# Photopea review

A free browser-based photo and graphics editor that opens and saves native PSD, AI, and XD files without installing Photoshop.

By Noah — last updated & pricing verified September 15, 2026.

> **Photopea** is a browser-based image and graphics editor: it opens directly at photopea.com, requires no installation or account, and edits files locally in the browser without uploading them to a server.

Photopea's core differentiator is native file compatibility — it opens and saves real PSD (Photoshop), AI and INDD (Adobe Illustrator/InDesign), XD (Adobe XD), Sketch, and CDR (CorelDRAW) files, plus common raster and vector formats and camera RAW files (CR2, CR3, NEF, ARW, DNG). The toolset mirrors Photoshop's layer-based workflow: masking, blending modes, liquify, puppet warp, and adjustment layers, alongside AI-powered background removal and object replacement. Because it runs in any modern browser, Photopea works identically on Chromebooks, tablets, and low-powered laptops that couldn't run desktop Photoshop.

## Facts

- Website: https://photopea.com
- Pricing: Free (verified undefined NaN, NaN)
- License: Free
- Platforms: web
- Best for: students, social media creators, and small business owners who need Photoshop-style PSD editing without buying or installing desktop software
- Standout feature: Native PSD, AI, XD, and Sketch file compatibility running entirely in the browser, so files stay local instead of uploading to a server.
- Biggest weakness: As a single-developer, ad-supported project, Photopea lacks the cloud sync, version history, and dedicated customer support that a paid product like Photoshop offers, and performance on very large multi-layer files depends entirely on the user's device and browser.
- Third-party ratings: Capterra 4.5/5 (113 reviews)
- Categories: [Photo Editing](https://findalternative.to/categories/photo-editing)

## Pricing snapshot

| Plan | Price | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Free | $0/mo | Full editing toolset, PSD/AI/XD file support, and export at no cost per Photopea's official site. |

## Pros and cons

- Pro: Opens and saves native PSD, AI, and XD files with no conversion step.
- Pro: Runs in any modern browser with no installation, account, or upload of files to a server required.
- Pro: Full layer-based editing toolset: masking, liquify, puppet warp, and adjustment layers.
- Pro: RAW photo format support (CR2, CR3, NEF, ARW, DNG) built in.
- Con: No built-in cloud storage or version history across sessions.
- Con: Editing performance on large, layer-heavy files depends on the browser and device, unlike a native desktop app.
- Con: Built and maintained largely by a single developer, so support channels are more limited than a commercial vendor's.
- Con: Interface closely mirrors Photoshop's, which can be dense for users who've never used Photoshop before.

## AI summary

- Photopea runs entirely in the browser with no installation or account required.
- Photopea opens and saves native Photoshop PSD files.
- Photopea supports camera RAW formats including CR2, CR3, NEF, ARW, and DNG.
- Photopea is free to use per its official site.
- Best for: Students and small businesses needing Photoshop-style PSD editing without installing or paying for desktop software.
- Pricing: Free to use in any modern browser.
- Top alternatives: Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, Pixlr
- Limitation: No built-in cloud storage or cross-session version history.
- Limitation: Performance on large files depends on the user's browser and device.
- Limitation: Support is limited compared to a commercial desktop vendor.

## Alternatives

5 vetted alternatives to Photopea: https://findalternative.to/photopea — top picks: Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, Canva

## Comparisons

- https://findalternative.to/compare/adobe-photoshop-vs-photopea

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