Browser-based image editors are typically considered compromises, and often they are. Many of them are slow and incapable of handling anything beyond the basics. I’ve tried a ton of browser-based graphics apps in my life, but I usually end up going back to my trusted desktop stack, which used to include Photoshop.

Enter Photopea. I discovered this editor several years ago now and it is truly one of the most Photoshop-like editors I’ve ever used, and it runs entirely in your browser. It’s an indie project designed specifically as a free Photoshop replacement, and it’s become my go-to for anything that I used to rely on Photoshop for, given it has many of the same features. Here’s why it’s a browser tool worth trying and what you can actually do with it.

Photopea works without installation

No downloads

Photopea is an image editor that runs right inside your browser using Javascript and web standards, and it processes your files on your device. Because it leverages modern browser APIs, there’s zero installation required and no backend server to process your work. It also has a Progressive Web App, which you “install” in browsers like Chrome or Brave, and once it’s loaded you can use it offline. The app itself still runs in your browser because it’s not a local app you get through a traditional installer, but your data never leaves your device unless you specify otherwise.

Photopea is very powerful and capable of Photoshop-like image editing tasks, thanks to a mix of optimized Javascript and WebAssembly, efficient memory management, GPU acceleration, and progressive loading of features. Overall, Photopea is just more accessible than Photoshop; anyone with a device that can run a browser can use it. And there’s no cost either, though you can get one of the one-time payment options for more AI credits and no ads (the free version will typically encourage you to turn ad blockers off as well).

The Photoshop-like features Photopea has

It’s almost a clone

Photopea does have its own essence, a couple of unique features, and its philosophy is clearly more accessibility-and privacy-oriented than Adobe products. But it has more in common with Photoshop than it doesn’t. These are the Photoshop-like features you can expect to find in Photopea:

• PSD support
• RAW support
• Basic vector editing
• Smart objects
• Adjustment layers
• Puppet warp
• Vanishing point
• Advanced text tools
• Selection tools like Lasso, Object, and Magic Wand
• Retouching tools like Spot Healing and Patch
• Background removal
• Similar filter effects

When I used it for the first time, I was beyond surprised to find all of this in a free browser app. It’s not a complete match for Photoshop - there are no generative AI features (at least not for free users), content-aware fill, Neural filters, 3D tools, Actions, and a couple more. But for edits in the same calibre as tools like Photoshop or even Affinity, it’s more than enough.

What you can do with Photopea

Photoshop-like edits without the cost

Photopea lets you do proper image and graphics work, not just quick touch-ups, cropping, or meme edits. For starters, you can open your Photoshop projects with dozens of layers, adjustment layers, masks, or blend modes, and they’ll behave exactly how you’d expect. This means real advanced compositing work is possible, like cutting subjects out cleanly, blending more than one image together, and building layered graphics for things like thumbnails or blog headers. Keep in mind that there’s always a risk of something breaking when transferring PSD files anywhere, which has happened to me a few times - but it’s smooth sailing most of the time.

It’s great for design and layout-style work, too. I use it as the last stop to put together graphic ideas for social media posts, presentations, and even UI projects sometimes. Its shape and brush kits are massive, and it also has guides that feel very familiar to Photoshop’s. You can tweak things like spacing and alignment with complete precision, and you can export assets in custom sizes to fit the platform you’re posting to. If you’re doing any kind of web or content work, Photopea steps in as a great design tool for creating visuals that look sharp.

Photopea is also a top choice for photo editing and retouching. You’ve got tools for skin smoothing, teeth whitening, unwanted object removal, flyaway hair removal, and red eye removal with human and animal subjects. And everything else for professional shots is there - color correction, dodge and burn, frequency separation, sharpening, blurring, glare removal, adding light flares, liquifying, and much more. It also really shines with masking. You can isolate objects cleanly, refine the edges around fur or hair, and selectively apply adjustments. And all of it remains non-destructive - you can roll back changes or tweak them at any point.

Photopea just works

I can write a book about Photopea at this point because it’s just a fantastic Photoshop alternative. Even though Affinity is free now too, I still default to Photopea for most of my work because of muscle memory, powerful Photoshop-like features, and ease of use. I can even run it in a browser on my flimsy Chromebook when I’m away from my desktop. I’ll never not recommend Photopea to users thinking of ditching PS or who don’t want a subscription in the first place (and who are also open-minded about using browser-based tools). It’s as close as you’ll get to a free Photoshop.