Need to enlarge a photo without it turning into a pixelated mess? These AI upscalers generate new detail instead of stretching pixels.
Last updated: April 2026
| Tool | Price | Max Scale | Platform | Signup |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NanoEdit | Free / from $7.99/mo | AI-determined | Browser | No |
| Topaz Gigapixel | $199 one-time | 6x | Desktop | Yes |
| Remini | Free (ads) / paid | 2x | Web + App | Yes |
| Bigjpg | Free / $6/mo | 16x | Browser | No |
| Pixlr | Free / $4.90/mo | Resize | Browser | No |
Free / Plus $7.99/mo / Business $69/mo
How it works: Natural language — say "upscale to 4K" or "double the resolution"
Pros
Cons
Best for: Quick one-off upscaling when you also need other edits.
$199 one-time purchase
How it works: Desktop software with manual scale selection (2x, 4x, 6x)
Pros
Cons
Best for: Professional photographers who need the absolute best quality.
Free (with ads) / paid plans available
How it works: One-tap enhancement with built-in upscaling (up to 2x)
Pros
Cons
Best for: Upscaling portraits and old photos where face quality matters most.
Free (limited) / from $6/mo
How it works: Upload and select scale (2x, 4x, 8x, 16x) with noise reduction
Pros
Cons
Best for: Upscaling illustrations, anime, and digital art.
Free / Premium from $4.90/mo
How it works: Part of the full editor — smart resize tool
Pros
Cons
Best for: Users already in the Pixlr ecosystem who need a quick resize.
For professional photographers who need maximum control and quality, Topaz Gigapixel AIis the gold standard — but at $199, it’s an investment.
For everyone else, NanoEdit offers free AI upscaling along with enhancement, background removal, and more — all in one browser tab, no signup needed.
For portraits and old photos specifically, Remini’s face-focused AI is hard to beat. And for illustrations or anime, Bigjpg’s 16x upscaling is purpose-built.
Free. No signup. AI fills in the details.
Try Image Upscaler