Photopea vs Adobe Express
Side-by-side comparison of Photopea and Adobe Express.
Photoshop-compatible image editor that runs in browsers
Quick graphic design for creators without design skills
What they are
Photopea
Photopea is a free, browser-based image editor that opens and saves PSD, XD, Sketch, PDF, and standard raster formats without any installation. Designers, content creators, and hobbyists use it to retouch photos, build thumbnails, and work with layered files on any device. It mirrors Photoshop's interface closely enough that existing PSD workflows transfer without friction, though ads on the free tier can interrupt focus.
Adobe Express
Adobe Express is a browser and mobile-based design tool for creating social graphics, short videos, PDFs, and branded content. It targets content creators, small business owners, and educators who need polished visuals without opening Photoshop. The free tier covers basic templates and assets, while the paid plan unlocks Adobe Stock access, premium templates, and generative AI features. The brand kit and one-click resize tools are genuinely useful for creators managing multiple platforms.
if you need thumbnails and visuals. It has a usable free tier to start with.
- +Runs entirely in the browser with no install required
- +Opens native PSD, AI, XD, and Sketch files accurately
- +Interface closely mirrors Photoshop, reducing the learning curve for existing users
if you need video editing and thumbnails and visuals. It has a usable free tier to start with.
- +Large library of templates covering social, video, and document formats
- +Brand kit stores fonts, colors, and logos for consistent output
- +Generative AI image tools are included in the paid plan
Which to choose
Photopea and Adobe Express both cover thumbnails and visuals, so this is a real either-or for some teams. The right pick depends on which one's wider feature set and pricing fit how you work.
Read the full reviews for Photopea and Adobe Express.
Pricing checked 7 Jun 2026.