Luminar Affinity Photo
In the world of photo editing, users are always looking for the best overall software package they can get their hands on. This package looks different for everyone based on their own needs, but in general, it should combine features with performance. Serif’s flagship software, Affinity Photo comes very close to being the best in the business based on this criteria.
Luminar is a professional photo editor that allows you to perform non-distractive RAW image editing in a convenient way. Affinity Photo is very similar to Photoshop when it comes to image enhancement. Which software is better? I used each program for common tasks I do every day and described their advantages and disadvantages in detail.
Serif Affinity Photo goes beyond a normal photo editor by allowing users to perform Photoshop-like tasks as well. So if you want to edit your Raw photos or create your HDRs and then draw on these pictures, Affinity Photo allows you to do so. Some of the highlight features of the software are its ability to handle Raw files very well, merging HDR files, playing with Focus Stacking, digital painting, working in layers, and even working with 360-degree images.
The Battle with Lightroom and Photoshop
- Luminar is more like Lightroom, while Affinity Photo is more similar to Photoshop. Luminar also offers a wide range of tools, filters, and other presets at a much more affordable price than Adobe products.
- Jan 14, 2021 I would classify Luminar as an alternative to Adobe Lightroom, while Affinity Photo is an analogue for Adobe Photoshop. Luminar is easier to get to grips with than Affinity and offers basic RAW post-processing functions, including layers. If you need more advanced editing tools, then you might look at Affinity.
Because of all these features, Affinity Photo is often compared with Adobe’s Lightroom and Photoshop, and it is even considered as the better overall option by many. That is because, let’s say you like to first edit your Raw files in Lightroom and then Photoshop the pictures separately. You would have to jump between two programs in order to do that, but with Affinity, you can do both types of editing within the same software. That is why Serif’s product wins for many people in an Affinity Photo vs Photoshop battle.
Anyway, the Affinity Photo editor has its place in the systems of many photographers around the world, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best photo editor software out there. You may have different needs from your Raw photo editor or might want the best free photo editor for mac instead. That is why, we have compiled a list of the best Affinity alternatives you can use, depending on your particular needs.
1. Luminar
As far as Raw photo editors go, Luminar is the best Affinity alternative you can get. It is the perfect balance between features, performance, and ease of use. With this photo editing software, you have access to everything from Raw editing, working in layers, editable filters, selective adjustments, and even a library that is easier to use and maintain than many other Windows photo editors.
Perhaps the best thing about Luminar is the value you get for the amount you pay. It’s a much more affordable Affinity alternative than many others on this list, making it one of the top choices for people look for software like Affinity.
2. Aurora HDR
If your ideal Affinity alternative is great at creating HDR images, then Aurora HDR is worth serious consideration. This HDR software comes packed with tools and controls tailored to creating exceptional HDR photos. You can use this photo editor software not only to merge images together but also to edit them to your heart’s content. There are professionally-developed presets that can give the perfect base to your HDR files, allowing you to edit quickly and more efficiently. So, if your focus is on HDR photography, Aurora HDR will give you much more control than Affinity Photo.
3. DarkTable
If you would rather use the best free photo editor for Mac or Windows, you should take a look at DarkTable. It is an open-source, free to use Raw editor that focuses on simply processing raw files non-destructively. There’s not much else you can do, however, so if you’re looking for Affinity Photo alternatives that can match it feature-for-feature, this one isn’t it.
4. GIMP
Yet another free photo editor for Mac and Windows, GIMP has been one of the more popular free options among photographers. It goes toe to toe with the likes of Affinity Photo and Photoshop as far as features and controls are concerned. The only thing that holds it back is that its interface is a little difficult to get used to. However, if you’ve been stuck in an Affinity Photo vs. Photoshop circle, maybe you should give GIMP a try.
5. DxO Photolab
Another photo editor focusing on Raw editing, DxO PhotoLab comes from a company that has developed lens correction profiles for a long time. PhotoLab is a smart photo editor in that it fixes many of the common issues with photos that are generated because of camera hardware. These issues includes the likes of chromatic aberration and vignetting. This ability makes using this program easy and quick, allowing users to achieve natural-looking results with a little amount of manual editing. But perhaps the one reason it can’t be named as the best photo editing software for Windows or Mac is because it has a hard time handling files from Fujifilm cameras – some of the most popular ones among photographers these days.
