Compared · checked 2026-10-24

The best free online photo editors

You no longer need a paid subscription for layers, masks and PSD files. Here are three free editors that run in a browser and the classic free desktop editor, compared on what they really do for free.

We make Image Editor, one of the tools on this page. Every fact about the other tools comes from their own pages, linked under each one, as they read on 2026-10-24. Prices and features change: check each site before you choose.

How we compared them

• Free to use for real work, with no watermark
• Photoshop-style editing: layers, masks, blend modes and PSD files
• Privacy and convenience: no account, no upload, works offline
• What the free version costs you in other ways, such as ads

At a glance

1. Image Editor (ours)

Best for: A Photoshop-style editor in the browser with no ads, no account and nothing uploaded, that opens and saves PSD.

Good

• Layers, masks and 17 blend modes; real PSD open and save; camera RAW with white balance and exposure
• 50+ filters, brush packs and Photoshop .abr brush import; works with a finger or a pen on iPhone, iPad and Android, with pen pressure for brushes
• Select Subject and Isolate Subject with AI models that run on your device
• Generate Image… and Edit with AI… make or change a picture with your own OpenAI, Gemini or OpenRouter key; Edit with AI changes only the selected area
• An AI button that can do the work in the app for you, with a model on your device, Ollama or LM Studio on your computer, or your own key for Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini and others
• Record steps as a macro and play them again, or run them on many files in Workflows
• Tabs, autosave and an offline .html edition; open source (MIT)
• Works on your phone, tablet and computer in the browser, even offline

Not so good

• Camera RAW is developed to 8-bit, and its engine (1.4 MB) downloads on first use
• Generating or changing pictures with AI needs your own key, and the picture then goes to that provider; with no key, retouching is by Clone Stamp and Healing Brush
• From PSD, layer groups are flattened and text layers open as pixels

Open Image Editor

2. Photopea

Best for: The widest file support in a browser: PSD, RAW, AI, Sketch and more, plus AI tools.

Good

• Opens and saves PSD as its main format; also opens RAW, PDF, AI, SVG, HEIC, Sketch and more
• Runs on your device, using your CPU and GPU; files do not leave it
• Works offline once loaded, with no account
• AI features such as background removal and Magic Replace

Not so good

• Ads take 5% to 15% of the screen in the free version
• Heavier AI use needs Premium

Photopea website · Sources: Photopea home, Photopea: how ads are shown, Photopea learn, Photopea: opening and saving, Photopea AI, Photopea for schools, Photopea: Type tool, Photopea: install to your device, Photopea on GitHub

3. GIMP

Best for: A full desktop editor that is free software, with plug-ins, scripting and no ads.

Good

• Free software: you can change the source and share your changes
• Non-destructive filters, link and vector layers in 3.2
• Improved PSD import and export, PSB export, layer styles on import
• Many plug-ins and scripts in C, C++, Python and Scheme; camera RAW through darktable, RawTherapee or ART

Not so good

• A desktop install, not a web page
• RAW editing needs a separate program

GIMP website · Sources: GIMP home, About GIMP, GIMP 3.0 release notes, GIMP 3.2 release notes, GIMP 2.4 release notes, GIMP privacy policy, GIMP user FAQ

4. Pixlr

Best for: Quick AI edits on the web and on phones, with generative fill and object removal.

Good

• Pixlr Editor has layers with masks and blend modes
• Many AI tools: generative fill and expand, background and object removal, Super Scale
• iOS and Android apps; free for education

Not so good

• Ads and limited saves on the free version; ad-free and unlimited saves are paid perks
• The web editor needs an internet connection; offline use is in the desktop app for subscribers
• Exports JPEG, PNG and WebP

Pixlr website · Sources: Pixlr home and FAQ, Pixlr Editor, Pixlr pricing, Pixlr Suite FAQ, Pixlr Desktop, Pixlr licence agreement

Which one to choose

Image Editor is our pick for layered photo editing in the browser: layers, masks and real PSD open and save, camera RAW, no ads, no account and nothing uploaded, open source, and it installs from the browser and works offline. AI pictures and edits work with your own key, and PSD layer groups and text are flattened.

Choose Photopea if you need the widest file support (RAW, AI, Sketch and more) or AI tools, and can live with ads on part of the screen. Choose GIMP for the most powerful free desktop editor, with plug-ins and scripting. Choose Pixlr for quick AI edits such as generative fill without bringing your own key, and for its phone apps.

Questions

Which free online photo editor opens PSD files?

Photopea and Image Editor open and save PSD in the browser; GIMP imports and exports PSD on the desktop. Pixlr opens layered PSD files and exports JPEG, PNG and WebP.

Is there a free photo editor without ads?

Image Editor has no ads in the editor, and GIMP says it contains no advertisements or trackers. Photopea shows ads in its free version and Pixlr removes ads on paid plans.

Do these editors upload my photos?

Photopea and Image Editor say the photo stays on your device. GIMP is a desktop program. Pixlr's web editor needs an internet connection.

Can I edit RAW photos for free?

Photopea opens RAW files such as DNG, CR2, NEF and ARW. GIMP works with RAW through darktable, RawTherapee or ART. Image Editor opens CR2, CR3, NEF, ARW, DNG, RAF and other RAW files with a Develop dialog for white balance and exposure.

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