The Best Image Upscaling Software in 2026
We researched image upscaling software from official websites, including pricing pages, plan tables, and product documentation. Products are ranked on their core enlargement capabilities, value for money, and verified features, helping buyers compare tools for reconstructing or preserving detail in enlarged images.
Our top picks
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Top ranked
Real-ESRGAN#1 of 999.4/10A flexible open-source upscaler for local image, anime, and video workflows.
Free plan
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Runner-up
NextGenUp#2 of 999.3/10A capable local upscaler with broad enhancement tools and no subscription.
Free plan
-
Top-ranked free plan
Upscayl#3 of 999.1/10A flexible upscaler with free local processing and credit-based cloud plans.
Free plan
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
The full ranking 99 tools, best first · page 1 of 2
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Best forFree open-source super-resolution
A flexible open-source upscaler for local image, anime, and video workflows.
- Desktop app
- Batch processing
9.4/10★★★★★Visit Real-ESRGAN -
Best forFree offline image and video upscaling
A capable local upscaler with broad enhancement tools and no subscription.
- Desktop app
- Batch processing
9.3/10★★★★★Visit NextGenUp -
Best forOpen-source desktop and cloud users
A flexible upscaler with free local processing and credit-based cloud plans.
- Desktop app
- API access
- Batch processing
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Upscayl -
Best forCross-platform users needing API scale options
A flexible upscaler for creative teams that need both apps and API scale.
- Desktop app
- API access
- Batch processing
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit PicWish -
Best forHigh-resolution commercial image processing
A flexible AI upscaler for commercial images, print preparation, and batch workflows.
- API access
- Batch processing
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit LetsEnhance -
Best forVery high-resolution web upscaling
A flexible AI upscaler for high-resolution images, batch work, video, and API workflows.
- API access
- Batch processing
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Krea -
Best forTeams needing cloud workflows
A cloud-based upscaling platform with enhancement tools, team plans, and API access.
- API access
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit SupaRes -
Best forEcommerce and automation teams
A flexible upscaler for ecommerce teams needing credits, automation and batch workflows.
- API access
- Batch processing
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit PixelPanda -
Best forProfessional photo and print workflows
A capable choice for professional enlargement, restoration, and print preparation.
- Desktop app
- API access
- Batch processing
8.5/10★★★★☆Try Topaz Gigapixel -
Best forHigh-scale upscaling with desktop options
A flexible upscaler for creators who need batch tools, restoration, and desktop processing.
- Desktop app
- API access
- Batch processing
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit VanceAI -
Best forAffordable multi-platform upscaling
Bigjpg offers flexible AI upscaling across web, desktop, mobile, and API access.
- Desktop app
- API access
- Batch processing
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Bigjpg -
Best forFlexible low-cost API upscaling
A flexible upscaling service with free credits, 8x enlargement, batch tools, and API access.
- API access
- Batch processing
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Upscale.media -
Best forAPI users needing creative or faithful modes
A flexible AI upscaler for creators and API workflows, with usage-based plan limits.
- API access
- Batch processing
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Upsampler -
Best forCloud workflows and image-processing APIs
A flexible image-processing platform with API automation, batch tools, and AI enhancement.
- API access
- Batch processing
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Deep Image -
Best forEnterprise image-upscaling APIs
A flexible API for image and video enhancement, with enterprise deployment options.
- API access
- Batch processing
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Topaz Labs -
Best forWeb upscaling with post-processing tools
A web-based upscaler with batch processing, editing tools, and API access.
- API access
- Batch processing
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Image Upscaler -
Best forWeb users needing image and video enhancement
A web-based enhancer with broad image, video, and batch-processing tools.
- Batch processing
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit UpscaleAI -
Best forOffline Windows users wanting specialized models
A focused offline upscaler with specialized models, batch tools, and flexible paid packs.
- Desktop app
- Batch processing
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Adima AI -
Best forOffline desktop upscaling with restoration tools
A capable offline upscaler with restoration tools, batch processing, and flexible licensing.
