Best AI Image Upscalers in 2026
Verdict
Topaz Photo AI is the standalone quality leader for batch upscaling. SeedVR2 (on Maginary) provides excellent integrated upscaling within a generation workflow. For one-click upscaling in a creative pipeline, Maginary's built-in upscalers are the most convenient.
TL;DR / Quick Picks
| Need | Best Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Standalone upscaling | Topaz Photo AI | Best pure upscaling quality |
| Integrated with generation | Maginary (SeedVR2) | One-click upscale within creative workflow |
| Free option | Real-ESRGAN (local) | Free, open source, decent quality |
| Batch processing | Topaz Photo AI | Desktop app, efficient batch mode |
| API upscaling | Maginary | REST API with multiple upscale models |
Why Upscaling Matters
AI-generated images often start at 1024x1024 or similar resolutions. For print, commercial use, or high-DPI displays, you need 2x-4x the resolution. Modern AI upscalers don’t just scale pixels — they add genuine detail, sharpening textures, enhancing faces, and improving clarity.
#1 Topaz Photo AI
The desktop quality leader. Topaz’s dedicated upscaling software consistently produces the sharpest, most detailed results. It handles faces, textures, and fine details better than cloud-based alternatives.
Pros: Best pure upscaling quality, batch processing, face enhancement, noise reduction, local processing. Cons: One-time purchase ($199) or subscription, desktop-only, separate from generation workflow. Pricing: $199 one-time or $12.99/month.
#2 SeedVR2 Upscale (ByteDance)
Maginary’s default upscaler. SeedVR2 produces clean, detailed upscales with good texture preservation. Integrated directly into the generation workflow — upscale any image with one click.
Pros: Integrated into creative pipeline, good quality, fast, API available. Cons: Cloud-based (requires upload), less customizable than standalone tools. Pricing: Per-use credits on Maginary.
#3 Clarity Upscaler (FAL)
An alternative cloud upscaler available on Maginary. Clarity focuses on maintaining sharpness without over-processing — some upscalers add too much artificial detail, but Clarity keeps outputs natural.
Pros: Natural-looking results, avoids over-sharpening, API available. Cons: Less detail enhancement than Topaz or SeedVR2. Pricing: Per-use credits on Maginary.
#4 Real-ESRGAN (Open Source)
The free option. Real-ESRGAN is an open-source upscaler you can run locally. Quality is decent but behind the commercial options. No subscription, no cloud, no limits.
Pros: Free, open source, run locally, no limits, privacy. Cons: Lower quality than modern alternatives, requires setup, no face enhancement. Pricing: Free.
#5 Adobe Enhance (Firefly)
Adobe’s built-in upscaler, accessible through Photoshop and Lightroom. Convenient if you’re already in the Adobe ecosystem.
Pros: Adobe integration, convenient in existing workflow, decent quality. Cons: Requires Adobe subscription, less powerful than dedicated upscalers. Pricing: Included with Creative Cloud ($54.99/month).
Comparison Table
| Tool | Quality | Speed | Integration | Pricing | API |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Topaz Photo AI | Excellent | Fast (local) | Standalone | $199 or $12.99/mo | No |
| SeedVR2 (Maginary) | Very Good | Fast | Generation pipeline | Pay-per-use | Yes |
| Clarity (Maginary) | Good | Fast | Generation pipeline | Pay-per-use | Yes |
| Real-ESRGAN | Good | Variable | CLI/local | Free | Self-host |
| Adobe Enhance | Good | Moderate | Creative Cloud | $54.99/mo | No |
FAQ
What’s the best free AI upscaler? Real-ESRGAN — it’s open source and runs locally. Quality is behind paid options but handles basic upscaling well.
How much can AI upscale an image? Most AI upscalers support 2x and 4x scaling. Beyond 4x, quality degrades. For a 1024x1024 image, a 2x upscale gives you 2048x2048 — sufficient for most uses.
On Maginary, upscaling is built into the generation pipeline. Generate an image, then upscale it (1.5x or 2x) with one click — no separate tools, no file downloads, no re-uploads. The whole flow from prompt to high-res output stays in one intuitive interface.
What is Maginary?
Maginary is an AI image and video generation platform that gives you access to multiple frontier models — Flux Pro, Ideogram, Recraft, Google Imagen, Kling, Sora, and more — through a single interface and API.
- ✓ Multi-model: Pick the best model for each job, or let Maginary choose
- ✓ Full editing pipeline: Generate → vary → upscale → zoom out → pan → video
- ✓ API-first: Full REST API for developers and automation
- ✓ No forced subscriptions: Pay-per-use credits, transparent pricing
- ✓ Prompt understanding: Works in any language, infers your intent without over-embellishing