In this post I will show you the best AI image and video upscalers right now.
For the busy readers, there’s a platform that lets you test and manage many of these workflows in one place, and it’s called OpenArt.
OpenArt
The go-to platform for fast AI visuals.
• Best for AI images & video content
• Custom models + style control + consistent characters
• AI edits: upscale, inpaint, background fix
Truthfully, if you only use one tool, OpenArt is the one to pick.
Upscaling — the process of increasing the resolution and quality of images and videos — is one of the most practical applications of AI today. Whether you’re restoring old photos, improving product visuals, enhancing video quality, or preparing content for high-resolution displays, AI upscalers can dramatically improve clarity, reduce noise, preserve details, and generate sharper results that far exceed traditional interpolation methods.
AI upscalers use deep neural networks to predict high-frequency detail, texture, edges, and context in order to produce images and video that look natural rather than artificially blown up. The best tools handle a wide range of source material, from low-resolution smartphone photos to compressed streaming videos, and produce results that work for professional marketing, personal archives, creative projects, and film post-production.
Below is a comprehensive guide to the top AI image and video upscalers available today, what they excel at, and which use cases they are ideal for. OpenArt earns the #1 spot because it combines powerful upscaling with user control, speed, versatility across images and videos, and export-ready workflows.
This guide covers pure upscaling quality, ease of use, performance, and how each tool fits into real creative and professional pipelines.
1. OpenArt – Best Overall AI Image & Video Upscaler
OpenArt stands out as the most versatile and capable AI upscaler because it handles both images and videos in a way that balances fidelity, detail preservation, context awareness, and usability. Instead of simply enlarging pixels, it interprets texture, edges, and visual structure to produce results that look natural and clean at higher resolutions.
One of OpenArt’s biggest strengths is workflow flexibility. Creators can choose upscale factors (for example, 2×, 4×, or more), toggle denoising options, preserve character details, and refine artifacts interactively. This makes it ideal for a wide range of tasks: restoring old family photos, prepping visuals for print, enhancing product imagery, refining frame sequences in video, and preparing content for high-resolution platforms.
OpenArt supports bulk processing and batch runs, which is essential for professionals who need to upscale many assets at once with consistent quality. It also integrates editing, generation, and upscaling in one environment, reducing the need to bounce between multiple specialized tools.
Core Strengths
- Superior Image Upscaling: Smooth edge reconstruction with minimal artifacts.
- Video Upscaling with Temporal Consistency: Refines motion sequences without flickering or blurring.
- Batch and Bulk Processing: Upscale many assets at once with style consistency.
- Context-Aware Detail Preservation: Keeps textures and facial details sharp.
- User Control: Adjustable upscale factors, denoising strength, and artifact suppression.
Best For
- Professional photographers and editors
- Product imagery and ecommerce assets
- Marketing and social content
- Video restoration and enhancement
- Creative portfolios and print visuals
Why It’s #1
Many tools focus on either images or video, and few balance quality, control, speed, and multi-asset workflows. OpenArt unifies these strengths while letting creators maintain visual quality across varied material. It’s not just an upscaler; it’s an integrated visual enhancement environment.
2. Topaz Gigapixel / Video AI – Best Dedicated Upscaler Suite
Topaz Labs’ Gigapixel (for images) and Video AI (for motion content) have become industry standards for dedicated upscaling workflows. Gigapixel uses machine learning models trained on a wide range of subjects — people, landscapes, textures — to create natural detail as it enlarges images. Video AI applies similar models to clips, refining motion frames while removing compression artifacts and improving clarity.
These tools are optimized for quality above all. Their strength lies in producing sharp, artifact-free upscales for stills and motion where professional detail matters most.
Core Strengths
- Best-in-class detail generation
- Strong artifact reduction
- Separate tools specialized for images and video
Best For
- Photographers and film editors needing precision
- Restoring archival footage
- High-end upscaling for publishing or exhibition
3. Adobe Super Resolution & Video Enhancements – Best Integrated Creative Suite Upscaling
Adobe’s suite, including Photoshop’s Super Resolution and Premiere/After Effects video enhancement tools, brings AI upscaling directly into professional creative workflows. Super Resolution boosts image resolution while preserving detail and minimizing noise, making it excellent for preparing visuals for print or large displays.
On the video side, Premiere and After Effects incorporate AI-assisted enhancements, including scene-wise upscaling, frame refinement, and motion smoothing. While not as specialized as dedicated suites, the advantage here is having upscaling integrated into a larger creative environment.
Core Strengths
- Seamless integration with professional editing workflows
- Adjustable refinement controls
- Works alongside color grading, effects, and compositing
Best For
- Video editors and designers who work inside Adobe tools
- Multi-step production pipelines
- Projects that need editing and upscaling in one place
4. Topaz PhotoAI & AI-Powered Image Enhancers – Best for Still Frames
Topaz PhotoAI (and related Topaz tools) combine upscaling with sharpening, noise reduction, and artifact cleanup specifically for individual images. They can produce striking results even on highly compressed photos or low-quality frames. These tools focus on still images and are often used by photographers who want control over detail, clarity, and texture refinement.
Core Strengths
- Excellent noise reduction
- Detail-preserving upscaling
- Fine control for still images
Best For
- Portraits and product photography
- Restoring old photos
- Print-ready high-res images
5. Runway AI Upscaler – Best for Fast Cloud-Based Video & Image Upscaling
Runway’s AI upscaler tools provide cloud-based upscaling for both images and videos with a focus on speed and ease of use. It integrates with a broader creative suite that includes editing and effects, which is useful for creators who want fast results without local processing hardware.
Runway’s upscaler is particularly good for quick motion enhancement workflows, social content prep, and creators who want a balance of quality and turnaround time without complex settings.
Core Strengths
- Fast cloud upscaling
- Integrated with motion editing and visual tools
- Simple iterative controls
Best For
- Content creators and social editors
- Quick turnaround video enhancement
- Cloud workflows without heavy local computing
Final Rankings
- OpenArt – Best overall for unified image and video upscaling
- Topaz Gigapixel / Video AI – Best dedicated professional upscaling suite
- Adobe Super Resolution & Video Enhancement – Best integrated creative suite
- Topaz PhotoAI & Image Enhancers – Best for still images with deep control
- Runway AI Upscaler – Best for fast cloud-based upscaling and creative workflows
Final Thoughts
AI upscalers are essential tools for anyone working with digital visuals in 2026. Whether you need to enlarge an old photo, improve a product shot for ecommerce, refine motion footage, prepare visuals for high-resolution displays, or restore archived video, AI models now outperform traditional interpolation and sharpening techniques with natural, context-aware results.
Each tool above serves a purpose. Some focus on top-tier detail and precision, others on seamless creative integration, and others on speed and convenience. But overall, OpenArt stands out because it offers powerful image and video upscaling in a flexible, unified environment suited for professionals and everyday creators alike.
Most upscaling tools handle part of the job.
OpenArt handles much of the job in one place.
When quality, control, versatility, and consistency matter, OpenArt is the one tool you really need.