Best AI Image Upscalers: Enhance Photos for Free

Low-resolution images are everywhere — old family photos, compressed screenshots, product images that looked fine on a phone but fall apart on a monitor. AI image upscalers use deep learning to fill in missing detail, turning a blurry 500px image into a sharp 2000px version. We tested seven upscaling tools on the same set of photos (portraits, landscapes, product shots, and anime art) and compared them on output quality, processing speed, pricing, and ease of use. For more details, check out our Midjourney alternatives. For a deeper look, see our roundup of AI image upscalers in 2026.

TL;DR: Top 3 Picks

1. Topaz Gigapixel AI — The gold standard for professionals. Best output quality, but now requires a subscription.
2. Upscayl — Best free option. Open-source, runs locally, and produces surprisingly good results with no account needed.
3. Let’s Enhance — Best cloud-based option with a good balance of quality and convenience for occasional use.

AI Image Upscaler Comparison Table

Tool	Price	Free Option	Max Upscale	Platform	Offline	Best For
Topaz Gigapixel AI	$149/yr (bundle)	Free online tool	16x	Win/Mac	Yes	Professionals
Upscayl	Free	Fully free	16x	Win/Mac/Linux	Yes	Privacy-conscious users
Let’s Enhance	From $9/mo	10 free credits	16x	Web	No	Occasional cloud users
Bigjpg	From $6/2mo	20 images/mo	16x	Web/Apps	No	Anime & illustrations
Pixelcut (Pixa)	From $8/mo	Free 2x upscale	16x	Web/Mobile	No	E-commerce sellers
Real-ESRGAN	Free	Fully free	4x native	Win/Mac/Linux	Yes	Developers & tinkerers
ImgUpscaler	From $3.90/mo	20 credits/mo	4x	Web	No	Quick one-off upscales

Detailed Reviews

1. Topaz Gigapixel AI

Topaz Gigapixel AI remains the industry benchmark for image upscaling. In our tests, it produced the sharpest details and most natural textures across every image category. The tool uses nine different AI enhancement models, each tuned for specific content types like faces, landscapes, or low-quality sources.

The big news in late 2025 was the switch from a one-time purchase ($99) to a subscription model. This sparked backlash from long-time users, but the tool continues to deliver the best results we have seen.

Key Features

• Nine specialized AI enhancement models
• Local processing (your files stay on your computer)
• Cloud rendering option for faster processing
• Batch processing support
• Face recovery and enhancement
• Video upscaling support

Pricing

Option	Price	Notes
Topaz Studio Bundle	$149/year or $29/mo	Includes Gigapixel + all Topaz apps
Gigapixel Standalone	$204/year or $50/mo	Gigapixel only
iOS App (Standard)	$7.49/mo (annual)	Up to 16MP
iOS App (Premium)	$39.99/mo (annual)	Up to 64MP

Existing perpetual license holders keep their current version but will not receive major updates.

Pros

• Best upscaling quality across all image types
• Local processing protects privacy
• Multiple AI models for different content
• Face enhancement is excellent

Cons

• No longer available as a one-time purchase
• Subscription pricing is expensive for casual users
• Requires a capable GPU for local processing
• Monthly credits can expire without rollover

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2. Upscayl

Upscayl is the clear winner for anyone who wants quality upscaling without paying anything. It is fully open-source (AGPLv3 license), runs entirely on your machine, and supports 2x through 16x scaling. The application is built on Real-ESRGAN models with a Vulkan backend, so it works across Intel, AMD, and Nvidia GPUs.

Key Features

• Completely free and open-source
• 6+ AI models on desktop, 12+ on cloud beta
• Batch processing for multiple images
• Custom model support (import your own)
• Side-by-side comparison view
• Double upscaling option for maximum resolution
• No account or internet connection required

Pricing

Plan	Price	Notes
Desktop App	Free	Full functionality, open-source
Upscayl Cloud (Beta)	Free beta	14 AI models, browser-based

Pros

• 100% free with no watermarks or limits
• Runs offline — images never leave your computer
• Cross-platform (Windows, macOS, Linux)
• Active community and regular updates
• New high-fidelity model added in 2025

Cons

• Requires a Vulkan-compatible GPU
• Processing is slower than cloud-based alternatives
• UI is functional but not polished
• Results slightly behind Topaz on fine details

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3. Let’s Enhance

Let’s Enhance is a web-based upscaler that runs entirely in your browser. Upload an image, pick a model, and download the enhanced version. It works well for users who need quick upscales without installing software. The platform offers several AI models: Digital Art for illustrations, Balanced for general photos, Gentle for subtle improvements, and Ultra for maximum detail. If you’re exploring options, check out our guide to AI photo editors.

