Real-ESRGAN vs ON1 Resize AI

REReal-ESRGAN9.4Visit ON1 Resize AI7.3Visit

Higher score RE Real-ESRGAN #1 in Image Upscaling Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 3 features Visit Real-ESRGAN

vs

ON1 Resize AI #21 in Image Upscaling Software 7.3/10 Paid ✓ 2 of 3 features Visit ON1

• Real-ESRGAN fits best

  Free open-source super-resolution

• ON1 Resize AI fits best

  Print-focused photographers

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Side by side

Feature	REReal-ESRGAN 9.4/10 Visit ↗	ON1 Resize AI 7.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	7.3
Ranking	#1 in Image Upscaling Software	#21 in Image Upscaling Software
Best for	Free open-source super-resolution	Print-focused photographers
Pricing model	Free	Paid
Starting price	Free plan	—
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows, macOS
Integrations	3 integrations	6 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Real-ESRGAN 2/3 · ON1 Resize AI 2/3
Batch processing	✓	✓
API access	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Desktop app	✓	✓
Specs
Upscaling method	Ai	Both
Maximum scale	Custom	Custom
Input formats	JPG, PNG, WEBP	RAW, PSD, PSB, TIFF, JPG, PNG, HEIC
Our review
Pros	Arbitrary scaling, batch processing, and tiled inference Supports Windows, Linux, macOS, and web workflows Handles alpha-channel, grayscale, and 16-bit images	Combines AI upscaling with Genuine Fractals interpolation Includes batch export, tiling, margins, soft proofing, and print presets Supports Photoshop, Lightroom Classic, Capture One, and other hosts
Cons	Local workflows require installation and execution setup Advanced face enhancement depends on GFPGAN integration Its model focus is restoration and super-resolution rather than broad editing	Paid software with no free plan Runs on Windows and macOS desktop systems Photo RAW MAX may add apps beyond resizing needs
Our verdict	Real-ESRGAN is an open-source project for AI-based image and video super-resolution. It is aimed at users who want local workflows for enlarging and restoring general images, anime images, or video, with portable executables for Windows,… Read the review →	ON1 Resize AI is desktop photo enlargement software for photographers, designers, and print-focused creative professionals. It combines AI-powered photo upscaling with Genuine Fractals interpolation, including a Diffusion-based Highest… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Real-ESRGAN — where it wins

  • Arbitrary scaling, batch processing, and tiled inference
  • Supports Windows, Linux, macOS, and web workflows
  • Handles alpha-channel, grayscale, and 16-bit images

  Where it doesn't

  • Local workflows require installation and execution setup
  • Advanced face enhancement depends on GFPGAN integration
  • Its model focus is restoration and super-resolution rather than broad editing

• ON1 Resize AI — where it wins

  • Combines AI upscaling with Genuine Fractals interpolation
  • Includes batch export, tiling, margins, soft proofing, and print presets
  • Supports Photoshop, Lightroom Classic, Capture One, and other hosts

  Where it doesn't

  • Paid software with no free plan
  • Runs on Windows and macOS desktop systems
  • Photo RAW MAX may add apps beyond resizing needs

• REReal-ESRGAN9.4/10 · Free plan

  A flexible open-source upscaler for local image, anime, and video workflows.

  Visit Real-ESRGANFull verdict →
• ON1 Resize AI7.3/10 · Paid

  A print-focused desktop enlarger with AI, Genuine Fractals, batch tools, and creative-workflow plugins.

  Visit ON1Full verdict →