KritaLinux
vs
Affinity PhotoWindows
Krita as a Linux alternative to Affinity Photo
Updated
Our verdict
Krita can replace Affinity Photo for most raster‑editing tasks. It handles layers, masks, compositing, RAW, and exports to JPEG, PNG, TIFF, and PSD. The brush engine is stronger for digital painting, but it lacks some photo‑specific features like advanced color correction, HDR video, and the same level of non‑linear editing workflow. It works best for artists who need painting tools and can tolerate a steeper learning curve for photo‑specific workflows.
- License
- GPL-3.0-only
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 5.3.4.1 (October 7, 2026)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Both support layer‑based editing with masks and groups
- Both can open and export PSD files
- Both support RAW image import
- Both provide advanced brush engines and custom brushes
- Both export to common raster formats (JPEG, PNG, TIFF)
What is different
- Affinity Photo offers a dedicated non‑linear photo‑editing workflow with adjustment layers, curves, and color grading tools that Krita lacks or implements differently
- Affinity Photo has built‑in HDR video support; Krita does not
- Affinity Photo’s interface is more streamlined for photo retouching; Krita’s UI is geared toward painting and illustration
- Affinity Photo includes a proprietary plugin ecosystem; Krita relies on Python scripts
- Affinity Photo’s performance on large photo files is generally smoother due to optimised memory handling
Opening your Affinity Photo files
Krita can open Affinity Photo’s PSD files, but complex features like adjustment layers, smart objects, or certain effects may not translate perfectly. Exporting from Krita to PSD preserves layers and masks, but some Photoshop‑specific data may be lost. For other Affinity formats, there is no direct support; converting to PSD first is recommended.
Switching from Affinity Photo to Krita, step by step
- Export your Affinity Photo project to PSD
- Open the PSD in Krita; check that layers and masks are intact
- Re‑apply any adjustment layers or effects that did not import correctly
- Save the Krita file in .kra format for future edits
- Export final images to JPEG/PNG/TIFF as needed
Key features of Krita
- Advanced brush engine with dozens of preset brushes
- Full CMYK, RGB, and HDR color space support
- Layer groups, masks, and vector layers
- HDR painting and 16/32‑bit float channels
- Resource manager for brushes, gradients, and palettes
- Python scripting for custom tools
- Docker panels for quick access to tools and filters
- Export to PSD, PNG, JPEG, TIFF, and OpenRaster
How to install Krita on Linux
flatpak install flathub org.kde.kritasudo apt install kritasudo apt install kritasudo dnf install kritasudo pacman -S kritasudo zypper install kritaFrequently asked questions
Can Krita edit RAW files?
Yes, Krita supports RAW import and basic processing, but it does not offer the same depth of color grading tools as Affinity Photo.
Does Krita support Affinity Photo’s .afphoto format?
No. Krita only opens standard formats like PSD, TIFF, PNG, JPEG, and OpenRaster.
Is Krita suitable for professional photo retouching?
It can handle many retouching tasks, but for advanced color correction, HDR video, or complex compositing, Affinity Photo’s dedicated tools are preferable.
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