FAQ

Is PhotoFresco really free?

Yes — the entire editor: layers, masks, brushes, filters, layer styles, PSD open and save, exporting. It's not a trial and there's no feature wall that appears later. The free editor is funded by a single, unobtrusive ad rail. Two things cost money, both optional: AI generation (pay-per-use credits, because it runs on server GPUs) and going ad-free (a monthly subscription that removes ads and adds cloud drive). See AI generation & credits.

Do my files get uploaded anywhere?

No. Opening a file is a local read into your browser tab; editing, rendering and filters run on your own CPU/GPU; saving is a local write. Your pixels don't touch our servers. The two deliberate exceptions, both opt-in: AI generation sends your prompt and any reference images you attach to the generation service, and the premium cloud drive syncs documents you explicitly save to it.

Does it work offline?

Yes — once the editor has loaded, it works without a connection: it's an installable web app (PWA) that caches itself. Local files, brushes, filters and PSD save/export all work offline; only AI generation and cloud features need the network. You can install it from your browser's "Install app" menu for a dock icon and a standalone window — which also unlocks the classic ⌘T / Ctrl+T Free Transform chord.

Do I need an account?

Not for editing. Opening, editing, saving and exporting never ask you to sign in. An account exists for exactly one reason: holding AI credits (and your ad-free plan if you buy one) — so you'll only meet the sign-in screen if you use AI.

Can it open my Photoshop files?

Yes — layered PSD in, layered PSD out, with layers, groups, masks, adjustment layers, smart objects and layer styles preserved. A few things are simplified on export (text and shape layers are rasterized, for instance) — the honest list lives in PSD import & export.

Is there autosave or crash recovery?

Yes. While you edit, PhotoFresco continuously autosaves your open documents to private storage on your own device — it never leaves your machine, in keeping with the privacy answers above. If the tab crashes, the browser quits, or you close it with unsaved changes, the next visit offers to recover your work: pixels, layers, masks and styles are restored exactly. Two honest limits: undo history doesn't survive recovery (you get the document back, not its 64-step past), and a recovered document is still unsaved — ⌘S / Ctrl+S writes a real PSD to disk, and File ▸ Save to My Documents keeps a layered copy in the browser library.

How much undo history do I get?

The last 64 history states, visible in the History panel. Purge them via Edit ▸ Purge if memory gets tight on a huge document.

What do I need to run it?

A modern desktop browser. Rendering is GPU-accelerated through WebGL2 where available, with a CPU fallback that produces identical output — Help ▸ GPU Compatibility in the editor shows what your machine is using.

Why is the Free Transform shortcut different?

Because ⌘T / Ctrl+T opens a new browser tab — the browser gets that key before we do. Use ⇧T (Shift+T) instead. Full details: Keyboard shortcuts.

How do I remove the ads?

Go ad-free in the editor with the subscription — $8/month, removes ads and adds the cloud drive. It auto-renews until you cancel; cancel anytime from your account panel and it stays active through the period you already paid for. No retention tricks — it's one button.

Your files are never held hostage: if the plan ends, cloud documents stay read-only and downloadable, and local editing is unaffected.

How do I report a bug or request a feature?

The megaphone icon in the top-right of the editor opens the feedback board — post there, vote on others' requests, and check the What's New tab for what shipped. We read it.