7 Best AI Image Upscalers to Boost Quality and Resolution

An AI image upscaler is a tool that uses artificial intelligence to enhance an image’s size while maintaining—or even improving—its quality. Unlike traditional upscaling methods, which stretch existing pixels and often result in blurry images, AI image upscalers analyze and reconstruct images to increase image resolution. They identify patterns, textures, and details, filling in gaps intelligently to create sharp, realistic visuals—even when enlarged.

For creative professionals, this difference is crucial. With AI upscaling, you can enlarge images for high-quality prints, large displays, or digital content without worrying about losing detail or introducing blur.

How Image Upscaling Works

Image upscaling works by employing sophisticated AI algorithms to analyze the original image and predict the missing pixels needed to create a higher-resolution version. This process involves a series of complex calculations that consider the image’s texture, patterns, and colors.

The AI algorithm then uses this information to generate new pixels that seamlessly integrate into the original image, resulting in a higher-resolution version that is virtually indistinguishable from the original.

By using AI to upscale images, you can enhance image resolution and quality, making your visuals sharper and more detailed, even when enlarged.

Image Quality and Resolution

Image quality and resolution are two critical factors that determine the overall appearance of an image. Image quality refers to the level of detail and clarity, while resolution refers to the number of pixels that make up the image.

A higher resolution image typically contains more pixels, resulting in a more detailed and clearer image. However, increasing the resolution without compromising quality is a challenging task.

This is where image upscaling comes into play. By using AI algorithms to upscale images, it is possible to increase the resolution without losing quality, resulting in a sharper and more detailed image.

Whether you’re working with blurry images or looking to enhance image resolution for professional use, AI image upscalers can help you achieve an enhanced image that meets your needs.

1. Aiarty Image Enhancer

Pricing: Free trial; Premium subscription available from $75 on sale

Compatibility: Windows 10 (x64) 1809 or higher; macOS 10.15 or higher

Upscaling Options: 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x or customizable resolutions

Supported Image Formats: JPG, JPEG, PNG, TIF, TIFF, WebP, BMP, RAW formats like DNG, CR3, CRW, ERF, DRF, RWL, RAW, etc.

Aiarty Image Enhancer is ideal for those who want powerful upscaling results with minimal effort. It offers features like Denoise, Deblur, More Details, and Upscaling to help improve image quality. It’s an automatic 4-in-1 process, so you can maximize your efforts by letting the AI do the heavy repetitive work and focus on the creative part.

This AI photo enhancer is well-trained to ensure content-aware and optimal performance. It offers three AI models to handle various restoration challenges, from denoising and deblurring to enhancing intricate details like skin, hair, and textures. Additionally, Aiarty Image Enhancer supports upscaling images up to 800% and 32K resolution on Windows and 16K on macOS. By increasing photo resolution, it ensures that enlarged photos remain sharp and free from pixelation, preserving the original quality. Its user-friendly interface and efficient batch processing allows you to restore large volumes of photos quickly and effortlessly.

Even better, it’s specially optimized for NVIDIA/AMD/Intel GPU and CPU for lower system requirements and better performance, making it an ideal tool for both professionals and hobbyists for everyday uses.

Key Features:

• 4-in-1 AI image enhancement: denoise, deblur, more details, and upscale
• 3 well-trained AI models for different image types
• High-quality upscaling up to 8X and 32K on Windows and 16K on macOS
• Batch processing 1000+ images simultaneously

Pros:

• Simple and intuitive interface requiring no advanced editing skills
• Optimized for hardware acceleration, including NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel GPUs and CPUs
• Extensive format support, including RAW format
• Preserve prompts for AI images from Stable Diffusion, etc.

Cons:

• Lack of support for Linux

Ideal Users: Aiarty Image Enhancer is ideal for graphic designers and digital artists who want a balance of quality and simplicity. It’s a great choice if you need high-quality upscaling for web and print without a steep learning curve.

What Do We Think About Aiarty Image Enhancer

Aiarty Image Enhancer stands out for its ease of use and reliable output quality. Its lower system requirements and automatic 4-in-1 image enhancement make it easy to achieve impressive results without extensive setup. For creatives looking for simplicity without sacrificing quality, Aiarty Image Enhancer is an excellent choice.