Key Features

• Browser-based (no installation)
• Multiple AI models for different content types
• Up to 16x resolution increase (300 DPI at any size)
• Supports JPG, PNG, and WebP formats
• RESTful API with Python and JavaScript SDKs
• Free accounts can upscale to 64MP; paid up to 512MP

Pricing

Plan	Monthly Price	Credits
Free	$0	10 credits (one-time)
Lite	$9	100 credits
Standard	$24	300 credits
Plus	$34	500 credits
Business	Custom	Volume pricing

Each upscale consumes one credit. Annual billing and credit bundles are also available.

Pros

• No software to install
• Good quality across photo types
• API available for developers
• Multiple AI model options

Cons

• Free tier is extremely limited (10 credits total, not monthly)
• Credits get expensive for regular use
• Cloud processing means images are uploaded to servers
• Slower processing during peak hours

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4. Bigjpg

Bigjpg was originally built for upscaling anime and manga art, and it still excels in that niche. The tool uses deep convolutional neural networks that are specifically tuned to preserve the clean lines and flat color fills common in illustration styles. It handles regular photos too, but anime content is where it truly shines.

Key Features

• Specialized for anime and illustration upscaling
• Up to 16x enlargement (paid plans)
• Noise reduction with detail preservation
• Photo and Illustration processing modes
• API access on paid plans
• Available on web, Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android

Pricing

Plan	Price	Images/Month	Max Upload	Max Scale
Free	$0	20	5 MB, 3000x3000px	4x
Basic	~$6/2 months	Higher quota	10 MB	8x
Standard	~$12/2 months	Higher quota	25 MB	16x
Premium	~$22/year	2,000/mo	50 MB	16x

Annual plans include 2 months free. A 14-day refund policy applies to all paid plans.

Pros

• Best results for anime and illustration art
• Very affordable pricing
• Cross-platform availability
• Privacy-first (auto-deletes images after processing)

Cons

• Photo upscaling is less impressive than competitors
• Free plan has low resolution caps
• Processing queues can be slow on free tier
• Limited model selection compared to Topaz

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5. Pixelcut (Pixa)

Pixelcut, recently rebranded to Pixa, is a mobile-first AI editing platform that includes an upscaler alongside background removal, object erasing, and shadow generation. It is particularly popular with e-commerce sellers who need to enhance product photos quickly on their phones.

Key Features

• Fast Upscale (2x, 4x) and Creative Upscale modes
• Background remover and magic eraser
• Batch editing up to 500 images (Pro)
• AI shadow generation for product photos
• End-to-end encryption, 24-hour server deletion
• Available on web, iOS, and Android

Pricing

Plan	Price (Annual)	Key Features
Free	$0	2x Fast Upscale, limited features
Pro	$8/mo ($96/yr)	Unlimited AI edits, 300 daily generations
Pro+	$24/mo	Higher limits, advanced AI models

Pros

• Excellent mobile apps for on-the-go editing
• All-in-one editing beyond just upscaling
• Good for e-commerce product photos
• Privacy-focused with auto-deletion

Cons

• Creative Upscale requires paid plan
• Not the highest quality purely for upscaling
• Credit system can be confusing
• Desktop experience is secondary to mobile

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6. Real-ESRGAN

Real-ESRGAN is the open-source research project that powers many other tools on this list, including Upscayl. Developed by Tencent’s ARC Lab, it is the foundational technology behind modern AI upscaling. Running it directly gives you maximum control, but it requires some technical comfort.

Key Features

• GAN-based upscaling with RRDB architecture
• Specialized models for anime (AnimeVideo-v3)
• Face enhancement via GFPGAN integration
• Supports alpha channels, grayscale, and 16-bit images
• Portable executables for Windows, Linux, macOS (no Python needed)
• Training code available for custom model fine-tuning
• BSD 3-Clause license

Pricing

Option	Price
All versions	Free (open-source)

Pros

• Completely free and open-source
• Maximum technical control and customization
• Train your own models on custom data
• Powers many commercial and free tools

Cons

• Not user-friendly for non-technical users
• Native scale is 4x (requires chaining for higher)
• No GUI by default (command-line tool)
• Requires GPU for reasonable processing speed

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7. ImgUpscaler

ImgUpscaler is a no-frills web tool for quick upscales. You drag and drop an image, pick 2x or 4x, and download the result. It is the simplest option on this list, which makes it useful for people who need an occasional upscale without creating accounts or installing software.

Key Features

• Browser-based drag-and-drop interface
• 2x and 4x upscaling
• Batch processing on paid plans
• Supports JPG, PNG, and WebP
• No installation required
• Video enhancement also available

Pricing

Plan	Price	Key Features
Free	$0	20 credits/mo, up to 5 MB
Starter	$3.90/mo	More credits, higher limits
Premium	Varies	Batch processing, priority
Annual	From $19/yr	Best value for regular use

Unused credits roll over to the next month. A 7-day money-back guarantee applies.

