Photopea

What it is

Photopea is a browser-based image editor that opens PSD, XCF and Sketch files without installing anything. It reproduces a large part of the Photoshop interface — layers, masks, adjustment layers, blend modes and the familiar keyboard shortcuts — so anyone who has used a desktop editor can work immediately. Everything runs locally in the browser tab, which means files are not uploaded to a server, and the free version is funded by a sidebar advert rather than a trial limit. Who it is for: anyone who needs to open, retouch or export a Photoshop file on a machine where Photoshop is not installed, including Chromebooks and locked-down office laptops. Freelancers use it to handle client PSDs without paying for a Creative Cloud seat, and students use it as a free way to learn layer-based editing. Where it falls short: everything runs inside the browser tab, so memory is the ceiling. Multi-gigabyte files with hundreds of layers become sluggish or fail to open, and there is no batch processing or scripting for repetitive work. The free version shows ads beside the canvas; the paid Premium tier removes them and extends undo history. It is a strong stand-in for Photoshop, not a replacement for a full production pipeline, and it has no equivalent to Lightroom-style catalogue management.

Key features

• PSD and Sketch support

  Opens layered files from Photoshop, GIMP, Sketch and Figma, and exports back to PSD.

• Runs in the browser

  Nothing is installed and nothing is uploaded — the editor works on the file locally in the tab.

• Familiar shortcuts

  Layer, mask and selection shortcuts largely match Photoshop, so existing habits carry over.

• Non-destructive editing

  Adjustment layers, smart objects and layer masks let you revise choices rather than repeat work.

Strengths and trade-offs

Who it is for

Anyone who needs to open or tweak a layered file on a machine without Photoshop.

Pick it or skip it

Frequently asked questions

Is Photopea free, and what does Premium cost?

The full editor runs free in the browser with no account. Photopea Premium is $5 per month and the vendor describes it as voluntary support for development; its own announcement says there is no functional difference beyond possible beta features or themes and, in the live app, an ad-free workspace.

Does Photopea have a free plan?

Yes. Photopea offers a free tier with limits; paid plans unlock higher usage or team features.

Who is Photopea best for?

Anyone who needs to open or tweak a layered file on a machine without Photoshop.

What are the main drawbacks of Photopea?

The trade-offs we noted: Ads on the free version; Performance depends on your browser; Not suited to very large files.

When should you not use Photopea?

Skip Photopea if: You expect the $5/month Premium to unlock features — the vendor's own Premium post says it currently gives no extra features and is a way to support development; You work with very large files; the editor runs in your browser and performance depends on it; Ads on the free version are a problem in your environment.