How to open PSD files without Photoshop: 11 programs and services

2023 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-24 10:51

View, convert and edit images with these free tools.

The programs and services listed below do not claim to be a complete replacement for Photoshop. Even the most advanced ones offer fewer options and may not recognize some layers.

But if all you need to do is view a PSD file, convert it to another format, or make simple edits, these tools will suffice.

1. GIMP

• Type of: editor, converter.
• Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux.

GIMP is for photography, design and painting. Although this editor is inferior in terms of the number of functions of Photoshop, it is also a professional-grade program. It lets you work with layers and convert PSD to many popular formats, including JPEG, PNG, GIF, PDF, WEBP, and BMP.

GIMP →

2. Autodesk SketchBook

• Type of: editor, converter.
• Platforms: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS.

This cross-platform application is geared towards sketching, but also works for simple image editing. With the help of the program, you can correct the size, erase unnecessary elements or apply notes. Autodesk SketchBook supports layers. The open file can be converted to formats such as JPEG, PNG, and BMP. The app is free, but for non-commercial use only.

Autodesk Sketchbook →

3. Artweaver

• Type of: editor, converter.
• Platform: Windows.

A powerful drawing program used by hobbyists and pros alike. Artweaver displays layers, allows you to cut out slices, apply filters and paint over images with brushes. Open PSD file can be saved in BMP, JPEG, GIF,-p.webp

Artweaver →

4. Paint. NET

• Type of: editor, converter.
• Platform: Windows.

A relatively simple photo editor that allows you to apply various effects, adjust colors, cut out fragments, resize and paint over images. Paint. NET doesn't read PSD by default. But you can install a free plugin that will add format support to the program. Then you can edit PSD files and save the result in JPEG, PNG, GIF, WEBP, BMP and more.

To install the PSD plugin, proceed as follows:

• Download and install Paint. NET.
• Download and unzip it.
• Close Paint. NET if it is running.
• Go to the folder where you installed the program and open the FileTypes directory in it.
• Copy the contents of the archive here.

Paint. NET →

5. Photopea

• Type of: editor, converter.
• Platform: web.

The main advantage of this tool is that you don't need to install anything. Just go to Photopea's website, upload your PSD file and you're good to go. The interface is very similar to Photoshop and offers tons of tools for retouching, design, and painting. An open file can be converted to many popular formats, from JPEG to PDF.

The service is free, but it displays ads. For $ 9 a month, you can turn off ads and expand the change history limit from 30 to 60 actions.

Photopea →

6. XnView MP

• Type of: viewer, editor, converter.
• Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux.

Powerful cross-platform viewer that reads over 500 image formats, including PSD. The program also supports some editor functions: you can correct colors, apply effects, crop areas and resize images. Finally, XnView MP allows you to convert PSD to all popular image formats. But the program does not recognize layers.

XnView MP →

7. FastStone Image Viewer

• Type of: viewer, editor, converter.
• Platform: Windows.

FSIV allows you to view PSDs and perform basic operations in the built-in editor - from color correction to resizing. But only over the entire image as a whole, and not separate layers. Documents can be converted to 20 different formats, including JPG, PNG, and GIF.

FastStone Image Viewer →

8. IrfanView

• Type of: viewer, converter
• Platform: Windows.

Another omnivorous viewer that reads including PSD. You cannot edit layers in IrfanView, but the program allows you to convert PSD-files to JPEG, PNG, GIF, WEBP, BMP and other formats. Another plus of IrfanView is its high speed even on weak PCs.

IrfanView →

9. PSD Viewer

• Type of: viewer, converter.
• Platforms: web, Windows.

PSD Viewer is a simple service for viewing and converting PSD online. An open document can be converted to JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP and TIFF right in the browser. Also, PSD Viewer has a Windows app, but the program only works as a viewer.

PSD Viewer →

10. "Photos" from Apple

• Type of: viewer, editor, converter.
• Platform: iOS.

The standard iOS Photos app allows you to open PSDs without additional software. It can also be used to correct colors, apply filters and convert a document to-j.webp

11. Google Drive

• Type of: viewer.
• Platforms: web, Android, iOS.

You can use Google Drive as a simple viewer for PSD files. Upload the document to the cloud and you can view it on the website or in the service applications.

Google Drive →

This material was first published in March 2017. In May 2020, we updated the text.