Overview
Affinity Photo is a one-time-purchase photo editor with manual background removal tools — Refine Selection, brushes, and masks. It's often compared to Photoshop. QuickRemove is a Windows desktop application focused on AI-powered background removal with one-click automation and specialized wizards.
Both are desktop apps with one-time pricing, but Affinity is a general-purpose editor with manual tools, while QuickRemove is purpose-built for AI background removal.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | QuickRemove | Affinity Photo |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Windows 10+ desktop | Windows, Mac, iPad |
| Background Removal | AI-powered, one-click | Manual — Refine Selection, brushes, masks |
| Pricing Model | Free + one-time ($29-$179) | One-time (~$69.99) |
| Learning Curve | Low — automated | Steeper — manual selection skills needed |
| Processing | 100% offline, AI | Offline, manual |
| Free Tier | Yes — unlimited 1080p | No — purchase required |
| Batch Processing | Up to 25 (Basic) or unlimited (Pro) | Limited — macros/workflows |
| Effects | Shadows, reflections, outlines, motion echo, color pop | Full layer editing, filters, adjustments |
| Passport Photo Wizard | Yes — 10+ country presets | No |
| Product Photo Wizard | Yes — marketplace presets | No |
| Video/GIF Support | Yes (Pro tier) | No |
| AI Upscaling | Yes — up to 4x | No |
| Full Photo Editor | No — BG removal focused | Yes — layers, masks, RAW, HDR |
| RAW Editing | No | Yes |
AI vs Manual
Affinity Photo uses manual selection tools: Refine Selection, brushes, edge detection, and masks. You paint, refine, and adjust. It's powerful and precise, but it requires skill and time — especially for complex subjects like hair or fine details.
QuickRemove uses AI to detect and remove backgrounds automatically. One click typically produces a clean result. You can refine with brush and eraser if needed, but the heavy lifting is done by the AI. For batch work or quick turnaround, AI automation saves significant time.
Pricing
Affinity Photo is a one-time purchase around $69.99. QuickRemove Basic Lifetime is $99, Pro Lifetime is $179. QuickRemove also offers a free tier with unlimited 1080p — no purchase required to try.
If you need both a full editor and background removal, Affinity Photo is a solid investment. If background removal is your main task and you want speed and automation, QuickRemove delivers more value for that specific workflow.
Ready to try QuickRemove?
Free download, no account required.
Dedicated vs General Purpose
Affinity Photo is a professional editor: layers, masks, RAW development, HDR, frequency separation, and more. Background removal is something you do with the selection tools, not a dedicated workflow.
QuickRemove is built only for background removal. The Passport Photo Wizard and Product Photo Wizard automate output for specific use cases. Effects like shadows, reflections, outlines, motion echo, and color pop are tailored to cutout workflows. If you process many product photos or passport photos, QuickRemove's purpose-built tools can save hours.
When Affinity Photo Might Be Better
- You need a full photo editor — Layers, masks, RAW, HDR, retouching
- You prefer manual control — Pixel-perfect selection with brushes and refinement
- You're on Mac or iPad — Affinity runs on multiple platforms; QuickRemove is Windows-only
- You need RAW editing — Affinity has full RAW support
- You want one app for everything — Editing and background removal in one place
When QuickRemove Is the Better Choice
- You want AI automation instead of manual selection
- You need to process many images quickly
- You want a free tier to try before buying
- You need passport photo creation with country-specific presets
- You need product photo export with marketplace compliance
- You want to remove backgrounds from GIFs or videos
- You need AI upscaling for higher-resolution output
- You want built-in effects: shadows, reflections, outlines, motion echo, color pop
- You prefer a low-friction, focused workflow for background removal
The Bottom Line
Affinity Photo is a professional editor with manual background removal — ideal if you need full editing and precise control. QuickRemove is a dedicated AI tool for background removal — ideal if you want speed, automation, and specialized wizards. Both offer one-time pricing; the choice depends on whether you need a full editor or a focused removal tool.