2. Topaz Gigapixel AI

Pricing: Free trial; $99 for personal uses plus 12 months of updates

Compatibility: Windows 10 or 11; macOS Big Sur 11.0 and higher

Upscaling Options: 1x, 2x, 4x, 6x

Supported Image Formats: JPEG, PNG, TIFF, and RAW files

Topaz Gigapixel AI is widely known for its dedicated focus on AI-powered image upscaling. Unlike general image editing software, Gigapixel AI specializes in enlarging images, producing results that retain intricate details and sharpness, even at high levels of magnification.

The Resize Mode allows you to increase image resolution up to 6x the original resolution. Specialized AI models handle different types of images and enhance specific features. Its straightforward interface and batch processing capabilities also add convenience. However, this AI image upscaler requires a powerful setup to run smoothly.

Key Features:

• Resize Mode to increase image resolution up to 6x the original resolution
• Specialized AI models for different image types
• Additional settings to Sharpen, Denoise, and Fix Compression
• Face Recovery for human facial details

Pros:

• Powerful AI upscaling to maintain detail and sharpness
• Batch processing to upscale multiple images simultaneously
• Option to use with Lightroom or Photoshop as plugins

Cons:

• Higher price tag
• Higher system requirements for optimal performance
• Slower processing time with large or high-resolution files

Ideal Users: Topaz Gigapixel AI is ideal for photographers and digital artists who require the highest quality upscaling, particularly when detail preservation is essential. It’s also well-suited for projects involving large prints or detailed visuals.

Gigapixel AI is a top choice for creatives who need exceptional upscaling quality. This AI image enlarger can retain textures even at large magnifications, which can be especially valuable for photographers and designers. Although it may have a higher initial cost, its one-time purchase option makes it attractive for those looking for a long-term investment without ongoing fees.

3. Luminar Neo

Pricing: 7-day free trial; $69 for 12 months subscription, $99 for lifetime license

Compatibility: Win 10 (64-bit OS, version 1909 or higher); macOS 12.0 or higher

Upscaling Options: up to 6x

Supported Image Formats: PNG, JPEG, TIFF, PSD, HEIC, Raw Formats (CR2, CR3, DNG, etc.)

Luminar Neo is a robust image editing software known for its AI-driven approach to enhancing photos. It provides creatives with powerful editing options that automate complex tasks, from basic adjustments to sophisticated retouching.

Its Upscale AI feature allows you to upscale an image up to 6x its original resolution while maintaining sharpness and fine details. This enhancement in photo resolution ensures that enlarged photos remain sharp and free from pixelation. Open Luminar Neo as a stand-alone program, then you can access Upscale AI in the Resolution Enhancement section of the Catalog view. Besides the Upscale AI, you can enjoy a wide range of editing tools like portrait bokeh, background removal, sky replacement, etc. The software’s intuitive AI-powered controls automate complicated multi-step tasks.

Key Features:

• Enhance image resolution up to 6x while preserving clarity
• One-click automated upscaling
• AI-powered editing tools for portrait bokeh, background removal, sky replacement, etc.

Pros:

• Simplify upscaling with an easy, one-click process
• Provide additional AI tools for a comprehensive editing experience
• Work as a stand-alone program and Photoshop, Lightroom, and Photos plugin

Cons:

• Fewer adjustments compared to other image upscalers
• Some operations are slow

Ideal Users: Luminar Neo is perfect for users seeking an intuitive tool that combines AI upscaling with other editing features without manual effort.

What Do We Think About Luminar Neo

Luminar Neo’s Upscale AI is an efficient option for those who want quality results with minimal setup. Although it has fewer adjustments than other software, it is still a solid choice for users looking for reliability and quality without extra complexity.

4. Adobe Photoshop

Pricing: Free trial; Plans starting at $22.99/mo or $59.99/mo with Creative Cloud

Compatibility: Win 10 (V22H2) or later; macOS v12 or later

Upscaling Options: Customizable scaling percentages, specific pixel dimensions, and scaling factors allow for precise control.

Supported Image Formats: JPEG, PNG, TIFF, PSD, WebP, BMP, Cineon, HEIF/HEIC, IFF format, PCX, PDF, PSD, Photoshop Raw, etc.

Access to AI photo upscaling in a program you already use is a big plus. Adobe Photoshop is a powerhouse in image editing that most photographers are very familiar with. It includes advanced AI-driven upscaling features that make it versatile for creative professionals.

