Convert a PSD without Photoshop

You do not need a Photoshop license to get a PNG out of a .psd. The right tool depends on whether you need to edit the file, whether you are willing to upload it, and how close the result must be to Photoshop’s renderer. The converter above is the no-upload option.

This page compares four practical paths. Prices and limits were checked on 13 November 2026. Vendors change plans, so re-check the cited pages if you are reading this later.

1. A full in-browser editor: Photopea

Photopea is a capable browser editor. It can open PSD files, let you change layers, and export PNG or JPG. There is a free tier with ads. Photopea Premium exists; Photopea’s official account documentation describes the upgrade inside the app’s Account window and does not publish a single official euro or dollar price on that page. We will not invent a number here. See Photopea accounts and Premium.

Choose Photopea if you need to edit, retouch, or rebuild layers, and you are comfortable using a full editor in the browser.

Choose something else if you only want a convert button, or you do not want to work in a large editor UI.

Layerzip is not a Photopea alternative in the “editor” sense. It is a narrower converter.

2. Upload-based converters: CloudConvert and Convertio

These sites take the file on a server, convert it, and return a download.

CloudConvert

According to CloudConvert’s pricing page (checked 13 Nov 2026):

  • Free usage includes 10 credits per day.
  • Free-plan file size up to 1 GB, 5 concurrent conversions (as stated on that pricing page at the time of the check).
  • Paid plans add more credits and features; see their page for current package prices.

CloudConvert is a strong general converter (many formats, APIs). The trade-off is that the file is uploaded.

Convertio

According to Convertio’s official help article Free tier limit for file conversions and Convertio pricing (checked 13 Nov 2026):

  • Official free tier: 10 credits per 24 hours, max 1 GB per file, 10 concurrent conversions.
  • Paid Lite plans started at $6.99/month when billed yearly, or $11.99/month billed monthly, on the pricing page that day. Always confirm on their site; promotions change.

Same trade-off: convenient, many formats, the PSD is sent to their service.

3. Layerzip: convert in the tab, no upload

Layerzip runs the conversion in your browser:

  • Free: one flattened PNG or JPG at a time, files up to 30 MB, no sign-up.
  • Paid: $9/month, or $9 for 50 exports (Creator Pack), for batch jobs, files up to 200 MB, and exporting all layers as a PNG ZIP.

Choose Layerzip if you want a PNG (or a layer ZIP) and you do not want the file to leave the machine.

Do not choose Layerzip if you need Photoshop-accurate rendering of adjustment layers and smart-object filters, you need to edit the document, or the file is so large that the browser runs out of memory. We use the composite and layer bitmaps stored in the file; we do not reimplement Photoshop.

Quick comparison

Photopea CloudConvert Convertio Layerzip
Upload the PSD? Processing happens in the Photopea app (see their privacy terms); it is a full web editor, not a “no-server converter” claim from us Yes Yes No — parse in the browser
Edit the file? Yes No (convert) No (convert) No (convert)
Flatten to PNG Yes Yes Yes Yes, when a composite or flatten path exists
Export every layer Yes, as an editor Depends on the tool/options Depends on the tool/options Yes, paid ZIP of stored layer rasters
Free tier (13 Nov 2026) Free with ads; Premium sold in-app 10 credits/day, 1 GB, 5 concurrent, per their pricing page 10 credits / 24 h, 1 GB, 10 concurrent, per official help One flattened export under a size cap
Best for Editing without Photoshop Many formats, APIs, server rendering Many formats, simple upload UI Private, in-tab flatten / layer pack

Sources: CloudConvert pricing, Convertio pricing, Convertio free-tier help, Photopea accounts.

Questions

What is the easiest way to open a PSD without Photoshop?

To look at it, drop it on a viewer such as the Layerzip PSD viewer. To edit it, use a full editor like Photopea. On a Mac, Preview also opens most PSDs.

Can GIMP open PSD files?

Yes, GIMP imports PSD layers, though layer styles, adjustment layers and smart objects are not fully supported. It is a good free choice if you need to edit and are happy to install software.

Is it safe to convert a PSD online?

Upload converters send your file to their servers and delete it later according to their policies. In-browser converters like Layerzip never receive the file. For client or confidential work, the second kind avoids the question entirely.