Upscaly Studio review
A capable open-source Windows upscaler for local batch image and video work.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Upscaly Studio is a free, open-source Windows desktop application for locally enhancing images and videos with Real-ESRGAN models. It is aimed at individuals and small teams that want GPU-based processing without uploading media to a cloud service. The core workflow covers 2×, 3×, and 4× upscaling, while support for images and videos makes it suitable for both still assets and recorded footage. No account is required, and local processing operates without telemetry requirements.
The pricing model is straightforward: the application is free, with no official paid tiers described. Its feature set is broad for a local utility, including batch queues, drag-to-reorder controls, per-item cancellation, custom ncnn model support, and before-and-after comparison with zoom. Video workflows also retain audio tracks and use lossless PNG intermediate frames. These capabilities make it a practical choice for users handling multiple files or wanting closer visual inspection before exporting.
Hardware and resource controls are central to the desktop experience. Upscaly Studio supports NVENC, QuickSync, and AMF hardware encoding where available, alongside a VRAM governor and automatic tile back-off to manage GPU memory. Its narrow platform scope is the main trade-off: it is built for Windows rather than a broader desktop ecosystem, and its focus is resolution enhancement rather than frame interpolation. Choose it for private, local batch upscaling with flexible model support; choose an alternative if cross-platform access or interpolation is a primary requirement.
Upscaly Studio pros and cons
- Where it wins
- 2×, 3×, and 4× Real-ESRGAN upscaling
- Batch queues with reordering and per-item cancellation
- Local processing with audio preservation and no account requirements
- Where it doesn't
- Windows-only desktop availability
- Focused on upscaling rather than frame interpolation
- Hardware encoding depends on available GPU support
Upscaly Studio fact sheet, pricing and score →
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