6. Corel PaintShop Pro
If Affinity Photo editor was to have an alternative that matched its combination of photo processing and creative editing, Corel PaintShop Pro was made as that alternative. The new update to the editor brings an improved design, a cleaner interface, and more tools to help photographers make the most of their photos. If you want your photo editor to do what the likes of Affinity Photo and Photoshop can do, then Corel PaintShop Pro is a worthy choice.
7. CyberLink Photo Director
One of the common Affinity Photo reviews is that the software is that it is easy to use, and Photo Director 10 by CyberLink achieves that very well. It can help you edit your Raw files, work in layers, and much more in a logical, easily usable interface. It also boasts Artificial Intelligence features now, making it even more attractive to those new to photo editing or those looking for a quick way to edit photos. So, if you have a modern computer with capable hardware that can handle it, Photo Director 10 is one of the best photo editing software for Mac and Windows.
8. ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate
ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate is a great Affinity alternative for those just getting into the world of photo editing. It offers a very good library which makes it easier to catalog images and decent Raw editing capabilities. You can also work in layers, even though this isn’t the program’s strong suit. It’s not as polished as other Window photo editors, which makes it suitable for use only for hobbyist photographers rather than professional ones. Still, it’s a good overall package that may suit the needs of most beginner photographers.
9. Phase One Capture One Pro
Capture One Pro has long been in the race for the title of the best photo editing software for Mac and Windows, and it is right up there with the top editors. This editing program is geared more towards Raw editing than anything else like digital painting etc. However, if Raw editing is what you need your Mac photo editor to do, then Capture One is a definite recommendation. With it, you’ll be able to do pretty much everything you could want a Raw editor to do, from setting the white balance to adjusting the colors. The only downside of using this program is that it can be a little difficult to get used to at first.
10. LightZone
Yet another free photo editor for Mac and Windows, LightZone can achieve quite a lot. It’s a Raw editing software that has existed for a number of years and improved ever since. You can use one of various ‘Styles’ the program offers to give your photos a quick makeover, or you can go deeper with the control and try one of the many controls such as Relight, Color Balance, Noise Reduction, Red Eyes, and more. It’s not as capable as Affinity Photo, but it’s not bad at all considering that you can start using it for free.
11. Acorn
If you feel like you use Affinity for just the basics of photo editing and don’t need its very advanced features, then the much more affordable Acorn might be a better fit for your needs. It comes in a simple package that keeps things easy and straightforward. It does have editing tools that are very good at what they do, but it doesn’t offer advanced controls that may intimidate most casual users.
12. RawTherapee
If you find something like Photoshop for Mac or Windows too complicated and unnecessarily packed with tools, and would rather have something that focuses only on processing Raw files without any extra features, then RawTherapee needs to be on your list of software to try. It is free too, so you should have no hesitation in taking it for a whirl before you spend any money on another program.
13. ON1 Photo RAW
Often touted as the best photo editing for Windows and Mac, On1 Photo RAW comes with all the tools you would need. It has very good masking tools, HDR controls that increase its versatility, quick rendering, and much more that makes it a solid Affinity alternative. This software has been going head to head with the likes of Lightroom and Capture One Pro for some time now as well, so it’s no surprise that it’s on our list. The only thing to watch out for while using On1 is the sometimes sluggish interface.
14. Zoner Photo Studio
If it’s a Windows 10 photo editor you’re looking for that includes smart features to help people edit their photos quickly, then Zoner is worth a shot. As far as Affinity alternatives go, Zoner is a very capable one unless you’re someone that uses too many presets. Zoner comes with not only editing tools like layer control and selective editing but also brings smart tools to the table which aim to enhance certain aspects of your photos automatically. Before you try it though, you should know that it has an annoying subscription-based payment model like that of Lightroom’s. If you’re okay with that though, Zoner might be the way to go.
