Best AI Image Upscalers & Enhancers 2026: Free & Paid Compared
From Topaz to Upscayl to Adobe — the best tools to upscale and enhance your images with AI.
AINow Take
Upscayl (free/open-source) is good enough for most needs. Topaz Photo AI is worth it for professionals. For one-off jobs, online tools like Clipdrop work fine.
Need to make a small image bigger without losing quality? Here are the best AI upscalers.
The Best Options
Topaz Photo AI
Cost: ~$310 AUD (one-time purchase) Best for: Professionals who need the best quality Features: Upscaling, denoise, sharpening, face recovery Quality: ★★★★★ — the best in class
Upscayl (Open-Source)
Cost: Free Best for: Anyone who wants good quality for free Features: AI upscaling, multiple models Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux Quality: ★★★★ — impressive for free
Clipdrop (Stability AI)
Cost: Free - ~$15 AUD/month Best for: Quick online upscaling Features: Cleanup, relight, upscale Quality: ★★★★ — good for web use
Adobe Photoshop Super Resolution
Cost: Included with Creative Cloud (~$47 AUD/month) Best for: Existing Photoshop users Features: Built into Camera Raw Quality: ★★★★½
Waifu2x
Cost: Free Best for: Anime and illustration Features: Specialised for art Quality: ★★★ — great for anime
Comparison
| Tool | Price (AUD) | Best Quality | Speed | Ease of Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Topaz Photo AI | ~$310 one-time | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Upscayl | Free | ★★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Clipdrop | Free - ~$15/mo | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Photoshop | ~$47/mo | ★★★★½ | ★★★★ | ★★★ |
| Waifu2x | Free | ★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Verdict
For professionals: Topaz Photo AI — worth the one-time cost if you upscale regularly.
For everyone else: Upscayl — free, open-source, runs locally, good quality.
For quick jobs: Clipdrop online — no installation needed.
For Photoshop users: Use what you already have.