7 Best AI Video Upscaling Software of 2024 (Free & Paid)
Key Takeaways:
After testing more than seven AI upscaling programs, I’m confident that Topaz Video Enhance AI gives the cleanest and clearest results! It has a one-time fee (which I like better than a subscription), you can upscale an unlimited number of videos, and it gives you the sharpest footage.
If you’re looking to upscale social media videos, try AVCLabs. It’s cheaper than Topaz and gives almost-as-good results.
Looking to upscale your videos, but don’t want to waste your time trying all the programs out there?
Well, I did that here, so you don’t have to!
Whether you’re a filmmaker like me, a content creator, or just an enthusiastic dad with a video camera, AI video upscaling software will turn your low-resolution footage into high-quality, crispy clean videos.
In this roundup, I tested the top seven upscaling software out there, so I could give you an honest review of each software as a whole, including its features, pros and cons, pricing, and of course… if it even works.
Whether you’re looking for a free or paid option, I’ve got you covered!
Let’s get started!
Neil Chase Film is supported by its readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Thank you for your support!
|
Best AI Video Upscaling Software
|
Best Upscaling for Home Videos
|
Best For Social Media Videos
|
|
Primary Rating:
4.7
|
Primary Rating:
4.4
|
Primary Rating:
4.2
|
|
$299 (one-time fee with free updates for one year).
|
$39.99/month | $119.99/year | or Lifetime Plan: $199.90
|
Pay-as-you-go pricing (Minimum purchase is $10 worth of credits)
|
|
Pros:
|
Pros:
|
Pros:
|
|
Cons:
|
Cons:
|
Cons:
|
- One-time fee rather than a monthly cost
- Download this software to your desktop
- Best side-by-side comparison views
- Produces top-quality upscaled videos!
- It's the most expensive program I tried
- Needs a powerful computer
- Has monthly, yearly, and lifetime options
- Download this software to your desktop
- World-leading AI Face Enhancement tool
- Great for those with no editing experience
- The preview of your video is only one second
- Needs a powerful computer
- Pay-as-you-go pricing model
- 100% web-based (no download to computer)
- Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, & Chrome
- Has many filters for various purposes
- Gets expensive if you have lots of videos
- No descriptions of what filters do in the program
What Are The Best AI Video Upscaling Software?
Let’s get into the best options for upscaling your videos!
1. Topaz Video Enhance AI
Topaz Video Enhance AI
Topaz Labs Video Enhance AI is the best software for making your videos high-resolution and beautiful! It can remove motion blur and video artifacts and even update and improve old home movies.
Topaz Labs is a high-quality, downloadable software program for increasing your video resolution up to 16K.
Overview
Topaz Video AI is known to be the best AI video upscaling software for a reason. It really is the best of the best!
If you’re an indie filmmaker like me, or someone who knows they’re going to be upscaling for years to come, then Topaz is right up your alley.
The one-time cost might be a hit on your bank account at first, but then you’ll have the program forever and won’t need to worry about paying ever again.
Just make sure you have a decent computer that can easily manage the run speed of the software.
From the easy-to-use interface to the great results it produces, you really couldn’t ask for a better program to improve video quality. Topaz Video Enhancer also has a few extra cutting edge technology features you can add to improve your videos even more!
Top Benefits of Topaz
- Incredible results: Personally, I saw the best results in Topaz. I gave it a low-resolution, blurry video and it produced a detailed, clean image that I was super impressed with.
- Direct download: Upscale videos on the go from anywhere, since you don’t need to be connected to the internet to use Topaz.
- Comparison views: Topaz gave the best comparison views out of all the software – it let me view the original video and the enhanced preview side-by-side, one at a time, or on top of each other. This was super helpful to let me know what the upscaled video would look like before committing to the export.
- Free trial & 30-day money-back guarantee: The free trial videos will be watermarked sadly, but you’ll still be able to test out the quality before you buy it. And even if you do buy it and it ends up not fitting your needs, you can get a refund before 30 days.
Limitations
- Powerful: For the great results it gets, you need to have a solid computer with killer graphics to handle all that power!
