Software · head to head
Lunacy vs Photopea
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Lunacy desktop application only, not cloud-based like Figma, limiting accessibility across different computers; Photopea performance becomes sluggish and prone to crashes with high-resolution images or multi-layered files
- They diverge on capability: Lunacy covers Vector editing, Photopea covers Photo editing.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Lunacy and Photopea actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Unknown), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Lunacy
- Vector editing
- Auto layouts
- Components
- Real-time collaboration
- Built-in photos & icons
- AI background remover
- AI upscaler
- Sketch file support
Only in Photopea
- Photo editing
- PSD compatibility
- Layer support
- Selection tools
- Filters and effects
- Google Drive
- Dropbox
- Adobe fonts
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Lunacy
- UI/UX designnot Photopea
- Web design
- Mobile app designnot Photopea
- Icon designnot Photopea
- Marketing graphicsnot Photopea
Photopea
- Quick photo editsnot Lunacy
- PSD file editingnot Lunacy
- Web design
- Social media graphicsnot Lunacy
Both are used for web design, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Lunacy
- Desktop application only, not cloud-based like Figma, limiting accessibility across different computers
- Animation capabilities are basic, lacking timeline-based animation editing or spring physics available in modern design tools
- Paid collaboration features, unlike Figma's free cloud-based team collaboration
Photopea
- Performance becomes sluggish and prone to crashes with high-resolution images or multi-layered files
- Risk of losing work due to browser crashes or save failures
- Aggressive advertising that can slow down the entire computer
- No local installation option, always requires browser access
- Basic file organization and version tracking compared to professional tools
Pricing, plan by plan
Lunacy
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Lunacy review.
Photopea
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Photopea review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Lunacy if
- You need vector editing.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
- You also want auto layouts.
Choose Photopea if
- You need photo editing.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want psd compatibility.
Questions people ask
- Is Lunacy or Photopea better?
- Neither clearly leads. Lunacy starts at Free and Photopea at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Lunacy or Photopea?
- Lunacy starts at Free and Photopea at Free.
- Does Lunacy or Photopea run on more platforms?
- Lunacy runs on Windows, macOS, Linux. Photopea runs on Web.
- Can I use Lunacy for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Lunacy best used for?
- Lunacy is most often used for ui/ux design, web design, mobile app design, icon design. Of those, ui/ux design and mobile app design are not what Photopea is typically brought in for.
- What can Lunacy do that Photopea cannot?
- Lunacy covers Vector editing, Auto layouts, Components, Real-time collaboration. Photopea covers Photo editing, PSD compatibility, Layer support, Selection tools.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Lunacy: Is Lunacy free to use?
Yes. Lunacy is absolutely free for personal and commercial use. There is no subscription required or trial period limitation.
SourcePhotopea: Is Photopea free to use?
Yes, Photopea is completely free and supported by ads displayed within the browser. No subscription or payment is required to use the full feature set.
SourceLunacy: Can Lunacy open and work with Sketch files?
Yes. Lunacy has smooth integration with Sketch files, allowing designers to import and collaborate on Sketch projects without requiring a Sketch subscription.
SourcePhotopea: Does Photopea support Photoshop PSD files?
Yes, Photopea fully supports Photoshop PSD files including layers, masks, text, and effects. It can read and export files back to PSD, PNG, JPG, PDF, SVG, or GIF format.
SourceLunacy: Does Lunacy require internet connection to work?
No. Lunacy can work offline, allowing designers to work without an internet connection. It is a desktop application that runs locally on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
SourcePhotopea: What platforms does Photopea run on?
Photopea is a web-based editor accessible through any modern browser including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and Opera. It can be added to desktop as a shortcut or Chrome extension.
SourceLunacy: What are Lunacy's hardware requirements?
Lunacy is not demanding on hardware and runs smoothly even on moderate laptops. It has minimal system requirements compared to resource-intensive design tools.
SourcePhotopea: Does Photopea upload my files to servers?
No. Photopea processes images entirely within your browser and does not upload files to external servers, keeping your work private and secure.
Source