Imagine taking on Adobe Photoshop and not only surviving but thriving. That’s exactly what Ivan Kutskir did when he created Photopea, a powerful online photo editor used by millions worldwide. The most mind-blowing part? He runs the entire operation alone and keeps his yearly expenses at just $700.
Kutskir’s Background
Kutskir’s grew up in a small village in Ukraine, where his early fascination with computers set the stage for his future endeavors. By the age of 14, he was already building websites, and his passion for computer graphics only grew from there.
It was during his computer science studies in Prague that the idea for Photopea took root. Identifying a significant gap in the market, Kutskir envisioned a platform that could open and edit PSD files directly in a browser, making photo editing more accessible.
Building Photopea
Kutskir’s initial version of Photopea was relatively simple, designed to open PSD files and download layers separately. However, through thousands of hours of development, it evolved into a full-fledged photo editor. This was driven by Kutskir’s commitment to filling the void left by Photoshop, particularly for users unable to afford its subscription.
A One-Man Operation
Despite its growth, Photopea remains a one-man operation. Half a million people use Photopea every single day, and it’s bringing in a staggering $2 million a year. Kutskir manages to keep operational costs astonishingly low, with annual expenses amounting to $700 for server hosting and domain registration.
Monetization and Growth
Photopea didn’t make a cent for its first four years. Then, in 2015, Kutskir added a banner ad option and a paid subscription that removes ads. This approach has proven effective, allowing it to remain free for users while generating $200,000 per month in revenue according to IndieHackers.com.
Roughly 90% of that comes from display ads, while the other 10% is split between Premium subscriptions (which hide ads) and a few licensing deals for businesses that want to self-host the tool.
Kutskir’s engagement with the Photopea community has played a crucial role in its success. His active participation in forums, Reddit AMAs, and direct communication with users has attracted a loyal user base. That hands-on approach has built loyalty; people recommend Photopea to friends, and word-of-mouth keeps traffic growing.
Looking Ahead
Browsers keep evolving, and competitors are always lurking. Kutskir has already rolled out “Photopea 2.0,” with better CMYK support, faster rendering, and new vector tools. He’s also eyeing mobile – working on a version that runs smoothly on tablets and phones. Despite pulling in millions, he still codes late into the night, fueled by coffee and the thrill of creating a free Photoshop alternative.
