Photopea vs Pixlr (March 2026)
| PtPhotopea | PxPixlr | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Free Tier | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Best For | Quick photo edits without software installation, Freelance work on multiple devices | Quick social media photo edits, AI-assisted background removal for designs |
Photopea edges ahead with a 4.8/5 rating versus Pixlr's 4.2/5, offering stronger value for most teams.
Quick Overview
Photopea
A free, browser-based photo editor offering Photoshop-like tools for raster and vector graphics. Supports PSD, AI, and R...
- Best for: Quick photo edits without software installation, Freelance work on multiple devices
- Starting price: Free
- Category: Photo Editing Software
- Founded: 2013
- Pricing model: freemium
Pixlr
Pixlr is a free online AI-powered photo editor suite available via browser, mobile, and desktop, offering tools for edit...
- Best for: Quick social media photo edits, AI-assisted background removal for designs
- Starting price: Free
- Category: Photo Editing Software
- Founded: 2011
- Pricing model: freemium
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Photopea | Pixlr |
|---|---|---|
| Layers and Masks | ✓ | ✗ |
| Smart Objects | ✓ | ✗ |
| RAW File Support | ✓ | ✗ |
| AI Background Removal | ✓ | ✗ |
| Magic Replace | ✓ | ✗ |
| Vector Graphics Editing | ✓ | ✗ |
| PSD Import/Export | ✓ | ✗ |
| Adjustment Layers | ✓ | ✗ |
| Filters and Effects | ✓ | ✓ |
| Animated GIF Support | ✓ | ✗ |
| Offline Editing | ✓ | ✗ |
| Multi-format Export | ✓ | ✗ |
| AI Image Generator | ✗ | ✓ |
| AI Generative Fill | ✗ | ✓ |
| AI Remove Background | ✗ | ✓ |
| AI Remove Object | ✗ | ✓ |
| AI Image Expand | ✗ | ✓ |
| Brightness & Contrast Adjustment | ✗ | ✓ |
| Crop and Resize Tools | ✗ | ✓ |
| Layers Panel | ✗ | ✓ |
| Text and Overlays | ✗ | ✓ |
| Liquify Tool | ✗ | ✓ |
| Collage Maker | ✗ | ✓ |
| History Panel | ✗ | ✓ |
| Cross-Platform Sync | ✗ | ✓ |
| Multiple File Format Support | ✗ | ✓ |
Pricing Comparison
Prices last verified: March 16, 2026
Pixlr
Pros & Cons
Photopea
- Completely free with professional features
- No installation required - runs in browser
- Supports complex file formats like PSD and RAW
- Works offline on any device
- Performance can lag with large files
- Free version includes distracting ads
- Not 100% identical to Photoshop features
- AI features are limited in free tier
Pixlr
- Fully free tier with core editing tools
- Cross-platform access with device syncing
- Intuitive interface for beginners and professionals
- Advanced AI tools for quick edits
- Free tier includes ads
- Premium AI features locked behind subscription
- Limited pricing transparency
- Dependent on internet for web version
Which Is Best for You?
Choose Photopea if:
- Quick photo edits without software installation
- Freelance work on multiple devices
- Educational projects and presentations
- Creating promotional materials and product photos
- You want to start with a free plan
- Higher user rating matters to you (4.8 vs 4.2)
Choose Pixlr if:
- Quick social media photo edits
- AI-assisted background removal for designs
- Beginner-friendly retouching and filters
- Educational photo projects
- You want to start with a free plan
- Budget is a priority (Free vs $5)
Our Verdict
After thorough analysis, Photopea takes the lead in this comparison with a higher rating of 4.8/5 versus Pixlr's 4.2/5.
Photopea is best for Quick photo edits without software installation and Freelance work on multiple devices. Completely free with professional features.
Pixlr remains a strong alternative, especially for Quick social media photo edits and AI-assisted background removal for designs. Fully free tier with core editing tools.
Pricing-wise, Pixlr is the more affordable starting option. Evaluate free trials of both before committing.