Photopea — Free browser Photoshop clone that opens PSD files with no install
What it is
Photopea replicates Photoshop's core editing in a browser tab, opens PSD, XCF, AI and Sketch files, supports layers, masks and smart objects, and runs on ad revenue with an optional premium tier. It is the go-to quick fix on machines without Photoshop. No local app means offline work is out, and very large files can choke the tab.
Editor's review
Long-form introduction by the BetterPicker editors · checked against the official site · Oct 22, 2026
Photopea is the Photoshop-shaped escape hatch: a full photo editor that runs in a browser tab, costs nothing, and opens your existing PSD files without complaint. The clone is deliberate - layers, masks, layer styles, smart objects, adjustment layers, channels and paths all behave the way Photoshop users expect, and keyboard shortcuts mostly carry over, with sensible browser adaptations like Alt+Control+T for free transform where Control+T would open a new tab. Format support is the quiet superpower: PSD is the native format, but the editor also opens and saves XCF, AI, Sketch, SVG, PDF, HEIC, RAW files from the major camera makers and dozens more, which makes it the universal translator for design files on machines with nothing installed. Everything runs locally in the tab - files never upload - so it works on locked-down office machines and Chromebooks, and performance tracks your hardware. The business model is ads on the free tier, with a cheap Premium subscription that removes them; a single developer has run the project for years, which shows in both the focus and the occasional rough edge. Limits are the browser's limits: very large files can choke a tab, there is no offline mode, and long stylus-driven retouching sessions feel better in desktop apps. It has outlived several well-funded competitors by staying small, fast and free, and the community treats that independence as a feature. Batch processing through scripts and a JavaScript API covers repetitive exports that would otherwise be manual.
What it does well
Photoshop fidelity without the price: the layout, tools and shortcuts mirror Photoshop closely enough that tutorials for one mostly apply to the other, and PSD round-trips stay faithful when colleagues on the paid suite reopen the file.
Universal file support: opening a GIMP XCF, an Illustrator AI, a camera RAW or a Sketch file in the same tab as a PSD makes it the quickest converter and editor to hand on any machine.
Local processing: images never leave the device, which matters for client work, sensitive photos and locked-down networks alike.
Who it's for
Anyone who occasionally needs real layer-based editing without a subscription; Linux and Chromebook users locked out of Adobe's desktop apps; designers who need to open or convert unfamiliar formats in a hurry; and students learning Photoshop concepts on zero budget.
Where it falls short
Browser ceilings: multi-gigabyte composites, heavy batch automation and long sessions are happier in desktop software, and closing the tab by accident loses unsaved work.
Ad-supported free tier: the ads are unobtrusive but present, and the Premium tier that removes them is a recurring cost however small.
One-developer risk: the project's pace and longevity ride on a single maintainer, with no enterprise support arrangement behind it.
Specs at a glance
Facts from the official site · not editorial opinion
| What it is | Free browser-based image editor replicating the Photoshop interface: layers, masks, smart objects, adjustment layers, channels, paths |
|---|---|
| Formats | PSD native (open and save); also XCF, AI, Sketch, SVG, PDF, HEIC, TIFF, EPS, INDD, CDR and 40 other formats |
| RAW support | DNG, CR2, CR3, NEF, ARW, RW2, RAF, ORF and FFF files with exposure and color adjustments |
| Privacy | Runs fully local in the browser tab; files processed on your device, never uploaded |
| AI features | One-click background removal; text-prompted replacement of image regions |
| Price | Free with ads; Premium subscription (about US$5/mo) removes advertising |
| Platforms | Any device with a modern browser, incl. Chromebooks and Linux machines with no native Adobe support |
Frequently asked questions
▸Is Photopea really free?
Yes. The full editor is free with ads, and the paid Premium tier only removes advertising. There is no feature paywall on core editing.
▸Do my files get uploaded to a server?
No. Photopea runs locally in your browser tab, using your device's CPU and GPU. Files open and stay on your machine.
▸Can it open Photoshop PSD files?
Yes, PSD is Photopea's main format, and it saves back to PSD as well. Layers, masks, smart objects and text survive the round trip in typical documents.
▸How close is it to real Photoshop?
Close enough that most Photoshop tutorials apply directly: the tool layout, shortcuts and concepts match, with small browser-specific tweaks like Alt+Control+T for free transform.
Video reviews
3 review videos aggregated · praise and criticism included alike · click through to the original video
![Photopea - Tutorial for Beginners in 13 MINUTES! [ COMPLETE ] review video thumbnail](/thumbs/a3aPaTNV5g4.jpg)
Channels that covered it
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Where to go next
External links open in a new tab; external content is independent of this site.
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