Best Photoshop Alternatives Online

Best Free Photoshop Alternatives Online in 2027

Looking for a free online Photoshop alternative? Whether you need a free online photo editor or an AI-powered design tool, there are excellent options available.

In this guide, we compare the best Photoshop alternatives online based on:

• Price
• Ease of use
• Features
• PSD compatibility
• AI tools
• Best use cases
• Overall score

Online Photo Editing Software Free like Photoshop Compared

Some of these Photoshop online alternatives focus on professional photo editing, while others make graphic design or AI-powered editing easier for beginners.

Online Photoshop Alternatives: Best For

Finding a good Photoshop alternative online is easier than ever. Modern browser-based editors can handle photo editing, graphic design, AI tools, templates, and even professional workflows without requiring software installation.

Whether you are a beginner creating social media graphics or a designer looking for a lightweight Photoshop replacement, these online editors provide different solutions depending on your needs.

I listed the best online Photoshop alternatives based on features, ease of use, strengths, limitations, and ideal users. If you need the best Photoshop alternatives for web and desktop check out this complete list.

1. Photopea (96%)

Best Overall Photoshop Alternative Online

Photopea is the closest browser-based alternative to Photoshop. It provides advanced editing tools inside a web browser and supports professional formats such as PSD. If you want to use Photoshop online free without download, this tool is an excellent choice.

Features:

• PSD file support
• Layer-based editing
• Layer masks
• Smart Objects
• Adjustment layers
• Filters and effects
• Vector editing tools

✅ Pros:

• Most similar workflow to Photoshop
• Works without installation
• Supports professional file formats
• Suitable for advanced editing

Cons:

• Interface can feel complex for beginners
• Free version includes advertisements

Best For: Photoshop users, Designers working with PSD files, Advanced photo editing

2. MockoFun (86%)

Best Photoshop Alternative Online for Beginners

MockoFun is a beginner-friendly online photo editor like Photoshop and graphic design tool focused on creating visual content quickly. It combines image editing with templates, typography, and creative design features. MockoFun is one of the best browser photo editor that you can find for free.

Features:

• Photo editing tools
• Ajustment layers
• Non-destructive smart photo filters
• Layers and Layer masks
• Clipping masks
• Blending modes
• Background removal
• Transparent PNG download
• Fonts & Text effects
• Shapes and icons
• Graphic design templates
• AI-powered creative tools

✅ Pros:

• Easy learning curve
• Designed for non-designers
• Strong typography features
• Fast browser-based workflow

Cons:

• Does NOT open PSD files
• Not built for professional photo manipulation
• Fewer advanced editing controls than Photoshop

Best For: Beginners, Students, Bloggers, Social media creators, Small businesses

3. Pixlr (81%)

Best AI-Powered Online Photo Editor

Pixlr combines traditional photo editing with artificial intelligence tools, making it useful for users who want fast edits without learning complex software.

Features:

• AI background removal
• AI image generation
• Object removal
• Photo filters
• Layer editing
• Design templates

✅ Pros:

• Fast AI-assisted editing
• Simple interface
• Good balance between editing and design tools

Cons:

• Some AI features require payment
• Advanced workflows are limited

Best For: Quick photo editing, Content creators, Marketing graphics

4. SumoPaint (76%)

Best Online Drawing Alternative

SumoPaint has strong digital painting/illustration options, but it is also a layer-based raster editor with many Photoshop-like tools.

Features:

• Digital brushes
• Drawing tools
• Layers
• Basic filters and adjutments
• Masks, blend modes
• Painting effects

✅ Pros:

• Good for creative drawing
• Works directly in browser

Cons:

• Not focused on photo editing
• Limited Photoshop-style tools

Best For: Artists, Digital painting beginners

5. Polarr (65%)

Best Online Tool for Color Editing

Polarr specializes in photo filters and professional-looking color adjustments.

Features:

• Color correction
• Custom filters
• LUT support
• Presets
• Portrait adjustments

✅ Pros:

• Strong color editing controls
• Good for photography workflows

Cons:

• Not suitable for graphic design
• Requires some editing knowledge

Best For: Photographers, Photo enthusiasts

6. Adobe Express (60%)

Best Simple Adobe-Based Online Editor

Adobe Express provides simplified Adobe editing tools through a browser interface. It focuses on quick content creation rather than advanced Photoshop workflows.