With Preserve Details 2.0, Photoshop allows users to upsample images while retaining quality with a Noise Reduction slider. This feature is particularly useful to increase image resolution without losing detail. You can customize specific pixel dimensions and scaling factors. The Super Resolution in the Camera Raw plug-in allows double the linear resolution, which quadruples the total resolution.

Beyond upscaling, it offers extensive customization options, making it ideal for creatives who need both flexibility and precision. Although Photoshop’s main focus isn’t upscaling, its robust AI capabilities add impressive results to an already comprehensive tool.

Key Features:

• Preserve Details 2.0 for high-quality photo enhancement and to increase image resolution
• Super Resolution for doubling the image’s resolution while preserving clarity
• Customizable adjustments for noise reduction, sharpness, and edge detail
• Seamless integration with Creative Cloud

Pros:

• Support extensive file formats
• High-quality outputs for printing and display
• Integrate seamlessly with other Adobe products
• Enhance workflows for professionals already using Creative Cloud

Cons:

• Steep learning curve, especially for new users
• Higher system requirements and additional requirements for Adobe Camera Raw
• Pricey subscription-based plan model

Ideal Users: Adobe Photoshop is ideal for professional designers and photographers with an Adobe Creative Cloud plan who need precise control over their images.

Photoshop’s AI-powered upscaling, especially with the addition of Super Resolution, is excellent for those already working within Adobe’s ecosystem. You’ll find it valuable for projects that demand detail and customization. While Photoshop may not solely focus on upscaling, its capabilities make it a reliable tool for creatives who value control and quality.

5. HitPaw AI Photo Enhancer Online

Pricing: Free with watermark; Pro plans available for $8.99/week, $18.99/month, or $129.99/year

Compatibility: Web browser

Upscaling Options: 2x (and 1x, 4x, 8x for Pro subscriptions)

Supported Image Formats: JPG, PNG, and TIFF

HitPaw AI Photo Enhancer Online offers a streamlined, web-based solution for quick and effective image upscaling. Designed with accessibility in mind, this online AI image upscaler requires no downloads or installations, making it ideal for users who need convenience.

HitPaw’s AI models provide quality upscaling with minimal user input, which makes it especially suitable for creatives looking to enhance images directly from their browsers. Free users can only upscale 2x the original resolution with watermark. Pro users can select from various models for face, general use, denoise, coloration, and restoration. The free AI photo enhancer allows users to improve image quality and resolution without compromising details, making it a great option for those who need a sharper, high-quality finish while maintaining textures and clarity.

While the online version may not have all the advanced features of a desktop AI image enhancer, it’s a fast, reliable option for straightforward upscaling needs.

Key Features:

• Web-based convenience without downloading any software
• Multiple AI enhanced models for various use cases
• Upscale images up to 8x the original resolution with a Pro Plan
• Work with popular formats like JPEG, PNG, and TIFF

Pros:

• Simple interface for users of all experience levels
• Accessible on multiple platforms without installation
• Fast, convenient option for smaller projects or web use

Cons:

• Lack of support for batch image upscaling
• Require an internet connection for use
• Higher price tag among other online photo enhancers
• Limited download images with weekly or monthly paid plans

Ideal Users: HitPaw AI Photo Enhancer Online is best for users who need a quick, convenient online solution for basic upscaling tasks. It’s especially useful for those who work on multiple devices or prefer not to install software.

What Do We Think About HitPaw AI Photo Enhancer Online

HitPaw Online can be a go-to for users who prioritize convenience and quick results. Its web-based interface makes it highly accessible, and the quality of upscaling is sufficient for web-based projects. While it may lack the depth of desktop tools, its ease of use and accessibility make it a practical choice for light upscaling needs.

Pricing: Free; Subscription Plan available from $0.05/credit

Compatibility: Web browser

Upscaling Options: 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x

Supported Image Formats: PNG, JPEG, JPG, WebP, and HEIC

Upscale.media is a browser-based AI image enhancer designed for fast and efficient image upscaling without the need for software installation. Known for its clean, minimalist interface, this program is accessible to all skill levels, making it easy to use for quick upscaling tasks.

The program offers two ways—Normal Upscaling and AI Upscaling—to increase the resolution by up to 8x. As a free AI photo enhancer, it improves image quality and resolution without compromising details, allowing users to upscale their photos to a sharper, high-quality finish while maintaining textures and clarity. But that’s all this online image upscaler can do, no model selection or other additional features like denoise, etc.

