CodeFormer
CodeFormer: A capable self-hosted model for programmatic face restoration, colorization, and video enhancement. Ranked #22 of 29 in AI Image Restoration Software by our editors (6.9/10); pricing: Open source; best for developers restoring faces programmatically.
At a glance
- Editor score6.9 / 10
- PricingOpen source
- Best forDevelopers restoring faces programmatically
- Paid fromFree
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Strong blind face restoration for cropped and aligned faces
- Adds colorization, inpainting, whole-image, and video workflows
- Integrates with Hugging Face, Replicate, and OpenXLab
Where it doesn't
- Self-hosted installation requires PyTorch and CUDA
- Commercial use is not covered by the stated license permission
- Not a complete restoration suite for every type of image damage
Our verdict on CodeFormer
CodeFormer is an open-source AI model for restoring degraded facial detail in cropped and aligned faces. It is aimed at developers and technical teams that want to run restoration workflows locally or integrate them into applications. The project includes pretrained models and supports whole-image enhancement, video processing, face colorization for black-and-white or faded photos, and face inpainting from masked face inputs. Face detection and cropping are supported with dlib, while optional Real-ESRGAN workflows can enhance backgrounds and upscale faces.
The main advantage is breadth around face-focused restoration. CodeFormer can address several common workflows without being limited to a single still-image operation: faded-photo colorization, masked-face inpainting, whole-image enhancement, and video enhancement are all part of the project. Integrations with Hugging Face, Replicate, and OpenXLab also give developers multiple ecosystem paths for sharing or deploying the model. That combination makes it a practical fit for programmatic pipelines where facial detail is the primary concern.
Deployment is oriented toward technical users rather than casual editors. CodeFormer is self-hosted, with PyTorch and CUDA listed among its requirements, so installation and operation depend on a suitable local environment. The stated license permits non-commercial use, while commercial use is not covered by that permission. Choose CodeFormer when you need open-source, developer-controlled face restoration with optional enhancement workflows. Choose another product when you need a hosted interface, commercial-use coverage, or a broader tool for restoring damage beyond faces.
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CodeFormer pricing
CodeFormer fact sheet
| Free plan | Not verified |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Scratch repair | Not verified |
| Blur repair | Not verified |
| Fading repair | Yes |
| Face restoration | Yes |
| Batch processing | Not verified |
| Maximum output resolution | Not verified |
| Deployment | Self-hosted |
| Support | Email, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 3 integrations: Hugging Face, Replicate, OpenXLab |
| Pricing | Open source |
| Website | github.com |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
CodeFormer integrations
CodeFormer lists 3 integrations on its own site.
- Hugging Face
- Replicate
- OpenXLab
Alternatives to CodeFormer
- ImageColorizerA broad AI restoration toolkit for varied photo repair, colorization, and enhancement.9.4
- insMind AI Photo RestorationA free AI photo restorer with broad repair tools and batch enhancement.9.2
- PicWish Old Photo RestorationA broad restoration toolkit with flexible platforms and a free starting point.9.1
See all CodeFormer alternatives →
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Featured on iTechGuides
CodeFormer is listed in our AI Image Restoration Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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