5+ Best Topaz Video Enhance AI Alternatives for Upscaling [2024]

Okay, I know Topaz Video AI is a little on the pricey side. I think it’s worth it, as it does create the highest-quality upscaled videos of any of the programs that I’ve tried – but there might be a better Topaz Video Enhance AI alternative out there for you.

As a filmmaker myself, I’ve been using AI upscaling software more and more these days, so I tried all of the top upscaling contenders on the market to see which ones were similar to Topaz (my personal favorite).

If you’re looking for something more affordable, more simple, more complex, web-based instead of desktop-based, etc., I’ve rounded up all of the best Topaz Video Enhance AI alternatives for you to try.

Read on if you’re looking for a quality alternative to Topaz!

What Are The Best Topaz Video Enhance AI Alternatives?

1. AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI

AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI is a great AI video upscaling software, and I think it’s the biggest competitor to Topaz Video AI.

They’re very similar in many ways – but I would say the biggest difference is that AVCLabs seems to be made a tiny bit more for beginners because the interface is simpler and the features aren’t as advanced.

I would choose AVCLabs over Topaz if you only have a few videos to upscale and don’t need a lifetime subscription. Its variety of payment plans makes it a great option for when you’re on a budget, so you can subscribe to only one month or a year.

It also gives you an unlimited amount of upscales within that subscription, like Topaz does, which is great because some of the other alternatives on this list have limitations.

Features:

• Great video quality: Improve video quality with AVCLabs’ cutting-edge deep learning technology. With single-frame and multi-frame models, you can upscale videos to any resolution while maintaining quality.
• Batch processing: Process multiple videos simultaneously, saving users time on larger projects.
• Customizable output settings: Customize output settings like resolution, bitrate, and frame rate for tailored results.
• Additional features: There is a wide range of other features, such as face enhancement, colorizing (adding color to black-and-white footage), slow-motion, and basic settings to adjust video contrast, brightness, and saturation.

Benefits:

• User-friendly: Easy-to-use interface for video editing and upscaling, ideal for beginners to get professional results without the complexity.
• Flexible payment plans: If you want to pay a monthly, yearly, or one-time fee, there’s a payment option for every budget.
• Offline editing: It’s a downloadable program so you can use it at any time, even if you don’t have internet.
• Free trial & refunds: Start out with a free trial to get you started, but there’s also a 5-day money-back guarantee in case it’s not the right fit for you.
• Free updates forever: Even if you purchase the lifetime deal, you’ll always have access to any new software updates.

Pricing:

• One month: $39.95
• One year: $119.95
• Lifetime unlimited: $299.90

How to Use AVCLabs to Upscale Videos

• Step 1: Import your video – Click on the “Browse” button to import videos, or drag and drop the source videos directly into the program.
• Step 2: Choose your new resolution – On the right side of the interface, use any of the presets or the custom output settings to choose your new resolution. You can also toggle on any of the other features.
• Step 3: Preview the comparison – Use the eye icon to preview 1-second of the before and after comparison to make sure the quality is what you’re looking for.
• Step 4: Start processing – Once it looks good to you, click the “Start Processing” button to start rendering the video. When it’s done, you’ll find the new final video on your computer.

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2. Pixop

Pixop is one of the top web-based video upscaling platforms.

It’s different from Topaz in that it’s an online platform with a pay-as-you-go pricing model.

It’s best for social media content or anyone who has a few short videos to upscale. (It only cost me $0.51 to upscale a 10-second clip!)

If you’re a filmmaker with just some short b-roll clips to upscale, Pixop could be a great option.

Features:

• User-friendly interface: Straightforward and intuitive interface that makes video upscaling easy for both beginners and professionals.
• Pay-as-you-go pricing: Instead of a subscription model, Pixop lets users pay only for what they use, making it cost-effective for small projects or occasional needs.
• Fast processing speeds: Despite being a web-based platform, Pixop has fast processing times, letting you get your upscaled videos quickly.
• Advanced filters: Includes 8+ additional filters you can add to your footage including reshaper, denoiser, stabilizer, frame rate converter, and more.

Benefits:

• Collaboration: A lot of options for teams, including shared projects so you can work together in real-time to enhance productivity. It also supports real-time feedback and revisions.
• Integration: Can be integrated with other tools and platforms used by creative teams, streamlining workflows and reducing the need for switching between multiple platforms.
• Cloud-based platform: Being online means there’s no need for powerful devices; all processing is done in the cloud, reducing the strain on your computer, tablet, or phone.
• Continuous updates and improvements: Regularly updated with new features, filters, and enhancements to give users the best experience possible.

