Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them
–Visits
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Photo Editing Software

Adobe Lightroom vs Photopea

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 7 checks side by side
Higher score Adobe Lightroom #2 in Photo Editing Software 9.2/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 5 of 6 features Try Adobe Lightroom
Photopea #14 in Photo Editing Software 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 6 of 6 features Visit Photopea

Adobe Lightroom leads on 0 checks, Photopea on 0, and 7 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 7 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreAdobe Lightroom · 9.2/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly Adobe Lightroom
  • Most featuresPhotopea · 6 of 6

Adobe Lightroom scores higher on our rubric for photo editing software: 9.2 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #14.

On platform, Adobe Lightroom gives you Multi-platform where Photopea offers Web.

Adobe Lightroom is the better fit for RAW workflows and cross-device photo editing. Photopea is the better fit for free Photoshop-style browser editing.

  • Adobe Lightroom fits best

    RAW workflows and cross-device photo editing

  • Photopea fits best

    Free Photoshop-style browser editing

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Adobe Lightroom 9.2/10 Visit ↗ Photopea 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 7.9
Ranking #2 in Photo Editing Software #14 in Photo Editing Software
Best for RAW workflows and cross-device photo editing Free Photoshop-style browser editing
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 7 days —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android Web
Support Community, Docs Email, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Adobe Lightroom 5/6 · Photopea 6/6
RAW photo support ✓ ✓
Layer editing Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Masking tools ✓ ✓
Batch editing ✓ ✓
Cloud sync ✓ ✓
AI retouching ✓ ✓
Specs
Platform Multi-platform Web
Our review
Pros
  • Comprehensive RAW processing, masking, and selective adjustments
  • AI tools cover culling, retouching, Lens Blur, and distraction removal
  • Syncs photos and edits across web, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android
  • Free plan includes PSDs, layers, masks, RAW files, and Smart Objects.
  • Supports raster, vector, batch processing, and AI image-editing tools.
  • Connects with Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and Peadrive.
Cons
  • Advanced features and expanded synchronization require a subscription
  • The broad feature set may exceed the needs of occasional editors
  • Lightroom Classic is oriented toward desktop-focused workflows
  • Premium's listed additions focus on ad-free use and account options.
  • Browser-centered editing may not suit users seeking installed desktop software.
  • Cloud connections are limited to four named storage services.
Our verdict

Adobe Lightroom combines photo organization with editing tools for photographers, creators, and anyone managing digital image libraries. It supports exposure, color, effects, cropping, presets, selective adjustments, masking, RAW import…

Read the review →

Photopea is a browser-based editor for raster and vector graphics, designed for photographers, designers, students, small businesses, and anyone who needs image-editing tools without installing desktop software. Its free plan covers…

Read the review →
  1. Adobe LightroomPhoto Editing Software 9.2Free plan · 7-day trial
  2. PhotopeaPhoto Editing Software 7.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Adobe Lightroom — where it wins

    • Comprehensive RAW processing, masking, and selective adjustments
    • AI tools cover culling, retouching, Lens Blur, and distraction removal
    • Syncs photos and edits across web, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android

    Where it doesn't

    • Advanced features and expanded synchronization require a subscription
    • The broad feature set may exceed the needs of occasional editors
    • Lightroom Classic is oriented toward desktop-focused workflows

  • Photopea — where it wins

    • Free plan includes PSDs, layers, masks, RAW files, and Smart Objects.
    • Supports raster, vector, batch processing, and AI image-editing tools.
    • Connects with Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and Peadrive.

    Where it doesn't

    • Premium's listed additions focus on ad-free use and account options.
    • Browser-centered editing may not suit users seeking installed desktop software.
    • Cloud connections are limited to four named storage services.

More comparisons

All photo editing software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update