- Expensive: The best things never come cheap. It might be a little pricey, but hey, it’s a one-time fee, so you don’t have to worry about shelling out cash every month and watching it add up over time.
Pricing
Topaz Video Enhancer is a one-time cost of $299.
This also includes one year of free updates to the program, just in case they add any new AI filters or make existing ones better. After that, you can keep using your current version forever, but you might have to pay a small fee if you want to keep it up-to-date.
Topaz Video Enhance AI has released significant updates, including 2x and 4x upscaling options in their new DaVinci Resolve OpenFX plugin. They’ve introduced a new interlace model, updated OpenVINO for better Intel device performance, and made the user interface more intuitive.
My Experience Using Topaz Video AI
When I first downloaded and opened Topaz, it gave me a mini tutorial showing me where all the features and effects were. I appreciate this in software because sometimes it can just be darn confusing to try and find what you need.
Topaz was one of the only software on this list that gave me a little tutorial showing me where things are.
The comparison views in Topaz is one of their best features – seeing the original video on the left and the new video on the right.
You can see on the timeline under the original video, there is an enhancement effect added in purple. Any effects you add to the video get put under here so you can see what’s been added, and remove any that you want to take off.
These were the different presets and effects you can add to the video.
Some of the presets are 4x slow motion, 8x super slow motion, convert to 60 fps, upscale to 4K, upscale to HD resolution, etc. And some of the features include stabilization, motion deblur, frame interpolation, enhancement, and grain.
After I added the ‘Upscale to HD Resolution’ preset to my 360p video, it allowed me to render a preview with the effect on it. Then I used the comparison view to slide this line back and forth to show the before and after.
Look at how crisp that writing is on the right side of ‘Mississippi’ compared to the blurriness on the left side! Amazing!
Not only was Topaz the best enhancer at making the Mississippi sign more legible, but it also had the best tools to compare the original and altered videos.
If you’re looking for more detailed, step-by-step instructions, check out this article: how to use Topaz Video Enhance AI to upscale your videos!
Prefer watching to reading? Watch the quick video below to learn how to upscale videos using Topaz!
Bottom Line
In my opinion, Topaz Video AI is the best choice for everyone from filmmakers to those with old home videos! It created the highest-quality upscaled videos, out of all the options that I tried.
Now, while it’s great for people who either need the absolute best quality they can make of their videos or someone who has years of upscaling in their future, it can be a bit expensive for anyone who only needs to upscale a couple of videos.
If that’s you, keep reading for more affordable options below. You can also read my full comparison article on my two top choices, Topaz Labs vs. AVCLabs video upscalers.
RELATED: Click to read more about alternatives to Topaz AI for upscaling videos.
2. AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI
AVCLabs Video Enhancer
AVCLabs Video Enhancer offers a similar video upscaling service to Topaz. It's got fast processing times and high-quality results (almost as good as Topaz, but not quite). It also features a world-leading AI Face Enhancement tool for videos, which makes it great for upscaling old home movies.
While both services offer high-quality results, AVCLabs may be a better choice for those who don't need a long-term AI enhancer or for those on a budget. They offer a full range of pricing options, starting with a monthly plan.
Overview
AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI is another great AI video upscaling solution. It’s no wonder that it’s the biggest competitor to Topaz Video AI.
If you have longer videos to upscale, like those home movies from back in the day, then I’d say AVCLabs is a great choice for you.
Its variety of payment plans makes it suitable for every budget, without giving you any limitations on how many upscales you can do within that subscription.
AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI also offers several other features that make it a top choice for video upscaling, including support for 4K resolution, batch processing, and fast processing speeds.
Top Benefits of AVCLabs
- Flexible payment plans: No matter your preference – whether it’s monthly, annually, or a one-time fee – there’s a payment option available for every user.
- Cool features: In addition to its great upscaling ability, AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI offers a range of other features, like Colorize, which adds vibrant colors to black-and-white videos. (So cool!)
- Offline editing: Download the program to use on the go without needing to connect to the internet.
- Free trial & refunds: AVCLabs has a limited free trial to get you started, and they also provide a 5-day money-back guarantee just in case it’s not the right program for you.
