PhotoDirector vs Photopea

PhotoDirector is generative-AI photo editing software for creating, enhancing, and transforming images. Edit by Chat turns plain-language requests into guided editing actions, while Quick Action suggests changes such as enhancement, background blur, color correction, and cleanup. Generative features include image generation, image-to-video, character motion swap, multi-face swap, AI try-on, and object replacement. For detailed editing, PhotoDirector supports RAW files, batch work, image organization, layers, masks, blending modes, compositing, exposure, HSL, curves, sharpening, and lens correction. Its stock feature provides access to iStock by Getty Images. PhotoDirector Essential is free without a time limit, but advanced AI tools and selected export options are restricted. Mac and Windows versions are separate products, and a license does not transfer between them. Internet access is required for activation, subscription access, online services, some features, and updates. The free plan requires no payment information.

Photopea is a browser-based editor for raster and vector graphics, with tools for image resizing, webpage design, illustration, and photo processing. Its editing toolkit includes layers, masks, blending, smart objects, adjustment layers, channels, paths, filters, and vector tools. It opens and saves PSD files and lists support for formats including PNG, JPG, SVG, PDF, AI, HEIC, TIFF, MP4, INDD, and Figma. Photopea also offers one-click background removal and image-part replacement from a text description. It says files are processed on the user's device and can still be opened, edited, and saved offline. Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive can be connected optionally. Browser installation creates a homescreen icon but still runs the editor in a browser; a separate self-hosted package can run on a customer server or local network without internet access. The free editor has a free plan. School ad-free access costs $450 a year for the whole school. The self-hosted version is listed at $5,002,000 a month, paid a whole year in advance.