While it may not offer the extensive features of other online AI image upscalers, it’s a straightforward AI photo upscaling solution for individuals, professionals, and E-commerce alike.

Key Features:

• Highly accessible across different devices with no download required
• Use AI to upscale image resolution up to 8x
• User-friendly interface and simple layout for all user levels

Pros:

• No watermark on the outputs even with a free plan
• Good quality for most general image upscaling tasks
• Intuitive interface suitable for beginners and professionals alike

Cons:

• Limited input resolution up to 1,500 x 1,500 px
• Internet connection required to use

Ideal Users: Upscale.media is a good choice for users who need a quick, reliable online image upscaling. It’s especially beneficial for social media managers, content creators, and designers who need to upscale images on the go.

Upscale.media shines for its accessibility and ease of use. It’s ideal for web-based AI upscaling tasks and quick image enlargements. While it doesn’t offer the higher levels of upscaling some may need, its performance and ease make it a decent AI upscaler for basic, everyday use.

7. VideoProc Converter AI

Pricing: Free trial; $25.95 for 1-year subscription, $45.95 for lifetime license

Compatibility: Windows 7 and later (32-bit and 64-bit); macOS 10.13 or later

Upscaling Options: 1x, 2x, 3x, 4x

Supported Image Formats: PNG, JPG, PBM, XBM, JPEG, PGM, PPM, XPM, TIFF, WEBP, BMP, AVIF, etc.

Videoproc Converter AI is a versatile media converter and enhancer equipped with advanced AI features. Primarily known for its video conversion capabilities, it also offers a dedicated Super Resolution tool that makes it easy to upscale images even on a 32-bit Windows 7 computer with only a CPU.

This AI image upscaler offers 4 well-trained models for different types of images. It can enlarge AI art from Stable Diffusion or Midjourney, old photos, and low-resolution images by 2x, 3x, or 4x, and up to 10K resolution while preserving real details and sharpness. There’s a 1x scale option to enhance image quality without upscaling, ensuring that increased photo resolution improves clarity and detail while maintaining the original quality.

Besides upscaling, VideoProc Converter AI also offers tools for video format conversion, audio denoising, file size compression, etc. It’s designed to provide ease of use without sacrificing quality, making it a great fit for creatives who work with both images and video projects.

Key Features:

• AI upscale image resolution with fine details and clarity for professional results
• Support batch processing to upscale multiple images at once
• 4 well-trained AI models for different types of images
• Additional AI features for frame interpolation, video stabilization, audio cleanup

Pros:

• High-quality upscaling with AI-driven precision for images and videos
• Low system requirements even for less powerful computers
• Ideal for multimedia projects with image and video format flexibility
• Easy-to-use with minimal setup, suitable for all skill levels

Cons:

• AI features currently lack support for macOS

Ideal Users: VideoProc Converter AI is ideal for creatives who need an all-in-one AI upscaling solution for image and video enhancement. It’s particularly suitable for users with lower system configurations who prefer local processing and need quality results for multimedia projects.

What Do We Think About VideoProc Converter AI

VideoProc Converter AI stands out for its versatility and accessibility. Users appreciate the ability to upscale images and videos with high-quality results, even on less powerful systems. Its video format conversion feature is an added bonus for creatives working with NLEs, and the tool’s affordability makes it an excellent value for budget-conscious users.

Choosing the right AI image upscaler can make a big difference in the quality and impact of your visuals. Each tool we’ve covered has unique strengths, and Aiarty Image Enhancer stands out for its balance of simplicity, quality, and efficiency.

With its well-trained AI models, Aiarty Image Enhancer offers high-quality results for different image types. Plus the straightforward interface, this AI image upscaler is indeed an ideal choice for creatives who need reliable upscaling without complex settings. It also supports a range of formats and has batch processing options, so you can enhance multiple images at once to save time. Additionally, it can increase image resolution significantly while preserving textures and sharpness.

Meanwhile, Photoshop is perfect for professional designers and photographers with an Adobe Creative Cloud plan. Topaz Gigapixel AI is ideal for creatives who prioritize high detail preservation and don’t mind a higher price tag, while online image upscalers like HitPaw and Upscale.media offer convenient web-based upscaling for quick and easy access without installations. When deciding, consider what matters most to you to find an AI image upscaler that aligns perfectly with your creative goals.