Comparison

Affinity Photo 2 for iPad vs DragonLight Mobile

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Affinity Photo 2 for iPad

A professional-grade photo editor for iPad, offering advanced tools for editing, retouching, and creating complex designs. It supports a wide range of file formats and color spaces, with optimized performance for iPad hardware and Apple Pencil.

Highlights
  • Non-destructive editing
  • Advanced masking tools
  • RAW image development
  • Layer support
  • Object removal
  • PSD file compatibility
  • 16-bit and 32-bit color editing
Features
Read full description

The next generation of the iPad App of the Year, Affinity Photo 2 for iPad is a genuine desktop-grade, professional photo editor used by photographers, graphic designers, illustrators, artists, and other creators around the world. Wielding tons of incredible new features, hundreds of enhancements and a completely redesigned UI, the award-winning photo editing app has everything you need to edit images, retouch photos, create multi-layered art, beautiful raster paintings, designs, and so much more – no matter where you are. OPTIMIZED FOR IPAD • Fully integrated and optimized iPad gesture controls to speed up your workflow • iOS16 ready, including optimization for virtual memory swap, dramatically increasing performance on large documents • Sensitive to pressure, tilt, and angle, the app harnesses the full power and precision of Apple Pencil • Command controller hosting on-screen modifiers • Quick Menu for context-sensitive access to commands • Full iCloud drive integration for seamless file management, storage, and sharing • External display support with separate configuration options POWERFUL TOOLS & FUNCTIONALITY • Non-destructive RAW development of linked/embedded RAW images • Non-destructive Live Mesh Warp filter and other live effect layers • Luminosity, hue range, and band pass live masks • Compound masks • Multiple shadow, outline, and overlay layer effects per object • Normals adjustment for editing normal maps from material and texturing workflows • JPEG XL file import and export • OCIO v2 support – particularly useful for video editors, VFX, film, and 3D artists PERFORMANCE & POWER • Massive image support (100+ Megapixels) • Pan and zoom at maximum refresh rate • Open, edit, and save Adobe Photoshop ® PSD/PSB files • RGB, CMYK, Greyscale and LAB color spaces • Full 16-bit and linear unbounded 32-bit per channel editing • Work with all standard formats like PNG, TIFF, JPG, JPEG XL, GIF, SVG, EPS, EXR, HDR, and PDF UNSURPASSED PRODUCTIVITY • Full support for unlimited layers, layer groups, adjustment layers, filter layers, and masks • Edit live filters, adjustments, effects, blend modes, and masks non-destructively • Remove objects or erase backgrounds with magic eraser tool, blur photos, add filters for pictures, cut, crop, and more with ease • Savable history with alternate futures • Customizable shortcuts with attached keyboard or new quick menu • Isolate, edit, and duplicate spare channels with a simple touch • Link layers to edit simultaneously • Stitch picture-perfect panoramas on location PROFESSIONAL IMAGE PROCESSING • Open RAW in a dedicated 16-bit development workspace and edit straight from your camera • Adjust exposure, blackpoint, clarity, vibrance, white balance, shadows, highlights, etc. • Advanced lens corrections including chromatic aberration, defringe, vignette, and noise reduction • Paint areas or use fully customizable gradients to mask adjustments • View histograms, blown highlights, shadows, and tones as well as detailed EXIF information • Focus Merge, HDR Merge, and Tone Mapping for advanced image processing QUALITY RETOUCHING & CORRECTION TOOLS • Intuitive selection brush and refinement for precise selections like strands of hair • Dodge, burn, clone, patch, blemish, red eye, advanced inpainting, and object removal • Smooth and retouch skin with built-in frequency separation • Dedicated Liquify persona gives freehand control over warps, twirls, pinch, punch, and turbulence ADVANCED BRUSH ENGINE • Huge library of painting, drawing, textures, and professional DAUB® Brushes included • Create custom brushes and nozzles with full control over advanced dynamics FAST, CUSTOMIZABLE EFFECTS • Massive collection of effects available, including blurs, distortions, tilt-shift, shadows, glows, lighting, and many more • Swipe-able split or mirrored screen always available for before and after views • Path text capabilities

About

DragonLight Mobile

This app transforms your mobile device into a professional flat field illumination panel for astrophotography. It helps remove image artifacts like dust spots and vignetting, enabling cleaner, more professional-looking deep sky and planetary images.