Limitations
- Powerful software: According to AVCLabs, the user should have an HD integrated graphics card to handle the demanding capabilities of the powerful tools.
- Comparison view: Seeing the impressive comparison view tools on Topaz AI was exciting, so it was a little disappointing to see that only a brief 1-second preview is available on AVCLabs before starting the lengthy export process.
AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI’s latest update (V3.5.0) introduces a new Anime model to upgrade old cartoon animations to high quality, giving your favorite classic cartoons a fresh look. There is also an optimized face enhancement model that lets users adjust the enhancement level from 0 to 100 for more natural results. This feature allows for personalized tuning, ensuring that faces look just right and avoid over-enhancement or loss of detail.
Pricing
One Month of use: $39.95
One Year of use: $119.95
Lifetime Unlimited: $299.90
AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI offers pricing plans that cater to all budgets. They even have a free trial for anyone who wants to test it out before making a purchase. If you decide to buy it, there’s a 5-day refund window for monthly and annual plans and a 30-day money-back guarantee for the perpetual plan.
My Experience Using AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI
Although AVCLabs didn’t provide me with a tutorial of their program, it looked fairly simple to use right off the bat, and it also looked pretty similar to the Topaz interface.
It had a few extra features like Trim and Crop that you could use on your footage, providing some editing capabilities in the software.
AVCLabs makes it easy for you by providing many preset options like upscale video by 200%, upscale to HD resolution, 4x slow motion, convert to 60 fps, etc. Many similar presets to Topaz.
It also had a lot of additional features other than the AI Enhancement, like Face Enhancement, Colorize, Motion Compensation, and regular Video Settings to adjust the basic brightness and contrast before you begin upscaling.
*Pro Tip: I tried the Face Enhancement feature on a clip with a very blurry face, and it made them look super creepy. If you are going to use that feature, you definitely need some definition and clarity in their face to begin with.
While you’re exporting your new clip, it plays the two videos side-by-side so you can see the difference in quality. However, after it’s done exporting, it closes that project and you’re not able to view the videos side-by-side again. You have to start on a new project.
AVCLabs was pretty similar to Topaz in terms of upscaling and their interface, but I would still say overall, Topaz had a few features I liked better, and their upscaling was a smidge better.
Bottom Line
AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI is the best video enhancement software for people who want to improve their video and image quality without spending a lot of money!
But, if you don’t have a powerful device to handle the professing speeds required for both Topaz Video Enhance AI and AVCLabs, then I would recommend my third favorite software below: Pixop.
If you’re looking for more detailed, step-by-step instructions, check out this article: how to use AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI to upscale your videos!
Prefer watching to reading? Watch the quick video below to learn how to upscale videos using AVCLabs!
3. Pixop
Pixop
Pixop is a fantastic option for upscaling videos, especially if you don't want to download software to your computer. Pixop is web-based so you won't need as much computer-processing power.
It also has a great pay-as-you-go pricing model, which gives you even more flexibility with your budget. The program is very easy to use, and it gives you sharp, clear videos.
Overview
Pixop is a top-of-the-line web-based video upscaling platform.
It’s best for social media content creators, or anyone with a few short videos to upscale. It only cost me $0.51 to upscale a 10-second clip!
Even if you’re a filmmaker with a few basic stock footage clips to upscale, Pixop could be a great option.
With its device versatility, you could probably use Pixop on any electronic you own that connects to the internet. And if you’re on a team looking to share video files, Pixop has features for you too!
Pixop is also always being updated with new filters and improvements.
Top Benefits of Pixop
- Web-based: Pixop is a web-based program, making it super practical to use on any phone, tablet, or computer. You won’t need to clear space on your computer to use it!
- Great for teams: Pixop was created with teams in mind – you can add up to five team members to any team, and have an unlimited number of teams. They make organization within your teams easy, having structured project folders to keep things decluttered.
- Lots of filters: There are a ton of different filters you can add to your videos. A few of them include: Deep Restoration, Super Resolution, Denoiser, Dejitterer, Frame Rate Conversion, Face Forward, and more.