15. Befunky Photo Editor
Luminar Open In Affinity Photo
Some people get tired of figuring out which the best Mac photo editor is or which Microsoft photo editor they can use. For those people, an online photo editing and graphic design solution like Befunky might be perfect. Since it’s online, it works on both platforms and can be used without having to pay anything. With Befunky, you can get really creative with your photos. You can change the colors in them, make them transparent, and even turn them into pieces of art using effects. What makes Befunky an Affinity alternative is its inclusion of graphic design tools in the same editor. Adding text to photos, making your own wallpaper, and using vector graphics for your digital art has never been easier than with Befunky. It’s not an advanced photo editor that could give competition to the likes of Photoshop but for a free option, it sure does offer a lot.
16. Fotor Photo Editor
If you want an iPad photo editor that can also work as an Apple photo editor on your Mac, then Fotor is a good choice as far as free options go. Like Befunky, it allows you to edit photos as well as make a different kind of design projects. Fotor also comes with different templates for your designs, whether you want to make a greeting card or a poster. The photo editor inside of it is basic, but it does offer control over your exposure, colors, and more. It’s not a Raw editor, but if you just want to add some pop to your photos or use a filter to make them look different, Fotor will do just fine.
17. Pixlr Photo Editor
Widely popular as a photo editor app, Pixlr also has a fully developed web version that is free to use. When you open Pixlr, you are likely to be overwhelmed by the number of tools it offers. Everything like exposure control, color correction, filters, sharpening, and blur effects are present, which are enough to satisfy most moderate photo editing needs. It doesn’t have super advanced tools like layer control etc. but what it does have is very good for a large number of people who just want quick edits and aren’t necessarily looking for the best Mac photo editor or something.
18. Polarr Photo Editor
A prime example that a free photo color editor doesn’t have to be basic, Polarr is one of the best free, online editors you can use. It is available for Mac and Windows as well as Android and iOS. Polarr is packed with features that are geared to satisfy not only casual photographers but also professionals. It comes with not only basic exposure tools but also advanced ones like masking, smart editing, batch exporting, blending modes, and a number of local adjustments. All of this makes Polarr much more than a free editor. It makes it better than Apple’s own photo editor as well as Windows’. And if you’re more into photography than digital design, then it definitely makes it a worthy alternative to Affinity as well.
19. Photopea Photo Editor
If Photoshop is your ideal alternative to Affinity but you don’t want to pay the price for it, then Photopea is the best free online clone you’ll find. It is almost an exact copy of Photoshop’s design and also comes with some of its advanced tools. You can work in layers, use a heal tool to fix blemishes, and even bring your PSD files into it and work on them. With Photopea, your quest to find the best Mac or Windows photo editor that looks like Photoshop and gives Affinity a run for its money might just end.
And with that, we conclude our list of the best Affinity Photo alternatives you can use. There is no doubt that the software being contested here is a great all-rounder itself, bringing photo editing features as well as graphic design prowess to users. But despite almost every Affinity Photo review being positive, there is no harm in trying out alternatives that might serve your needs better or for a lower price. So, before you make any choice and spend money on it, give a few of these alternatives a try and see if something works for you better than Serif’s offering.
It’s done. Today, I can say that I have replaced Lightroom and Photoshop with alternatives that are equal, if not better, but definitely cheaper.
In my search for alternative programs, I thought I was on the right track, was disappointed, was thrilled and finally completed this project successfully.
In this article I write about why I have decided for which image processing software in the individual processes.
Why leave Photoshop and Lightroom?
We are hobby photographers. We enjoy travelling, eating, taking pictures and writing about these things. In a nutshell, we don’t make a living with our pictures. If that were the case, we would have starved to death.
Thus no expensive subscription model for Lightroom or Photoshop, which costs us monthly about 12€ per user, or in the year about 142€ tendency anually rising, pays off for us.
There had to be another way, so we started our search.
What did we need, what should the software be able to do?
When we started looking for alternatives, we first had to be clear about what we were looking for.
– Software for developing RAW files, usually a typical Lightroom application.
– Software for creating HDR images, previously solved by Lightroom and Photoshop.
– A software for manipulating image files (retouching, cropping, transforming, etc.), actually a classic application of Photoshop.
We only use Apple hardware, which is why the programs we are looking for have to run on Mac OS X. Windows users can still read on now, all the programs we have mentioned are also available for the Windows PC.
