Photopea
FreemiumFree browser-based Photoshop alternative with AI-powered tools
Quick Verdict
Free (ad-supported) · Premium $5/mo (no ads, more history steps, larger projects)
Yes
Students, hobbyists, and professionals who need Photoshop-compatible editing without the C
Scores 4.3/5. Free browser-based Photoshop alternative with AI-powered too.
Bottom line: Photopea scores 4.3/5 — Students, hobbyists, and professionals who need Photoshop-compatible editing without the Creative Cloud subscription, or for quick edits on machines without Adobe installed.
About Photopea
Photopea is a free, browser-based graphics editor with a UI remarkably similar to Adobe Photoshop. It opens and saves PSD, AI, Sketch, XD, PDF, and RAW files without installation — everything runs client-side in your browser. AI features include one-click object selection, background removal, content-aware fill, and AI image generation through integrated APIs. For professionals who need Photoshop workflow without the $23/mo Creative Cloud subscription, and for students who can't afford Adobe licensing, Photopea delivers 80%+ of the feature set completely free (ad-supported) with a $5/month Premium tier that removes ads and unlocks larger project support.
Pricing
Free (ad-supported) · Premium $5/mo (no ads, more history steps, larger projects)
Features
- Opens and edits PSD, AI, Sketch, XD, PDF, RAW files
- Layers, masks, blend modes, smart objects
- AI background removal and object selection
- Content-aware fill and generative AI image integrations
- Works entirely in-browser — no installation needed
- Export to PSD, PNG, JPG, WebP, SVG, PDF, and more
Pros
- Genuinely free — core feature set without trial limits
- No installation — opens any device with a modern browser
- Reads Photoshop PSD files losslessly
- Active development with regular feature additions
Cons
- Ads on free tier can feel intrusive during focused work
- Slower than native Photoshop on large files
- AI features less refined than Adobe's Generative Fill
- No cloud sync — work is local to the browser session
Best For
Students, hobbyists, and professionals who need Photoshop-compatible editing without the Creative Cloud subscription, or for quick edits on machines without Adobe installed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Photopea really free?
Yes. The core editor is free with ads. Premium ($5/month or $40/year) removes ads, adds more history steps, and supports larger projects. The free tier is fully functional for most use cases.
Can Photopea open Photoshop PSD files?
Yes, with excellent compatibility. Photopea opens PSD files preserving layers, masks, blend modes, and smart objects. It can also save back to PSD format, making it a practical alternative for teams mixing Photoshop and Photopea users.
Does Photopea have AI features?
Yes — AI-powered object selection, background removal, and content-aware fill are built in. For generative AI (text-to-image), Photopea integrates with external APIs like Stable Diffusion which you can configure in settings.
Photopea vs Photoshop — what's missing?
Photopea covers 80%+ of Photoshop's feature set. Notable gaps include Adobe's Generative Fill (Firefly-powered), some advanced filters, Camera Raw depth, and Adobe ecosystem integrations. For serious retouching or commercial work, Photoshop remains more capable.
Is Photopea safe to upload private images to?
Yes. Photopea runs entirely in your browser — images never leave your device unless you explicitly export to cloud storage. This is safer than many cloud-based editors for confidential work.