- Pay-as-you-go: Pixop has a pay-as-you-go pricing method, making it really affordable if you only have a few videos to upscale. But if you have video footage with a long runtime, then it might not be your cup of tea.
Limitations
- Filter descriptions: Though there was a great selection of filters available to enhance the video quality of my footage, unfortunately, there was no explanation of what they did. I had to navigate back to the Pixop homepage to find the descriptions.
- Expensive for long videos: With Pixop being pay-as-you-go, the amount of credits it costs depends on the video length and how many filters you add. So, if you’ve got some long videos to upscale, the cost can add up pretty fast.
Pricing
Pixop has a pay-as-you-go pricing model, so the overall price will really depend on how much footage you want to upscale.
If you only have a few clips, it will be really affordable with Pixop and you won’t have to purchase a whole program. But if you have a lot of clips or many ongoing projects, then a one-time purchase software may be your best option.
My Experience Using Pixop
Pixop had an interesting interface since it was solely cloud-based. It was a little more basic and simple than the other ones so far.
First, I uploaded my video and it gave me all the metadata for it.
Once I wanted to enhance the clip, it gave me factory preset options, like enhanced HD, enhanced UHD 4K, HQ input, handheld enhanced, etc.
I selected ‘enhanced HD’ and then went through the upper tabs to find more filters.
The filters were a bit basic, giving me one-word descriptions of the filter with no other definition. I could guess what ‘Denoiser’ and ‘Stabilizer’ meant, but wasn’t too sure about ‘Reshaper.’
After I started the export to enhance video quality, I had to wait for it to process for a bit.
Then, I clicked on each version where it says ‘Compare’ to see both videos side by side.
Pixop took me through video stills where it showed me the original video vs the enhanced video side-by-side using their still images. You can see from this preview how much better the right side of the flag is compared to the left side!
I wasn’t a huge fan of Pixop’s interface, but hey, it got the job done at the end of the day and was fairly straightforward. So that’s an accomplishment in my book!
If you’re looking for more detailed, step-by-step instructions, check out this article: how to use Pixop to upscale your videos!
Prefer watching to reading? Watch the quick video below to learn how to upscale videos using Pixop!
Bottom Line
Pixop is the best online video editing platform for people who want to create videos for social media, or simply just want to upscale one short clip.
It’s easy to create optimized videos for YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. The platform makes it easy to add text, images, and music to your videos, and you can also use the built-in tools to trim and splice your clips.
4. UniFab Video Enhancer AI
UniFab Video Enhancer AI
UniFab Video Enlarger AI is a great option for PC users wanting to upscale their videos.
The software uses artificial intelligence to upscale videos to 4K quality while also fixing common issues such as noise, motion blur, and jagged edges.
Overview
UniFab Video Enlarger AI is an excellent option for PC users wanting to upscale their videos.
Since it was specifically designed with PC users in mind, it’ll be the best Windows-compatible option with the best ease of use.
If you happen to already be using the sister programs like DVDFab or StreamFab, then it’s a no-brainer to snatch this one up too to integrate it seamlessly into your workflow.
UniFab Video Enhancer AI also supports a wide range of video formats, so you can use it to enhance video quality for almost any video file type.
Top Benefits of UniFab Video Enlarger AI
- Geared towards PC users: Since UniFab was specifically created for Windows users, it has the best user experience for anyone on a PC.
- 50x faster processing speed with GPU acceleration: UniFab Video Enlarger AI is up to 50 times faster than other video upscaling software with GPU acceleration, saving you tons of time in the long run.
- Directly imports videos from DVDFab/StreamFab: If you already use DVDFab or StreamFab, you can easily import your videos into UniFab – just another feature saving you time!
- One-time fee: We love one-time fees! It’s very reasonably priced, especially considering the quality of the results.
Limitations
- Windows only: It might be common sense, but I just need to say it… do NOT buy this if you’re using an Apple device.
- Not web-based: If you’re looking for software that’s compatible with all your electronic devices and not just a computer, this software is not for you.
Pricing
1-Year: $99.99
Lifetime (for 1 computer): $139.99
Lifetime (for 5 computers): $299.99
Bottom Line
UniFab Video Enhancer AI is best for PC users who want to improve the quality of their video footage.
