Pcworld iconPcworldSep 18, 2026 ~1 min source read

This free Photoshop alternative runs right in your browser

As an alternative, I recommend checking out Photopea. It can be tough to justify shelling out for Photoshop if you only need to edit images every now and then.

This free Photoshop alternative runs right in your browser

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It can be tough to justify shelling out for Photoshop if you only need to edit images every now and then.

It supports layers, masks, filters, smart objects, vector graphics, and AI tools for things like removing backgrounds or replacing parts of an image—and it does a pretty good job of it too.

You can use it for quick jobs like cropping, resizing, or touching up a photo, but Photopea goes well beyond the basics.

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The useful part

It can be tough to justify shelling out for Photoshop if you only need to edit images every now and then. You can use it for quick jobs like cropping, resizing, or touching up a photo, but Photopea goes well beyond the basics. It supports layers, masks, filters, smart objects, vector graphics, and AI tools for things like removing backgrounds or replacing parts of an image—and it does a pretty good job of it too.

How it works

  • It can also open and save PSD files, which makes it especially useful if someone sends you a Photoshop file and you don't actually have Photoshop.
  • You've got your tools on the left, layers on the right, and menus across the top.
  • If you've ever spent any time in Photoshop, you'll be able to find your way around pretty quickly.
  • Photopea is entirely free and you don't have to install anything or make an account.
  • Since it's browser-based, you can simply open the Photopea site and start editing.

What to take from it

Your files are also processed locally on your device instead of being uploaded to Photopea's servers. The free version has ads, and large or complicated projects can bog things down a bit. For quick edits, memes, graphics, or the odd PSD file, Photopea is a surprisingly capable tool that I think is worth keeping bookmarked.

Details worth keeping

As an alternative, I recommend checking out Photopea. It's a free image editor that runs right in your browser. For more fun and helpful tips, tricks, website an...

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