Frequently asked questions

Short answers about Picstea, the free online photo editor that keeps your images on your device.

Open the editor — free, no sign-up

Still curious? Read the documentation, compare Picstea with Photoshop and Photopea, or browse the guides.

Questions

Is Picstea free?
Yes. Picstea is free to use with no account, no watermark and no limit on exports. It is funded by advertising on the website and blog, never inside the editor.
Are my images uploaded?
No. Images are opened, edited, saved and exported in your browser. Picstea has no server that receives them, and the editor page blocks sending document data anywhere.
Where is my work saved?
Automatically in your browser's storage on this device. To keep a copy elsewhere, use File → Save Project As… to download a .picstea file, or export an image.
Which files can I open?
PNG, JPEG, WebP, GIF, SVG, PSD (8-bit RGB and greyscale) and .picstea project files.
Which formats can I export?
PNG, JPEG, WebP, SVG, PDF and layered PSD.
Can I edit PSD files?
Yes. Layers, groups, masks, blend modes, editable text, adjustment layers, shapes, smart objects and common layer styles are kept, and you can save a layered PSD back.
Do I need to install anything?
No. Picstea runs in current versions of Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari.
Does Picstea work offline? Can I install it?
Yes. After you have opened it once, the editor also opens without an internet connection. In Chrome and Edge you can install it (Help → Install Picstea…) so it opens in its own window like a desktop app; in Safari on a Mac use File → Add to Dock.
Does it work on a phone or tablet?
The layout adapts to small screens, but Picstea is designed for a mouse or trackpad and a keyboard, so a computer gives the best experience.
Does Picstea have AI tools?
Not yet. There is no generative fill, object selection or content-aware fill; the healing and spot healing brushes cover blemish removal.
Is it a Photoshop or Photopea alternative?
It covers the core of that workflow — layers, masks, adjustments, retouching and PSD files — for free in the browser. See the Photoshop and Photopea comparison pages for what it does and doesn't do.