The software uses artificial intelligence to upscale videos to 4K quality while also fixing common issues such as noise, blur, and jagged edges.
Whether you’re an amateur videographer or a professional filmmaker, UniFab Video Enhancer AI is a great software for any PC user.
5. CapCut (FREE)
Capcut AI Video Upscaler
CapCut is an easy-to-use, bare-bones video upscaling tool. It will only give you up to 2x upscaling resolution... but, it's free!
Overview
CapCut AI Video Upscaler is a web-based video upscaler that can enhance the quality of your videos with the click of a button.
No really.. it’s actually just one click. (haha)
It is very simple and straightforward, which can be a plus or a minus, depending on what you’re looking for.
CapCut is best for anyone who wants a free upscaling tool. Personally, I do think all the paid tools are worth it for the amount of customizable options they give you, but if all you’re looking for is something free, then this tool is for you!
My favorite part about CapCut, besides the cost, is that there are numerous other tools you can choose to navigate to from the video upscaler page.
Top Benefits of CapCut
- Free: Who doesn’t love free upscaling?!
- Simple: It’s almost…. too simple, if I do say so myself. But, if you’re not a video expert, then it’s probably perfect for you!
- Access to other tools: CapCut has a ton of free video tools you can find directly from the video upscaler, like script to video, remove background, resize video, etc.
- Web-based: You won’t need a high-speed computer for this one, just a simple device connected to WiFi.
Limitations
- Upscale options: It’s hard to complain, because it’s free, right? But I will say I wish they had more upscaling options than the set ‘2x upscale.’ So basically, you’re only able to double your resolution.
Pricing
Just in case you didn’t realize before.. CapCut AI Video Upscaler is FREE!!
My Experience with CapCut
I think CapCut was so simple that it confused me somehow – haha. The website homepage has an upload button, so I clicked on a video on my computer, and then it took me to this page.
Where it said to ‘Select resolution,’ this was the only resolution available. It didn’t open any other options after clicking on it, so I could only 2x the video resolution.
After pressing ‘Upscale’ and completing the upscale, I could press the ‘see changes’ button, and it would alternate from showing the original video to the new upscaled video.
The only other button I could press from there was ‘Export,’ which led me to here, where I could share my new video or download it directly.
I tried clicking the ‘Go back to edit’ to see if I could make additional changes to the video, but it wanted me to upload a new file. So I think any other edits you want to make in CapCut, you would need to upload the new upscaled video first.
Some of the other tools available from their upscale page showed features like autocut, script to video, long video to shorts, ad script, remove background, resize video, etc.
Keep in mind that these tools are ‘one and done’ where you can only use one tool at a time and then need to export that video and work on the new file if you want to keep editing it.
You could also go into CapCut’s editing tools, which have more features like templates, elements, audio, text, etc. You can add a lot of editing to your video here! This is a nice extra element to have if you’re looking to do some editing and upscaling, all within the same tool.
Prefer watching to reading? Watch the quick video below to learn how to upscale videos using Capcut!
Bottom Line
CapCut AI Video Upscaler is best for people who want a free video quality enhancer! The tool’s unique features and commitment to high-quality output make it a great free option.
6. TensorPix AI Video Enhancer
TensorPix - Online AI Video Enhancer and Upscaler
TensorPix is a decent video upscaling program if you just have a few short videos to upscale. The software does a good job of upscaling, but it's more expensive than some of the other programs I tried.
Overview
TensorPix AI Video Enhancer is another great cutting-edge web-based software solution designed to transform and elevate the quality of your videos.
It’s best used by anyone who needs a lot of simple upscales, or has a small budget.
They even give you access to their Image Enhancer and MagicStock, which generate AI images from text.
Top Benefits of TensorPix
- Free options: TensorPix has a variety of subscription options, one of them being a free option!
- Customizable AI filters: TensorPix provides a range of customizable AI filters, letting you personalize the look and feel you want for your videos.
- Web-based: All you need is a device with an internet connection to get the most out of TensorPix.
