Photopea: Open and edit Photoshop files in the browser
4.5.2020
Translation: machine translated
Editing images in the web browser is practical. You don't have to install anything and the software is always available. Photopea is such a tool - and it can do an amazing amount.
There are plenty of inexpensive or free image editing programmes. For example, Photoshop Elements for around 70 francs or euros, Affinity Photo for even less, or GIMP for free.
If you are not working on your own computer, these applications are probably missing. Installing them separately is excessive or even impossible, for example on a company notebook without admin rights. It's no use even if the software is free.
In such cases, browser-based software is useful. Photopea.com is an image editing tool that runs in the web browser. This also means you never have to update, you always automatically use the latest version and save space on your hard drive.
Modelled on Photoshop
Photopea is modelled on Photoshop. The structure of the interface, the arrangement of the menus, the keyboard shortcuts and the functions themselves are as similar to Photoshop as possible. Anyone who is familiar with Photoshop will find their way around Photopea straight away.
However, you can't rely one hundred per cent on the Photoshop keyboard shortcuts. Some of them get in the way of the browser shortcuts. For example, if I want to close an image with Ctrl-W, the browser tab closes instead. With Google Chrome, you can save Photopea as an offline application by clicking on the plus button on the right-hand side of the address bar. There are no more shortcut conflicts in this application.
Photoshop files with layers (PSD or PDF) can be further edited in Photopea. Photopea also supports all common image formats such as JPEG, PNG, GIF or Tiff. The interface is available in English, German, French, Italian and numerous other languages.
Ad-supported and therefore free
Use is basically free of charge. As Ivan Kutskir, the developer behind Photopea, has to make a living, adverts are displayed on the right. As long as these adverts don't move or flash, I don't think that's a bad thing.
You can buy a plan, which costs 10 dollars for 3 months, to get rid of the adverts. As a little bonus, you also get 60 undo steps instead of just 30.
The first time you use the site, it also works with an ad blocker. From the second time onwards, a dialogue box constantly appears asking you to remove the blocker. You can bypass this with the cookie settings. However, I won't give you detailed instructions on how to deprive the developer of its revenue.
Solid features, poor RAW processing
Photopea doesn't have all the features of Photoshop. However, it can do much more than I can test for this article. I don't miss any of the basics. Layers with transparency and various blending modes, adjustment layers, filters, masking mode and various selection tools, copy stamps, image adjustments such as tonal correction, paths and channels, it's all there. As different things are important to different users, it's best to try out for yourself whether Photopea meets your requirements.
With large images, many things run very slowly. If Photopea has to calculate, it blocks the interface, and when I want to draw or select something with the mouse, I make mistakes.
Minimal RAW support
I am particularly interested in RAW support. Unfortunately, it happens from time to time that Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom are not available to me, and then I'm at a loss.
I haven't found a list anywhere of which cameras are supported. A random sample: Photopea reads the raw data from the relatively new Sony A7r IV, but not from the Sony Alpha 6400. The RAW-like DNG format works.
The RAW editing options are very limited. You can adjust the white balance, exposure and contrast. That's it. There is no automatic function and the exposure only consists of one slider. I need at least separate controls for depth and highlights in order to utilise the dynamic range of the RAW format sensibly.
Conclusion: A Photoshop backup available everywhere
Photopea is Photoshop Light in the browser. Photoshop files can be opened and edited. When Photopea has to do a lot of calculations in real time, it starts to jerk and the RAW converter is very rudimentary. Nevertheless, the browser application is a good thing. I have Photoshop and Lightroom, but I'm sure that sooner or later I'll find myself in a situation where I can make very good use of Photopea. Definitely good to know that it exists.
Do you know of a similar or better online tool in the style of Photopea?
David Lee
Senior Editor
David.Lee@digitecgalaxus.chMy interest in IT and writing landed me in tech journalism early on (2000). I want to know how we can use technology without being used. Outside of the office, I’m a keen musician who makes up for lacking talent with excessive enthusiasm.
