Alternatives / Affinity Photo
Looking for an open source Affinity Photo alternative? We compared 3 open source image editors and RAW processors by license, editing model, and platforms. GIMP is the general-purpose editor, and darktable and RawTherapee focus on RAW development.
Written by Maxime DERAME
Last updated:
| Alternative | Best for | License |
|---|---|---|
| GIMP | General photo editing, painting, and retouching | GPL-3.0-or-later |
| darktable | RAW development with a photo library | GPL-3.0 |
| RawTherapee | Advanced RAW processing and demosaicing | GPL-3.0 |
We looked for open-source tools that overlap with Affinity Photo's core: editing photos with layers, retouching, and RAW development. We verified each project's license, recent activity, stars, releases, and platforms in its repository. Only a few mature projects fit, and they split between layer-based editing and RAW processing. We left out one tool listed elsewhere because we could not find a working repository for it. See our methodology for the full criteria.
GIMP handles layer-based photo manipulation, painting, and graphic design with scripting and plugins, but it lacks some professional features such as non-destructive adjustment layers across the board and a modern RAW pipeline. darktable and RawTherapee develop RAW files but are not general-purpose editors.
GIMP is the closest for pixel editing, layers, and retouching on Linux, macOS, and Windows. Pair it with darktable or RawTherapee for RAW development to approach Affinity Photo's all-in-one workflow, since GIMP's RAW import relies on external converters.
darktable combines a library of photos, non-destructive RAW development, professional color management, and GPU acceleration. RawTherapee uses a 32-bit floating-point engine with advanced demosaicing and multi-frame processing. Neither provides cloud sync or mobile apps.
GIMP is GPL-3.0-or-later, and darktable and RawTherapee are GPL-3.0.
GIMP, darktable, and RawTherapee all had commits within days of this update. GIMP is developed on GNOME's GitLab, and the GitHub repository is a mirror.
Affinity Photo is proprietary software sold as a license, and its maker is now owned by Canva, so its future and pricing are tied to that company. Open-source alternatives are free, run on Linux, macOS, and Windows, use open file formats and plugins, and have no license fee, at the cost of a steeper learning curve and less polish in some workflows.
darktable is an open-source photography workflow application and RAW developer, with a lighttable for managing and rating photos, a darkroom for non-destructive editing, professional color management, GPU acceleration, and database-driven organization. It runs on Linux, Windows, and macOS on Apple Silicon, and is GPL-3.0.
Pricing: Free and open source.
GIMP is a mature GPL raster graphics editor for photo manipulation, image composition, graphic design, and digital artwork. It provides layers, masks, selections, transformations, color correction, filters, scripting, plugins, and broad format support.
Pricing: Free and open source; no subscription.
RawTherapee is a cross-platform RAW photo processing program with a 32-bit floating point engine, advanced demosaicing algorithms, HDR DNG support, multi-frame processing, and professional correction tools, in 15+ languages. It is GPL-3.0 and runs on Linux, Windows, and macOS.
Pricing: Free and open source.
| Alternative | Focus | License | Platforms | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GIMP | Layer-based image editing | GPL-3.0-or-later | Linux, macOS, Windows | Retouching and painting |
| darktable | Library and RAW development | GPL-3.0 | Linux, Windows, macOS (Apple Silicon) | Lightroom-style workflow |
| RawTherapee | RAW processing | GPL-3.0 | Linux, Windows, macOS | Advanced RAW conversion |
Want layer-based photo editing and retouching
GIMP offers photo manipulation, digital painting, and graphic design with scripting and plugins on all major platforms.
Want a RAW workflow with a photo library
darktable offers a lighttable, non-destructive RAW editing, color management, and GPU acceleration.
Want advanced RAW demosaicing
RawTherapee has a 32-bit floating-point engine, advanced demosaicing, and multi-frame processing.