By Graham K. Rogers

Serif has just announced a beta release of its award-winning Affinity Photo application for the Windows platform. This now gives those who use Windows an opportunity to try one the Mac's more highly-rated applications. Those interested may sign up for the beta download at the Affinity site.

One of my favourite apps on the Mac, Affinity Photo, is shortly to be made available for users of Windows. In advance of the full release users are invited to register for a trial of a free public beta download of the application. Information from the developers, Serif, explains that this Windows version matches the Mac version feature-for-feature. The release of the public beta offers users the chance to try it free of charge before the full version goes on sale.

Affinity Photo for Windows

As the core of the apps (the backend code) was developed with the intention to eventually make all Affinity apps cross-platform, file compatibility will be 100% perfect; but the real plus for those using Windows is that the tools, performance and accuracy that us Mac users have come to take for granted will be available on PCs as well.

"Affinity Photo's awe-inspiring range of tools work in real time, so there's no waiting to see results. Non-destructive editing, RAW processing and end-to-end colour management are standard, so Affinity Photo has all the accuracy and quality necessary to make beautiful images spring to life."

Pricing for the full release of the Windows version will match Affinity's subscription-free Mac pricing, with a one-off payment of $49.99 (£39.99 or €49.99) which will also cover future updates.

Affinity Photo for Windows on Microsoft Surface

Those who wish to sign up for the beta can use the link to the Affinity site, while more information is also available at this Affinity page

Graham K. Rogers teaches at the Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University in Thailand. He wrote in the Bangkok Post, Database supplement on IT subjects. For the last seven years of Database he wrote a column on Apple and Macs. He is now continuing that in the Bangkok Post supplement, Life. He can be followed on Twitter (@extensions_th)