This tutorial teaches how to open PSD files for free, incl. how to open PSD file without Photoshop. In addition, you will also learn how to convert PSD to JPG, PNG, PDF, etc. for free with top PSD file converters. If you mistakenly deleted a PSD file, you can easily recover Photoshop PSD file for free with MiniTool Power Data Recovery.
PSD file, short for Photoshop Document file, is the default format for saving data in Adobe Photoshop. Its file extension is .psd.
A PSD file can not only contain multiple images, but also include objects, filters, text, etc. You can also edit a PSD file by using layers, vector paths, shapes, transparency, and more.
Each image or object you add to the PSD file is on a separate layer, you can open the PSD file with Photoshop any time you want and edit each picture in this PSD file without affecting other pictures in it.
Photoshop PSD file is widely used in image/photo editing, web design, UI/UX design, app/software graphic design, and so on.
Generally the best tool to open and edit PSD files is Adobe Photoshop (Elements). Other Adobe programs like Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe After Effects can also open PSD files. These programs are mainly used for video and audio editing, unlike Photoshop which is used as a graphics editor.
How to Open PSD Files without Photoshop – Best 7 Free Ways
Are there any other free programs which can open PSD files on Windows 10 in case you don’t have Photoshop? Below we sift 10 image editors to allow you to open PSD files without Photoshop.
1. Paint.net
Paint.net is a free image editor that can open a PSD file. It works well in editing PSD files like adding effects/text to a PSD file. Need to mention that you need to download the third-party free PSD plugin to use this tool to open PSD files.
2. GIMP
GIMP is another free and open-source tool you can use to open PSD file. It can also edit layers of the PSD file without any third-party plugins. But it doesn’t work well as Photoshop. It can’t read some layers of a PSD file. It will rasterize the unreadable layers before it can view or edit them, and this may damage the PSD file, and you may not be able to open the PSD file with Photoshop later.
It’s available in Windows, Mac and Linux.
3. Photopea
To open PSD file without Photoshop and without downloading any software, you can also try Photopea. Photopea is one of the best online programs that can open, edit and convert PSD files. Its interface is similar to Photoshop, GIMP, and it also can edit layers and add effects.
4. XNVIEW
Another free image viewer and converter allows you to open PSD files. This PSD file opener lets you open layers of a PSD file and save then individually. It can also do some basic editing on a PSD file.
If you only want to open and view PSD files, you can also use PSD Viewer, IrfanView, and Apple QuickTime Picture Viewer. You can use them to view PSD files, but not edit PSD files.
5. PSD Viewer
If you’d like to open PSD files online free, PSD Viewer is a good choice. It allows you to open and convert PSD files for free with ease. You can upload your PSD file to view the contents and convert PSD to JPG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, or BMP.
6. IrfanView
IrfanView is also a free image viewer and converter. You can use it to open and view PSD file. You can’t edit any of the layers in the PSD file, but you are able to convert the image to other formats. It is only available on Windows.
7. Google Drive
If you don’t need to edit or modify the PSD file, and just want to view the PSD file, you can use Google Drive. You can upload the PSD file to your Google Drive, select the PSD files and use Google Drive’s preview function to view the PSD file.
How to Convert PSD File to JPG, PNG, PDF – Top PSD File Converters
Aside from IrfanView, PSD Viewer, you have some other options to convert PSD to JPG, PNG, PDF or other formats for free.
Top PSD to JPG converters include: Convertio, Zamzar, iLoveIMG, Online Converter, Image Converter, etc. Some of them let you convert PSD to JPG online for free.
Bottom Line
By using tools introduced in this post, hope you can now easily open, edit and convert your PSD files for free. If you have better ideas, please do not hesitate to share with us.