Playbook by MediaBistro | Tools & Software for Creative Professionals
Photopea and Loomly Studio serve different corners of the creative workflow. Photopea functions as a comprehensive image editor that handles complex file formats and advanced editing tasks, all without leaving your browser. Loomly Studio takes a different approach by embedding lightweight editing tools directly into a social media management platform for rapid content adjustments.
Photopea has earned its reputation as the go-to browser-based alternative to Photoshop. The platform supports professional file formats including PSD, XCF, Sketch, XD, and CDR, making it valuable for designers who need to open and edit files from various sources. The interface mirrors traditional desktop editors with layers, masks, adjustment tools, and selection capabilities that will feel immediately familiar to anyone who has worked in Photoshop.
What sets Photopea apart is its zero-installation approach. The entire application runs in your browser, which means you can work on any computer with internet access without downloading software or maintaining local installations. The free tier is ad-supported but fully functional, while the premium subscription removes ads and adds priority support. For freelancers, students, or teams working across multiple devices, this accessibility model removes significant barriers to professional-grade editing.
Loomly Studio exists as a feature set within the larger Loomly social media management platform rather than as a standalone editor. The tools focus on the specific needs of social media managers who need to make quick visual adjustments to posts before publishing. You can apply filters, crop images to platform-specific dimensions, add text overlays, and incorporate brand elements without jumping to external applications.
The value proposition centers on workflow efficiency. Instead of editing an image in one tool, saving it, then uploading it to your social scheduler, you handle everything in one place. Loomly Studio trades depth for convenience. The editing capabilities are intentionally streamlined rather than comprehensive, designed for polish and adaptation rather than creation from scratch. This works well for teams managing multiple social accounts who need consistency and speed more than advanced manipulation features.
PSD, XCF, Sketch, XD, CDR, plus standard formats
Standard image formats (JPG, PNG)
Layers, masks, adjustment layers, selection tools, filters
Filters, crop, text overlays, brand templates
Manual export and upload to platforms
Direct publishing from editing interface
Moderate to steep for full feature set
Minimal, intuitive for basic adjustments
File sharing via cloud storage services
Built-in team workflows, approval processes
Complete independent editor
Requires Loomly subscription and workflow
Photopea wins on pure editing cost with its functional free tier and inexpensive premium option. Loomly Studio makes sense only if you already need a social media management platform, at which point the editing tools become a value-added bonus rather than a separate expense. Comparing them on price alone misses the point since they target different primary use cases.
These tools occupy different spaces in the creative toolkit. Photopea serves as your primary image editor when you need serious manipulation capabilities, layer control, or compatibility with professional file formats. It replaces or supplements desktop editing software. Loomly Studio functions as a convenience layer on top of a social media workflow, letting you make final tweaks without context switching.
The right choice depends entirely on your primary task. If you're creating or heavily editing visual content, Photopea gives you the power and flexibility to work professionally from any browser. If you're managing social content and need quick adjustments before publishing, Loomly Studio eliminates friction in your existing workflow. Many social media professionals will actually benefit from having both: Photopea for initial creation and heavy edits, then Loomly Studio for final adjustments and publishing. They complement rather than compete.