- Desktop app
- Batch processing
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit AIarty -
Best forWindows users wanting specialized AI models
Specialized AI models, batch processing, and 8× enlargement for Windows image workflows.
- Desktop app
- Batch processing
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit Nero -
Best forPrint-focused photographers
A print-focused desktop enlarger with AI, Genuine Fractals, batch tools, and creative-workflow plugins.
- Desktop app
- Batch processing
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit ON1 -
Best forOffline desktop upscaling up to very high factors
A local desktop upscaler with batch processing and enlargement up to 40x.
- Desktop app
- Batch processing
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit LosslessImage -
Best forOne-time-license desktop users
A desktop AI enlarger with batch processing, restoration controls, and a lifetime option.
- Desktop app
- Batch processing
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit Leawo -
Best forOffline image and video enhancement
A versatile offline upscaler for image and video workflows across three platforms.
- Desktop app
- Batch processing
7.0/10★★★★☆Visit Upscal -
Best forOffline users wanting custom model loading
A privacy-focused upscaler with offline processing and custom model support.
- Desktop app
- Batch processing
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit SuperImage -
Best forPrivate Windows image and video work
A capable open-source choice for private, GPU-based image and video upscaling.
- Batch processing
6.8/10★★★☆☆Visit Upscaly Studio -
Best forTechnical researchers doing local restoration
A local, research-focused upscaler for technical users seeking configurable restoration.
- Batch processing
6.6/10★★★☆☆Visit SUPIR -
Best forTechnical self-hosted workflows
A technical, self-hosted upscaling engine with routing, batching, and developer interfaces.
- Desktop app
- API access
- Batch processing
6.5/10★★★☆☆Visit VisionSR -
Best forFree technical workflows and automation
Free, open-source upscaling and image-processing workflows for technical users.
- Desktop app
- Batch processing
6.4/10★★★☆☆Visit chaiNNer -
Best forFree Windows batch upscaling
A free, open-source Windows upscaler with batch processing and three AI model families.
- Desktop app
- Batch processing
6.3/10★★★☆☆Visit site -
Best forFree browser-based batch upscaling
A free open-source browser tool for batch upscaling, restoration, and offline processing.
- Batch processing
6.2/10★★★☆☆Visit OpenPixels -
Best forPrivate browser-based enhancement
A private, free browser upscaler with flexible scaling and image controls.
6.1/10★★★☆☆Visit AroraLabs -
Best forAPI and bulk creation users
A flexible upscaler for API workflows, bulk creation, and self-hosted deployment.
- API access
- Batch processing
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit Hotpot -
Best forDevelopers needing configurable upscaling APIs
A configurable upscaling API with free access and business-focused capacity plans.
- API access
- Batch processing
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit Ximilar -
Best forE-commerce teams needing image-processing APIs
A cloud AI image platform combining upscaling, product visuals, and API workflows.
- API access
- Batch processing
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit Claid -
Best forWeb-based restoration and batch upscaling
A web workflow for AI upscaling, restoration, and batch image processing.
- API access
- Batch processing
6.0/10★★★☆☆Try Topaz Image Web -
Best forHigh-volume web and API processing teams
A web-based upscaler built for bulk processing, APIs, and higher-volume image work.
- API access
- Batch processing
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit UpscaleHero -
Best forHigh-volume web or API processing
A practical web and API upscaler for batch image enhancement.
- API access
- Batch processing
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit Icons8 -
Best forWeb users wanting high-scale AI modes
A web upscaler with broad AI modes, 10x enlargement, batch processing, and API access.
- API access
- Batch processing
6.0/10★★★☆☆Try Super Resolution -
Best forSimple generative API upscaling
A simple web and API service for generative 2x–4x image upscaling.
- API access
- Batch processing
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit Upscale Media -
Best forGeneral users wanting 8x mobile upscaling
A flexible AI upscaler with 8x enlargement, batch processing, and apps across major platforms.