Highlights
  • Precision brightness control with 4,096 levels
  • Full automation with astronomy software integration
  • Remote brightness control via web interface
  • Adjustable aperture mask for even illumination
  • Network device finder
  • Red flashlight mode for night vision
Features
Read full description

DragonLIGHT Mobile transforms your iPhone or iPad into a professional flat field illumination panel for astrophotography. WHAT ARE FLAT FRAMES? When you photograph deep sky objects, your images contain dust spots, vignetting, and optical imperfections. Flat frames are calibration images that let your processing software remove these artifacts, revealing clean, professional astrophotographs. WHY DRAGONLIGHT? Instead of buying expensive dedicated flat panel hardware, use the device you already own. DragonLIGHT delivers professional results at a fraction of the cost. KEY FEATURES • Precision Control — 4,096 brightness levels ensure you can dial in the perfect exposure for any optical system • Full Automation — Integrates with N.I.N.A., Sequence Generator Pro, Voyager, and other astronomy software through the industry-standard ASCOM Alpaca protocol • Remote Operation — Control brightness from your imaging computer via built-in web interface or automation software • Adjustable Aperture Mask — On-screen sizing adapts to different telescope apertures for even illumination • Device Finder — Easily locate DragonLIGHT on your network using QR code or automatic UDP discovery • Red Flashlight Mode — Preserve your night vision with a red light utility • Portable — Lightweight and perfect for remote imaging sites PERFECT FOR • Deep sky imagers capturing nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters • Planetary imagers needing clean calibration frames • Anyone tired of carrying extra equipment to dark sites AUTOMATION MADE EASY DragonLIGHT speaks ASCOM Alpaca, the standard protocol used by astronomy automation software. Connect once, and your imaging software can automatically control brightness during your flat frame sequences—no manual intervention required. Download DragonLIGHT and start capturing better astrophotographs tonight.

Screenshots

DragonLight Mobile4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: DragonLight Mobile at 100% against Affinity Photo 2 for iPad's 43%. DragonLight Mobile also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and rating (5.0 vs 4.6). Affinity Photo 2 for iPad's advantage is price (Free vs $9.99) and update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 28 months). On ads and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Affinity Photo 2 for iPad is free to download; DragonLight Mobile costs $9.99 up front. Affinity Photo 2 for iPad sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. DragonLight Mobile asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

DragonLight Mobile holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Affinity Photo 2 for iPad has 3.3K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 43% of Affinity Photo 2 for iPad's written reviews are positive against 100% of DragonLight Mobile's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Affinity Photo 2 for iPad ships an update every 6 weeks, DragonLight Mobile every 28 months. The most recent releases landed on November 12, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Affinity Photo 2 for iPad versus DragonLight Mobile: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAffinity Photo 2 for iPadDragonLight Mobile
PriceFree — better$9.99
Rating4.6 (3.3K ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews43.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings3.3K — better1
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks — betterEvery 28 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS15.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size1.7 GB19 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSerif (Europe) Ltd.Dark Dragons Astronomy

Customer experience

Affinity Photo 2 for iPad

All ratings2,131 ratings
Positive89.4%
Neutral3.1%
Negative7.5%
Written reviews358 reviews
Positive43.0%
Neutral12.0%
Negative45.0%

DragonLight Mobile

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Affinity Photo 2 for iPad

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Crashes when adjusting white balance
  • Issues with importing and opening photos
  • Brush tools not working as expected
  • Layers and masks not functioning properly
  • Exporting issues causing loss of work

Requested features

5 requests
  • Auto subject selection
  • Improved help and documentation
  • Better file management and export options
  • Support for more RAW formats
  • Astrophotography tools like the desktop version

DragonLight Mobile

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Affinity Photo 2 for iPad

One-time1
  • Photo 2 for iPad LicenseFree
None

DragonLight Mobile

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Affinity Photo 2 for iPad free?
Affinity Photo 2 for iPad is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is DragonLight Mobile free?
DragonLight Mobile costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Affinity Photo 2 for iPad or DragonLight Mobile?
DragonLight Mobile is rated higher. Affinity Photo 2 for iPad averages 4.6 out of 5 from 3.3K ratings, while DragonLight Mobile averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Affinity Photo 2 for iPad or DragonLight Mobile have ads?
Neither Affinity Photo 2 for iPad nor DragonLight Mobile shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Affinity Photo 2 for iPad or DragonLight Mobile?
Affinity Photo 2 for iPad ships an update every 6 weeks, and DragonLight Mobile every 28 months. Most recently, Affinity Photo 2 for iPad was updated on November 12, 2026 and DragonLight Mobile on November 3, 2026.

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