The Best Free Online Photo Editors
No subscription required to edit a photo properly.
Reviewed by Omar
Photopea runs in your browser and opens Photoshop PSD files; Pixlr is a quick, beginner-friendly free online editor; GIMP is a powerful free, open-source desktop editor. All three cost nothing.
Quick facts
- Pricing
- Freemium
- Free plan
- Yes
- Platforms
- Browser, Windows, macOS, Linux
- Availability
- Worldwide
- Sign-up
- Not required
- Ads
- Yes
You don’t need a Photoshop subscription to edit a photo well. These three free editors cover everything from a quick crop to serious layer work.
1. Photopea — opens Photoshop files
Photopea runs in your browser, looks like Photoshop, and opens and saves PSD files. No install, no account. It’s the best choice when someone sends you a PSD and you just need to open it. We cover it in depth in our Photopea guide.
2. Pixlr — quick and beginner-friendly
Pixlr is a free browser editor that’s easier to approach than Photopea for simple tasks. The free tier shows ads and doesn’t require an account.
3. GIMP — the free desktop powerhouse
GIMP is a free, open-source desktop editor for Windows, Mac and Linux. Its interface takes time to learn, but it’s genuinely powerful and completely ad-free.
Editing for the web?
Once you’ve edited, shrink the file for sharing with our Image Compressor or resize it in Image Studio.
Pros
- Cover quick edits to advanced work
- No subscription
- Photopea needs no install or account
Cons
- Free web editors show ads
- GIMP's interface takes time to learn
Resize images to any width and height.
Frequently asked questions
Which free editor can open Photoshop files?
Photopea opens and saves PSD files directly in your browser, with no install or account required.
Is there a free editor with no ads?
GIMP is a free, open-source desktop editor with no ads. Free web editors like Pixlr and Photopea show ads on their free tiers.
Sources
- Photopea — online photo editor — Photopea. Verified June 20, 2026.
- Pixlr — online photo editor — Pixlr. Verified June 20, 2026.
- GIMP — GNU Image Manipulation Program — The GIMP Team. Verified June 20, 2026.