5 Best Free AI Photo Colorizers in 2026

February 12, 2026 5 min read

Quick Answer

EditThisPic is the best free AI photo colorizer in 2026. Upload a black-and-white photo and type 'colorize this photo naturally.' The AI adds realistic colors—skin tones, clothing, backgrounds—based on contextual understanding of the image. Free to use, no signup needed.

How We Tested Photo Colorization Tools

We colorized three images: a 1940s black-and-white family portrait, a 1960s street scene, and a vintage landscape. We evaluated skin tone accuracy, color naturalness, handling of fabrics and textures, and sky/vegetation realism.

Which Free Colorizer Gives the Best Results?

EditThisPic produces the most controllable results because text prompts let you guide the colorization. If the AI guesses wrong on a dress color, you can follow up with 'make the dress blue instead.' MyHeritage excels at vintage portraits specifically and integrates with family tree features. DeOldify's open-source model is available free through various sites.

Step-by-Step Guide

Scan Your Black-and-White Photo

Scan at 300+ DPI for the best results. If scanning isn't available, photograph the print in even lighting without flash. The better the input, the better the colorization.

Upload and Colorize

Drop the image into EditThisPic and type: 'colorize this photo naturally.' For specific guidance: 'colorize this photo, the woman has brown hair and is wearing a red dress, the background is a green garden.'

Download Your Color Version

Compare the colorized version with the original. Remember that AI is interpreting colors based on context—the exact colors may not match reality, but the effect brings the photo to life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are AI-colorized photos historically accurate?

Not necessarily. AI colorizes based on learned patterns, not historical records. Skin tones and vegetation are usually realistic, but clothing colors, car colors, and specific items are the AI's best guess. For accuracy, provide guidance: 'the car is green, the house is yellow.'

Can I colorize very old photos from the 1800s?

Yes. AI colorization works on photos from any era. Very old photos with low detail or damage benefit from restoration first (fix scratches, improve clarity), then colorization.

Can I control what colors the AI uses?

In EditThisPic, yes. Describe the colors you want: 'colorize with a blue sky, green grass, and brown hair.' Without guidance, the AI makes its best contextual guess.

Will colorization damage my original photo?

No. You're working with a digital copy. The original scan or file remains unchanged. Always keep your original black-and-white version alongside the colorized one.

Bring Old Photos to Life

Upload a black-and-white photo and add natural color. AI colorization in seconds.

Try It Free