Affinity Photo – Image manipulation top, HDR and RAW development with poor performance
After a test phase of “Affinity Photo” we were enthusiastic at first. Beside an easy to understand and largely with “Photoshop” comparable operation, we had certainly found our new manipulation tool. We were also enthusiastic because “Affinity Photo” comes with functions for RAW development, HDR creation and also focus stacking functions. For about one and a half years we trusted in this “Jack of all trades” called “Affinity Photo”.
But with the use of “Affinity Photo” on the mobile Macbook (model late 2017, i5) we noticed that we had to put up with considerable waiting times. The creation of a HDR from 5 pictures takes forever, loading a RAW is faster, but the whole thing doesn’t feel really fast. Often we are slowed down excessively by loading times. During rendering processes, after using presets, the user interface can no longer be operated or only to a limited extent.
We also noticed weaknesses in the processing of ghost images in HDR, for example when people or cars moved through the image field during a shot of a street. This function somehow led to an improvement, i.e. fewer cars, but the remaining car was only half. Around the repaired, removed ghost images often ugly color fringes, shadows or artefacts form.
Affinity Photo” also does not allow you to select the reference image for HDR creation, which is then used to remove the remaining ghost images. For a long time we simply accepted these restrictions until we wanted to see if the grass on other HDR sides was greener, more about that later.
The processing of RAWs in “Affinity Photo” is good, but not as complex and detailed as that of “Lightroom”. An integrated lens database is missing, the integrated lens database from Apple is not used – a drawback.
Apart from these weaknesses, however, one must clearly say that the pure “Photoshop functions” are perfect for image manipulation. An equal replacement. Basically one can say that “Affinity Photo” is a great Photoshop replacement with a low-performance “Lightroom” and HDR attachment as a ” Goodie”.
Strengths of Affinity Photo
+ Intuitive user interface and operation
+image manipulation functions super
+ noise reduction good
+ RAW development good, although not comparable to Lightroom
+ Price
Weaknesses of Affinity Photo
– RAW loading performance
– Performance in HDR composition
– Function to remove ghost images in HDR series with bad results
– No selection of the reference image when removing ghost images in HDR rows
– No integrated lens database for lens correction
– Small range of templates for RAW development and HDR creation
Aurora 2019 – HDR production with power and AI
Some time ago there was the HDR program “Aurora 2018” from “Skylum” as a free download, since the successor “Aurora 2019” was just released.
We used this free offer to have a look at the HDR software for the first time and were impressed by the performance and the range of functions.
Even the function to clean up ghost images works perfectly. And by “perfect” we don’t mean “better than Affinity Photo”, but “better is hardly possible” and “error-free”. Furthermore, “Aurora 2018” leaves us the choice of which reference image from the HDR series should be used for ghost removal.
HDR series were created in about a quarter of the loading time we were used from Affinity Photo and we realized that with “Aurora 2018” we were actually dealing with a full-featured HDR editor. The range of functions, the presets supplied and the level of detail in the settings knocked us over. The results were the best we’d ever achieved, with a super fast performance.
In the free version of “Aurora 2018” there was not only light, but also a little shadow. On some objects, color fringes (chromatic aberrations) were not reliably removed and on narrow, high-contrast subject components such as tram overhead lines, the 2018 version created ugly clouds and shadows. That was enough reason for us to try out the latest version “Aurora 2019” to see if these problems have been fixed and yes, the problem was already solved in the latest version.
Skylum advertises “Aurora 2019” with the use of an “artificial intelligence” (abbreviated “AI”). We don’t know whether it is actually responsible for the reliable recognition of such subjects, but the results are very good.
In 2019, almost every manufacturer who does anything with software will adorn themselves with “AI”, but only in very few applications does artificial intelligence really make sense, mostly it’s marketing bullshit, so that share prices go up, similar to buzzwords like “private blockchain” (doesn’t make sense, “private” and “blockchain” are mutually exclusive) and many other hypes. The fact is that “AI” really makes sense in image processing and image recognition, because there is potential here. We can only guess how much “AI” really is in “Aurora 2019”, and on which image areas the AI influences, because there is no transparent view about which modifications were really brought by the artificial intelligence. There is a slider that is supposed to reduce or increase the AI influence on an image, but it acts more like a filter. Anyway: The results are excellent, whether by “AI” or regular program code.