Pros

• Extremely simple to use
• Cheapest paid option starting at $3.90/month
• No account required for basic use
• Credits roll over (unlike many competitors)

Cons

• Output quality is average compared to competition
• Max 4x upscaling (others go to 16x)
• Web-only with no desktop app
• Mixed user reviews on Trustpilot
• Free tier limited to 5 MB and 1000px

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How We Tested These Upscalers

We used a standardized test set of 12 images: 3 portraits, 3 landscapes, 3 product photos, and 3 anime illustrations. Each image started at 500×500 pixels and was upscaled to 2000×2000 (4x). We evaluated results on sharpness, artifact introduction, color accuracy, and detail generation.

Sharpness ranking (best to worst): Topaz Gigapixel > Upscayl (High Fidelity model) > Let’s Enhance (Ultra) > Real-ESRGAN > Bigjpg > Pixelcut > ImgUpscaler.

Anime-specific ranking: Bigjpg > Real-ESRGAN (anime model) > Upscayl > Topaz > Let’s Enhance.

Processing speed varied dramatically. Cloud-based tools (Let’s Enhance, ImgUpscaler) completed a single image in 5-15 seconds. Local tools depended heavily on GPU: Topaz Gigapixel processed a 4x upscale in 8 seconds on an RTX 4070, while Upscayl took about 12 seconds on the same hardware. On a Mac M2, Upscayl averaged 20 seconds per image.

One observation worth highlighting: double upscaling (2x then 2x) often produced better results than a single 4x pass on both Upscayl and Real-ESRGAN. If you have time, this two-step approach is worth trying for important images.

FAQ

What is the best free AI image upscaler?

Upscayl is the best free AI image upscaler. It is open-source, has no watermarks, no usage limits, and runs entirely on your computer. For a web-based free option, Bigjpg offers 20 free upscales per month, though with lower resolution caps. For a deeper look, see our roundup of free AI image generators.

Can AI upscalers really improve image quality?

Yes, modern AI upscalers use trained neural networks to intelligently add detail when increasing resolution. They perform far better than traditional bicubic or Lanczos interpolation. That said, they cannot invent detail that never existed — extremely low-quality source images will still look mediocre.

Is Topaz Gigapixel AI worth the subscription?

For professionals who upscale images regularly (photographers, print shops, agencies), Topaz remains the quality leader and the subscription pays for itself. For casual users who upscale a few images per month, Upscayl (free) or Let’s Enhance (pay per credit) offer better value.

Which AI upscaler is best for anime and illustrations?

Bigjpg was specifically designed for anime and illustration art, and it produces the cleanest results for that content type. Upscayl also includes an anime-optimized model based on Real-ESRGAN’s AnimeVideo architecture. For a deeper look, see our roundup of AI logo design tools.

Do AI upscalers work on old photographs?

Yes. Topaz Gigapixel AI and Upscayl both handle old, scanned photographs well. For best results with old photos, combine upscaling with a dedicated photo restoration tool that fixes scratches, color fading, and damage before you upscale.

Cloud vs. Local: Which Approach Is Better?

The tools in this guide split into two categories: cloud-based (Let’s Enhance, Bigjpg, Pixelcut, ImgUpscaler) and local (Topaz, Upscayl, Real-ESRGAN). Each approach has trade-offs worth understanding before you pick a tool.

Cloud upscalers require no GPU and work on any device with a browser. They are faster to start using and handle processing on remote servers. The downsides: your images are uploaded to third-party servers, you are dependent on internet speed, and most charge per-image or per-credit. For sensitive or private images, cloud processing may not be acceptable.

Local upscalers keep your images on your machine, process them using your own GPU, and have no per-image costs after the initial purchase (or are completely free). The trade-off is hardware requirements: you need a Vulkan-compatible GPU for Upscayl and Real-ESRGAN, and a fairly capable one for Topaz. Processing times depend entirely on your hardware.

For most users, we recommend starting with Upscayl (free, local) and trying Let’s Enhance (cloud) for comparison. If neither meets your quality standards, Topaz Gigapixel is worth the subscription for professional work.

Conclusion

If quality is your top priority and you upscale images regularly, Topaz Gigapixel AI remains the professional choice in 2026 — just be prepared for its subscription pricing. For everyone else, Upscayl is hard to beat: it is free, private, and produces results that come surprisingly close to Topaz. Let’s Enhance fills the gap for users who want cloud convenience without installing software, and Bigjpg is the specialist pick for anime and illustration content.

For more AI-powered creative tools, see our roundups of best AI image generators and best AI photo editors. You might also want to explore our picks for AI image generators.