Comparison
Best AI image upscaler in 2026: Topaz Gigapixel vs Let's Enhance vs Magnific vs Upscayl
October 15, 2026 · 5 min read
All AI upscalers make a small image bigger. The real difference is what they do with detail that isn't there. Some rebuild it carefully from what's in the photo. Others invent new detail on purpose. Pick the wrong kind and a family photo comes back with a stranger's face.
Faithful or creative?
Faithful upscaling is right for
- Photos of real people, products and places.
- Prints, where the picture must stay the same picture.
- Screenshots and images with text.
Creative upscaling can go wrong on
- Faces — it may change who they look like.
- Text and logos — it may invent letters.
- Anything that has to stay accurate, like evidence or archives.
Topaz, Let's Enhance and Magnific offer both kinds, under different names. Upscayl and Editor Hub's upscaler are faithful only.
At a glance
| Topaz Gigapixel | Let's Enhance | Magnific | Upscayl | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $149/yr or $19/mo | From $9/mo billed yearly, $12 monthly | Credit plans, from €10.50/mo billed yearly | Free, open source |
| Free to try | Trial download | 10 credits, watermark, 8 MP | Free plan; upscaler runs on credits | Free |
| Enlarges up to | 16× | 16×, up to 512 MP | 16×, up to 10K | 4× per pass |
| Runs on | Windows, macOS | Browser (cloud) | Browser (cloud) | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Uploads your photos | No, unless you pick cloud rendering | Yes | Yes | No |
| Stands out for | Face recovery, many models, batch | No GPU needed, Old Photo mode | Creative detail with sliders | Free batch upscaling |
Topaz: $149 a year works out at $12.42 a month. Magnific is left out because it lists prices in euros on credit plans. Upscayl's desktop app is free.
Topaz Gigapixel: the best quality on your own machine
Gigapixel is the long-time favourite of photographers. It runs on your computer — also as a Photoshop and Lightroom plugin — so photos stay local unless you choose cloud rendering. It has faithful models for photos, low-res images, text and art, generative models for heavier repairs, Face Recovery and batch processing.
Best for: photographers and anyone printing big.
Let's Enhance: no GPU needed
Let's Enhance runs in the browser, so any laptop will do. One image costs one credit: Starter gives 100 a month, and unused credits roll over. Gentle mode keeps small text and fine detail, Prime suits portraits and products, and there's a mode for old photos. The free tier — 10 credits, 8 MP, with a watermark — is enough to test it.
Best for: online shops and occasional upscaling without a strong computer.
Magnific: when you want new detail
Magnific made «creative upscaling» famous: sliders for creativity, HDR and resemblance let it paint in detail that was never there, which works wonders on AI art, game assets and 3D renders. Its Precision mode is the faithful option. In April 2026 Freepik renamed itself Magnific, so the upscaler now comes with the same credit plans as its image and video tools.
Best for: AI artists and designers. Use Precision mode for real photos.
Upscayl and Editor Hub: free and private
Upscayl is a free, open-source desktop app for Windows, macOS and Linux, built on Real-ESRGAN models. It needs a GPU with Vulkan support — many built-in graphics chips won't run it. Editor Hub's AI Image Upscaler uses the same family of models inside your browser: no install, 2× or 4×, and the image never leaves your device.
Best for: quick, free enlargements of thumbnails, screenshots and web images.
Which one should you pick?
- Photos you'll print or sell: Topaz Gigapixel.
- No strong GPU, a few images a month: Let's Enhance.
- AI art, renders and game assets: Magnific.
- Free, with nothing uploaded: Upscayl on the desktop, or our AI Image Upscaler in the browser.
Questions
What is the best free AI image upscaler?
Upscayl is a free, open-source desktop app. If you'd rather not install anything, Editor Hub's AI Image Upscaler enlarges images 2× or 4× in your browser without uploading them.
Is Topaz Gigapixel a one-time purchase?
No longer — Topaz now sells Gigapixel as a subscription: $149 a year or $19 a month.
What is creative upscaling?
An upscaler that invents new detail instead of only reconstructing what's in the photo. It's great for AI art and renders, but can change faces and text, so use a faithful mode for real photos.
Do online upscalers keep my photos?
Cloud tools such as Let's Enhance and Magnific upload your image to process it. Desktop apps and browser-based tools that run on your own GPU don't.
Try it now
AI Image Upscaler