10 Best AI Image Upscalers of 2025

AI Image Upscalers

AI image upscalers are great for getting that final touch of polish for any photo you want to feel proud about.

These tools use AI to enlarge and enhance details, often surpassing traditional methods.

This guide compares 10 top upscalers, including free and paid tools.

You’ll find a comparison table, pros and cons, a tutorial, and tips to choose the best fit.

Comparison: Top AI Image Upscalers in 2025

Tool

Platforms

Max Upscale

Batch Processing

Pricing

Notable Features

Magic Hour

Web

4× (2× free)

Yes via API

Free (2×); ~$10/mo (4×)

Style modes; no sign-up; adds detail

Photoroom

Web, Mobile

4× (4K)

Yes (Pro)

$12.99/mo or $89.99/yr

Generative AI; API; batch editing

AVCLabs

Desktop (Win/Mac)

Yes

$19.95/mo or $159.90

Deep learning; offline; sharpening

Upscale.media

Web, Mobile

4× (4K)

No

Free (3); $19/mo (100)

One-click; de-noises; artifact removal

HitPaw

Desktop, Mobile

8× (8K)

Yes

$51.99/mo or $229.99

Specialized AI models (face, anime)

MyEdit

Web

4× (4K)

Yes (15)

Free

Batch processing; simple workflow

Media.io

Web

10×

Maybe (API)

Free (limited); Sub TBD

High upscale; sharpening tools

Remini

Mobile, Web

~4×

Yes (15, Premium)

$9.99/wk or ~$25/mo

Face restoration; video enhancement

Vecticon

Web

No

Free (basic); Paid TBD

Logo/graphic focus; background removal

Icons8

Web, Mac App

4× (8K)

Yes (500)

$9/mo (100) or $99/mo

Bulk upscale; API; noise reduction

Tool Reviews

Magic Hour

  • This free, web-based upscaler offers 2× upscaling (4× on paid plans, ~$10/mo) for JPG/PNG up to 1280×1280. With three styles—Resemblance, Balanced, and Creative—it adds polish in seconds without requiring a sign-up.
  • Pros: Free 2× upscaling; no account needed; easy interface; customizable styles; ties into a
  • Cons: 2× free limit (4× paid); daily cap; no batch processing (API aside); requires internet.
  • Best For: Anyone seeking a quick, free polish for personal photos or small projects.

Photoroom

  • Photoroom’s 4× upscaler hits 4K with generative AI, available on web and mobile (iOS/Android). The Pro plan ($12.99/mo or $89.99/yr) unlocks batch editing and API access, enhancing low-res shots with new detail.
  • Pros: Crisp 4K results; mobile-ready; batch and API options; full editing suite (e.g., outpainting).
  • Cons: Paywall for upscaling; no offline use; capped at 4×; weekly billing ($4.99/wk) adds up.
  • Best For: Mobile users and small teams wanting polished, versatile edits.

AVCLabs Photo Enhancer

  • A desktop tool (Windows/Mac) with 4× upscaling via deep learning, it supports batch processing and offline sharpening for JPG, PNG, BMP, and RAW (via conversion). Pricing is $19.95/mo or $159.90 lifetime.
  • Pros: High-quality output with sharpening; offline security; batch capable; preview feature; broad format support.
  • Cons: Demands strong hardware; no mobile/web; watermarked trial; costly; lacks creative extras.
  • Best For: Pros needing offline precision for polished photo sets.

Upscale.media

  • A web/mobile tool (iOS/Android) offering 4× upscaling to 4K, free for 3 images, then $19/mo for 100 credits. It auto-cleans noise and artifacts in one click for JPG, PNG, and WEBP.
  • Pros: Simple and swift; no install; enhances clarity; mobile access; budget-friendly credits.
  • Cons: Just 3 free uses; no batch; limited control; no in-tool preview; volume costs rise.
  • Best For: Casual users wanting an easy polish without fuss.

HitPaw Photo Enhancer

  • Upscaling to 8× (8K), this desktop (Windows/Mac) and Android tool offers AI models for faces, anime, and denoising, with batch support. It’s $51.99/mo or $229.99 lifetime.
  • Pros: Extreme 8× upscale; tailored models; batch processing; multi-platform; enhances beyond size.
  • Cons: High price; hardware-heavy; no web option; trial watermarks; steep for beginners.
  • Best For: Pros polishing diverse images with top-tier results.