- Desktop app
- Batch processing
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit Imglarger -
Best forOpen-source anime and photo enhancement
A focused open-source upscaler for anime art, scans, and photos.
- Desktop app
- Batch processing
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit waifu2x -
Best forLarge-format desktop enlargement
A capable desktop upscaler for large images, batch work, and Adobe or Corel workflows.
- Desktop app
- Batch processing
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit PhotoZoom Pro -
Best forLow-cost web batch enlargement
A low-cost web upscaler for batch enlargement, with no API or desktop app.
- Batch processing
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit site -
Best forCross-platform casual upscaling with credit plans
A flexible web and desktop upscaler with free access and credit-based paid plans.
- Desktop app
- Batch processing
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit Aiseesoft -
Best forOffline desktop batch processing on a budget
A focused, affordable desktop upscaler for local batch processing.
- Desktop app
- Batch processing
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit Voicehaus -
Best forOpen-source image and video enhancement
A flexible local upscaler for anime workflows, with video support and developer integrations.
- Desktop app
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit Real-CUGAN -
Best forEnterprise image-processing API workflows
A flexible image-processing API with 8× upscaling and developer-focused workflow controls.
- API access
- Batch processing
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit Nero AI API -
Best forSpecialized web image enhancement
A focused web upscaler with broad inputs, specialized models, and paid batch processing.
- Batch processing
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit ImageUpg -
Best forWindows users with watch-folder workflows
A one-time Windows app for folder-scale PNG upscaling and print preparation.
- Desktop app
- Batch processing
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit AI Upscaler
No tools match those filters.
Compare at a glance
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Upscaling method | Maximum scale | Batch processing | API access | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Real-ESRGAN | Yes | Free | Ai | Custom | Yes | 9.4 | |
| 2 | NextGenUp | Yes | Free | Yes | 9.3 | |||
| 3 | Upscayl | Yes | $24.99/mo | Ai | Custom | Yes | Yes | 9.1 |
| 4 | PicWish Image Upscaler | Yes | Ai | Custom | Yes | Yes | 9.0 | |
| 5 | LetsEnhance | Yes | $9/mo | Ai | Custom | Yes | Yes | 8.9 |
| 6 | Krea Enhancer | Yes | $9/mo | Ai | Yes | Yes | 8.8 | |
| 7 | SupaRes | Yes | $9/mo | Ai | Custom | Yes | 8.7 | |
| 8 | PixelPanda Image Upscaler | Yes | $7/mo | Both | 8x | Yes | Yes | 8.6 |
| 9 | Topaz Gigapixel | No | $12/mo | Ai | Yes | Yes | 8.5 | |
| 10 | VanceAI Image Upscaler | No | $99.90/yr | Ai | Custom | Yes | Yes | 8.4 |
| 11 | Bigjpg | Yes | $6 one-time | Ai | Custom | Yes | Yes | 8.3 |
| 12 | Upscale.media | Yes | $69.99/yr | Ai | 8x | Yes | Yes | 8.2 |
| 13 | Upsampler | Yes | $15/mo | Ai | Custom | Yes | Yes | 8.1 |
| 14 | Deep Image | No | $0.04/unit usage-based | Ai | Custom | Yes | Yes | 8.0 |
| 15 | Topaz Labs API | Yes | $50/mo | Ai | Yes | Yes | 7.9 | |
