Patchy review
A free editor for layered PSD/PSB workflows, with RGB/RGBA editing limited to 8-bit.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Patchy is a free, open-source image editor for people who need to work with layered Photoshop documents or familiar Photoshop-style editing workflows. It is available as desktop software for macOS, Windows, and Linux, plus a browser edition that runs locally through WebAssembly. Its feature set covers painting, selection, retouching, text, vector tools, filters, and adjustment layers, making it relevant to solo users and small teams looking for a no-cost Photoshop alternative on Mac.
Layered document compatibility is a central strength: Patchy opens and saves PSD and PSB files, including groups, masks, editable text, layer styles, and Smart Objects. It also supports non-destructive adjustment layers and editable Smart Filters, with Camera Raw development for raw image processing. The browser edition runs locally through WebAssembly, while JavaScript scripting, batch processing, and command-line automation provide options for repeatable work. These capabilities make Patchy a closer fit for Photoshop-oriented file workflows than a basic image editor, though compatibility alone does not establish that every Photoshop document or workflow will behave identically.
The main constraint for image work is color depth: editing is limited to RGB/RGBA 8-bit, and higher-bit-depth files are converted for editing. Legacy Photoshop 8BF plug-in support is documented for Windows only, so Mac users relying on those plug-ins should look elsewhere. Support channels are community resources and documentation. Choose Patchy if free layered PSD/PSB editing and local desktop or browser access matter more than higher-bit-depth editing or Mac plug-in compatibility; consider another editor if those limits conflict with your workflow.
Patchy pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Opens and saves layered PSD and PSB files with groups, masks, text, and styles
- Offers Smart Objects, editable Smart Filters, and non-destructive adjustment layers
- Runs on macOS, Windows, Linux, and locally in a WebAssembly browser edition
- Where it doesn't
- Editing is limited to RGB/RGBA 8-bit; higher-bit-depth files are converted
- Legacy Photoshop 8BF plug-ins are supported only on Windows
- No dedicated iPad app
Patchy fact sheet, pricing and score →
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