Limitations
- Subscription plans: Although the wide range of pricing plans lets you access the program for cheap, I’m not a fan of all the limitations on the cheaper plans.
Pricing
I love that TensorPix gives a wide range of options to choose from, but I don’t like how they make you pay a lot more to use some of their basic features.
- Free = €0/m (No monthly credits, 2 AI filters per video, no free previews, etc)
- Standard = €11/m (25 monthly credits, 3 AI filters per video, 15-second previews, etc)
- Premium = €25/m (60 monthly credits, 4 AI filters per video, 15-second previews, etc)
- Elite = €61/m (150 monthly credits, 5 AI filters per video, 20-second previews, etc)
The amount of credits it costs per video will vary depending on video size and length.
My Experience using TensorPix
After creating a free account with TensorPix, I was given 1.00 credit which allowed me to do a few small video edits.
I had a few options on their interface to either enhance my video or image, or create an AI image from a text description (I mean that’s pretty cool, right?).
I went with the video enhancement since that’s what we’re testing on this page!
It showed me a bunch of different filters they have to enhance your video outside of upscaling it, like denoise, color restore, deep clean, motion smoothing, face enhancer, etc.I just went with the upscale option, but did the ‘pro’ version, whatever that means?
After I enhanced it, I was able to preview and download it right there.
I also tried it with another video and clicked on the ‘compare’ button before starting the enhancement, and it made the preview video afterward a comparison of the two videos side-by-side.
Either way, it did a pretty good job of enhancing my video quality! (for not even one whole credit)
Prefer watching to reading? Watch the quick video below to learn how to upscale videos using TensorPix!
Bottom Line
TensorPix AI Video Enhancer is a decent choice for anyone with short videos on a budget.
Even though it’s a credit system, you need to pay for one of the monthly plans to get a certain amount of credits and filters. So if you pay for the standard monthly plan, but run out of credits, you’ll have to wait until the next month to get more credits and start upscaling again.
I don’t love that they put limitations on your upscales, even though you’re paying for the monthly plan already. Honestly, I would recommend Pixop as a cheaper pay-as-you-go alternative, or AVCLabs for an affordable monthly payment with no limitations.
7. HitPaw
HitPaw Video Enhancer
HitPaw is a good option if you want an all-in-one upscaling and video editing program. It's not the best upscaler, but it does make videos look clearer than the original footage.
Overview
When it comes to breathing life into your videos, HitPaw Video Enhancer is a top player in the realm of video enhancement software.
This software is best for the creative professionals out there who are really aiming to tweak their videos. HitPaw’s higher price point comes from its impressive upscaling capabilities paired with the other AI video editing features provided in the software.
This sleek and intuitive platform is designed to elevate your video content using a blend of cutting-edge features and user-friendly functionality.
Top Benefits of HitPaw
- Various pricing options: They have monthly, annual, and lifetime plans available – pick whichever suits you best!
- Lots of features: HitPaw has a ton of features. Some are very similar to other platforms we’ve covered, but some are unique, like their AI Background Remover and Magic Sky.
- Fast and efficient processing: HitPaw prides itself on fast and efficient video enhancement, so you don’t need to be waiting around.
- Desktop-based: Do all your upscaling on the go without needing wifi access.
Limitations
- Expensive: Even though they have a range of pricing options, they’re all on the more expensive side compared to the other software on this list.
Pricing
- $69.99 per month
- $109.99 per year
- $349.99 lifetime access
$42.99 per month$99.99 per year$349.99 lifetime access
I really couldn’t tell you why there’s a different pricing for Mac vs Windows. From all the research I did, they both get you the same features.On the plus side, they both offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.
My Experience Using HitPaw
After downloading HitPaw, you have a few options as to which HitPaw effects you’d like to use. For the purpose of this article, I’ll be using the video enhancer!
I uploaded my video and it started by giving me little call-outs as to where everything is – which I love. Simple things like that make navigation through all these different software so much easier.
On the right side, you can see a column that says “Select AI Model.” Here, you can select basically which effect you want to use on the video.
You can even go into the model library to find more effects! I was only able to use the ones with the purple buttons though, as the others were a paid feature.