Pricing:

Pixop’s pricing is a pay-as-you-go model. But you have to add a minimum of $10 to your account each time you add money.

That $10 will then get you a variety of credits depending on what filters you use, the resolution you want, the length of your video, etc.

Buying more credits at once will cost less, which can be beneficial for big projects. But it’s hard to weigh that cost with AVCLab’s monthly plan that gives you unlimited upscaling.

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3. UniFab Video Enhancer AI

UniFab Video Enlarger AI is specifically tailored for PC users wanting to upscale their videos.

It’s the best Windows-compatible AI upscaler since it was designed with PC users in mind.

It also integrates seamlessly with their sister programs DVDFab and StreamFab, tools used for copying and ripping discs.

Features:

• 50x faster processing speed with GPU acceleration: Up to 50 times faster than other video upscaling software with GPU acceleration.
• Real-time preview: With the real-time preview feature, users can see how their upscaled video will look before processing it.
• Batch processing: Batch processing for large projects, meaning multiple videos can be upscaled at once, saving you lots of time.
• Easy-to-use interface: Intuitive interface that lets users of all skill levels easily navigate the platform and use all their features.
• Additional features: On top of the trim and crop capabilities, you can also add sound effects and remove background noise from the audio.

Benefits:

• Directly integrates with DVDFab/StreamFab: If you already use DVDFab or StreamFab, you can easily import your videos into UniFab to save you time.
• One-time fee available: We love one-time fees! It’s very reasonably priced, especially considering the quality of the results.
• Offline editing: Downloadable program so you can use it at any time, even if you don’t have internet.
• Free trial & refunds: Start out with a free trial to get you started, but there’s also a 5-day money-back guarantee in case it’s not the right fit for you.
• Free updates forever: Even if you purchase the lifetime deal, you’ll always have access to any new software updates.

Pricing:

1-Year: $99.99

Lifetime (for 1 computer): $139.99

Lifetime (for 5 computers): $299.99

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4. CapCut (FREE)

CapCut AI Video Upscaler is a FREE web-based video upscaler.

It’s super simple and straightforward, giving you limited options, but it still works well!

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 still works.

I also love that CapCut lets you navigate to a bunch of other free editing tools within their platform.

Features:

• High-quality output: Despite being a free tool, CapCut is still pretty good quality (although it only upscales 2x).
• Seamless integration: Seamless integration with a variety of free editing tools you can use without needing to leave the platform.
• Fast processing speeds: Quick video processing.

Benefits:

• Ease-of-use: User-friendly interface that makes video editing and upscaling straightforward.
• Time and cost efficiency: Who doesn’t love a free easy platform to save you time and money?!
• No watermarks: Unlike many free tools, CapCut does not add watermarks to your upscaled videos.

Pricing:

100% FREE!!

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5. TensorPix AI Video Enhancer

TensorPix AI Video Enhancer is another web-based professional video quality enhancer designed to transform video resolution.

Its accessible and convenient platform makes it really stand out from Topaz and lets the user do quick upscales without needing to download heavy software.

It’s best for anyone who needs a lot of simple upscales, or has a small budget.

Features:

• Quick processing: Designed for speed, making sure that your videos are upscaled and ready to go in no time.
• Batch processing: Lets users upscale multiple videos at once, saving valuable time when working on large projects or multiple files.
• Online accessibility: Being web-based means there’s no need to download or install any software, making it accessible from anywhere with an internet connection.

Benefits:

• Flexibility: Its wide format support means that no matter what type of video file you’re working with, TensorPix can handle it effortlessly.
• Cost savings: Budget-friendly option for getting professional-grade video quality without the high costs that usually come with traditional video editing software.
• User-friendly interface: Designed with simplicity in mind, it lets people of all skill levels enhance their videos without needing extensive technical knowledge.

Pricing:

The amount of credits it costs per video will vary depending on video size and length.

• Free = €0/m (Free credits on sign up, 3 AI filters per video, no free previews, etc)
• Standard = €11/m (15 new monthly credits, 4 AI filters per video, 15-second previews, etc)
• Premium = €25/m (40 new monthly credits, 5 AI filters per video, 15-second previews, etc)
• Elite = €61/m (120 new monthly credits, 6 AI filters per video, 15-second previews, etc)

TensorPix gives a wide range of options to choose from, but I’m not a fan of how they make you pay extra to use some of their basic features.

6. HitPaw

HitPaw Video Enhancer is another great web-based Topaz Video Enhance AI alternative.

