The built-in options, honestly
macOS reads PSD files natively, and for many people that is all they need.
| Method | Cost | Layers | Batch | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preview > Export | Free | No | No | Needs the stored composite; keeps transparency with Alpha ticked |
| Finder > Quick Actions > Convert Image | Free | No | Yes | Same engine as Preview; check results, failures can be silent |
sips in Terminal |
Free | No | Yes, with a loop | for f in *.psd; do sips -s format png "$f" --out "${f%.psd}.png"; done |
| Layerzip in the browser | Free single file; $9 plans for layers and batch | Yes (paid) | Yes (paid) | Shows layer list, warns when the composite is missing |
All of the macOS tools rely on the flattened copy that Photoshop writes when Maximize Compatibility is on. That copy is accurate, because Photoshop rendered it. When it is missing, they show nothing useful.
When the browser converter is the better tool
- You need the layers. Designers and developers often need each element as its own PNG: icons, buttons, product shots, text blocks. Layerzip exports every layer to a ZIP in one click (paid).
- Preview shows a blank square. Layerzip reads the layer data directly and can still show and export it.
- You want to see inside the file. The PSD viewer lists every layer, hidden and empty ones included, with canvas size, colour mode and bit depth.
- You are on a shared or managed Mac where you cannot install apps or use Terminal.
Limits in the browser
Free files go up to 30 MB and 8,000 px on the long edge; paid plans allow 200 MB and 12,000 px. Very large documents can still run out of browser memory. 16-bit files are saved as 8-bit PNG, and CMYK is converted with an approximate profile.