Retouching makes a world of difference when it comes to photography. Instead of piling the pictures up on your SD card, consider tweaking them to make the most out of every shot you took.
There are many tools on the market — you might be a bit confused when trying to choose the best and most efficient photo editor for PC. Two common software options are Affinity vs Pixelmator. Let’s compare both tools to help you make an informed decision.
Features and Capabilities of Affinity Photo
Affinity Photo is a tool that both amateur and pro photographers can use. The program supports 15 picture formats, has an intuitive interface, and includes additional editing features.
Interface
Affinity Photo is a two-in-one tool, with both a built-in organizer and different retouching tools. The software has an interface similar to Photoshop, with the main editing tools in the left sidebar and color correction instruments to the right.
Features
Affinity Photo supports layer-based editing. Photographers can create masked layers, rearrange them, work with both vector and raster graphics. There’s an impressive set of features for portrait retouching, such as:
- Red-eye removal;
- Lens distortion;
- Cropping;
- Whitening;
- Cloning stamps.
Beginner photographers can use Affinity Photo for basic image fine-tuning — drawing, painting, adding overlay text, and so on. Unfortunately, Affinity Photo has no support for built-in presets.
Pricing
To use the desktop version of Affinity Photo, you have to make a single payment of $49.99. There’s a free trial — photographers can explore the software for 10 days for free.
Features and Capabilities of Pixelmator
Pixelmator is a photo editing and organizing tool for macOS and iOS. The software is empowered with machine learning editing algorithms. The tool might come short in functionality for advanced photo editing though — beginner photographers will, on the other hand, enjoy its straightforwardness and simplicity.
Interface
The interface is not overly complex. There are useful editing and color correction panels for basic and advanced retouching. To fine-tune pictures faster, photographers can use keyboard shortcuts.
Features
Pixelmator is not the most powerful editing tool around — however, it has the features to tweak a picture and prepare it for print. Photographers can benefit from:
- Color correction curves;
- Crop;
- Color balance;
- Preset filters;
- Machine-learning-empowered one-click edits.
Despite being rather narrow, the function range of Pixelmator is a good fit for basic photo editing.
Pricing
Pixelmator is affordable for beginner photographers. You can download Pixelmator from the App Store for $4.99.
Which Software Is Easier to use: Affinity Photo or Pixelmator?
To offer a big-picture review of both software tools and draw the line between them, we created a comparison chart for Affinity Photo vs Pixelmator to help understand which editing software is the right one for you.
Affinity Photo | Pixelmator | |
Beginner-friendliness | Medium | High |
Layer support | Yes | No |
Color correction support | Yes | Yes |
Preset support | No | Yes |
Availability | Windows, iOS | macOS, iOS |
Cost | $44.99 | $4.99 |
Organizing features | Yes | No |
PSD support | Yes | No |
Macros support | Yes | No |
Working speed | Medium | High |
In case if you cannot choose between the two in a Pixelmator vs Affinity Photo comparison, consider going for alternative software Phototheca — an all-in-one photo management platform.
Why Is Phototheca Better Than Affinity Photo and Pixelmator?
Phototheca has a basic version that’s 100% FREE. You will be able to use the core features of the software without having to invest in access licenses or subscription fees.
In terms of organizing abilities, neither Affinity nor Pixelmator comes close to Phototheca. Here are the features the software offers photographers:
- Batch photo removal;
- Duplicate detection;
- Dual monitor view;
- File auto updates;
- Private folders for the ultimate photo storage safety;
- Exif viewing features.
Phototheca is a powerful photo editor, as well. It has a collection of retouching and color correction tools:
- A built-in filter library with 56 ready-to-print presets;
- Film photo editing tools that help add a 35mm grain to the picture;
- Color correction tools;
- Basic editing tools: pencils, brushes, cropping, selection;
- Exposure, shadow, and highlight correction.
Phototheca is the tool that encompasses the best features of Pixelmator or Affinity Photo. To edit and organize your pictures in an efficient, hassle-free way, download Phototheca 2020 Productivity Pack!
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