Why I Switched from Adobe Creative Suite to Affinity Apps

A little under a year ago, I decided to give the Affinity Suite a shot. Initially, I wasn’t entirely convinced it could fully replace Photoshop for all my needs. But over time, a combination of factors prompted me to make the switch.

The turning point came when I learned about Adobe’s data usage policies and how my subscription fees were being used for AI development. This, coupled with significant price hikes, led me to reevaluate my commitment to Adobe’s subscription-based model. After more than a decade of relying on Adobe products—first as a hobbyist and later as a professional—I realized it was time for a change.

In August 2024, I transitioned to using Affinity apps exclusively for my personal projects. While Affinity doesn’t yet match Photoshop’s convenience—such as advanced object selection or the ability to create smart layer masks for mockups—it covers the essentials. For tasks like cleaning up paths, editing social media images, or general photo adjustments, Affinity apps have proven to be entirely workable.

Although I still rely on Adobe’s tools for certain professional projects, I’m generally satisfied with my decision to use Affinity for personal work. The absence of a subscription fee and the ongoing improvements in Affinity’s features make it a practical alternative. For now, I’ll stick with this setup, and I’m hopeful that future developments in the Affinity suite or other competitors will continue to close the gap, perhaps making a complete switch feasible in the future.