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Photopea
A full Photoshop-style editor that runs in your browser — opens PSD files, no install, no account.
Free browser-based photo editor with Photoshop-like layers, masks and PSD support. No install or account.
- Pricing
- Free with ads; optional Premium removes them
- Platforms
- Web (any device)
- Category
- Thumbnails & Graphics
- Last reviewed
- September 21, 2026
What is Photopea?
Photopea is a near-complete clone of Photoshop's interface and feature set that runs entirely in a browser tab. Layers, masks, blend modes, smart objects, healing brush, liquify, vector shapes — and it opens and saves PSD files natively, along with AI, XD, Sketch and more. It was built largely by one developer, Ivan Kutskir, and is free, supported by a sidebar ad.
For creators it is the no-excuses photo editor: making a dramatic thumbnail composite, cutting yourself out of a background, fixing skin and lighting on a face, or editing a PSD someone sent you — all without installing anything or creating an account. Files stay on your machine; processing happens locally in the tab, which makes it unusually private for a web app.
Because it mirrors Photoshop so closely, tutorials for one mostly work in the other. The trade-offs are performance on very large documents (browser memory limits) and no cloud document libraries. A Premium subscription exists purely to remove ads and extend undo history — the editing features are all free.
Key features
- Layers, masks, blend modes and smart objects
- Opens and saves PSD, plus AI, XD, Sketch, RAW and more
- Retouching tools: healing brush, clone stamp, liquify, content-aware
- Selections including magnetic lasso and refine edge
- Runs offline in the tab — files processed locally, not uploaded
- Free with ads; Premium removes ads
Free plan & limits
All editing features are free, ad-supported. Premium (cheap subscription) removes the sidebar ad and raises some limits like undo history.
Who is it best for?
Thumbnail composites, photo retouching, PSD editing on any computer — creators who want Photoshop's power without Photoshop's price.
Frequently asked questions
Is Photopea legal — is it just pirated Photoshop?
It is an original, independently developed application — not Adobe software. Opening and saving PSD files is legal; the format is interoperable. Photopea is its own codebase by Ivan Kutskir.
Does Photopea upload my images?
No. Editing runs locally in your browser; images are not sent to a server. This is why it works even with the network disconnected after loading.
Can Photopea replace GIMP?
For most creator tasks yes, and with a more familiar interface for Photoshop users. GIMP is better for very large files (no browser memory limits) and plugin ecosystems, and installs natively.