One of the main differences between the two is in their processing time. While Topaz is a great detail enhancement and video noise reduction software, HitPaw excels at its faster processing times. This is because of its simplified features which are great for anyone who prioritizes speed and simplicity over detailed control.

This software is best for the creative professionals out there who want to do more than just upscale their videos. HitPaw’s higher price point comes from its impressive upscaling capabilities paired with the other AI video editing features on its platform.

The choice between HitPaw Video Enhancer and Topaz Video Enhance AI boils down to your specific needs: You value ease of use and speed (HitPaw) or are looking for high-quality output with detailed customization options (Topaz).

Features:

• Fast processing speeds: Designed for efficiency, HitPaw has rapid processing times.
• Multi-format support: HitPaw supports a wide range of video formats.
• Preview ability: Before exporting the upscale, users can preview their edits in real time.
• Batch processing: For those who need to upscale or enhance multiple videos at the same time, HitPaw’s batch processing feature saves time by handling several files in one go.
• Additional features: Provides unique features like background removal, sky replacement, stabilization, low-light enhancement, text enhancement, overexposure repair, and more.

Benefits:

• Saves time: Optimize your workflow with features like batch processing and real-time previews.
• Ease-of-use: Intuitive user interface that is easy to navigate even for those with minimal video editing experience.
• Flexible pricing: Offers a variety of cost points for different types of budgets.

Pricing:

For Mac users:

• $69.99 per month
• $109.99 per year
• $349.99 lifetime access

For PC users:

• $42.99 per month
• $99.99 per year
• $349.99 lifetime access

According to my research, you get the same features for either the Mac or PC software, so I’m not sure why there’s a difference in the price.

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Topaz Video AI Overview

Topaz Video AI is my top choice for AI video enhancement software. It uses artificial intelligence to upscale low-resolution videos to 8K resolution or even higher (if you really want 16k, it can do that!).

It can create stunning videos with its incredible detail preservation and noise reduction capabilities. It’s fantastic for professionals (or dedicated moms and dads!) looking to restore old videos, enhance film projects, or upscale content for higher-resolution displays.

Topaz Video AI focuses on delivering exceptional quality through machine learning models trained specifically on thousands of videos. This makes it a top pick for filmmakers, content creators, and archivists who prioritize quality and detail in their video enhancement tasks.

But, Topaz does come at a steep price of $299 for a lifetime deal.

But if you don’t need a lifetime subscription, don’t want to spend that kind of money on an upscaling tool, or don’t want to wait for a sale, you might be looking for an alternative.

Why Use an Alternative To Topaz AI?

Device Compatibility: Topaz Video Enhance AI requries you to have a powerful computer. If you don’t have such a computer, you’ll need to find an alternative that requires less processing power, or (ideally) that is cloud-based. This makes sure that you can still get great upscales even if you’re on your tablet or phone.

Flexible Payment Options: Topaz is a one-time fee (and comes with free updates for a year). Some people may prefer monthly payments over a one-time purchase. If you only need to upscale a few videos and don’t think you’ll need to use it again in the future, then try a different program where purchase a monthly subscription for just one month (AVCLabs), or even just pay-as-you-go credits (Pixop).

Easier Learning Curve: Topaz is reasonably complex to use. Beginners or those not as tech-savvy might want to look for a tool that is easier to use.

Specific Feature Requirements: Depending on your needs, an alternative might offer specific features or tools that better suit your video upscaling projects like specialized filters or faster processing times for certain video types.

Trial Offers and Demos: Exploring alternatives lets you take advantage of free trials and demos before financially committing to one platform. Even though you’re able to get a refund with most of these software, it’s nice to test the waters to see which one works best for your specific needs.

Integration with Other Software: If you’re using specific editing tools, finding an upscaling solution that integrates seamlessly with your existing workflow can save time and prevent compatibility issues.

Final Thoughts

Overall, finding the right AI video upscaling software is different for everyone.

It depends on the video resolution you need, how much you can spend, and if it works well with other programs you already use.

Basically, here’s my overall recommendations:

If you are looking for:	Try this program:
The Best Upscaling Quality Overall	Topaz AI
Almost-as-Good Quality on a Budget	AVCLabs (downloadable) Pixop (web-based)
Free Upscaling	Capcut
Web-Based Upscaling with No Downloads Needed	Pixop
Downloadable to Computer, so No Internet Connection Needed	Topaz AVCLabs Unifab

Once you’ve chosen a platform and you’re ready to create amazing videos, check out my article on how to start upscaling videos.

Common Questions (FAQs)