MyEdit

  • A free web upscaler hitting 4× (4K) with batch support for 15 images. Its 3-step process (upload, upscale, download) includes previews for JPG/PNG, delivering polish without cost.
  • Pros: Free, no watermarks; batch feature; quick and clear; preview option; no sign-up.
  • Cons: Needs internet; no advanced tweaks; potential size limits; no app; lesser-known.
  • Best For: Budget-conscious users polishing multiple photos.

Media.io

  • This web tool from Wondershare upscales to 10× with sharpening, offering a free tier (limited) and subscriptions TBD. It polishes JPG/PNG with previews, aiming for high-res finesse.
  • Pros: Rare 10× upscale; clarity boost; simple access; suite integration; clean interface.
  • Cons: Free tier vague; no customization; upload risks; server-dependent; login possible.
  • Best For: Hobbyists seeking a free, high-upscale polish.

Remini

  • A mobile/web app specializing in ~4× face restoration via GANs, with batch (15 images) on Premium ($9.99/wk or ~$25/mo). It also polishes video frames.
  • Pros: Stellar face enhancement; one-tap simplicity; mobile-first; batch capable; full-image polish.
  • Cons: Costly; limited free use (ads/watermarks); slight detail shifts; no upscale control; cloud-reliant.
  • Best For: Portrait fans polishing cherished shots.

Vecticon

  • A web tool for 4× upscaling of logos and graphics, with background removal. Free for basics (paid TBD), it supports JPG, PNG, WEBP, and PDF for crisp results.
  • Pros: Graphic-specialized; free tier; removes backgrounds; PDF-friendly; design-focused.
  • Cons: Photo-weak; upscale cap unclear; login likely; new service risks; no batch.
  • Best For: Designers polishing logos or icons.

Icons8 Smart Upscaler

  • Web-based with a Mac app, it upscales to 4× (8K max) and processes 500 images at once. At $9/mo (100 images) or $99/mo (unlimited), it includes API access.
  • Pros: Huge batch capacity; high-res polish; API support; quality noise reduction; reliable brand.
  • Cons: Few free tries (3); pricey for volume; web-centric (Mac app only); 5MB limit; no Windows app.
  • Best For: Businesses polishing large image sets.

How to Use a Free Image Upscaler

  1. Visit Magic Hour's free upscaler page—no login required.
  2. Choose 2× (free) or 4× (paid) and a style: Resemblance, Balanced, or Creative.
  3. Upload a JPG/PNG (up to ~1280×1280 free).
  4. Wait a few seconds; preview with a slider.
  5. Download the upscaled result.

Choosing the Right AI Image Upscaler

The best AI upscaler depends on what you're enhancing, how often you need it, and how much control or scale your workflow demands. Here’s what to use based on your needs:

For General Photos

  • Best: Magic Hour — A fast, free web tool with customizable style modes and no login required. Ideal for creators, casual users, or anyone looking to polish a few images without hassle.

For Faces & Portraits

  • Best: Remini — Mobile-first app built for face enhancement. Delivers high-quality facial restoration with minimal effort. Best for users restoring old portraits or social content.

For Graphics & Logos

  • Best: Vecticon — Tailored for vector-style images, icons, and logos. Includes background removal and works well with PDF formats. Best for designers cleaning up brand assets.

For High-Resolution Upscaling (8× to 10×)

  • Best: HitPaw — Handles 8K output with model options for anime, portraits, and noise removal. Ideal for professionals needing detail-rich enhancement.

For Batch Processing

  • Best: Icons8 — Supports up to 500 images at once via web or Mac app, with API access. Best for small businesses and agencies managing image libraries.

For Budget-Conscious Users

  • Best: MyEdit — 100% free, no watermarks, with batch support up to 15 images. Perfect for students, hobbyists, or lightweight content creators.

For Simplicity & Speed

  • Best: Upscale.media — One-click, noise-reducing upscaler for quick results on mobile or web. Great for casual users or quick social media improvements.

Conclusion

AI image upscalers in 2025 make it easier than ever to turn any photo into a polished masterpiece. With options ranging from free to pro and phone to desktop, you have plenty of choices to enhance your images. Explore the free options, weigh the pros and cons, and try enhancing some images. Jumping right in is the best way to get started.

Runbo Li's Portrait

About Runbo Li

Co-founder & CEO of Magic Hour
Runbo Li is the Co-founder & CEO of Magic Hour. He is a Y Combinator W24 alum and was previously a Data Scientist at Meta where he worked on 0-1 consumer social products in New Product Experimentation. He is the creator behind @magichourai and loves building creation tools and making art.