When the creative industry demands powerful image‑editing tools without the hefty subscription fees of Adobe Photoshop, many professionals turn to Affinity Photo as a cost‑effective alternative. Yet a growing community argues that the open‑source powerhouse GIMP not only matches but often surpasses Affinity’s capabilities, offering a free, extensible platform backed by a global developer base. This article explores the strengths of both applications, pits them against each other feature‑by‑feature, and explains why GIMP may be the superior choice for designers seeking a truly unrestricted workflow.
Affinity Photo: the affordable Photoshop stand‑in
Affinity Photo has earned a reputation for delivering a near‑Photoshop experience at a one‑time price of $54.99. Its sleek interface, robust RAW processing, and non‑destructive editing stacks make it attractive for freelancers and small studios. The app supports CMYK, HDR, and 360° image editing, and its Live Filters allow real‑time adjustments without committing to destructive changes. However, the software remains proprietary, limiting third‑party plugin integration and tying users to Serif’s update schedule.
The open‑source contender: GIMP
GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) has been the go‑to free alternative for over three decades. Recent releases have modernised its UI, added high‑bit‑depth support, and introduced a powerful GEGL engine for non‑destructive workflows. Because the source code is openly available, developers can create custom plugins, scripts, and even entire forks tailored to niche needs. Community‑driven support ensures rapid bug fixes and feature requests, though the learning curve can be steeper for newcomers.
Feature‑by‑feature showdown
| Feature | Affinity Photo | GIMP (2026‑01‑07) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $54.99 one‑time | Free |
| Non‑destructive editing | Live Filters, adjustment layers | GEGL‑based masks, layer groups |
| RAW support | Built‑in RAW processor | RawTherapee plug‑in, separate workflow |
| CMYK workflow | Native support | Via separate plug‑ins (e.g., gimp‑cmyk) |
| Plugin ecosystem | Limited to Serif’s SDK | Thousands of community plugins |
| Cross‑platform consistency | Windows, macOS, iPad | Windows, macOS, Linux |
The table highlights that while Affinity offers a polished out‑of‑the‑box experience, GIMP’s extensibility and zero cost give it an edge for power users and institutions with tight budgets.
Performance, community and future roadmap
Both applications leverage GPU acceleration, but GIMP’s open‑source nature means performance improvements can be contributed by anyone, often resulting in faster adoption of cutting‑edge technologies such as Vulkan support. Affinity’s development is driven by a single company, which can guarantee a cohesive vision but may lag in adopting community‑requested features. Meanwhile, GIMP’s annual release cycle is transparent, with detailed changelogs and public roadmaps that invite user feedback.
Conclusion
Affinity Photo remains a solid, cost‑effective Photoshop substitute for users who prefer a polished, closed‑source environment. However, for designers who value flexibility, unlimited extensibility, and a truly free solution, GIMP stands out as the more powerful long‑term investment. Its rapid development, extensive plugin ecosystem, and zero price tag make it the open‑source champion in the Photoshop‑replacement arena, proving that great tools don’t always need a price tag.
Image by: Carlo Giovanni Ghiardelli
https://www.pexels.com/@carlo-giovanni-ghiardelli-2150523459