Features:

• AI-powered editing
• Templates
• Image resizing
• Background removal
• Adobe ecosystem integration

✅ Pros:

• Trusted Adobe technology
• Easy for beginners
• Good branding tools

Cons:

• Advanced features require paid plans
• Less control than Photoshop

Best For: Adobe users, Marketing teams, Quick content creation

7. Canva (55%)

Best Online Photoshop Alternative for Graphic Design

Canva is mainly a visual design platform rather than a Photoshop replacement. It is ideal for creating graphics, presentations, and social media content.

Features:

• Design templates
• Drag-and-drop editor
• Background remover
• Brand kits
• AI design tools
• Collaboration features

✅ Pros:

• Extremely beginner-friendly
• Large template library
• Easy team collaboration

Cons:

• Limited advanced photo editing
• Less suitable for professional image manipulation

Best For: Beginners, Businesses, Social media managers

8. Fotor (45%)

Best Online Editor for Portrait Enhancement

Fotor focuses on improving photos quickly, especially portraits and social media images.

Features:

• AI photo enhancement
• Portrait retouching
• Filters
• Batch editing
• Image effects

✅ Pros:

• Simple editing process
• Good automatic improvements

Cons:

• Not designed for advanced design work
• Many features require premium access

Best For: Portrait editing, Casual photographers, Social media users

9. BeFunky (40%)

Best Simple Photo Editor Online

BeFunky is designed for users who need quick edits without complicated tools.

Features:

• Basic photo adjustments
• Collage maker
• Effects
• Templates
• Graphic design tools

✅ Pros:

• Easy to use
• Fast editing workflow

Cons:

• Limited professional features
• Less flexibility for advanced users

Best For: Casual users, Students, Simple projects

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Photoshop Alternatives

What is the best online Photoshop alternative?

Photopea is the closest replacement because it supports PSD files, layers, masks, and many Photoshop features directly in your browser.

Which Online Photoshop Alternative Should You Choose?

The answer to "what are the best alternatives to Photoshop" depends on which exact Photoshop features you are looking for. Different alternatives are better suited for different Photoshop workflows.

• Choose Photopea if: You know Photoshop, you work with PSD files, you need professional tools.
• Choose MockoFun if: You're a beginner, you need quick photo editing, you design YouTube thumbnails, posters or social media graphics, you want an easy browser editor.
• Choose Canva if: You mainly create marketing content.
• Choose Pixlr if: You want AI editing features.
• Choose Adobe Express if: You already use Adobe Creative Cloud.

Is there a free Photoshop alternative online?

Yes. Photopea, MockoFun, Pixlr, Canva, and SumoPaint all offer free plans with useful editing features.

Which online editor is easiest for beginners?

MockoFun and Canva are among the easiest options. Their interfaces are simple, include ready-made templates, and require little learning. MockoFun is best for photo editing and composition, graphic design, text effects, etc. while Canva is great for creating social media content and has lots of pre-made templates.

Can online editors replace Photoshop?

For everyday tasks such as social media graphics, blog images, basic photo editing, and simple design work, yes. Professional print production, advanced compositing, and complex retouching still favor Photoshop.

How to edit PSD file online without Photoshop?

You can edit a PSD file online for free using Photopea, which is the most powerful browser-based alternative to Adobe Photoshop. It supports opening, editing, and exporting PSD files while preserving most layers and effects.

Final Verdict

🎨 If your goal is a true Photoshop replacement, Photopea remains the strongest browser-based Photoshop alternative online.

✨ If you want the easiest online editor for making photo edits, graphics, thumbnails, blog images, and marketing materials, MockoFun is among the best Photoshop alternatives online.

🤖 For AI-powered editing, Pixlr and Adobe Express are strong contenders, while Canva remains one of the best all-around tools for beginners.

⭐ My favorite online Photoshop alternative for beginners is MockoFun. I use Mockofun for quick photo edits like adjustments, filters, cropping, resizing, etc. The only downside is that I can not open and edit my old PSD files.

If you want to learn more about Photoshop, its newer versions, here is a list with all the Photoshop versions and a short history of this iconic tool.