Editing Tools.
SelectHub research analysts have evaluated PaintShop Pro and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Basic Editing Tools and User Interface and Experience.
Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews
Is Affinity Photo a picture-perfect solution for your editing needs? Users rave about Affinity Photo's affordability, with its one-time purchase price standing in stark contrast to Adobe Photoshop's subscription model. This makes it particularly appealing to hobbyists or those on a budget who don't want to be locked into recurring payments. Users also appreciate Affinity Photo's user-friendly interface, which many find comparable to Photoshop's, making it relatively easy to learn and navigate. The software's ability to handle large files and deliver smooth performance, even on less powerful machines, is another significant plus highlighted by users. However, Affinity Photo isn't without its drawbacks. Users point out its limited plugin compatibility compared to Photoshop, which boasts a more extensive library. This can be a dealbreaker for professionals who rely on specific plugins for their workflow. Another limitation is the absence of advanced features like AI-powered tools and content-aware fill, which are available in Photoshop. While Affinity Photo excels in many areas, these missing features can be a hurdle for users requiring more sophisticated editing capabilities. Overall, Affinity Photo emerges as a capable and budget-friendly alternative for photographers and editors who prioritize value for money and ease of use. However, professionals seeking a full-fledged suite of tools and advanced features might find Photoshop a more suitable, albeit pricier, option.
Is PaintShop Pro the photo editing software that lets you have your cake and eat it too, or will it leave you feeling framed? User reviews from the last year present a mixed picture of this Photoshop contender. PaintShop Pro is frequently praised for its affordability, offering a one-time purchase option in contrast to the subscription model of its main competitor, Adobe Photoshop. This makes it a tempting choice for budget-conscious users who want a robust set of features without recurring costs. Users specifically highlight the comprehensive toolset, including AI-powered features and pro-level editing capabilities, as major advantages. However, while PaintShop Pro seems to offer a lot on paper, some users find the user experience to be its Achilles' heel. Reviews suggest that the interface can be clunky and counterintuitive, especially compared to the more streamlined experience of Photoshop. This clunkiness is particularly noticeable in the software's RAW image editor and the Photography workspace, which some users find jarringly different from the main editing interface. In essence, PaintShop Pro is like a well-stocked toolbox – it has all the tools you might need, but finding the right one and figuring out how to use it can be a bit of a learning curve. This makes it best suited for users who prioritize value and a wide array of features over a seamless user experience, and who are willing to invest some time in learning the software's intricacies.
Screenshots
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