A Free Photoshop Alternative That Runs in Your Browser
Layers, masks and PSD support, all in a browser tab.
Reviewed by Omar
Photopea (photopea.com) is a free online editor with a Photoshop-like interface that opens and edits PSD, XCF, Sketch and RAW files — no install, no account. It's funded by ads, with an optional paid tier to remove them.
Quick facts
- Pricing
- Freemium
- Free plan
- Yes
- Platforms
- Any browser (desktop & mobile)
- Availability
- Worldwide
- Sign-up
- Not required
- Ads
- Yes
- Privacy
- Files open directly in your browser; Photopea states your images stay on your device.
Free-plan limits: Full editor free with ads; a paid plan removes ads and raises history steps.
Photoshop is powerful, but a subscription is a lot to ask if you only edit images occasionally. Photopea is the closest free alternative most people will find: it opens in a browser tab, looks strikingly similar to Photoshop, and — crucially — opens and saves Photoshop’s own .PSD files.
What it actually does
Photopea supports layers, masks, blend modes, adjustment layers, and a familiar toolbar of selection, brush, and retouch tools. Beyond PSD it also reads XCF (GIMP), Sketch, and RAW files, which makes it a handy universal viewer when someone sends you a file your software can’t open. Because the heavy lifting happens in the browser, it runs on a Chromebook or an old laptop that couldn’t handle desktop Photoshop.
Who it’s for
Students, freelancers, and anyone who needs Photoshop-style editing a few times a month. If you mainly resize, crop, or touch up images, Photopea covers it without a single payment. You can learn the basics from the official Photopea tutorials.
The honest downsides
The free version is funded by ads sitting beside the canvas, which can feel cluttered; a paid tier removes them. On very large files it’s slower than installed software, and the most advanced AI retouching found in paid desktop suites isn’t fully matched. For sensitive images, review Photopea’s own privacy page first — though files open directly in your browser rather than being uploaded.
How to start
- Go to photopea.com — it opens straight into the editor.
- Use File ▸ Open to load a PSD, JPG, or PNG, or start a new canvas.
- Export with File ▸ Export As to save a JPG, PNG, or PSD back to your device.
Need to shrink the result for the web or email afterwards? Run it through our Image Compressor.
Pros
- Genuinely free, no account required
- PSD compatibility is excellent for a free tool
- No install — useful on locked-down or shared computers
Cons
- Ads on the free tier can feel cluttered
- Not as fast or deep as desktop Photoshop on huge files
- Some advanced AI/retouch features in paid desktop suites aren't matched
Resize images to any width and height.
Alternatives
- GIMP
Free, open-source desktop editor if you prefer installed software.
- Photopea (this)
Best when you need PSD support with zero install.
Frequently asked questions
Is Photopea really free?
Yes. The full editor is free and funded by ads shown beside the canvas. An optional paid plan removes the ads and raises some limits, but you never have to pay to use it.
Can Photopea open Photoshop PSD files?
Yes — opening and saving PSD is one of its strongest features. It also reads XCF, Sketch, and RAW files.
Do I need to create an account?
No. Photopea opens straight into the editor with no sign-up, and files open directly in your browser rather than being uploaded.
Sources
- Photopea — online photo editor — Photopea. Verified June 20, 2026.
- Photopea — Learn — Photopea. Verified June 20, 2026.