How we picked these editors
We chose editors that handle PNG files well — meaning they keep transparency intact, export clean files, and cover everything from quick edits to professional retouching. Some of the external links below are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. That never changes our picks; see our affiliate disclosure for the full details.
Photopea — best free pick
Photopea is a free, browser-based editor that looks and behaves almost exactly like Photoshop. There is nothing to install — you open Photopea in a tab and start working. It supports layers, masks, and full PNG transparency, and it can even open and save PSD files, which makes it a genuine free alternative to a paid suite.
Pros: free, no install, Photoshop-like interface, opens PSD, keeps transparency. Cons: ad-supported (a small subscription removes ads), and being browser-based it is less comfortable for very large files than a native desktop app.
GIMP — best free desktop editor
GIMP is a free, open-source desktop editor for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It is deep and capable, with layers, channels, scripting, and full alpha-channel support, so transparent PNGs export cleanly. Download it from GIMP.
Pros: completely free, open-source, cross-platform, no subscription ever. Cons: the interface feels dated and the learning curve is steeper than Photopea or the paid apps, so quick tasks can feel slower than they should.
Adobe Photoshop — the professional standard
Photoshop is the industry benchmark, and most other editors measure themselves against it. Its selection, retouching, and AI tools are the most polished available, and PNG transparency is handled flawlessly. You can subscribe through Adobe Photoshop.
Pros: the most powerful and complete toolset, constant updates, huge ecosystem and tutorials. Cons: subscription-only, so the cost never stops, and it is far more than most people need for everyday PNG edits.
Affinity Photo — best one-time purchase
Affinity Photo is a powerful Photoshop alternative you buy once instead of renting monthly. It covers layers, advanced retouching, and high-end editing, with clean PNG export and full transparency support. Learn more at Affinity Photo.
Pros: one-time purchase, no subscription, professional-grade tools, available on Windows, macOS, and iPad. Cons: a smaller plugin and tutorial ecosystem than Photoshop, and some niche Photoshop workflows do not map across perfectly.
Pixelmator Pro — best for Mac
Pixelmator Pro is a Mac-native editor that feels right at home in macOS, with a clean interface and strong machine-learning tools for tasks like upscaling and background removal. It supports layers and PNG transparency, and it is a one-time purchase. See it at Pixelmator Pro.
Pros: beautiful native Mac app, affordable one-time price, smart ML-powered tools. Cons: macOS only, so it is no help on Windows or Linux, and it is less of an industry standard than Photoshop.
Free vs paid editors
Free editors like Photopea and GIMP now cover the vast majority of what most people need, including layers, masks, and clean transparent PNG export. You really only step up to a paid editor for heavy daily use, advanced retouching, tighter performance on huge files, or a specific professional workflow.
Among the paid options, the real choice is subscription versus one-time purchase. Photoshop rents monthly but leads on features and ecosystem, while Affinity Photo and Pixelmator Pro are bought once and owned outright — often the better value if you do not need Photoshop's exact toolset.
Do you even need an editor?
For a lot of common jobs, the honest answer is no. If you only need to resize an image, make a background transparent, or shrink a file, a full editor is overkill — you can do it in seconds with a free tool, with nothing to install and no learning curve.
Try PNGifier's free tools first. You can make a PNG transparent or resize a PNG in your browser. Reach for a full editor only when you need layers, retouching, or detailed manual control.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best free PNG editor?
- Photopea is the best free pick for most people. It runs in your browser, looks and works like Photoshop, supports PNG transparency, and even opens PSD files. GIMP is the strongest free desktop option if you prefer software you install.
- Do PNG editors keep transparency?
- Every editor in this roundup fully supports the PNG alpha channel, so transparent backgrounds stay transparent. Just make sure you export as PNG and not a format like JPG, which flattens transparency to a solid color.
- Is Photoshop worth it just for editing PNGs?
- Only if you edit images often or need its advanced tooling. For occasional PNG work, a one-time-purchase app like Affinity Photo or a free editor like Photopea or GIMP gives you most of the same results without a monthly subscription.
- Do I need an editor to make a PNG transparent or resize it?
- No. Simple jobs like removing a background, resizing, or compressing can be done in seconds with a free online tool — no install and no learning curve. Reach for a full editor only when you need layers, retouching, or detailed manual control.