| 16 | Image Upscaler | Yes | $69/yr | Ai | 8x | Yes | Yes | 7.8 |
| 17 | UpscaleAI | Yes | $95.90/yr | Yes | 7.7 | |||
| 18 | Adima Image Upscaler Pro | Yes | $7.99/mo | Yes | 7.6 | |||
| 19 | AIarty Image Enhancer | No | $85/device/yr | Ai | Custom | Yes | 7.5 | |
| 20 | Nero AI Image Upscaler | No | $39.96/yr | Ai | 8x | Yes | 7.4 | |
| 21 | ON1 Resize AI | No | Both | Custom | Yes | 7.3 | ||
| 22 | LosslessImage | No | Ai | Custom | Yes | 7.2 | ||
| 23 | Leawo Photo Enlarger | No | $44.95/yr | Ai | Custom | Yes | 7.1 | |
| 24 | Upscal | Yes | Yes | No | 7.0 | |||
| 25 | SuperImage | Yes | Ai | Yes | 6.9 | |||
| 26 | Upscaly Studio | Yes | Free | Yes | 6.8 | |||
| 27 | SUPIR | Free | Ai | Custom | Yes | 6.6 | ||
| 28 | VisionSR | Free | Ai | 4x | Yes | Yes | 6.5 | |
| 29 | chaiNNer | Yes | Free | Ai | 8x | Yes | 6.4 | |
| 30 | Image Super Resolution Tool | Yes | Free | Ai | 4x | Yes | 6.3 | |
| 31 | OpenPixels | Yes | Free | Ai | 8x | Yes | 6.2 | |
| 32 | AroraLabs AI Image Upscaler | Yes | Free | Both | Custom | 6.1 | ||
| 33 | Hotpot AI Upscale Photo | Yes | Ai | Custom | Yes | Yes | 6.0 | |
| 34 | Ximilar Image Upscaler | Yes | $69/mo | Yes | Yes | 6.0 | ||
| 35 | Claid | Yes | Yes | 6.0 | ||||
| 36 | Topaz Image Web | No | $199/yr | Ai | 8x | Yes | Yes | 6.0 |
| 37 | UpscaleHero | Yes | $79/mo | Ai | 8x | Yes | Yes | 6.0 |
| 38 | Icons8 Smart Upscaler | Ai | Custom | Yes | Yes | 6.0 | ||
| 39 | Super Resolution | Yes | $84/yr | Ai | Custom | Yes | Yes | 6.0 |
| 40 | Upscale Media AI | Yes | $3.60/mo | Ai | 4x | Yes | Yes | 6.0 |
| 41 | Imglarger | Yes | $9.99/mo | Ai | 8x | Yes | 6.0 | |
| 42 | waifu2x | Free | Ai | 4x | Yes | 6.0 | ||
| 43 | PhotoZoom Pro | No | €79 one-time | Both | Custom | Yes | 6.0 | |
| 44 | Bulk Image Upscaler | Yes | $5/mo | Ai | Custom | Yes | No | 6.0 |
| 45 | Aiseesoft Image Upscaler | Yes | $14.90/mo | Ai | 8x | Yes | 6.0 | |
| 46 | Enlarger | No | $39 one-time | Yes | No | 6.0 | ||
| 47 | Real-CUGAN | Yes | Free | 6.0 | ||||
| 48 | Nero AI API | Ai | 8x | Yes | Yes | 6.0 | ||
| 49 | ImageUpg | Yes | $84/yr | Ai | Custom | Yes | No | 6.0 |
| 50 | AI Upscaler Studio | No | $22.49 one-time | Ai | Custom | Yes | No | 6.0 |
Head-to-head All 26 comparisons →
- Real-ESRGAN vs Upscayl
- Real-ESRGAN vs PicWish Image Upscaler
- Real-ESRGAN vs LetsEnhance
- Real-ESRGAN vs Krea Enhancer
- Real-ESRGAN vs SupaRes
- Real-ESRGAN vs PixelPanda Image Upscaler
- NextGenUp vs PicWish Image Upscaler
- NextGenUp vs LetsEnhance
- NextGenUp vs Krea Enhancer
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How we rank image upscaling software
Every tool on this page was researched by iTechGuides Editors from its official website — pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. We rank on how well each one does this category's core job, what the free or entry plan includes, and where it falls short. Where we have enough verified facts, the score out of 10 is a rubric — job fit, value and how much we could verify — shown with its breakdown on every tool's page; a tool we have not verified enough to score yet shows its rank without a number. Scores are re-checked when a product changes its plans. Read the full editorial policy, or submit a tool we missed.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update