Overview

Photopea is a free, browser-based photo editor that runs entirely in your web browser with no installation required. It was designed as a capable alternative to Adobe Photoshop, and its standout strength is deep compatibility with the PSD format — it opens, edits, and saves layered Photoshop documents directly, alongside XCF (GIMP), Sketch, and RAW image files.

Because everything happens client-side in the browser, Photopea works across Windows, macOS, Linux, and Chromebooks, and your documents never leave your machine unless you upload them yourself. It is popular with designers who need to touch up a PSD on a machine where they cannot install heavyweight desktop software.

Features

• PSD, XCF & Sketch support — opens and saves layered Photoshop, GIMP, and Sketch files, preserving layers, masks, and smart objects.
• Full layer workflow — adjustment layers, layer masks, blending modes, and smart objects.
• Selection & retouching tools — lasso, magic wand, healing brush, clone stamp, and color-correction tools.
• Vector drawing — pen tool, shape tools, and text layers with advanced typography controls.
• Filters & effects — a comprehensive set of blur, distort, sharpen, and artistic filters.
• Automation — runs Photoshop-style actions and JavaScript scripting for batch workflows.
• AI assistance — optional commercial AI add-on for generative tasks like background removal.

Licence

NOT open source. Proprietary freeware — free to use with advertising; the Advanced AI add-on is a paid subscription.

Alternatives

• GIMP — the leading open-source image editor for desktop.
• Krita — open-source painting and illustration application.