Best CodeFormer Alternatives in 2026
The top CodeFormer alternatives are ImageColorizer, insMind AI Photo Restoration and PicWish Old Photo Restoration: 15 AI image restoration software our editors would look at instead of CodeFormer, in our ranking order.
CodeFormer: A capable self-hosted model for programmatic face restoration, colorization, and video enhancement. Where it falls short: self-hosted installation requires PyTorch and CUDA.
Switching from CodeFormer? For most ai image restoration software buyers the best CodeFormer alternative is ImageColorizer, built for most users restoring varied old photos. On a budget, Rewind AI Photo Restorer starts at $5/mo.
Why People Look for a CodeFormer Alternative
- 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
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallImageColorizer9.4
Most users restoring varied old photos
Visit ImageColorizer - Lowest priceRewind AI Photo Restorer8.6
Paid plans from $5/mo
Visit Rewind AI Photo Restorer - Best free optionImageColorizer9.4
Has a free plan
Visit ImageColorizer
All 15 CodeFormer Alternatives, Ranked
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.
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Best forMost users restoring varied old photos
- Better than CodeFormer:
- Editor score 9.4 vs 6.9
A broad AI restoration toolkit for varied photo repair, colorization, and enhancement.
- Batch processing
- Scratch repair
9.4/10★★★★★Visit ImageColorizer -
Best forFree restoration with batch enhancement
- Better than CodeFormer:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 6.9
A free AI photo restorer with broad repair tools and batch enhancement.
- Blur repair
- Fading repair
- Face restoration
9.2/10★★★★★Visit insMind -
Best forBroad-platform old-photo restoration
- Better than CodeFormer:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 6.9
A broad restoration toolkit with flexible platforms and a free starting point.
- Blur repair
- Fading repair
- Face restoration
9.1/10★★★★★Visit PicWish -
Best forTeams needing restoration plus an API
- Better than CodeFormer:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 6.9
A broad restoration toolkit with batch processing and API access.
- Blur repair
- Fading repair
- Face restoration
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Nero AI -
Best forCollections and developers needing an API
- Better than CodeFormer:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 6.9
A flexible restoration service for image collections, commercial work, and API workflows.
- Batch processing
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Pinin -
Best forStraightforward web and Android restoration
- Better than CodeFormer:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 6.9
A focused web and Android restorer for repairing, colorizing, and enlarging old photos.
- Blur repair
- Fading repair
- Face restoration
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Media.io -
Best forLow-cost restoration with integrations
- Better than CodeFormer:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 6.9
A low-cost photo restorer with flexible modes, token plans and useful integrations.
- Fading repair
- Face restoration
- Scratch repair
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Rewind.ai -
Best forOccasional restorations priced per photo
- Better than CodeFormer:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 6.9
A pay-per-photo web service for repairing common damage in scanned family photos.
- Blur repair
- Fading repair
- Batch processing
8.4/10★★★★☆Try RestoreThisPhoto -
Best forWindows users restoring and colorizing batches
- Better than CodeFormer:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 6.9
A broad Windows toolkit for repairing, colorizing, scanning, and batch-processing old photos.
- Batch processing
- Scratch repair
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit PhotoGlory -
Best forFocused archival restoration without subscriptions
- Better than CodeFormer:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 6.9
A focused web service for restoring individual family photos and archival projects.
- Blur repair
- Fading repair
- Face restoration
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Phoxel -
Best forHigh-resolution enhancement and batch workflows
- Better than CodeFormer:
- Editor score 8.1 vs 6.9
A strong choice for high-resolution enhancement, batch processing, and print preparation.
- Batch processing
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit LetsEnhance -
Best foriPhone users wanting broad creative restoration
- Better than CodeFormer:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 6.9
A broad iPhone restoration toolkit with useful creative tools, but limited free access and weekly billing.
- Scratch repair
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit RenewShot -
Best foriPhone users restoring damaged physical photos
- Better than CodeFormer:
- Editor score 7.8 vs 6.9
A focused iOS tool for repairing physical photo damage and colorizing old images.
- Scratch repair
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Coloroid AI -
Best forMobile users wanting many enhancement controls
- Better than CodeFormer:
- Editor score 7.7 vs 6.9
Broad AI restoration controls across web, iOS, and Android, with a high paid entry price.
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit DaVinci AI -
Best forFace-focused restoration across platforms
- Better than CodeFormer:
- Editor score 7.6 vs 6.9
A face-focused AI enhancer with restoration, upscaling, mobile apps, web access, and an API.
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Remini
CodeFormer Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to CodeFormer?
ImageColorizer: #1 in our AI Image Restoration Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A broad AI restoration toolkit for varied photo repair, colorization, and enhancement.
Is there a free alternative to CodeFormer?
Yes. ImageColorizer, insMind AI Photo Restoration, PicWish Old Photo Restoration, Nero AI Photo Restoration and Pinin have a free plan or a free tier (12 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
What is the cheapest paid alternative to CodeFormer?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Rewind AI Photo Restorer starts lowest, at $5/mo.
Why do people look for CodeFormer alternatives?
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.
How do I switch from CodeFormer?
Export your data from CodeFormer (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel CodeFormer.
How to Switch from CodeFormer
- Export your data from CodeFormer (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel CodeFormer.
CodeFormer vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Scratch repair | Fading repair | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | CodeFormer | Free | Yes | 6.9 | ||
| 1 | ImageColorizer | Yes | $6.90/mo | Yes | 9.4 | |
| 2 | insMind AI Photo Restoration | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.2 | |
| 3 | PicWish Old Photo Restoration | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.1 | |
| 4 | Nero AI Photo Restoration | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.9 | |
| 5 | Pinin | Yes | $12/mo | 8.8 | ||
| 6 | Media.io AI Photo Restorer | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.7 | |
| 7 | Rewind AI Photo Restorer | Yes | $5/mo | Yes | Yes | 8.6 |
| 8 | RestoreThisPhoto | $4.49/unit one-time | Yes | Yes | 8.4 | |
| 9 | PhotoGlory | No | $27.50 one-time | Yes | 8.3 | |
| 10 | Phoxel | No | $6 one-time | Yes | Yes | 8.2 |
| 11 | LetsEnhance | Yes | $9/mo | 8.1 | ||
| 12 | RenewShot | Yes | $49.99/yr | Yes | 7.9 | |
| 13 | Coloroid AI | Yes | Yes | 7.8 | ||
| 14 | DaVinci AI Photo Restoration | Yes | $39.99/mo | 7.7 | ||
| 15 | Remini | Yes | 7.6 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update