So “Aurora 2019” is our HDR editor of choice.
Strengths of “Aurora 2019
+ Intuitive user interface and operation
+ Performance with HDR composition
+ Perfect ghost removal
+ Selection of the reference image for the removal of ghost images in HDR series
+ Huge range of templates for HDR creation
+ Function for “pseudo HDR creation” from a single RAW
+ Price
+ In combination with “Luminar 3” even cheaper
Luminar 4 And Affinity Photo
Weaknesses of “Aurora 2019”
– Work of artificial intelligence (“AI”) not transparent recognizable
– Lens corrections from own, middle-class lens database, the Apple-integrated lens database works better, though
Luminar 3 – RAW development in fast, detailed and cheap
When we found “Aurora 2019” for the HDR creation for us, we also stumbled across “Luminar 3” from the same manufacturer “Skylum”. “Luminar 3” is the actual main product of “Skylum” and is promoted as a complete “Lightroom” replacement, exactly what we needed besides manipulation software and HDR editor.
Also “Luminar 3” comes with an artificial intelligence, the so-called “Accent AI 2.0”. This AI should support the photographer in the background during his RAW development. For example, people in photos are recognized and separated from the image background. This is useful if the background is to be edited dramatically, but the face of a model is to remain untouched. Also here we recognize for the first time a real sense for the topic “AI” in a software as well as first good results but also still a lot of potential.
Lens corrections can be applied directly in “Luminar 3”, but they are done with an internal lens database, whose results are slightly worse than Apple’s lens correction database integrated in Mac OSX. Here, you often have to correct the lens, but about 85% of the lens corrections are okay.
Loading and editing RAW files is really quick, long loading times hardly occur and if so, the calculations, for example when using presets, are rendered in the background and we can continue using the interface at the same time. Is there any upward potential? Sure, faster is always better, but now “Luminar 3” is the best solution in terms of performance.
The processing itself also produces very good results. We are enthusiastic about the quality of the “Noise Reduction” and “Resharpening” functions. The results are great even with poor raw materials.
Strengths of “Luminar 3
+ Performance!!! This thing is fast!
+ noise reduction excellent
+ re-sharpening functions excellent
+ Well structured, yet detailed user interface
+ Huge range of templates for RAW development
+ Price
+ In combination with “Aurora 2019” even cheaper
Weaknesses of “Luminar 3”
– Work of artificial intelligence (“AI”) not transparent recognizable
– Lens corrections from own, middle-class lens database, the Apple-integrated lens database works better, though
Conclusion – What do we now rely on in image processing and what did it cost us?
Now we use “Affinity Photo” as manipulation tool and “Aurora 2019” as HDR editor and replaced “Photoshop” with both. “Lightroom” was replaced by “Luminar 3”.
In the bundle we paid 140€ for “Luminar 3” and “Aurora 2019” and 55€ for “Affinity Photo”.
Since we got the software from the Apple Appstore, we can use the software in the family sharing with up to 6 users at the same time and without any subscription.
If you assume that you are considering an investment for a software over a period of 3 years, then for two users the following numbers are on our bill:
Adobe “Photoshop” and “Lightroom”: 2 users x 3 years x 142€ = 852€.
“Affinity Photo”, “Aurora 2019” and “Luminar 3”: 195€
Savings: 657€ (more money for travel, less money for unused subscription licenses)
Where can I buy the software?
If you want to support us, you can buy “Luminar 3” and “Aurora 2019” through these links, we get a small commission and you get a 15% discount:
Buy “Luminar 3” with 15% discount (Affiliate-Link)
Buy “Aurora 2019” with 15% discount (Affiliate-Link)
Buy Affinity Photo
Alternatively you can buy the Skylum software “Luminar 3” and “Aurora 2019” as well as “Affinity Photo” from Serif in the Apple Appstore and use the family sharing option.
Can I first test the software as a free trial?
If you want to try the software first, you can download a fully functional, but limited trial version of the software from the following links:
Affinity Photo Or Luminar
“Luminar 3” as demo version (Affiliate-Link)
“Aurora 2019” as demo version (Affiliate-Link)
Affinity Photo as demo version