I went with the ‘denoise’ model and rendered the video. It wouldn’t let me download the video with the free version of the software, but I was able to play the two videos side by side.
It looks like it got a little crisper with the letters and a little brighter overall. It’s not as great as Topaz or AVCLabs, but it’s definitely better than the original video.
Prefer watching to reading? Watch the quick video below to learn how to upscale videos using HitPaw!
Bottom Line
HitPaw Video Enhancer is great for any creative professional who’s looking to edit their videos further than just upscaling. If that’s you – I do really think this is a great tool.
But if that’s not you, and you’re only looking for an upscale, then I would suggest one of the first few tools on this list instead.
RELATED: Click to read more about the overall benefits of upscaling your videos.
How I Evaluated Each Upscaling Tool
Sometimes it’s hard to figure out which upscaling software is going to be the best for your needs. Here are some factors that I looked at when evaluating the tools, and that you might want to consider as well!
How to Use the Program
Will you be using your phone, a tablet, or your laptop?
Use the device with the most processing power available to keep your options more open. Usually, the bigger the device, the more power it has.
If you only have a phone or tablet, you’ll most likely want to stay with a web-based software (i.e., Pixop). If you have a computer, then desktop-based software works great (Topaz or AVCLabs).
Amount of Footage to Upscale
How much footage do you want to upscale?
Whether you only have a couple of quick clips or a whole library of long movies will greatly alter which tool is best for you.
Price
Simple starting point – what’s your budget? Do you want to pay once and have the software whenever you need it, or do you like a subscription model where you pay each month?
Give yourself a range of how much you’re willing to spend to help you narrow down your choices. But if you’re determined to get the best quality upscale possible no matter the cost, then start with the next deciding factor.
How Often You Upscale
Is this a one-time thing, or will it be ongoing?
This will determine how long of a subscription you’ll need. And if you’re not sure, that’s okay, too. You can always start with a monthly subscription and buy lifetime access later down the road if you need to.
Final Thoughts
Although the technology is still in its early days, AI video upscaling software has already come a long way. Trust me, I’ve been upscaling for years and it’s never come out looking as good as it does now.
The software we looked at in this roundup are the seven best AI video upscaling software on the market today.
If you’re anyone who needs to do upscaling for a long time and has a decent computer to do it, I would highly recommend Topaz Video Enhance AI. That one gave me the best quality results!
If you’re an indie filmmaker on a budget, or simply have years of old home movies to upscale, then AVCLabs will have a great subscription plan for you, which you can cancel when you’re done.
And finally, if you’re a social media content creator or only have a few quick clips to upscale, then I’d recommend Pixop as the cheapest option to still get you those high-quality results.
I hope one of these free or paid programs we reviewed will help you get the results you want!
For more on using AI video upscaling technology, check out my article on how to upscale videos!
Common Questions (FAQs)
What is AI video upscaling?
AI video upscaling uses artificial intelligence to make low-quality videos look clearer and more detailed.
How does AI upscaling work?
AI upscaling for videos works by analyzing low-resolution footage and predicting what extra details should be in a higher-resolution version. Essentially, it uses patterns it has learned from other videos to fill in the gaps intelligently. It creates more pixels and enhances the video’s clarity and detail without the original high-resolution data.
Do I need a powerful computer to use AI video upscaling software?
AI video upscaling is a pretty resource-intensive process, given the computational heavy lifting involved in enhancing video quality. While some tools are cloud-based and require less powerful hardware, generally, having a relatively modern and capable computer will give you a faster upscaling process. If you don’t have a powerful computer, make sure to use cloud-based programs such as Pixop.
What is the best free AI upscaler?
Free tools are awesome, but their “best” depends on what you need. Some are simple and quick, while others offer more features but might take longer. Check out CapCut for a free product, or Topaz Labs for a free trial and compare!
Love learning more about AI tools for film and video? Check out these helpful articles:
5+ Best AI Voice Generator Tools: Ranked & Reviewed
5+ Best AI Story Generator Tools for Fiction Writers
7+ Best AI Script Generator Tools of 2023 [Video & Film]
4 Comments