First real alternative to Photoshop launched... and it's free

How to get it

Affinity Photo is available to download now in free beta from https://affinity.serif.com/photo.

Once the full version launches, it will be available exclusively through the Mac App Store for just £39.99/ €49.99/$49.99 (subject to App Store matrix adjustments) with no ongoing subscription charges and all updates free for the next two years.

If you don't use a Mac, though, you'll have to wait a while to try Affinity Photo. While the development team do want to build a Windows version, there's no firm date for that, and it will probably be a long time coming.

That's because Serif is currently focusing on building a third tool, an InDesign alternative called Affinity Publisher, to be released later this year. Following that, their next priority will be building iOS versions of all three Affinity tools. And to complicate matters, Serif is continuing to produce its older budget tools for the PC market.

Let us know what you think of Affinity Photo and Affinity Designer in the comments below.

Words: Tom May

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